How to remove a bottle cage

[Sunny Portrush]

Yes, simple as it normally is, this time, the bottom bolt just will not shift, all the other ones came off easily (two bottle cages on the bike)

I have probably ruined the head of the bolt through excessive twisting and swearing and now looking to see what other options I have. I don't really want to have to cut the bottle cage off the bike and then try to remove the bolt with some mole grips or pliers but I fear that's what I'll end up doing.

And I did watch a GCN video on youtube that included trying to put an elastic band

 

[Cycleops]

That might be the only solution.
You might try finding a screwdriver of such a head size that you can force it into the bolt and use a mole to turn it. There is a specialist tool that can be used called a gripper wrench intended for truss rod removal on guitars, don't know if the cost would justify it. Let me know if you want the link.
No idea why it wouldn't turn initially but sometimes dirt fills up the head so the key won't be fully seated and rounds off the bolt.

 

[Mike_P]

Get a reverse thread drill bit. Once the bit has locked into the bolt run the drill normally and the whole should unthread.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

That might be the only solution.
You might try finding a screwdriver of such a head size that you can force it into the bolt and use a mole to turn it. There is a specialist tool that can be used called a gripper wrench intended for truss rod removal on guitars, don't know if the cost would justify it. Let me know if you want the link.
No idea why it wouldn't turn initially but sometimes dirt fills up the head so the key won't be fully seated and rounds off the bolt.

Get a reverse thread drill bit. Once the bit has locked into the bolt run the drill normally and the whole should unthread.

Cycleops - yeah, likely to be dirt in it but it was the fourth out of fourth that I removed and the others came off easily. And I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years and never heard of a gripper wrench!

Mike P - I will see what we have (I'm crap at DIY lol)

 

[Jameshow]

Cycleops - yeah, likely to be dirt in it but it was the fourth out of fourth that I removed and the others came off easily. And I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years and never heard of a gripper wrench!

Mike P - I will see what we have (I'm crap at DIY lol)

That's Mechanic law
The last bolt you need to remove is a stubborn bolt to remove.

 

[Big John]

So if I've read this correctly you now have one cage held on by one bolt? The cage is way bigger than the bolt so turn the cage anti clockwise and it should move the bolt. If it's a domed bolt a mole grip won't have anything to grip on but if it's not domed you should have something to get a mole grip on. There are two ways to hold the mole grip.....vertically and horizontally. Sometimes vertical is the only way you can get to the bolt. Failing that the reverse thread drill bit is a possible option but having tried this myself a few times it's not always an easy job. You might have to drill a pilot hole first to give a good fit for the reverse drill bit. These drill bits work but they can be a faff. Failing all this there is another route you can take but let's see how you get on before going down the 'drill the bugger out and fit a new rivnut' path.

 

[Cycleops]

And I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years and never heard of a gripper wrench!

But you might have heard of StewMac? His invention.

View: https://youtu.be/5kocOC5_ID4?si=UQDJUyfdo_nZZIWZ

Hope to see you on the 'Bass and Guitarist's 'thread in Hobbies and Interests.

 

[midlife]

Could try smacking in a slightly oversize torx bit and se if that grips enough to remove.

 

[Juan Kog]

Sounds like it’s time for a new bike.
No need to thank me , always happy to give advice.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Sounds like it’s time for a new bike.
No need to thank me , always happy to give advice.

That is by far the best advice, there was me worrying about maybe having to buy a new bottle cage but a new bike would save me cutting the cage off - result!!

Thanks for all the advice

 

[Sunny Portrush]

But you might have heard of StewMac? His invention.

View: https://youtu.be/5kocOC5_ID4?si=UQDJUyfdo_nZZIWZ

Hope to see you on the 'Bass and Guitarist's 'thread in Hobbies and Interests.

Er no but every day is a school day

 

[Jameshow]

That is by far the best advice, there was me worrying about maybe having to buy a new bottle cage but a new bike would save me cutting the cage off - result!!

Thanks for all the advice

If you cut the down tube just right you should be able to release the offending bolt.....

 

[Slick]

This is probably not much help, but its like removing and fitting a car wheel, if you remove all the bolts one at a time, all the pressure is on the final fixing and will inevitably be a nightmare to remove. Refitting the original bolts may release that pressure and make that final bolt a bit easier to remove. I always go round just breaking each individual bolt before removing anything.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Slick, I tried re-attaching the top bolt to see if that would work and give me the necessary pressure but I think the head of the bottom bolt is goosed completely.

 

[Maker of Stuff]

If it's a simple caphead bolt you could try filing flats on opposite sides of the head and then using an adjustable spanner to try and undo the bolt.