Utility Cycling - What Utility Products/Accessories do you wish existed?

1) A trailer hitch that doesn't attach to the axle and costs less than $50.


Building on this, I would love to see a trailer hitch that attaches to rear disc brake mounts and looks like it belongs. (my bike is ready for them, but my budget is currently not)

(I am a newbie to biking, so I am only pretty sure the two holes are for disc brakes, as my rack went in the third, threaded hole)

Cages that will hold my Nalgene Bottle.

I'd like some kind of grocery pannier or rear rack basket that can *easily* detach to be carried inside and unloaded (but obviously stay secure on the bike when I'm actually moving!).

I'd also LOVE a packet of extra bolts, nuts and washers for attaching racks and whatnot - mine always get lost when I switch a rack from one bike to another (I know, spend the $15 and buy more racks already...). Heck, throw some zipties in there too, just in case.

I'd like some kind of grocery pannier or rear rack basket that can *easily* detach to be carried inside and unloaded (but obviously stay secure on the bike when I'm actually moving!).
^^^
This actually exists.


Ortlieb Bike Shopper (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=35&cid=2)
Quite pricy but they deliver everything you are asking for, and can even be locked to your frame (not super secure but good enough to keep someone from just grabbing them and running). Ortlieb's rack attachment system is extremely reliable and well designed. I've never had an Ortlieb attachment fail (I've used their spare parts to turn a few shoulder bags into panniers as well).

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/images/large/BikeShopper.jpg

Ebay has a cheap one from nashbar I've used theirs for years with no problems

^^^
This actually exists.


Ortlieb Bike Shopper (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=35&cid=2)
Quite pricy but they deliver everything you are asking for, and can even be locked to your frame (not super secure but good enough to keep someone from just grabbing them and running). Ortlieb's rack attachment system is extremely reliable and well designed. I've never had an Ortlieb attachment fail (I've used their spare parts to turn a few shoulder bags into panniers as well).



Aha! Good to know, thanks!

^^^
This actually exists.


Ortlieb Bike Shopper (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=35&cid=2)
Quite pricy but they deliver everything you are asking for, and can even be locked to your frame (not super secure but good enough to keep someone from just grabbing them and running). Ortlieb's rack attachment system is extremely reliable and well designed. I've never had an Ortlieb attachment fail (I've used their spare parts to turn a few shoulder bags into panniers as well).

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/images/large/BikeShopper.jpg

I use the Ortlieb roller and bikepacker panniers this way as well. THey are easy to use as a shopping bag and obviously work well on tour as well.

I use the Ortlieb roller and bikepacker panniers this way as well. THey are easy to use as a shopping bag and obviously work well on tour as well.

You guys think these Ortlieb panniers would work on a FRONT rack?

You guys think these Ortlieb panniers would work on a FRONT rack?

They do. They make a front rack set of panniers, the only difference is the bag is smaller. The attachment hardware is the same on their front or rear panniers.

How about a 29er Big Dummy?

Racks are made to go in those little eyelets on the bike, and when you don't have them, it's sort of a pain to mount a rack, and it's not as secure. So a better bolt-on eyelet for rack mounting.

On a bike without brazeon thingies for a water bottle holder, they don't have very good clamps for them, it seems like. I mounted my water bottle holder on the handlebars, and had to rig up a mounting method for it.

I have tried to get a Pashley U plus 2 on this side of the water for a while,

Apparently they are no longer producing them

Brilliant Idea for Families

Spots for Kids plus Stuff.

or a Bike shop for people who are not handy or really don't like bikes ( dirty chains, maintenance etc,)

kind of like a full service dealership.

Just off the top of my head.

Twyla

How about a universal disc brake mounting kit. Makes riding safer for the folks who can't/won't pony up for a new frame that is already disc-ready.

How about a universal disc brake mounting kit. Makes riding safer for the folks who can't/won't pony up for a new frame that is already disc-ready.

Its not quite the most elegant solution, but there is something called a "Brake Therapy" which does let you convert a V-brake frame into a Disk brake frame, at the cost of $, weight, and ugly factor :)

New products I wish existed:

SPD Birkenstocks!

A "Bike stereo" that isn't only for iPod, and only for use on a trainer in your home. I've seen that funny bug-like one, but thats about all its good for.

A way to easily use a dynamo hub for charging AA/AAA batteries, mp3 players, cell phones, basically just a way to put it to use while its not nighttime. That would convince me to get one for sure.

lockable cargo trunks, built in recessed taillights on the cargo boxes, bombproof construction, FUNCTION over fashion!

Amen to this one!!! Its my number one "wanted" item, a decent sized cargo trunk with lighting and reflectors built in, big enough for a helment and more.

{...lockable cargo trunks...**


Amen to this one!!! Its my number one "wanted" item, a decent sized cargo trunk with lighting and reflectors built in, big enough for a helment and more.

Agreed. As I piece together my Big Dummy, I can immediately see the need for a set of lockable hard cases.

...
As I piece together my Big Dummy, I can immediately see the need for a set of lockable hard cases.

A PacSafe StuffSafe is a possible alternative to a hard case. I got one a couple weeks ago, and I've used it a few times with my xtracycle. It's just the right size to fit comfortably in a freeloader. The wire mesh is a little awkward to handle, but I'm getting better at it.
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/basegear_1992_14970261

The U Plus 2 is still listed on the Pashley site, don't know about which countries it's available to, though.

