Bike Customization #6: Cage Rocket Hack

I have made it known previously that I am a fan of the Cage Rocket. It is basically an empty water bottle type container with a quick access hatch. It allows you to store stuff, like tools, and then easily take it with you to avoid theft (like might happen with a saddle bag for example). Yes, you certainly could make one of these out of an old water bottle, but I committed the hacker sin and purchased a ready to use solution. However, when one of the arms on the hatch recently broke off my hacker sense came to life! As you can see in the photo below, the hatch is supposed to be attached by two small arms. One of the small arms met its demise recently when I bunny hopped a pot hole and the Cage Rocket suffered an ejection from the water bottle cage. 

For a week or two I simply tied a rubber band around the body and the hatch lid and called it good. But with a football game and a cold six pack of beer in the fridge, I got to thinking about another solution as I stared at my bike during commercials. I have a large roll of Velcro straps on hand for hacks. These straps are meant to be used to secure electrical cords, but they come in handy for all sorts of things - including securing the broken hatch on a Cage Rocket. I connected two together, secured them on the back with duct tape and then wrap them around the hatch to keep it on all snug and stuff. 

You definitely want tools with you when you go out riding and the Cage Rocket is a great solution. Now when I'm out and about I'm prepared to deal with minor repairs that I might encounter. For example, I was messing around with my fenders the other day and forgot to secure a screw. Somewhere one the way to work the screw worked it's way out and the fender started banging around. I was unable to locate the missing screw but I carry some zip ties in my Cage Rocket and I was able to secure the fender arm with one until I can go to the store to find an appropriate screw.

Comments

[atom]

Plastic peanut-butter jar. Problem solved.

[John h]

Clever fix of the rocket, did you contact the company to see if they would send a new lid? Shouldn't the fender repair increase the zip tie count, or do temporary use not count? After all a zip tie did give it's life for your fender... =)

[Matt]

John,

Two nice calls! Yes, the Cage Rocket folks did kindly send me a new lid - and it even had my name engraved on it!

And yes, I should add the zip tie to the count.

Matt