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)

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.

It looks like it will work fine. But, yeah, you gotta get that rear blinky more visible.

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.

Good points. I'll move that rear blinky this week. I have a cargo net and some lashing straps in the garage somewhere, so I should be OK on that front. Thanks.

Anything is better than that ghetto milk crate...

eBay. I found one for $13.50 including shipping (they're usually a lot more expensive due to shipping costs).

You need to go bigger. Bakery trays?

wooden pallet?

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).

That's pretty cool. I have a Topeak bag also. I use the crate when I don't want to carry my computer bag on my back. Now I just need to figure out a way to easily add/remove the crate when I want to switch back and forth between it and the Topeak bag.

Popped the blinky on w/ some zip ties for now.

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.

Thanks. I'll look into that.

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

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.

If you've got an MTX rack, you could probably figure out a way to attach this to your soda crate:

Thanks -- too bad it's so short.

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 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.

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.

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.

I'll definitely keep it in mind -- could be useful for a pizza!

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.

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.