Commuting - How do you use your rear bike rack?

My bicycle came with a rear bike rack, but I never use it at all. I figure I might as well start putting it to use, so maybe I can start making trips to the grocery store on my bike, but I don't really know how to... put things onto the rack.

I've seen people do things like attach those plastic produce boxes onto the rack with plastic ties, or buy some bags that hang from its side. Problem is I don't know where I can get one of those boxes :rolleyes: or what kind of... umm, side bag I should get.

Any advice?

i added a collapsible basket, right size for a paper bag with grocery. i just stuff my backpack in there and have two ulocks on the other side. not carrying a backpack on my back to work and school makes a huge difference in my commute.

Panniers (or saddle bags) goes on your rear rack. Try REI if you're at the states, or MEC if you're in Canada.

Bike locks could be strapped onto the rear rack, freeing up the front triangle for water bottle cages. I haven't seen a beefy U-lock that has a good mount that allows me to use both bottle bosses.

One very simple and cheap way to keep your rack useful even without bags attached to it, is to have a cargo net always on it. It takes up no room. But when you need it, you can carry food from a restaurant (more than you may think), clothes, or all kinds of other items. You can do something somewaht similar with a couple of bungee cords, but the cargo net is much better. The cargo net doesn't preclude the use of panniers or other bags either.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-84224226242177_2064_19392217

There are a multitude of ways to carry things on your rear rack. What do you plan on using the rear rack for? How often will you use it? Do you ride in the wet a lot? Do you intend to carry anything really heavy and/or bulky?

If you just need to carry one bag of groceries or a purse or a briefcase, you can simply buy a bungie or a bungie net (as shown in the above post) and hold your bag down with that. If you plan on carrying more than one bag then you'll either need panniers of some sort, a rear basket or a trunk bag.

You can even fashion together your own panniers from a multitude of things:

Kitty liter containers: http://www.instructables.com/id/Best_Cat_Litter_Bike_Buckets/

Army Surplus Backpack Panniers: http://www.instructables.com/id/Army_Surplus_Backpack_Pannier/

Use a backpack you already have for panniers: http://www.instructables.com/id/Backpack-panniers-that-are-still-backpacks/

You can do a further search on how-to on www.instructables.com (http://www.instructables.com)

If you are looking for something store-bought then there are a ton of options too for panniers, rear baskets and trunk bags. Again, think about how you intend to use the product and then try to find the product that best suits your usage/needs.

I have a set of saddle bag panniers from Banjo Brothers. I use them for everything from trips to the grocery store to trips to Ikea to trips to the beach. They're made of waterproof material but the zippers are NOT waterproof so I consider them water resistant. I even use them for trips to my office to carry my laptop, purse, clothing, etc.: http://banjobrothers.com/products/01090.php

http://banjobrothers.com/imgs/products/01090a.jpg

Do a search on the web for panniers and you'll turn up a ton of options.

As far as baskets are concerned, you can go with side hanging baskets or a basket that sits on top of the rack:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/ad/57/0d4651c88da06a487b152210.L._AA280_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Folding-Bicycle-Basket-Black/dp/B000VNFD80 (http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Folding-Bicycle-Basket-Black/dp/B000VNFD80/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1249273922&sr=8-16)/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1249273922&sr=8-16 (http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Folding-Bicycle-Basket-Black/dp/B000VNFD80/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1249273922&sr=8-16)


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MEfFea2kL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/Eleven81-Quick-Release-Mounted-Basket/dp/B001UL7W9U/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1249274241&sr=1-9

You can even fashion your own rear basket with a milk crate and some zip-ties to hold the crate down.

