How to fit bottle rack

A practical guide to fitting a bottle cage rack to your bamboo bicycle frame.

Adding a bottle cage to your bamboo bicycle is one of the simplest upgrades you can make — and one of the most practical for long rides. Whether you're fitting a standard cage boss or using clamp-on mounts, this guide covers everything you need to know to get it right the first time.

"The whole goal of Bamboo Bicycle Club is to make bike-building accessible to everyone."

Types of Bottle Cage Mounts

• Threaded bosses (M5): The most secure option, threaded directly into the frame tube. If your BBC kit includes pre-installed bosses, use these.
• Clamp-on mounts: Suitable for tubes without bosses. Choose a clamp diameter that matches your tube — bamboo tubes vary from 28mm to 35mm depending on frame position.
• Band mounts: Lightweight rubber-band style mounts that grip the tube without screws. Good for temporary setups or very smooth bamboo tubes.

Step-by-Step: Fitting Threaded Bosses

1. Mark the position on the down tube — typically 100–120mm from the bottom bracket shell, centred on the tube.
2. Use a punch to mark the drill point precisely.
3. Drill at the correct angle (perpendicular to the tube surface) using a 4.2mm bit for M5 threads.
4. Tap the hole with an M5 thread tap. Use cutting oil and go slowly — bamboo is tough but can split if forced.
5. Insert a T-nut or threaded insert if the wall is thin. Apply epoxy around the insert for permanence.
6. Allow to cure fully (24 hours minimum) before fitting the cage.
7. Fit the cage with M5 stainless socket cap screws (the same spec as used in your BBC kit).

Tips for Bamboo Tubes

Bamboo tube walls vary in thickness — always check before drilling. Thicker-walled sections near the nodes are ideal for boss placement. Avoid nodes themselves as the dense tissue can cause drill bits to wander. If fitting clamp-on mounts, use a thin rubber gasket between the clamp and the bamboo to prevent scratching and micro-cracking of the culm surface.

"Founded in London in 2012 by James Marr, bamboo is said to have ideal properties for bike construction with its 'excellent vibration dampening effects', resistance to stress and durability."

Watch the BBC Workshop Wednesday series on YouTube for video demonstrations of all frame-fitting techniques.