Commuting - Bicycle Rack for a backpack -

Tout Terrain, a German Bicycle manufacturer, makes a rack to hold a backpack. It attaches to the seat post. The back pack they sell is called the Sherpa. The rack is called the Sherpa Support.

Read about it. (http://www.tout-terrain.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=56)

http://www.tout-terrain.de/cms/upload/carrying%20systems/sherpa/a_sherpa_oben_freigestel_web.jpg

You can buy this set up from Peter White cycles. The backpack is $134.00 and the holder is $106.00.

Anyone know of a more inexpensive but similar solution? Parts to make your own?

Sure. The Arkel Bug:
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/overview.asp?fl=1&site=
I've been using it for about 1.5 years and it's great. It's about the same price as the backpack you mentioned, but it's a pannier, so it'll attach to a cheap rack. No custom mounts necessary.

1/2" PVC pipe fabricated to hold a standard backpack to your standard rear rack. Backpack cost me $1 at a yard sale, PVC pipe, glue, and fittings $5, Velcro straps to hold pipe frame to rack $2.95.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/rearview.jpg

1/2" PVC pipe fabricated to hold a standard backpack to your standard rear rack. Backpack cost me $1 at a yard sale, PVC pipe, glue, and fittings $5, Velcro straps to hold pipe frame to rack $2.95.

My guiding principle for a design is that it should be solve more problems than produce...

I just strap my backback to the top of the rack. Real tight.

Gotta give N4zou props though. Its a marvel idea!

My guiding principle for a design is that it should be solve more problems than produce...
No problems so far having covered over 1,000 miles.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/loaded.jpg

Gotta give N4zou props though. Its a marvel idea!
The pipe frame also has the capability to carry extra water, enough to refill a standard water bottle.

The pipe frame also has the capability to carry extra water, enough to refill a standard water bottle.
Do you actually use it like that, if so that's pretty neat.

I'm a fan of wearing my backpack on my back, but maybe that's just me :)

Hmm... I think I'll have to consider PVC... or ABS for myself as a means to build a custom pump mount for my bike. Come to think of it, has anyone built a rack out of PVC or ABS pipe? (I would imagine that ABS would work better in the case of a full rack, just because it should be stronger overall...)

Do you actually use it like that, if so that's pretty neat.

I'm a fan of wearing my backpack on my back, but maybe that's just me :)
+1

1/2" PVC pipe fabricated to hold a standard backpack to your standard rear rack. Backpack cost me $1 at a yard sale, PVC pipe, glue, and fittings $5, Velcro straps to hold pipe frame to rack $2.95.


Do you have plans for that?

Do you actually use it like that, if so that's pretty neat.

I'm a fan of wearing my backpack on my back, but maybe that's just me :)
When traveling where water is not easily available I certainly do use it to carry a little extra water. It's also become very popular as a substitute for copper plumbing pipe in home construction in my area. Just make sure you do a good job cleaning the interior of the pipe before gluing it together and using a mixture of Baking Soda and water to remove any glue smell/taste after gluing it together.

I detest wearing a backpack on the bike and your right, that’s just me. I know lots of people that wear and prefer a backpack when touring.

Do you have plans for that?
You fabricate the frame to fit your backpack. Measure your backpack from the top of the backpack where the top of the shoulder straps is attached to the bottom of the backpack. That is the frame length you need. Next measure the backpack width, especially where the shoulder straps are attached at the bottom. That’s the width of the frame. You will need to add another cross member between the bottom and the top of the frame. This provides strength and an attachment point for strapping the frame to the rack. After you figure out your frame size you cut the pipe as required to make the frame the proper size for your backpack. You can pre assemble the frame before gluing to make sure you have fabricated the frame the proper size. Test fit the backpack to the frame and the rack. If everything fits and attaches securely you may then glue it all together. I used a Tee fitting at the top corner and made a removable cap so the frame can carry extra water when required.

1/2" PVC pipe fabricated to hold a standard backpack to your standard rear rack. Backpack cost me $1 at a yard sale, PVC pipe, glue, and fittings $5, Velcro straps to hold pipe frame to rack $2.95.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/rearview.jpg
Call me vain, but I'm willing to pay a little more for the improved aesthetics. That thing looks like you're headed to a plumbers convention.

Call me vain, but I'm willing to pay a little more for the improved aesthetics. That thing looks like you're headed to a plumbers convention.
I got over listening to the fashion police many years ago. My backpack pipe frame works well, has the capability to carry a little extra water, and is so cheap to fabricate it can be considered disposable.

I got over listening to the fashion police many years ago. My backpack pipe frame works well, has the capability to carry a little extra water, and is so cheap to fabricate it can be considered disposable.
I'm certainly not bagging on you. It's very ingenious. It's not that I care what other people think (after all, I'm AM a bike commuter) -- it's just that I like to have my bike look nice (clean as possible). Kind of like owning a nice car and not slapping a bunch of tacky bumber stickers on it :)

Anyone know of a more inexpensive but similar solution? Parts to make your own?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=236014
My backpack/rack solution.

I bought the Nashbar grocery bag panniers and I put the backpack in them occasionally.

My solution was a $2 milk crate from the hardware store and plenty of zip-ties to the top of the rack. Worked great...looked horrible.

"Hmm... I think I'll have to consider PVC... or ABS for myself as a means to build a custom pump mount for my bike. Come to think of it, has anyone built a rack out of PVC or ABS pipe? (I would imagine that ABS would work better in the case of a full rack, just because it should be stronger overall...)"

I didnt do it out of pipe, but did it out of wood and a cutting board. My custom commuter trunk that comes off incredibly easily is sitting on top. Although it does sway a small amount it has worked just fine for about a year.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/tbdesigns/sewing/comutetrunk4_6_1.jpg
Scott

This thread

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=233886

shows some more PVC and wood creations.

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NA-SWAP.gif
(http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=9036&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Panniers)Nashbar Special Waterproof Action-Pack 'n Pannier (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=9036&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Panniers)


$45