BikeHacks

Duffel Bag Transformed into Pannier

Backpacks are convenient for hauling stuff but can cause an uncomfortable amount of sweat when riding a bike.  Messenger bags and panniers are both alternatives and you do not always have to purchase an option off of the shelf.  Back in February of 2010 Devon sent us a great hack showing how a  dog food bag can be turned into a messenger bag. 

We received another great submission showing how to transform an Army duffel bag into a messenger bag/pannier fitted for a laptop.  Visit Ron's Workshop to see how you can go from this . . .

. . . to this in six easy steps. 

Pictures Credited to Ron's Workshop

 

Homemade Hardside Panniers

Guest post by Handsome Ryan.

These hardside panniers cost just under $30 to build but they are super rugged and, although weight weenies need not apply, they hold a lot of stuff.

The idea for these 'bags' began after purchasing my new bike. It had a rack, but a rack is only as good if you have the ability to carry stuff on it. I looked at some of the commercially available options and didn't think any of them suited my bike. I wanted something rigid, that would add mass ot the bike and hopefully make me more visible to drivers around me. I shopped for about 2 weeks at every store I could think of looking for suitable containers to use. I've seen panniers made from small trashcans, 5G buckets, and milk crates but I wanted something that would look homemade without looking trashy. To make one you'll need:

Parts List:

• (2) 24" 3/8" threaded rods
• (4) 3/8" acorn nuts
• (16) 1.25"x3/8" washers (overkill, smaller washers would have been fine)
• (16) 3/8" nuts
• (2) bungee cord
• (2) large wall mounting hook
• (8) large zip tie
• (2) marine battery box (series 27 i think?)
• (2ft) 3/8" ID black tubing
• (2) reflectors (optional)

Tools Required:

• Drill and 3/8" bit
• wrench
• torch or lighter (to seal ends of bungee)
• small vice grips (optional, to tighten zip ties)

Let's build-

1. Drill 4 holes in the top corners of each battery box. Be sure to leave enough clearance in the corners for the washers.
2. Begin by threading a nut and an acorn nut onto one end of the threaded rod. Add a washer from the 'open' end.
3. Push the threaded rod into the first "outide" hole in the box, before you push it through the "inside hole" add another washer, 2 nuts, and another washer.
4. Each location where the rod passes through the box it should be like the diagram below: ---(nut)-(washer)-[box]-(washer)-(nut)---
5. Repeat this process on the front and back of one box until one side is finished.
6. Now you need to measure the diameter of your rack, and cut 2 pieces of poly tubing to cover the threads. This will keep the threads from grinding the paint off your rack, also dampens vibrations a bit.
7. Add the second box in the same manner as you added the first. Remember to use washers and nuts at every location where the rod passes through the plastic. You may need to cut the finished end off the threaded rod with a hacksaw before adding the final acorn nuts if it is too long but 24" was almost perfect for my application. I added a little locktite to the acorn nuts to keep them from wiggling loose. You could use lock nuts and forget the acorn nuts completely but i like the look of them so I kept them.
8. You should now be left with 2 boxes, connected by 2 rods with a rack-sized gap between them. A test fit is a great idea.
9. To hold the boxes to the rack you'll need to chop the ends off a pair of bungee cords. I use a torch to keep the ends from fraying.
10. Slip the wall hook onto the middle of the bungee and loop one end around one of the tube-covered rods. Secure the loop with 2 zip ties pulled as tight as possible. Repeat process with the other end of the bungee on the other rod. You want the bags to be held tightly so make sure the length of the "slack" will keep the bags pulled tight when the hooks are attached to the bottom of the rack. Also, you want both hooks to be facing toward the inside as they are very hard to unhook if you put them on backwards.

The instructions sound complicated but if you just examine the pictures you'll see it is a very basic setup. I wear a size 12 shoe and I have never experienced heel clearance issues but YMMV. I didn't use the "lids" that came with the boxes because I don't use my bike for utility rides if its raining, but for all-weather riders, the lids are form fitting and should just pop right on.

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Riding in the Rain

Most people at work know that I commute on my bike and on a day when it rains I can practically count on someone asking me, "Did you ride today?  It's really wet out there."

