crate/rack question...

[no1mad]

Folks, here's the situation- Getting a bike to commute/grocery getter/liquid refreshment/anything else I can think of... Anyway, after looking at various options, I think that I'm gonna go totally fred and use a milk crate. Actually, I'm wondering if it's possible to find a rack that is long enough to use two crates? Or should I just go to the -Mart and get on of those storage cubes that are bit on the rectangular side? BTW, what does 'fred' mean exactly?

[AllenG]

Best BF Fred Thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362275)

For what it is worth I've seen plastic boxes (like those that some brands of kitty litter are sold) turned into some fantastic grocery panniers.

[bizzz111]

hang a couple milk crates on either side of the rack, and then bolt a rubbermaid container to the top of the rack.

Heck, throw a milk crate on the front of your handlebars for good measure.

[Nightshade]

Whatever you do......WATCH YOUR LOAD BALANCE!!!!!!!

Rear/side loading can be a handful when rolling if not balanced when loaded.

Do it wrong or get careless and you'll see pavement........close up!!

[no1mad]

Best BF Fred Thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362275)

For what it is worth I've seen plastic boxes (like those that some brands of kitty litter are sold) turned into some fantastic grocery panniers.

Seen them Cobbworks in WA makes/sells them $80 for a pair + $15 shipping. I'll pass... I am Fred, not Frederich

[wahoonc]

Seen them Cobbworks in WA makes/sells them $80 for a pair + $15 shipping. I'll pass... I am Fred, not Frederich

I have the bits and pieces to make my own, I am using screw buckets. But pickle buckets, kitty litter buckets...etc will work. FWIW the square buckets work better than the round.

Aaron:)

[AllenG]

Seen them Cobbworks in WA makes/sells them $80 for a pair + $15 shipping. I'll pass... I am Fred, not Frederich

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=104&cid=2
+
http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=127&cid=2
+
http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=100&cid=2

Those are Ortlieb replacement parts. Best pannier attachment system on the market. All total they add up to $20.00.
Add them to a kitty litter, or other Rubbermaid type of box and you have a great box pannier.

[bicyclridr4life]

1988 Fuji Mt. Fuji Mountain Bike, Blackburn rear rack, milk crate on each side, used nylon wire ties to attach the crates, a plastic soda case (24 can) crate on top. I used it to carry 8 to 10 twenty pound bags of ice at a time from the convenience store to the night club, about one mile each way. Sometimes had to make more than one trip a night, it was a bit wobbly, but it worked. (Yes, I did complain when the ice maker was fixed.)

[donnamb]

Seen them Cobbworks in WA makes/sells them $80 for a pair + $15 shipping. I'll pass... I am Fred, not Frederich
You can get them cheaper from Citybikes (http://www.citybikes.coop/buckets.html). They're $25 plus shipping.

You can also make your own (http://www.ibiketo.ca/node/372). If you live in Portland (or are visiting in June), the City is offering a free class on how to make them:

JUNE 11 | Shopping by Bike |
Do you ever take the car because you have
too much to carry? Come find out how you can
carry (or pull) groceries, packages, and kids.
Veteran cyclists will share tips and tricks on
how to conveniently shop by bike. The session
concludes with building your own “bike
bucket”. Call 503-823-7083 to reserve your
bucket-building materials.