Lockable basket/pannier

[teafortania]

I have decided to ride my bike to school from my apartment everyday instead of relying on my roommate for rides to class. I'm trying to keep doing this, but in order to bike the 5 miles I find it easier to wear sneakers. Unfortunately I don't wear sneakers everyday, so I'd like to find a way to keep them with my bike while I am in class. (since I am college student we don't have lockers)

Does anyone know where I can find a lockable basket, pannier, rack, etc. where I can safely keep belongings while I am away in class? (maybe one that doesn't velcro to my bicycle)

Suggestions are greatly appreciated. :)

[bragi]

Perhaps you could consider:

1. Using a backpack or messenger bag. That way, you could bring it into class with you.
2. Using panniers that can be quickly removed from your bike. (I like Ortlieb) Again, the idea is to bring your stuff with you.

I don't think it's a good idea to use your bike as a storage locker while you're in class. Ride to school, lock your bike up with a decent U-lock, and take your stuff with you.

[JeffB502]

I remember seeing a post somewhere where a person had permanently attached a milk crate to their rear rack, cut off a piece of another milk crate, and attached that piece to the top with padlocks as a lid. I guess something like that could work if it's just a cheap pair of well worn shoes, but instead of leaving them out in the weather I'd agree that it would be better to take the shoes (and all other personal property) with you.

[gwd]

I have decided to ride my bike to school from my apartment everyday instead of relying on my roommate for rides to class. I'm trying to keep doing this, but in order to bike the 5 miles I find it easier to wear sneakers. Unfortunately I don't wear sneakers everyday, so I'd like to find a way to keep them with my bike while I am in class. (since I am college student we don't have lockers)

Does anyone know where I can find a lockable basket, pannier, rack, etc. where I can safely keep belongings while I am away in class? (maybe one that doesn't velcro to my bicycle)

Suggestions are greatly appreciated. :)
Check this speedbag. I test road a bike with one on it. I don't see why the manufacturer couldn't make one for regular bikes.

http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/sm/gt/details_speedbag_e.html

[Frankenbiker]

I use a motorcycle trunk (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2002510/p-2002510/N-111+10211+600014603/c-10111) from JCWhitney on the back of my bike.

The trunk is water-tight, lockable and removable so I can take it off the bike and carry with me if it has something really, really valuable in it.

The only problems I had with it were that the bolts that came with it were round head and wouldn't let me attach the trunk after mounting the plate. I had to buy flat head bolts that were flush with the surface of the plate. The other problem was trying to figure out how it opened when I first got it. With twenty years of experience in engineering, it took me a good ten minutes to figure out the mechanism and get it open. Then when I finally opened it up, the instructions on how to open it were inside.

I store my rain gear, back-up lights, tools, repair kit, Kleenex, bike locks, helmet, safety vest, ankle straps and other brick-a-brak in it. When food shopping, I can put crushable stuff like fruit or hot deli stuff in it for the ride home.

[DXchulo]

Here's one (http://otivia.com/cargocache.html) somewhat similar to the motorcycle trunk posted above.

[drumthebenway]

I use Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus panniers. They're awesome panniers if you're interested in having something that can handle weather. Also, you can buy a backpack attachment that rolls up to nothing and converts your pannier into a small daypack. The panniers are over $100 for a pair, and the attachment is around $35, so it may be more than you want to spend for this particular purpose. If you have other aspirations, however, the Ortliebs are great. Oh, and I bought a cheap cable and lock and can lock the panniers to my bike when I'm only leaving it for a short amount of time.

[Nightshade]

The idea of using a Motorcycle Trunk is really the only solution
that is practical or workable. Anything else will be a pain in
the butt to maintain or use. The only downside that I can
see is if your bike gets stolen.

You are gonna lock your bike up.....right??:rolleyes:

There are bicycle trunks like the motorcycle trunk but they cost
a lot more so the motorcycle trunk is the way to go.

[AllenG]

http://otivia.com/images/opengloveshelmet2.jpg
Otivia (http://otivia.com/)

http://www.fukui-c.co.jp/new_2006/ortlieb_bike_box2_11.jpg
Ortlieb Bike Box 2 (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=141&cid=2)

Of the two the Otivia is much easier to lock and secure to your rack, the Ortlieb is easier to detach and carry away. Both are thief magnets.

[TrackGuy]

Living in New York, I'm probably a bit overly paranoid about leaving stuff attached to my bike. I strip all the loose stuff - blinkies, computer - when I have to park it outside. And I ride a fix which has next to nothing in terms of components to attract thieves.

I used a VETTAbox for a while, but despite being made of hard plastic, it still seems to be a bit flimsy and easy to jimmy. Don't know what the petty crime rate is like where you live but if I was planning on leaving my stuff unattended, it would have to be really secure. I see people locking up stuff inside their motorcycle and scooter boxes, I would think that option is more sturdy and secure than anything made for a bicycle.

[Cowtown Cumuter]

I saw the pictures but one fellow put a small plastic tool box attatched with "Zip ties" It is lockable and weather proof. I think the total cost was $10! He just drilled some holes inside the bottom of the tool box, lining it up with the rack. I would use U-bolts through for strength, voilla a lockable inexpensive trunk for your bike. You have to put a padlock on it of course. Personally I prefer a backpack because I can just bring it with me.

Here is the link (hope it works)
http://www.instructables.com/id/E2V3Y9E9J7EP2868DU/

[streetlightpoet]

Nashbar currently has a lockable plastic pannier box on sale for about half off (~$50 after discount) but I'd be hesitant to leave it on a bike all day. I leave my pump and patch kit, as well as lights and deoderant/random small $ items in my xtracycle on a regular basic, but make a point to take with me anything that I wouldn't mind replacing. A locked nontransparent box invites to be stolen and broken into later, while something like the milkcrate with a top would not provide much rain protection. Just my .02