Lockable trunk for winter-wet gear
 

Curious of other´s use of something like this,

riding in the winter means carrying some extra clothes and/or rain gear, and this makes it hard going inside, without a lot of extra bulk and looking like a cyclist.

Budget should be reasonable, after all prying eyes may want to break this apart and it's hard to have something really secure that's not heavy.

I don't have enough posts for submitting, but ebay items with ids below show some quick research in the 10x10x10 (inch) size, and under $30.

272378141427

or

142529434327?

I never considered something like that, but I suppose my first two thoughts would be, how heavy is it, and how would it be secured to the bike? And then how secure is the bike?

I have been happy with my setup which is a backpack that I rack (except for my road bike, when I wear it). When I go in a store, or in to lunch I wear the backpack. It can be a little bulky in the winter, but, really not that bad.


But, now I'm curious, like you to see what others have done with lockable trunks on their bikes.

It's a fairly normal thing for scooters/motorcycles, it could be pretty well done from the underside through a back rack, with blind "carriage" style bolts to the interior of the case as shown.

Sometimes carrying a backpack just isn't an option. And it sucks having wet gear inside of a backpack, you can bring plastic baggies, but it still sucks.

I guess it depends on the "city coefficient" for what gets stolen and all that, but it seems like $20 might be worth some tests. And if that's not super secure, I've thought about a more metal type box that could work. This would add a good 5 lbs minimum weight to the bike :(

If going/gone electric, this dual-serves for battery compartment and the weight factor is mitigated with the electric help.

one concern I have- if you are putting wet gear in- you won't be able to use it on the way home in extreme cold temps- a) putting on wet gear and b) it might be frozen when you open it up.. to me something to carry it inside with and then let it air out a bit SOMEWHERE in the building makes the most sense. Back in the day I biked and a coworker motorcycled and we both hung our gear in the coat closet .. current job has lockers available to all staff- I don't use one currently but I'd hang wet riding gear in it during the day- they are vented. I have an office and hooks on the back of the door, so my wet gear will go there at the place I plan to commute to.

yeah, for me at least, there won't be such a temperature swing where it's still possible to rain, and then transition quickly enough to freeze that. I wouldn't be able to ride on ice on streets normally.

Offices make things easy: spare clothes, etc. It's going to other places where carrying all that extra stuff in adds up and could use some storage help.

Outdoor lockers don't seem to be coming any time soon, and costs would surely be enough to make you think twice about just not bringing stuff in. Have used those in trainstations/airports in Europe, but wouldn't regularly, only special situations.

Outdoor lockers- downtown has some of those in paring garages- the entire bike rolls into the locker and they have a monthly rental rate.

I don't care if people notice that I've ridden my bike... It can be a sign of life, or environmental choices, and have nothing to do with poverty or DUI.

I've looked at those moped boxes before. I probably won't add one to my rack, but it should work.

A few additional thoughts:

Ortlieb Roll Top Panniers should be 100% waterproof. Not necessarily lockable, but could be good for carrying dry stuff too and from work.

https://ortliebusa.com/wp-content/up...ir-600x445.jpg

I use trailers a lot for groceries and store runs. I mostly use an open top ex kiddie trailer. However, I've been thinking about my Bike Friday trailer.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachmen...hmentid=585205

I'm going to try making a similar one with a slightly larger suitcase, and flat-free tires. Hopefully ready shortly.

Another option for trailers are various storage boxes, but finding good sturdy ones cheaply seems to be a problem.

Oh, for rack boxes, Harbor Freight also has Pelican Style waterproof boxes. No lock, but provisions for a padlock.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3800-w...-in-63927.html
https://shop.harborfreight.com/media.../3/63927_i.jpg

The boxes regularly go on sale. Find a coupon.
https://www.harborfreight.com/see_new_products.html

$29.99 with the coupon.

Thanks for more responses/
[MENTION=11675]cliff[/MENTION] -- already have some Ortliebs, but want something theftproof, and also not so expensive in itself, kind of like the waterproof otter-clone box. There are some like that on ebay for ~$25 or so, too.

Locking those is a little more problematic, I looked at one of the HF ones, and you need two locks.

I've got one of the scooter cases on order and will give it a shot, $20 shipped. Disadvantage having the weight up high, not sure how well it's gonna be secure.

Advantage of the hard shell is that it's not clear if there's anything in there or not, something a ortlieb could imply otherwise.

I've also wondered why you don't see hard cases for bicycles like you do for motorcycles.

I hated the ones on my BMW, they were clamshells and you couldn't really put much in them without removing them. There were plenty of other aftermarket options. They're all really too heavy-duty for bicycles, though.

What's wrong with looking like a cyclist? :lol:
Steve

M-Wave Amsterdam Hard Box?


or the Companion Bike Seat?

What he said.

Lockable hard case is more weight than I'd want to carry, but YMMV.


I'd look at either the cable locking system for the Ortliebs you have, or a bolt-on kitty litter box. Neither is really theft-proof, but then again, neither is the bicycle you'd lock it to.