In a message dated 9/16/2005 10:53:41 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Reid writes:
OK so here's my first dumb question I couldn't find in the archives: What's
the best way to mount a water bottle cage (or other clamp) without damaging the paint or decals? Would coating the clamp with the rubber tool-handle goop work? Wrap with some kind of tape? Better ideas?
Thanks guys, maybe see you in So Cal in October, Reid Fisher San Martin, CA
Stay away from tape, ideally you'll want something without adhesive which, even if it does no harm to the paint, will collect dirt.
The handle dip goop sounds like a great idea... even comes in a bunch of different colors.
On the other hand, if you want it to look like a vintage bike, probably the best thing is to wrap the tube with a small section of inner tube... I used to see that a lot back in the old days. Use a butyl tube, not a latex one (the black color will probably be less obtrusive, plus I think latex breaks down faster, especially in the sun). I'd cut it into a narrow strip with a bulge in the middle so that the bottle cage tabs are supported too, not just the bands.
Bob Hovey
Columbus GA