Utility Cycling - Ammo Can/Wald Rear Baket Hack

Setting up my bike for commuting/all round use. I'm pretty decided on mounting the Wald dual rear basket so I can just toss my backpack and cooler in and go. Then lock up on campus, grab the two bags and into class. My backpack does get a little tight for room sometimes, so I've been looking at a rack top bag that could carry tools, tubes, rain gear and a first aid kit. But why spend 30 bucks when you have an ammo can lying around?

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/411771291_1427564381_0.jpg

Might get a little loud when everything starts bouncing around in there......

Setting up my bike for commuting/all round use. I'm pretty decided on mounting the Wald dual rear basket so I can just toss my backpack and cooler in and go. Then lock up on campus, grab the two bags and into class. My backpack does get a little tight for room sometimes, so I've been looking at a rack top bag that could carry tools, tubes, rain gear and a first aid kit. But why spend 30 bucks when you have an ammo can lying around?

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/411771291_1427564381_0.jpg

That "free" ammo can is beastly heavy so why use it? Just spend a bit and buy a milk crate which is way more useful.

Actually it isn't bad. Really didn't notice it when picking up the basket set

The main thing is I want to chuck things I need (pump, tools, first aid, rain gear) without having to fill up my backpack. I can lock this. Milk crate I can't.

Those Wald baskets are on the heavy side as well. But if it works for you, go with it.

Those Wald baskets are on the heavy side as well. But if it works for you, go with it.

Yeah, I don't really notice the weight. The bike is hefty already, so what is the harm? It's all about function. :D

Setting up my bike for commuting/all round use. I'm pretty decided on mounting the Wald dual rear basket so I can just toss my backpack and cooler in and go. Then lock up on campus, grab the two bags and into class. My backpack does get a little tight for room sometimes, so I've been looking at a rack top bag that could carry tools, tubes, rain gear and a first aid kit. But why spend 30 bucks when you have an ammo can lying around?

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/411771291_1427564381_0.jpg

How do you secure the ammo can to the rear rack/baskets? If you drill holes in the can, the air tight/water tight integrity is lost, if you use bungee cords, what good is locking the can?

I agree with subclavius that it would certainly be a noisy ride with stuff rattling around in there.

U-bolts on the bottom. Should still be dry enough with a fender on the back.

U-bolts on the bottom. Should still be dry enough with a fender on the back.

Seal them where they go through the bottom with a decent grade of caulking, close enough to water tight.

Aaron:)

How do you secure the ammo can to the rear rack/baskets? If you drill holes in the can, the air tight/water tight integrity is lost, if you use bungee cords, what good is locking the can?

I agree with subclavius that it would certainly be a noisy ride with stuff rattling around in there.
Oh for craps-sake he's not gonna submerge the thing ... I think it's a fine idea :).

Oh for craps-sake he's not gonna submerge the thing ... I think it's a fine idea :).



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rUaWj6Xk70
(Not that I approve of this- I think the video would be improved with a crocodile.)

Heh, I rode home after a flash-flood about waist-high in water like that once ... I kept falling off when I
hit the curbs because they were underwater deep enough that I couldn't see them ... it was a blast actually. Didn't induce me to outfit my rig to do it again though ... dude on the vid needs a girlfriend or something ...:D

I just visualize bearings full of mud instead of grease. You just oughtn't do that to a bike!

Reminds me of a story from long ago- I was talking to a fellow, and he was telling about being out in the middle of nowhere, engine on the car started overheating, but it looked like a tornado was coming on, so he made it on into town but burned up his engine in the process. And I'm thinking, "I would have sat through the tornado to save my engine!" (And not that he'd be any safer in town, for that matter.) Just a matter of perspective.

having a lockable box on your bike is really useful - I dont have it but have been thinking about it. Nice idea for the ammo box, lots of those around here, I shall have a look in the used shops and work on something similar

pedal