2019 Road-E+ (S) | Water cage mount

[IonLion]

Hi all!

Picked up a new 2019 Road-E+ last week for commuting purposes. It's a small and a water cage mount doesn't fit on the frame or the handle bars. Any recommendations? I'm thinking of getting a Topeak Tri-Backup Pro V that attaches to the saddle.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pullenj]

I have the same problem! I was so disappointed to not find braze ons for a water bottle when I brought home my bike after looking at the mediums which had them!

I bought a similar saddle attachment from VeloChampion off amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NV0CL44/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) I really like how adjustable it is so I can control the angle that my bottles are at. I also have a Revelate Designs Feedbag (https://www.rei.com/product/115540/revelate-designs-mountain-feedbag-handlebar-bag ) that I use to keep a water bottle easily accessible (I find putting the water bottles back in the cage behind me troublesome) but would work for lots of things.

Is the rack you have MIK compatible? There is also a Topeak Trunk bag that has a water bottle compartment. I bought the MIK adapter plate and drilled holes to mount it on the bottom of my trunk bag and now it is securely attached to my rear rack so that is also an option if you need to keep it free behind your saddle.

 

[IonLion]

I have the same problem! I was so disappointed to not find braze ons for a water bottle when I brought home my bike after looking at the mediums which had them!

I bought a similar saddle attachment from VeloChampion off amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NV0CL44/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) I really like how adjustable it is so I can control the angle that my bottles are at. I also have a Revelate Designs Feedbag (https://www.rei.com/product/115540/revelate-designs-mountain-feedbag-handlebar-bag ) that I use to keep a water bottle easily accessible (I find putting the water bottles back in the cage behind me troublesome) but would work for lots of things.

Is the rack you have MIK compatible? There is also a Topeak Trunk bag that has a water bottle compartment. I bought the MIK adapter plate and drilled holes to mount it on the bottom of my trunk bag and now it is securely attached to my rear rack so that is also an option if you need to keep it free behind your saddle.

Thanks for the reply and useful information! I checked out the VeloChampion solution- there appears to be a few negative reviews (water bottles keep popping out over bumps due to the unit becoming loose. Have you experienced this problem?

I use my old axiom trunk bag on the rack. Does the job and it does hold a water bottle (or 2), but I'd like to be able to drink while riding.

Although I just realized that if I use the trunk bag, I'd probably be unable to use the water mounts!

 

[pullenj]

I haven't had any problems with the unit becoming loose. I also had seen a lot of reviews about the teeth getting stripped when they adjusted the unit, and that was a concern when I purchased it. I was careful to make sure that everything was aligned before I tightened it and I haven't had any problems with it coming loose.
On my quick E, I have the bottle mount with 2 cages and also my trunk bag mounted on my rack. It fits but its close. Due to it being a custom mount (drilled holes through a topeak bag to mount a MIK adapter) I had some flexibility if I needed it but I got lucky and it all just fit. I think it would depend on your bag & racks specifics as to if it would fit.
Drinking while riding is why I ended up with the feedbag. Reaching behind me for my bottle isn't hard but getting it back in place I just can't manage. I tend to drink when I stop at lights now as drinking though a full face helmet isn't the easiest thing.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

Gee, you mean the medium frame size bike has the braze ons for a water bottle cage and the small frame doesn't?

Does anyone know if that's the same for the 2019 Explore E+ 1 GTS in small frame size? I've got one being shipped cross Canada to me and I've never seen a small frame version of this bike in person. I'll be bummed out if this doesn't have the braze ons.

I'd hate to have to carry my water bottle in a pannier, meaning I'd have to stop and dismount in order to get a sip of water.

 

[pullenj]

@Mtl_Biker - Yes! that's the unfortunate truth, at least for the Quick E. I test rode a medium but it was just to tall of a standover height for me. I had noticed that it had a water bottle spot, which was a bonus because most of the other models I test rode did not have water bottles.
If it makes it feel any better, while there are braze ons on the medium, the frame spacing prevents all but the smallest water bottles to fit in there.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

@Mtl_Biker - Yes! that's the unfortunate truth, at least for the Quick E. I test rode a medium but it was just to tall of a standover height for me. I had noticed that it had a water bottle spot, which was a bonus because most of the other models I test rode did not have water bottles.
If it makes it feel any better, while there are braze ons on the medium, the frame spacing prevents all but the smallest water bottles to fit in there.

