Soda Crate vs Milk Crate
#1
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Soda Crate vs Milk Crate
I’ve been using a messenger bag strapped to my back for my commute, but have been looking at other options. I tried a milk crate for a while, but it was a hassle maneuvering my leg around the crate when boarding the bike. So I just zip-tied this soda crate to the bike and am looking forward to trying it out next week. I’m hoping I can just cargo net/bungee cord my bag to it. It’s looking promising.
Milk Crate
Soda Crate
(Haven't clipped the zip ties yet)
Milk Crate
Soda Crate
(Haven't clipped the zip ties yet)
Last edited by mc9000; 07-15-16 at 05:13 PM.
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I like it -- more area, less volume, with bungees to secure stuff it should be plenty secure.
Two things: your rack blinky is obscured for any eyelines higher than the rack (i.e. all drivers). You should migrate it to the back of the soda crate. Second, look for a bungee net, that would probably be really good for keeping anything in there, rather than multiple bungee cords.
Two things: your rack blinky is obscured for any eyelines higher than the rack (i.e. all drivers). You should migrate it to the back of the soda crate. Second, look for a bungee net, that would probably be really good for keeping anything in there, rather than multiple bungee cords.
#3
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It looks like it will work fine. But, yeah, you gotta get that rear blinky more visible.
#4
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I've used both.. just have to watch on where you put the weight on the soda crate. It'll get a bit squirrelly if the weight is too far back. And it'll interfere with the seat less.
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Two things: your rack blinky is obscured for any eyelines higher than the rack (i.e. all drivers). You should migrate it to the back of the soda crate. Second, look for a bungee net, that would probably be really good for keeping anything in there, rather than multiple bungee cords.
Last edited by mc9000; 07-18-16 at 03:31 PM.
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Anything is better than that ghetto milk crate...
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#7
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#8
always rides with luggage
You need to go bigger. Bakery trays?
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Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
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wooden pallet?
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I used one of these and found it much better than a standard milk crate. Very sturdy and roomy, yet low enough to easily get your leg over. Plus lots of places to attach cable ties. And it's collapsible, which is nice though I really didn't collapse it too often.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That said, I recently switched from using the above crate to an attachable and expandable trunk bag (Topeak MTX/DXP) and I have to say, it's a much better system. (Even though I do kinda miss my ghetto milk crate).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That said, I recently switched from using the above crate to an attachable and expandable trunk bag (Topeak MTX/DXP) and I have to say, it's a much better system. (Even though I do kinda miss my ghetto milk crate).
#11
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I used one of these and found it much better than a standard milk crate. Very sturdy and roomy, yet low enough to easily get your leg over. Plus lots of places to attach cable ties. And it's collapsible, which is nice though I really didn't collapse it too often.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That said, I recently switched from using the above crate to an attachable and expandable trunk bag (Topeak MTX/DXP) and I have to say, it's a much better system. (Even though I do kinda miss my ghetto milk crate).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That said, I recently switched from using the above crate to an attachable and expandable trunk bag (Topeak MTX/DXP) and I have to say, it's a much better system. (Even though I do kinda miss my ghetto milk crate).
#12
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Popped the blinky on w/ some zip ties for now.
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I like that you added reflectors. I use a backpack and run bungees from the seat to the back of the rack, but I see your seat post isn't high enough from the rack to do what I do.
23 years ago I experimented with a milk crate and used two 2-inch thick 2-foot long velcro straps designed to hold fishing poles to a boat. They held the milk crate very secure and yet, were very easy to unstrap.
I don't use crates anymore, but I carry one of the straps in my backpack for when I need it.
23 years ago I experimented with a milk crate and used two 2-inch thick 2-foot long velcro straps designed to hold fishing poles to a boat. They held the milk crate very secure and yet, were very easy to unstrap.
I don't use crates anymore, but I carry one of the straps in my backpack for when I need it.
#14
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you'll want a net to hold stuff in the shallower crate. A wire basket of similar dimensions zip-tied to the rack is also a good choice. Still needs the net
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I use a wire "basket" i picked up at Home Depot (for a closet organizer iirc). I spray painted it black and use some very stout zip ties to secure it to the back rack. It works well and has stood up well to the use/abuse i put it through... i'm about ready to replace it with another.
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I have the Topeak basket that uses this attachment. The "fixer" is only 50~60% as long as the basket. I don't think you would want it to be any longer, because it would be harder to slide back off the rack (it tends to stick if the sliding motion is less than perfectly straight).
If you want to give this a try, maybe attach a shim to the bottom of the crate to help level it out.
If you want to give this a try, maybe attach a shim to the bottom of the crate to help level it out.
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If you want a solution to the blink that lets you mount it with the seat post mount just bolt a short length of pvc or abs to the back of the crate.
#21
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Thank you everyone for all the info & comments. I used the soda crate for about a half dozen commutes and liked it. The main issue was just getting the crate on/off the bike when needed. Though I may use it again sometime, I ended up going with Clamms’ suggestion:
I found a pretty good deal on a Topeak DXP and grabbed it (now I need to sell my old non-pannier bag!) The bag’s main purpose: getting my 15” laptop off my back when commuting to and from work. Some pics of the new setup:
Laptop on top of padded sleeve
Sleeved laptop in DXP bag
DXP bag w/ laptop
DXP bag w/ laptop 2 (still need to add rear blinky here)
Though I actually like the look of the soda crate better, for now form follows function.
Laptop on top of padded sleeve
Sleeved laptop in DXP bag
DXP bag w/ laptop
DXP bag w/ laptop 2 (still need to add rear blinky here)
Though I actually like the look of the soda crate better, for now form follows function.
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I like the soda crate. You can pile stuff on it and then bungee it on. When there's nothing there, it's low profile.
#23
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I've had good luck just strapping pizzas straight to the rack. In their boxes, I mean.
They're light and rigid enough that a single wide bungee front to back holds fine for the 6 blocks home from Little Caesar's or the ~mile from Papa John's. No shifting or tilting at all.
They're light and rigid enough that a single wide bungee front to back holds fine for the 6 blocks home from Little Caesar's or the ~mile from Papa John's. No shifting or tilting at all.
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Less need to strap on contents
For me, a milk crate seems to work best for commuting. The two advantages I like are, no need to strap on my backpack due to high walls of the crate. The other advantage is they seem to handle sub-zero temperatures by not becoming brittle.