Trunk bags are easy. All you need to know is approx. how much clearance you have between the rack and the bottom of your seat. Pick a trunk bag that clears you seat and that can hold your stuff. They even sell trunk bags with fold-out panniers:

http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/medium/YP-DRP-NCL-MOUNTED.jpg
http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10053_10052_216143_-1___

I own a Nashbar Deluxe Trunk Bag. It's waterproof and includes a waterproof yellow cover to make sure no water gets in. It also has a shoulder strap for easy carrying off the bike. I use it for things like carrying groceries, clothes, shoes, personal items, etc. I even use it to carry lunch or food for a picnic because it's "insulated" and keeps food and drinks cold:

http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/medium/NA-DRT-BKBK-ANGLE.jpg
http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10053_10052_166951_-1___

Do some searching on the web and you're bound to find something that suits your needs. Good luck. :)

Mine is laden with panniers. Little ones for summer, large ones for winter. I don't need to carry extra gear on the summer commuter, and unless I plan to do some shopping and bring back a lot of items, there's no need to pack around over sized baggage on a regular basis.

I use it to hold panniers, I have tied my computer to it to take it to the repair guy att work. I have given my kids lifts to teh subway, I have given co workers lifts to the subway.

Rear racks are cool.

Robi

go behind your local produce store, they'll have free dairy bins. just run away once you get one.

All great ideas above! Before long you'll be riding around like those folks in the pics someone posted of the cyclist in China.

Let us know what you end up packing on your trunk rack!

Racks are great fun - 3 of my four bikes have one. (or two, on the extracycle).

Forever ago I just zip-tied a milk crate on the back, worked great but didn't like the high COG and the extra weight. I've added Nashbar ATB panniers, cheap but effective, as well as the Nashbar trunk rack posted above. Some days I use all 3, most commute days its just the trunk rack. It holds a change of clothes, lunch, and a few other odds and ends remarkably well.

Always carry a bungee cord or two. You never know when they might come in handy for tying something onto your rack.

For side bags aka "panniers", feature considerations would be capacity of the bag, waterproof or not, pockets/compartments. Some panniers are specialized - ie grocery panniers, panniers that have a compartment on the outside for carrying your helmet. Most panniers just have small straps at the top of them, so you might look for one with a nice shoulder strap if you need to carry it far off the bike.

Google "bucket panniers" for how to make your own panniers out of plastic buckets. You could also use a rear rack to attach a milk crate for cargo. Or a "rack bag" is smaller than panniers but may be sufficient depending on what you want to carry.

"Always carry a bungee cord or two. You never know when they might come in handy for tying something onto your rack."


I always have 4, of different sizes strapped onto my rack. There is nothing that fits on the rack I can't carry. Well, maybe an anvil...

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/tailrider/overview.asp?fl=1&site=
I have a Tailrider from Arkel that I picked up at Roaring Mouse in the Sunset.

I also have a pannier but I realized that if I rolled my clothes up correctly I could fit everything I need for work (which is basically just some food and a change of clothes) in the Arkel because the top expands. Oh, and I have a tube, my lock and some tools in there as well. I highly recommend it.

I have a pair of wald folding baskets on the rack. I also carry one of the the net type bungee things and a couple of bungees

What I do with it then is:

carry laptop and other junk on commute (and my son's back pack if he is commuting with me)
Carry 2 standard grocery bags of shoppiing and bungee on larger items like watermelons and 12 packs of beer.
Carry a 60 lb bag of potting soil
bring back various items from trips to farmers market, yogur shop, take out food choice of the day.....

a bit more than minimal commute needs...but that what i do with a rack

If I am actually going to carry anything substantial I always bring my panniers. For just tooling about I always keep a couple of bungees wrapped around the rack in case I pick something up.

I use a net, a trunk, and/or panniers for carrying various things. My rack will hold a sixer neatly with a net!

I use a rack trunk for the small commuter amount of stuff I carry on my fixed gear. I use homemade plastic bucket panniers and bungee cords to lash things to the rear rack on my utility bike. (Also has a front rack which just gets a cargo net over everything.)

I quit using panniers because I carried too much stuff. I now use as trunk bag, which is easy to carry off the bike with the shoulder strap. I have a couple of bungees and a plastic grocery bag inside, just in case.

Wald baskets. Make sure your rack is supported on the bottom by a brace, & not just a seatpost rack.
http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald570-520-535rearcarriers.html

I use mine all the time and can't imagine having a bike without it. I recently took a trip with my kids and divided up the stuff. One carried the beach towels; one carried our change of clothes; and I carried bike supplies; first aide kit; money; ID; lunch and sunscreen.

