Bottle Holder Installation

Tools:

  • Cleaning towel or wet wipes
  • Scissors
  • Pliers with side Cutters

First-time installation steps:

  1. It may be easier with front wheel removed.
  2. Clean fork of any dirt or grease.
  3. Loosen brake hose to make clearance for tape.
  4. Set the bottle holder height:
    Hold the bottle and holder up to the fork leg.
    The top of the bottle should be at level where the fork leg and seals come together. On the fork, mark the level of the top tape slot.
  5. Install the top-level rim tape:
    Wrap 2 layers of tape on the fork for the top tape slot.
    Start wrapping with the end facing away from the bike. Cut the tape off. 
  6. Install the mid-level rim tape:
    Fit the holder to the leg with top tape in top slot of block.
    Mark position and wrap tape for center slot, same as above.
Measuring tape placement
  1. Install lower level rim tape:
    Same as above.
  2. Insert zip ties through holder block:
    Insert zip tie from side opposite from the recess for the zip tie head.
  3. Mount Bottle holder block:
    Position block against fork and over the 3 tape wraps.
    Wrap zip ties around fork and thru the zip tie heads.
    Ensure that zip ties are above the tape wraps.
    Seat zip tie heads in the recess and tighten snug only.
  1. Orient the Block:
    Holder should be on front side of fork.
    Rotate outward slightly to ensure that bottle can never contact wheel or disc brake.
  2. Tighten zip ties:
    Use pliers to tighten zip ties as much as possible.
    Cut off excess length of zip tie.
  3. Re-attach brake hose

Bottle installation

  1. Thread the strap through the wheel side strap slot, buckle tab facing wheel, as shown in photo.
  2. Wrap strap around fork leg and back through the outer strap slot.
  3. Position buckle so it will be in center of the bottle.
  1. A bottle with a cage groove works best, but other types of bottles work as well.
  2. Place bottle onto block to engage bottle groove and tighten and buckle the strap. Tighter is best (no movement).
  3. Thread the excess strap back through both strap slots to keep straps in place during riding.
  1. When you don’t need extra water, leave the straps at home.

Tips:

  1. Get the bottles as high on the fork leg as possible to avoid rock strikes and debris from the trail.
  2. Rotate the bottle holder so it will not hit the brake disc if the bottle moves or becomes loose.
  3. Removing the bottle holder is very simple. Just cut the zip ties.
  4. Leave the tape in place for future use. Easy!
  5. Tape can be removed at any time. Use a 19mm cotton rim tape for best results.
  6. Zip ties. 11” zip tie is preferred so you have enough length to firmly pull and set the zip tie. Heavy duty zip ties are preferred. Gardner Bender 46-310UVB DoubleLock Cable Tie, 11 inch, 75 lb, Electrical Wire and Cord Management, Nylon Zip Tie.