Well, that's really a disappointment. I'm used to drinking water on my rides without stopping. I never dreamed that there would be a possibility of not having braze ons for mounting a cage. But maybe, just maybe, the Explore E+ 1 GTS (2019) will have them. At this point I guess it's unlikely that it will have. I'll know for sure when my bike arrives (tracking says Tuesday the 13th.

Like you, I test rode a medium frame bike (Explore E+ 3) and it had them, but also like you, I found the frame too tall for me.

I'm going to see if I can find someone here who has the Explore E+ 1 GTS with small frame size and ask.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

@pullenj - Just checked the specs and unfortunately (for me) both the Quick E and Explore E+ 1 in small frame size have the same length seat tube - 435mm (17.1"). So, SIGH, it's unlikely that my new bike will have the braze ons either. What a drag!

What solution did you end up with?

 

[pullenj]

I use the VeloChampion mount with a pair of Lezyne Side Load Flow cages. I also use the Revelate Mountain Feed bag to keep a bottle on my handle bars. (Links are in post#2 )

 

[Mtl_Biker]

I use the VeloChampion mount with a pair of Lezyne Side Load Flow cages. I also use the Revelate Mountain Feed bag to keep a bottle on my handle bars. (Links are in post#2 )

Thanks for pointing me to those links.

Darn it! I always have a seat bag on my bikes, containing spare tube, tire irons and a multi-tool. As well as a few bucks, just in case. I don't always ride with my panniers (at least I don't want to always ride with them).

I guess there's no such thing as the perfect e-bike. SIGH But darn it! No place to attach a water bottle cage? Crazy!!!!

 

[pullenj]

Do you plan to put a rack on your bike? I know under my cage mount there is a small bit room for a saddle bag too. Or you could try a small frame bag (small triangle or even a long rectangle under the top bar) for all the goodies and put your water behind the seat.

I have found that I really like a trunk bag, not as bulky as panniers, but still enough to hold a change of clothes and all my emergency tools. I save the panniers for days when I'm bringing in a weeks worth of clothes. I use the Topeak Trunkbag Ex-Velcro (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0186OQIEI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)& it has a separator in it so I can keep all my tools, tires & everyday stuff tucked away and then have open space for whatever I need just that day.
If your bike will take the Giant Metro E Rack (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/rack-it-metro-e-rear-rack) the photos dont show it but it does have a MIK deck plate which is awesome. You will need the MIK adapter plate and then you can drill some holes to mount it to the Topeak trunk and it will all snap together super easy. MIK has a neat "locking" function that needs a special key to remove the adapter from the rack. Someone could just rip your bag off but they would have to work for it. I imagine that they would just go for the zipper instead... when you want to remove the bag it is a quick button push with the key and it comes right off.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Can you elaborate or post a pic or two of the adaptation to the Topeak system on the Metro rack? I got that rack for my ToughRoad and am very interested. Thanks!

 

[pullenj]

I'll try to get some photos when I get home but here is a general description.
Topeak Trunkbag Ex-Velcro (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0186OQIEI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
The MIK adapter plate (https://www.amazon.com/Basil-MIK-Adapter-Plate-Black/dp/B075DKV1MK)

1.Each corner is a screw & washer that screws into the base. Red circle is the piece that screws loose.
2. I took the screws out so I could mark the locations of the holes on the bottom of my Topeak bag. I taped the base in place and snapped it in to make sure I had it where I wanted it. The bottom is semi ridgid so that really helps to mark & then drill through it.
3. I took the bottom padding & taped it out of the way inside the Topeak bag (just a small piece that flips up. and drilled my marked holes (going from the outside to the inside)
4. Then place the screws/Washer pieces on the inside the bag, through the holes you just made, and attached to the base of the MIK plate. Tighten screws & you are done!

