Prime Directive

Considering that I'm not very "handy" and do not have the raw materials or tools necessary to create my own homebrew solutions, I'm rather pleased that I managed to turn a great-quality, Overland Luggage company messenger bag (with shoulder strap), from a thrift store, into a pannier for an ordinary rack. I already have a $25 Sunlite grocery pannier but was feeling the need for extra cargo capacity and was looking at $100-150 briefcase panniers as my ideal solution (still are, probably). I DON'T like to carry bags on my person, however, and confirmed that just riding home with the messenger bag empty!

At the thrift store I noticed this bag had numerous little pockets and a couple main padded compartments along with what, at first glance, looked like a final rather flat zippered pocket on the back. This "pocket", however, had an identical zipper running across its bottom and allows an object to go clear through when both are open. Being that this bag is from a luggage company, I assumed this wide, flat "pocket" allows the bag to slip over the plastic, extendable pull handles on those big, rectangular luggage bags with wheels that you see people dragging through airports. Anyway, it seemed promising.

My solution consisted of three parts, though only the first two are really necessary:

1. Use the removable, adjustable shoulder strap, itself, to go around the seat post and, at both ends (which clip on to the bag's D-rings), wrap/loop around the rack's rails from the outside once, bringing the clips up from the bottom and over the top of the rails to attach to the bag. This requires adjusting the strap to the proper length.
   
   
2. Cut one of those stiff, almost-corrugated, plastic political signs (that I had from volunteering last November) into a rectangle barely able to slip down into the fully open back "pocket" to provide rigidity.
   
   
3. Buy the right size (24" for me) bungie to hook onto the rails and stretch the middle of the bungie down behind the stiffener, through the bottom, to hook onto the little extension bar my rack has for traditional pannier elastic cords. Additional cost: $1.62
   
   Total cost of pannier: $5.62

Virtually all of the weight in this setup is carried by the shoulder strap and applied directly to the rack's rails. Placing the center of the strap behind the seat post keeps it from moving and makes it all work. The stiffener helps keep the bag out of my spokes (my rack doesn't provide protection) and makes the bungie useful. The bungie just keeps the bag from swinging outward on turns (which wasn't much of a problem anyway) and keeps the bag on the bike if the strap were to ever break.

It is a more secure attachment system than the ordinary "hook and elastic", yet the only tools needed were a pair of scissors and some brainstorming!

Sorry, no pictures are possible.

oneredstar

Sounds awesome, it is amazing what a little brainstorming can get you. But come on, that big, long, detailed post and no pictures. I need to see pictures!

Prime Directive

I need a digital camera.

robtown

I got this camera new for $29 with SD card. It's great for carrying around on the bike and allows you to transfer to computer with the SD card. No flash. It's sufficient for posting pics.

https://2fidelity.com/product_PCSD13.htm#features

example [not me]

I also have this one - you have to connect to computer to download - but $9 refurbished.

https://2fidelity.com/product_PCM13.htm#features

n4zou

I used 1/2 PVC plumbing pipe from a building supply store to make a frame for a backpack purchased from a thrift store for $1. It works very well. Here is a photo of the backpack and frame strapped to the rack with Velcro straps.


Here it is on my loaded touring bike.

Mukluk

Wow! Nothin' like in-gin-u-ity!!!! Don't it feel good to make something yourself that is just as functional (or more so) for a fraction of the price!!!!)

obelix67

Taking things to the other extreme

a bit big for a laptop bag

https://www.carryfreedom.com/city.html

obelix67

n4zou I do like that idea .............might have a play with that to make something similar

n4zou

The PVC pipe frame will also hold enough water to refill a standard bottle. Very handy when traveling through an area with limited water availability. The pipe is filled and emptied via the plug in the Tee fitting at the top of the frame by just removing the plug. Friction keeps it in place.

obelix67

I noticed you have 3 plus bottles on your bike, we have 3000 lakes in this small country hope we dont run out....