When I respond in the affirmative it is not uncommon for them to fire back with something like, "Wow, I don't know how you do it."  Come on people, it's water.  Most people either start or finish their day by choosing to have a cascade of water stream over them for several minutes. 

Truth be known, I prefer riding in the rain.  It is much more pleasant.  Why would I say this?  Well take a look at the pathway I ride on during a day when it rains.

When it rains I basically have the place to myself.  This next picture is actually fairly tame in terms of path traffic on a non-rainy day.  It is not unusual for the pathway to be entirely taken up with people and riders whose behavior can best be described as erratic.  I am actually surprised I do not see more accidents than I do. 

My advice if you want to commute no matter the weather?  Invest in some quality rain gear and I think you will find it to be an extraordinarily enjoyable experience. 

10 Bike Graphics

Some people like to wear their emotions on their sleeve, and many companies provide the opportunity for bike lovers to take this expression literally.  Here are 10 bike graphics for those that are looking to display how they feel. 

If you have bike graphics you love or have come up with on your own, feel free to comment or email us.

1.  Cars Kill

1lesscar.com has the following sticker, which is popular I guess because it is sold out.  One reader in the past was able to get a hoodie with the graphic on it so if you want to contact 1lesscar.com maybe they can hook you up. 

2. BILF

kaboodle.com features the following shirt and cogsnob.com has a variation as well. I love my bikes, but I do have my limits.  One man in the UK apparently does not. 

3.  Behind Bars for Life

CafePress has the following along with many other related options. 

4.  Nice Rack

cyclingtees.com has this complimentary rack t-shirt. 

5.  Put the fun back between your legs. 

Does anyone else get embarrassed when they are watching TV with their parents and an erectile dysfunction ad comes on?  Not directly related, but this cafepress t-shirt option made me think of those uncomfortable commercial moments. 

6.  Evolution

zazzle.com features the evolution of man.

7.  I Pass Gas

Amazon.com has a nice play on words. 

8.  Recycle

Another zazzle.com option with a sustainability theme. 

9. Bike Hacks!

We ran with our logo via cafepress.com.  They are expensive and we might seek another option that is more affordable.  Ideas on suppliers are welcome. 

Andrew rocked the shirt at the B.C. Olympics.  He knows his stuff as he was involved in helping Canada secure some home gold. 

10.  And here is one idea I have for a t-shirt, pedestrians in NYC are the worst I tell you. 

How To Make Wooden Fenders

Wooden fenders are so cool, but they can be kinda spendy. And it can be tough to find just the right size if you've got funky clearances or geometry.

There is a great Instructables tutorial on making your own wooden bike fenders  that is awesome. The thing that can be tough is the curve of the fender. One method that is genius and doesn't require any steam bending or advanced woodworking technique - laminate your strips with Gorilla Glue, then strap the drying lamination around the wheel size of your choice. After it dries, clean 'em up and mount 'em.

You could do some nice surfer-style stripes by laminating different colored strips prior to the bending step. Lots of options for taking this hack a bit further!

There is a great Momentum Magazine article on the topic and a Flickr picture tutorial to match.

Picture Credit to Instructables

 

Anti-Bike Theft from a Rear Rack

Way back in the day when I lived on the west coast and commuting was done uphill both ways in a driving rain/wind storm every day, I did occasionally use a car bike rack.  The rack I used was roof mounted. I remember driving from Portland to San Francisco with my bike on the top of my car and when I arrived my bike was covered in dead bugs. I think I left them on for a while and told people I just ride really, really fast =)

Using a car rack for long trips does pose a security issue.  You certainly don't want someone taking your bike or bikes when you are away from your car.  Reader Thomas, who sent along the free cassettee spacer hack we posted a while back, also sent the following text and picture.  If you have bike transport advice feel free to contact us. 

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Here's a method to make it more difficult for would-be bike thieves to snag a bike from your vehicle. I was on a cross-country drive with 5 bikes on a rear rack, and I did not want to go through all of the hassle of undoing each and every one in the pouring rain, hauling them up an elevator, then re-securing each one again in the morning.

