Topeak Versamount

The Topeak Versamount is a simple, reliable way of adding bottle cages to smaller frames or those without bottle bosses. Topeak suggests they're also suitable for mounting other lightweight accessories but doesn't list examples.

• Pros: Reliable, discreet and easy to fit
• Cons: Measure twice, cut once; less portable between bikes than some designs

Each kit contains two bands made from composites, designed to accommodate tubing diameters between 20 and 60mm. This covers most bases, from pencil thin road frames through to oversized seatposts and suspension forks.

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Rubber shims are included, offering secure, scratch-free tenure to most surfaces. Chances are you'll need to trim these to size, or substitute for DIY options made from old inner tubes. The bands then tighten via composite screws with 3mm Allen heads, and your bottle cage attaches with 3mm stainless steel fasteners.

For the most part, fitting is a two-minute job but remember to add a quick lick of grease/wet lube to the fasteners. Double check alignment before lopping excess bands, too; leave some surplus and snip later if you're in any doubt.

The maximum payload is an impressive 1.2kg, relative to weight and dimensions. That's enough for hauling expedition type flasks, and a practical option for those still running high-power lights feeding from hefty old-school bottle batteries.

In the frame...

I toyed with having bottle bosses added to my beloved 1950s road path frame, when its fractured bottom bracket shell was replaced, back in 2012. However, though the build is anything but 'period', I wanted to preserve the frame's originality.

Before committing to its skinny tubes I had a quick dry run elsewhere, starting with my tubby tourer's fork legs and some other large diameter tubing just to check the Versamount would genuinely fit tubing between 20 and 60mm. For most applications, this will be academic, but at the largest diameters we're in 'just about' territory.

Fitting the bands to my favourite fixed's down tube required a bit of shuffling to optimise position, especially given that the SKS Adapter and Elite Ciussi cage already on the frame sit quite a long way proud of the seat tube. Swapping the Ciussi for a 'winged' model helped, but riders of smaller frames might want to bear this in mind when choosing cages.

The Topeak logos are useful, helping to ensure the two bands are positioned correctly.

I started with a bog standard 600ml bottle for the first few rides, before steadily increasing the size and weight. During our first 20-mile blast I discovered the lower band slackening slightly and refusing to tighten satisfactorily. Given the modest payload, I squirrelled the threaded plastic retaining screw into a zippered pocket and rode the remaining seven miles, keeping a close eye on the band. It rotated slightly, but nothing to write home about.

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Back in the garage, adding a lick of threadlock to the delinquent resin fastener, then snugging it tight proved the solution – confirmed by several subsequent test runs at TT pace and with gun-slinger-quick bottle snatches.

I've had it hosting a Bontrager tool bottle, fully laden, and it was rock steady throughout. Upping the ante, and keen to call Topeak's bluff, I resurrected its Modula XL cage and loaded that with a full 1.5 litre soft drinks bottle. To its credit and my surprise, the Versamount passed this test, too, although by the third outing I needed to nip both sets of hardware snug.

Conclusion

Having used band-on designs with varying success over the past decade, I'd say the Versamount proved very effective. One big plus is that it allows you to finely hone the optimal places for braze-on bosses if you were looking to modify an older steel frame prior to respraying or were having a frame built using similar geometry but with 'civilian' touches.

The SKS Adapter mentioned above is cheaper, and an alloy bracket mounting to the saddle rails might be a more secure albeit less convenient arrangement, but for mounting standard bottles and cages there's a lot in the Versamount's favour.

Verdict

Neat and generally reliable means of attaching bottle cages to frames and other tubing