no1mad 

And how did you secure it to your rack?

Mr IGH

I use Topeak basket now. Back in the day, when I used milk crates I secured them with hose clamps. For the Topeak baskets I use zip-ties.

SouthFLpix

I use this Topeak tote for grocery shopping: https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Trolley...3542496&sr=8-1

It's basically nothing more then a fancy milk crate.

Pete In Az

I screwed the front to the rack. When I looked at the back, I figured the bottom would eventually weaken and break because the rack was narrower then the crate, so I cut a couple of pieces of 1 by 4 the width of the crate, inside one slightly narrower. I put a bolt through the inside board, the bottom of the crate, the board underneath then the rack. I put a lock nut on the bolt, snugged if down and I think it worked out rather well.

no1mad 

Hose clamps might just be the ticket as this first batch of zip ties start failing. And it's also I method that hadn't occurred to me. Thanks!

Loose Chain

I got this somewhere.



I snap it on and off. I am afraid the milk crates are a little too ghetto/bum for me. I am sure they work well but I guess don't work for my esthetics. Before I get jumped on, you asked, if and how and I don't.

LC

LeeG

two heavy 3/8" thick bungie cords. Sits on top and just under the back edge of the saddle.

RobertFrapples

zip ties. I replace a few a year as they break. Hose clamps sound good to me too.

Grishnak

I still use an actual milk crate.Its lashed on with long strips of old innertube.

JeffSG

I use a red Coca Cola crate (picked up on eBay for $4) that is strapped down with 6 zip ties. A bungie cord holds down my dry sack.

Ride safe,

Jeff

PhDestroyer

I use a milk crate. Maybe when I have more money, I'll spring for something that isn't a milk crate...but for now, it's what works. I lash it to my bike rack using bungee cords.

CabezaShok

bunjees can fail, so i use poly rope. For one crate i'll fasten the sides down to the rack's hooks (at the rack's base where panniers normally fasten to). I use a 'truckers hitch' on one side, which makes for quick mount/removal. i glued a chunk of 2" 'egg-crate' insulation foam to the crate's base to keep it from wiggling. Carry my lil' doggy in this set-up so for me, its GOT to hold.

Easy Peasy

Thanks for the idea. I just put a milk crate on the back rack of my MTB with the rubber cords that came with my bike rack longitudinally and two bungee cords transversely. Wife says it's a very Oregon way to cart stuff around.

no1mad 

Just be careful about how much weight you put back there. The first commute after installing my crate, I used a backpack to carry everything. The bag fit in the crate with a little fuss, but the weight made the riding characteristics suffer big time. I've since switched back to a sling bag for my essentials and just put an insulated lunch bag in the crate- I eat way too much .

On a side note, I also mounted two blinkys to the back of the crate using zip ties. Depending on the shape of the light, I could probably mount easily a half dozen back there.

Pscyclepath

Heavy-duty zip ties... If you're going to be taking the crate on and off the bike several times a day, then bungey cords may be a better solution, but they're not as secure as the zip ties.

One crate attached to the top of the rack moves your center of gravity higher, and so makes it harder to balance your bike and your load. Zip tie or fasten a crate to each side of your rack, and you not only double your carrying capacity, but it moves your CG lower, making it easier to balance and control the bike.

My dad used to own a grocery store, so I have a goodly supply of milk crates from several defunct dairies.

LazyCyclist

do grocery stores just give away milk crates? or do you need to be stealthy about it?

no1mad 

I got mine from a c-store, but I think that there might be some available online. Maybe the container store?

buzzman

I have a milk crate on my commuter. Zip ties and bungee cords.

Antaresia

I do! I love it, it can carry so much weight (beer bottles are pretty heavy)
I got mine from someone's back yard junk pile.

dynodonn 

No milk crate, since I opted for a nice large metal wire basket bolted to the rear rack.

devianb

I used a Ikea crate once. Secured it with zip ties and some bungee cords for backup. It was too large and awkward looking for me so I just went back to using a backpack and messenger bag.

Farmer Dave

I do! I'll post a pic soon. Just installed it a couple days ago.

no1mad 

Do it!

But I decided to take mine off today , but remounted my flat crate . My fully loaded backpack fits nicely on that tray, whereas it just won't fit inside the milk crate. I only use that particular bag on foul weather days or if I'm packing quite a bit of food into work.

Farmer Dave

Here are a few photos of my commuter. All I need is some fenders, but it is summer and I haven't bought any yet. Sorry about the large photos first time posing pictures.