Commuting - Cargo compartments

If you have a bike and you don't really want a basket on the front or a rack on the rear, what other options are there? (i.e. slim bag in the center, something on the front). Also do they make variations on the classic basket and rear rack, maybe something that looks different?

Also do they make security style compartments for bikes? Think a money box on the front chained or welded on. Something you could leave on the bike for a few hours with the expectation it would still be there later.

some custom bags?

Even chained/welded on, never assume that any bag/box you leave on your bike will be there upon returning if you leave it locked up for a few hours.

For semi-permanently mounted stuff, I've seen people bolt locking toolboxes to their rear rack. That would be pretty secure and not easy to remove. (Please, everyone... DON'T go posting a zillion ways to remove it in under 20 seconds. I've probably thought of them all, and we don't need to go spreading that info around.)
For removeable stuff, there's some great ideas using ammo-canisters or waterproof lock-boxes as panniers.

This is what a well setup tour divide race bike looks like http://img.skitch.com/20090512-tpcjinfird6kdijkcgdu7r5u53.preview.jpg

hey those are some good innovative bags/mounts!

tate -
Where do you carry your water? (My guess is a Camelback, but geez I can't stand using them.)

Handlebar bag?
www.acornbags.com has a couple to choose from.
Great stuff if you can manage to get an order in.

I have this: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_167578_-1___ on my road bike;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_0194.jpg

I have this: http://www.otivia.com/cargocache.html on my urban bike:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/cargocache_closed.jpg

Barrettscv (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=47570)- I like the looks of the cargo cache, well, not sure about the looks actually but I like the idea of a hard shell. If it's raining do you cover it with plastic? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Can it be mounted to a conventionmal rack or does one need a proprietary rack?

Barrettscv (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=47570)- I like the looks of the cargo cache, well, not sure about the looks actually but I like the idea of a hard shell. If it's raining do you cover it with plastic? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Can it be mounted to a conventionmal rack or does one need a proprietary rack?

Hi RR6

I like the box. It's large enough to hold items like a laptop or helmet. It's not heavy or bulky. It fits on most racks without a problem. I like that it fits out of the airstream and does not slow down the bike. It is rainproof, I do not use or need a bag to keep the contents dry. I might not want to use the box on a small bike for use with a shorter rider. The box fits under the seat on my bike, this keeps the load forward. A smaller bike with a lower seat would require that the box be extended out behind the seat.

The only negative worth mentioning is that the bike feels a little tippy at slower speeds if the box is fully loaded with more than 15 lbs. At 5 mph or more, the ride is stable again. Putting a lot of weight on top of a rear rack will change the center of gravity. If I was touring with the box, I would use a front pannier on the bike to balance the load.

Michael

OK, thanks. I've got my eye on that box for sure. I borrowed someone's box for my SUV for camping last summer and liked it alot. It was so convenient and I loved the waterproof-ness.