So in addition to using 4 locks on the bikes over night, I backed the van up against a light pole. That pole prevents someone from being able to take the bikes off the rack without moving the car or the pole... or using some serious cutting tools. One could also use bushes, a wall, or ever another vehicle to back up against. I highly recommend a spotter while you're backing up to make sure you don't crush any of your babies! You want to be really close to the object.

DIY Waterproof Bag Liner

If you are a "serious" commuter you likely don't let the threat of a little rain keep you from riding.  Of course the easiest way to make a waterproof bag liner is to put your stuff in a plastic bag. Then put another plastic bag over that one, with the opening facing the opposite way. Then shove the whole thing into your backpack/pannier/whatever. Works great.

But maybe that's too easy for you. Maybe you've got more time on your hands and you're wondering if perhaps you could achieve a higher level of ghetto style for your bag liner. I feel you. And your solution is at hand.

Over on the Commuting forum at BikeForums.net, member Ya Tu Sabes has detailed his trick for creating lovingly handcrafted waterproof bag liners. You'll need an iron. Maybe two, after you ruin the first one by melting plastic bag all over it.

Photo Credit to Ya Tu Sabes via BikeForums.net

Saddle Mounted Bike Light

Feeling safe is a very important part of riding and taking whatever steps you can to be seen at night is a wise endeavor.  Reader Dan wanted to improve visibility from the rear and sent along the following text and pictures.  Thanks Dan. 

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I have been a bicycle commuter for most of the 40 years I have worked.  My riding has always been an evolutionary process for me . . . a combination of staying with what works and trying new things, as they are available.
 
I firmly believe that being visible on the bike is a key to arriving alive and being there to ride tomorrow.  For lighting, I currently use the following:

Three Nite Rider MiNewt.250 cordless rechargeable lights…two in the front (helmet and handle bar mounted) and one in rear, attached to the underside of my saddle.

Four generic blinkies mounted rear-facing.
 
I’d like to share my latest hack, the rear-facing mount of a MiNewt.250.  This hack is admittedly not a low cost hack, but has helped me resolve a safety concern.  I removed the helmet straps that were attached to helmet mount provided by NiteRider.  I then used zip ties to attach the helmet mount itself to the rails and bag loops of my Brooks saddle.


Now I can insert the light onto the mount whenever I need an extra bright rear flashing light.


 Here’s an image of my rear-facing lights in action. 

I have some doubts that a rear-facing flashing clear light is actually legal in California, but to date I have only been complemented (even by the police) on my on-bike visibility.

Dog Portage Basket

I grew up with a Golden Lab and she LOVED to go for rides in the car.  She would hang her head out of the window and by the end of the ride there would be a stream of slobber down the side of car.  We have posted hacks on readers that have found ways to bring a dog along for a bike ride and reader Jesse sent along the following text and picture.

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Here's our guy Phineas, riding to a July 4th BBQ in Brooklyn. It's a $15 wicker basket from Target, and I cut holes in the bottom to slide bungie cords through. The sides of the basket are tall enough to dissuade him from jumping out, and there's enough room in there for him to curl up with a bone.

Coroplast Fenders

You know all those election signs and real estate signs you see stuck all over the place? They're all made of some stuff called coroplast, or corrugated plastic. Coroplast is to corrugated plastic as Kleenex is to tissue. That is, it's trademarked, but because of its success it has become a genericized trademark. Ok, enough with the history lesson.

If you're a little short on funds, you can hack some pretty nice fenders out of coroplast. The stuff is easy to work with, weather resistant, and in abundant supply. Kent Peterson has several entries on using the stuff for crafting your own fenders (and other stuff) from coroplast.

Photo Credit to Kent's Bike Blog

The basic idea is to scavenge a coroplast sign and cut a bunch of strips as needed.  Test out the positioning of the strips, trim out what needs to be trimmed, then secure everything with zip ties.

This is the height of bike hacking and I love it. Kent's also got a killer tutorial on building panniers from coroplast.

Photo Credit to Kent's Bike Blog

Visit Kent's blog and type "coroplast" into the search bar . . . and then just wait a few more months for election season and have at it.