Should DH Bikes Have Water Bottle Mounts?

as long as it doesnt interfere with suspension performance why the hell not? would love to have water when doing park laps!

100% as long as it's not compromising suspension design or something else performance-wise. Can be used to mount a tube/multi-tool/handsaw etc instead as well. All very useful things

How else are you supposed to carry your lift sodas?! No harm in having some bottle bosses in the front triangle for whatever you want to carry. Far better solution than any kind of pack for bike park days

Hell no

where else do you mount the range extender battery?

More importantly, why can't we buy those water bottles?

One of the best things I ever did was drill into and insert pop rivet bottle cage mounts into my Yeti DJ.

C'mon folks. Now w're getting silly.

Ballast mount points

One mounting point with the water bottle standard does allow racers to get creative now that we have all these adapters.
Having a set of allen keys at the top when you notice a loose stem bolt will save a ride & I don't want stuff in my bar ends or head tube. 
A single, intelligent placed mount allows DAQ/telemetry hardware mounts for racers to simplify that & your idea for ballast has merit too.  Would allow a solid anchor without vibration and you can build a set of ballast that overlap like those multi-function dumbbells they sell in sporting goods stores.

I've never had luck with a water bottle back when DH bikes did have the mounts.  Always did a funky knee tweak or wreck and off went a bottle and lost it.  

I want in frame storage, so I can carry around excuses not to hit the big features!

Yes, but also because they can double as mounting points for suspension sensors!

I say this as a guy who only owns an enduro, but why not? It's great to get to the bottom of the trail and head right back to the lift instead of going all the way out to the car for a sip. 

Now, in racing situations, I can see why you might not want the extra weight. 

The new Fury has bottle bosses under the top tube and fits a medium sized bottle. Sneaky easter egg It was intentional. 

I haven't raced regularly in many years, but bottle bosses seem like a no-brainer. As long as suspension performance is not sacrificed in order to fit a bottle in, that is.

On my occasional park days, I appreciate having the water bottle on my enduro bike.

Asking the real question here.

I'd take two in that case. 

Pretty much every thread on vital makes fun of pinkbike comments, and then this ridiculous poll appears here, the irony!

As someone who basically only rides park (yeah bro) and has done so on bikes with and without water bottle cages, I appreciate not having to stuff a water bottle in the waist of my pants to stay hydrated. Bottle mounts all the way!

Only need room for a beer can sized bottle anyway right? 

100% should have water bottle mounts if there is room. Not just for saving trips to the water fountain, but I feel like it would also help support data acquisition more easily.

My more controversial take is that they should support dropper routing too, if it's a simple add-on. The dropper lever is the first thing I reach for pedaling to the chairlift after riding my trail bike for 99% of the year. I think the option to throw on a short dropper would be kind of sweet for the ultimate lazy factor.

Semenuk's bike for reference lol. Obviously, an AXS Reverb makes this possible without even needing the lever on the bar, but not everyone has one of those lying around.

Having recently converted my 2020 Gambler to single crown 180mm, 12sp drivetrain and dropper (external for now, may go axs if the bike is a success) I'd love a place to mount a cage, but then again I'm not against riding with a fanny pack either.. 

They could be gopro mounts too! Whatever it takes, just put some mounting points on downhill bikes please 

To stop the bottle falling out (I need a side loader) I've just stolen an elastic hair band off my wife and looped it round the cage. I just pop it over the bite valve and so far haven't lost a bottle since doing this

Thanks to you, dudes with man buns and leather vests just found a new secondary use for their hair ties. 

those were from the Vital Gear club.  RIP.

last few seasons I just leave a gallon water jug under a tree by the base of the lift.  chug a bit before I get back in line.  gets super hot here in the summer, we routinely ride in 90°F+ heat and high humidity. very easy to get dehydrated. i've gone the crushed bottle tucked in the pants route before, this year i am gonna pick up a collapsible water bottle from amazon, fill it so I can drink it on the life ride up. 

i wouldn't mind a bottle cage for sure, but it isn't a deal breaker for me.

For a while there I was using a "soft" water bottle/bladder stuffed in a jersey pocket - bonus point for keeping it in the freezer for some extra cooling as well!

Wish they’d bring it back now it’s no longer the craziness of covid