When bike commuting to work I carry a change of clothes and towel for the work shower.

When I bike to the beach I carry a bathing suit; towel; sunscreen; food items; money and ID; and running shorts for when I go into stores to cover my snug bike shorts; Oh also a vented cap to cover my messy head when I take my helmet off.

I was using a flexible cooler bag with bungee cords but then recently purchased a nice trunk bag which fits better and doesn't need bungee cords. I do however tend to over stuff it and so I do use one bungee cord because the velcro straps aren't an exact fit and aren't long enough. I should try it on another rack and see if it fits better - then swap racks I think.

KitN - How does the NASHBAR DELUXE RACK TRUNK BAG attach to the rack?

I use a Topeak trunk Bag with quick track. The greatest setup ever

A big issue with panniers is heel strike. Be sure to try before you buy.

KitN - How does the NASHBAR DELUXE RACK TRUNK BAG attach to the rack?


Veclro straps. I've had mine for a little over a year and they still work.

Thanks envane. I like the looks of that trunk, plus the rain protection and the size and the current price!!!!

That slide on system looks sweet Timber_8 but unfortunately I can't commit to any one bike and rack. I have a family of bikes and a variety of racks so it's good if a mounting system is versatile. I recently did some vacationing with my kids and I was glad to be able to mount my latest trunk to my son's rack. I had to go back to using my old setup which is less than desirable - so I think I'll go ahead buy the NASHBAR DELUXE RACK TRUNK BAG tomorrow if I remember my credit card!

KitN - How does the NASHBAR DELUXE RACK TRUNK BAG attach to the rack?

4 Velcro straps - one on each corner. Not the ideal solution but it works well enough.

just ordered it from Amazon. too bad shipping is $7.00 but they had Nashbar's sale price ... $24.99

I really like these smaller MEC panniers for most of the day to day running around as I find that when I use bigger panniers I just tend to collect way more stuff than I need... they also serve as front bags on my touring bikes.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uav1.jpg

My main bags can carry enough gear for multi day trips and things like a tent and sleeping bag can be strapped to the top of the rack(s).

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/kuwietour2.jpg

Hey Sixty Fiver! That's a cool bike! 26" wheels? Wild stem too! Looks like a sturdy bike but I'm surprised it's a fixed gear. You must be strong, huh?

Hey Sixty Fiver! That's a cool bike! 26" wheels? Wild stem too! Looks like a sturdy bike but I'm surprised it's a fixed gear. You must be strong, huh?

i was thinking pretty much teh same thing....

robi

Panniers spanniers! I just bungee cord my old knapsack (modified to remove all straps) to the rear rack. Works great. The Blackburn rear rack also fits with my rear child carrier (came with it). :thumb:

KitN - How does the NASHBAR DELUXE RACK TRUNK BAG attach to the rack?

Hi Rumrunn,

The trunk bag has sturdy velcro straps at each of it's four corners along the bottom. It lashes down really tight. The bag is also stiff so it holds it's shape upright even if it's completely empty.

I Just started a cycling blog so I'll be doing reviews of my accessories, the Nashbar Deluxe Trunk Bag included. I'll send you a link when I've posted it. :)

just ordered it from Amazon. too bad shipping is $7.00 but they had Nashbar's sale price ... $24.99

Ah! You already purchased it for $24.99 plus $7 shipping? Hmm... Mine was $19.99 with $6.99 shipping. (I also purchased a rack with this order so total shipping for both items was $6.99.) I guess I got the trunk bag when it was on sale...

Let me know how you like it? :thumb:

Hey Sixty Fiver! That's a cool bike! 26" wheels? Wild stem too! Looks like a sturdy bike but I'm surprised it's a fixed gear. You must be strong, huh?

They are both fixed and run 26 inch wheels... the gearing is pretty low compared to my other fixed / ss bikes because they are more utilitarian.

Bike #1 has a flip flop with an ss cog on the flip side and is geared low enough for winter riding and light off roading. The blue anodized stem is the stock stem the bike came with.

I am in the process of rebuilding the drive on #2 with a half step and dual fixed cog to give it more range for long rides. I have done centuries on this bike with no issues.

i was thinking pretty much teh same thing....

robi

In case you missed it... these are two different bikes.