Some great ideas here; some of them probably too ambitious for the moment; I certainly don't have the wherewithall to have 29er Xtracycle specific frames made, though if the business is succesful, the day may come, and since this will be an online business, the full service LBS idea is out of my range too (though most LBS's will do anything for you, if you don't mind paying!).

I'm about to launch the site, starting with only Downtube bikes, and then adding other products as I can afford to. I'm trying to grow without borrowing money, so it'll be as the money comes in that I can do more, either through the business, or through my various freelance work. You can see the site in it's almost finished (for now) state on the link in my sig. In the near future, I plan to add a forum, particularly for this type of discussion, but until I actually start selling some of the things I have lined up, I guess the only people who will take that seriously will be people who know me from here or other forums. I want to be as customer responsive as possible, so I'll be keen for all the feedback I can get on what works, or what would work, if it existed!

A way to easily use a dynamo hub for charging AA/AAA batteries, mp3 players, cell phones, basically just a way to put it to use while its not nighttime. That would convince me to get one for sure.

There was a thread about this exact thing on the Electronics/Lighting/Etc forum a few weeks back.

{...lockable cargo trunks...**



Agreed. As I piece together my Big Dummy, I can immediately see the need for a set of lockable hard cases.

Pelican cases + Ortlieb small parts = lockable, waterproof, shock resistant, hard shell pannier/rack trunk.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Pellican.jpg

And if you don't want to make one yourself, Otivia makes a cool looking rack trunk.
http://otivia.com/
http://www.otivia.com/images/opengloveshelmet2.jpg

pacSafe 120

really works well, with the BOB trailer bags, and the Big Dummy.
but, its not the most convenient method. but secure.

peace...d

I would have to vote for daypack/pannier combinations. I think the ideal pack would have a top with a drawstring rather than a zipper (so that you could get more stuff in and concievable let some of it [like a loaf of French bread...] stick out of the top).

There are a couple of products around that come close. MEC has one and so does Arkel and Ortlieb. However, I think they all use zippers, which is to my mind has a strong potential for failure.

Cages that will hold my Nalgene Bottle.

Amen, although what I ended up getting was Camelback water bottle and Topeak adjustable cage. At the cage's maximum size, it'll just take the larger bottle, and it's pretty easy to drink from the Camelback bottle while you're rolling. That's something I don't think I'd want to try with my nalgene bottle, which is why I'm just as happy to keep it on one of my racks if I want more water than the Camelback holds.


I'd like some kind of grocery pannier or rear rack basket that can *easily* detach to be carried inside and unloaded (but obviously stay secure on the bike when I'm actually moving!).

I have some 'Round Town Panniers from REI and I like them a lot, although they are open at the top, so they're good for dry weather only. I don't use them all that often because on my rack they interfere with my trunk, so it's on or the other. They seem secure enough to me and easy to get on and off, but that depends on what you mean by secure. I don't think they'll fall off, but as for getting stolen, there's no real thief-proof way to attach them, but they do have hand holds you could string a cable through.



A way to easily use a dynamo hub for charging AA/AAA batteries, mp3 players, cell phones, basically just a way to put it to use while its not nighttime. That would convince me to get one for sure.
There was a thread about this exact thing on the Electronics/Lighting/Etc forum a few weeks back.

You're probably talking about n4zou (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?find=lastposter&t=404210). It looks like a pretty cool, but elaborate set up which can run lights or charge USB devices. Plus, if I understand it correctly, it all feeds through a rechargeable battery which will continue to power your lights even when you're not rolling, so you have the best of both worlds: self sufficient and you still have light when you stop. Of course you also have the worst of both worlds in that you have the weight of both the battery and the dynamo. Regardless, I think it's an awesome set-up, and if I had the money and the skill, I'd be building one of these systems up. When I have the money for parts, I'll probably take a stab at it regardless of the skill. Look through some of n4zou's old posts and I'm sure you'll find it.

http://www.texaselectricbikes.com/catalog/images/ibex2.jpg

TOO HEAVY!

I come from the world of road cycling, but am now a 100% car free commuter. I want stuff that's light for my long hilly commute, but utility racks/trailers are all steel instead of alloy/aluminum. Alloy can be strong, I've been riding an alloy bike for 6 years. Give me something light/alloy so I can still feel fast.

+1


"A way to easily use a dynamo hub for charging AA/AAA batteries, mp3 players, cell phones, basically just a way to put it to use while its not nighttime. That would convince me to get one for sure."

Might as well do something more while indoor training.

I applaud the OP for looking to stock products that have an eye towards form as well as function. I'm a big fan of products that are stylish and well-designed e.g. the ipod. There are tons of mp3 players that are smaller, or have better battery life or fit more songs, but none look as good as the ipod.

My suggestion is an easily installable wheel lock that some dutch bikes have in the rear wheel. This prevents your bike from being stolen when you head into a convenience store to buy some milk.

Stuff I'd like to see:

• A bike trailer suitable for load hauling, yet easily collapsible for storage in small apartments.

• Innovative mounting hardware for things like lights, bells, bike computers, etc. These things mount on the handlebar, at the same place I prefer to attach a good handlebar bag.