I was super nervous drilling holes in a brand new bag... but it worked out well.
Earlier i had posted the wrong bag, mine doesn't have the rail system on it. I got the velcro one, and the velcro is not in the way at all. I edited the posts to show the correct Topeak Trunk bag.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

I'll try to get some photos when I get home but here is a general description.
Topeak Trunkbag Ex-Velcro (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0186OQIEI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
The MIK adapter plate (https://www.amazon.com/Basil-MIK-Adapter-Plate-Black/dp/B075DKV1MK)
View attachment 36373 View attachment 36374
1.Each corner is a screw & washer that screws into the base. Red circle is the piece that screws loose.
2. I took the screws out so I could mark the locations of the holes on the bottom of my Topeak bag. I taped the base in place and snapped it in to make sure I had it where I wanted it. The bottom is semi ridgid so that really helps to mark & then drill through it.
3. I took the bottom padding & taped it out of the way inside the Topeak bag (just a small piece that flips up. and drilled my marked holes (going from the outside to the inside)
4. Then place the screws/Washer pieces on the inside the bag, through the holes you just made, and attached to the base of the MIK plate. Tighten screws & you are done!

I was super nervous drilling holes in a brand new bag... but it worked out well.
Earlier i had posted the wrong bag, mine doesn't have the rail system on it. I got the velcro one, and the velcro is not in the way at all. I edited the posts to show the correct Topeak Trunk bag.

What great info!

I've got to learn what this MIK rack system is all about. The rack on the Explore E+ 1 GTS is a "MIK rack". I believe my panniers (Ortleib) will fit just fine after having tried them on a different model. But I really like the trunkbag you pointed us to, and once I get my bike I'll probably understand the MIK system more and it'll be easier to figure out what I need to buy. (If you have a MIK rack, what is a "MIK Adapter Plate" for?)

That trunkbag is more than double the price here in Canada on amazon.ca. SIGH And the adapter plate is almost FOUR TIMES the price up here than in the US.

Tell me, without doing any drilling or cutting, the way the trunkbag and adapter plate arrive, can they be used on the rack? Even if not as perfect as your installation. I'm asking because it might be possible for me to order in the US and have it delivered to the border. Then for me to drive down by car with the bike on my rack for a day of cycling. And if I come back with a dusty bag and rack, who's the wiser? But I wouldn't want to go down with a drill and other tools that are not necessary for regular riding.

 

[IonLion]

I haven't had any problems with the unit becoming loose. I also had seen a lot of reviews about the teeth getting stripped when they adjusted the unit, and that was a concern when I purchased it. I was careful to make sure that everything was aligned before I tightened it and I haven't had any problems with it coming loose.
On my quick E, I have the bottle mount with 2 cages and also my trunk bag mounted on my rack. It fits but its close. Due to it being a custom mount (drilled holes through a topeak bag to mount a MIK adapter) I had some flexibility if I needed it but I got lucky and it all just fit. I think it would depend on your bag & racks specifics as to if it would fit.
Drinking while riding is why I ended up with the feedbag. Reaching behind me for my bottle isn't hard but getting it back in place I just can't manage. I tend to drink when I stop at lights now as drinking though a full face helmet isn't the easiest thing.

Thanks again for the info!

There isn't any way the water bottles will fit in the rear with my current set up.




So I'll need to either use the panniers or maybe get a different trunk.

 

[IonLion]

Well, that's really a disappointment. I'm used to drinking water on my rides without stopping. I never dreamed that there would be a possibility of not having braze ons for mounting a cage. But maybe, just maybe, the Explore E+ 1 GTS (2019) will have them. At this point I guess it's unlikely that it will have. I'll know for sure when my bike arrives (tracking says Tuesday the 13th.

Like you, I test rode a medium frame bike (Explore E+ 3) and it had them, but also like you, I found the frame too tall for me.

I'm going to see if I can find someone here who has the Explore E+ 1 GTS with small frame size and ask.