:)

I made these, and there are some other good ideas posted on this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=457884

I prefer nylon straps to bungee cords. Less stretching and bouncing and easier to get the right tightness. Only costs a few bucks.

I picked up a relatively inexpensive trunk rack, with the velcro straps to hold it onto the top of the rack, from REI during one of their sales. Works quite well for simple trips around town. Holds water bottle, roadside repair kit (including tools, patches, and new tube), a change of clothes, and all my electronics/wallet/etc.

For shopping and commute to college, I also picked up an inexpensive set of paniers. I've loaded them rather full with books and clothes, and still had 15lbs to spare on the max rating for the rack.

The trunk bag has a rain cover attached, and I carry plastic garbage bags in the paniers in case rain falls (a tip I picked up here a few years ago).

I use this cheap basket, which hangs down the left-hand side of the rack:
http://www.clasohlson.no/Archive/Images/Products/Hi/344207_X_2007-06-29_094232_899.jpg

To keep it from jumping off (experience!), I've secured it with a piece of rope at the bottom. After four years and two bikes, it looks ... really beaten up ... but I still love it :)

My 30-litre backpack or a grocery bag fits nicely. This is also where I keep my U-lock when riding. Since I got the basket, I've hardly used the top of the rack at all.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_NBr6cFvMvUk/SnorbJ0sBPI/AAAAAAAAB6E/G3_LLgjX_6s/s800/SANY0044.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/njZkxwZkwhOn0wpCuaL6Zg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ72upGakamjyQE&feat=embedwebsite)

Drive Side: Arkel Commuter (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/commuter/overview.asp?fl=1&site=)

Non-Drive Side: Wald Folding Basket (https://waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald582rearfoldingbasket.html)

Downtube Mini with 16" wheels, fitted with a rack from a Dahon Curve. At first I tried bungeeing my laptop bag to the rack, but I had issues with heel strike. I ziptied a Wald 585 (http://www.amazon.com/Wald-585-Rear-Bicycle-Basket/dp/B001AYKN84) Rear Rack Basket to it. It's strong and stable, and holds a lot. Still folds OK with the basket attached.
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=113522&stc=1&d=1249616747

Drive Side: Arkel Commuter (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/commuter/overview.asp?fl=1&site=)

Non-Drive Side: Wald Folding Basket (https://waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald582rearfoldingbasket.html)

jdmitch: thanks for that Arkel pic-- for some reason I thought that bag was muuuuch smaller. Now I'm thinking about picking one up. I have a tailwind from them and love it.

Tall pillow, i have some panniers called bike bins, they are a plastic box design and are tapered at the bottom so you dont get heel strike, think if im not mistaken they are about 17 ltrs each and come in various colours, maybe worth checking out.

jdmitch: thanks for that Arkel pic-- for some reason I thought that bag was muuuuch smaller. Now I'm thinking about picking one up. I have a tailwind from them and love it.

Yah, it's really big. If you click the pic, it should take you to an album with a pic from the other side.

On a recent 3-4 day business trip, I took the cams hardware off and used it as my only bag (met carry on requirements). Now, I travel light, but I was surprised how much I could stuff in there. The capacity is way more than people think it is.

Downtube Mini with 16" wheels, fitted with a rack from a Dahon Curve. At first I tried bungeeing my laptop bag to the rack, but I had issues with heel strike. I ziptied a Wald 585 (http://www.amazon.com/Wald-585-Rear-Bicycle-Basket/dp/B001AYKN84) Rear Rack Basket to it. It's strong and stable, and holds a lot. Still folds OK with the basket attached.

Sweet. Any chance of getting a pic with it folded?

I put a small jaand bag on my nitto rack, it is just big enough for my work commute needs -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/bianchi038.jpg

KitN - How does the NASHBAR DELUXE RACK TRUNK BAG attach to the rack?

I've had mine for about 2 years now, and the straps still work great. It's got a handle on the front of the bag that I run the cable lock I carry through the handle to keep the lock from scratching the paint more, but it's not needed to keep the bag on the bike.