On the small frame of the Road-E, it doesn't appear that you can mount water bottles or any of those Giant frame bag (I noticed another chap here posted a pic of his Road-E that seemed to have the frame bag. Not a deal breaker at all for me though, I'm so far loving this bike!

 

[pullenj]

What great info!

Tell me, without doing any drilling or cutting, the way the trunkbag and adapter plate arrive, can they be used on the rack? Even if not as perfect as your installation. I'm asking because it might be possible for me to order in the US and have it delivered to the border. Then for me to drive down by car with the bike on my rack for a day of cycling. And if I come back with a dusty bag and rack, who's the wiser? But I wouldn't want to go down with a drill and other tools that are not necessary for regular riding.

Without drilling you could velcro the bag to the rack & put the adapter in the bag until you got home to drill & attach everything. The trunk bag is made to attach to regular racks with the velcro.

Are you familiar with the rail mounted trunk racks, how the bag attaches to the rack by sliding on the rail and clipping in? The MIK system is similar but it doesn't slide on a rail.

This is a bag that already has a MIK adapter built onto the bottom of it. (Piccoloman was nice enough to share this photo with me!) if your bag or basket doesn't have this then you can use the adpater plate to make the bag MIK compatible. The Red circle is the nose (for lack of better term) of the plate and the Blue circle is the back of the plate that clips on to the rack.

This is a MIK Rack top (it will look the same on each MIK rack, even though this is just a piece of one)

The red circle is where the nose of the adapter will slide into/under and then the blue circle is where the adapter will clip on.

This is the little "key" that you use to unlock the bag from the rack.

It does fold down into just the black piece for carrying in your pocket or bag, or you can leave it installed in the adapter for easy removal.

Hopefully that is all clear as mud.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

@pullenj - Most helpful!!! Thanks very much for your efforts. I'm starting to understand all this much better.

My new bike is the 2019 Explore E+ 1 GTS, and from the website it says it has, "MIK rack. System bag & basket compatible". The Quick E+ on the other hand says, "Integrated pannier bag carrier, compatible with MIK system top-deck". Which to me implies that the racks are somehow different. Does it mean on the Quick E+ that the user needs to buy a top deck plate? And that on the Explore it is already there? Again, I'm probably going to have to actually see my bike to fully understand.

Is the MIK system compatible with any other system? Searching the Topeak site, they talk about MTS QuickTrack which most likely isn't compatible. The MTX Trunkbag EX comes with that MTS QuickTrack, so I guess that would need to be removed? And then what? If the Explore E+ 1 already has a MIK rack... what else would I need?

 

[pullenj]

Sounds like your bike will come with a MIK rack already! Nice! This looks like the MIK deck is already part of your rack.

Unfortunately the MIK system is only compatible with itself, from what I can see. With the Topeak bags I would recommend buying a velcro version (Topeak Trunkbag Ex-Velcro) as I don't know how the track parts come off the their systems.

Since your rack is already set up for MIK you would need a MIK compatible bags (Giant & Basil are the brands that seems to be making the most bags) or an adapter plate and you can attach it to any bag or basket that you would like.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

Sounds like your bike will come with a MIK rack already! Nice! This looks like the MIK deck is already part of your rack.
View attachment 36388
Unfortunately the MIK system is only compatible with itself, from what I can see. With the Topeak bags I would recommend buying a velcro version (Topeak Trunkbag Ex-Velcro) as I don't know how the track parts come off the their systems.

Since your rack is already set up for MIK you would need a MIK compatible bags (Giant & Basil are the brands that seems to be making the most bags) or an adapter plate and you can attach it to any bag or basket that you would like.

That Topeak trunkbag you linked to is the nicest one I've found so far by searching. Perfect size, water bottle holder, looks good. The Basil ones don't appeal to me as much, and Giant, well, only has one trunk bag and it's bigger than I want and also doesn't have a water bottle holder, and doesn't look as nice (to me) as the Topeak.

So I guess I'll have to take another look at the offerings from Basil. Problem is there's no local source for them here so I'd have to order sight-unseen online. Sort of like I ordered my bike!