Coroplast Tail Box
 

South Texas winters often mean having a 30-35 degree difference between the morning commute and the return trip in the evening. I decided I needed some more carrying capacity then the trunk bag I've been using for ferrying the clothes back and forth. I also use the bike to transport documents during the workday. So I decided to build a tailbox out of coroplast. I originally thought I would use some of the political signs I have harvested after the election, but I thought it would be better to use a solid color that would add to my daytime visibility. Fortunately, I have a plastic dealer in my neighborhood and he sold me a half sheet for $7.00. Add a few zip ties and pop-rivets, and you got some serious carrying capacity for a good price.

Summary

Cost: Low
Difficulty to build: Low
Fred Factor: Pretty high!:)

The original dimensions were 16x16x10 with a smaller section in front to fit under the seat. But after putting that one on the bike, I found that my legs were hitting the box when I pedaled. And even though it gave me enough room for a pretty decent grocery run, I just didn't like the way it looked. So I cut four inches off the bottom and this is the result:
http://davidclary.com/images/box1.JPG
http://davidclary.com/images/box2.JPG
http://davidclary.com/images/box3.JPG
http://davidclary.com/images/box4.JPG
http://davidclary.com/images/box5.JPG

Sweet! You should submit that to http://bikehacks.com/

WOW!! :eek: That is totally Fred. I love it. :love: You don't happen to have a step-by-step on that project?

I was going to take pics as I went along but my battery was dead and I wanted to get started. I'll write up something for you. I'm from the Tim Taylor school of DIY so if I can do it........ :)

You need to make some matching yellow fenders.

Already in the planning stages--gotta peg the "fred-o-meter!" :)

Nice work!
Just make sure it can survive the Corpus Christi wind. :)

i read the title and i was like "seriously?"

i applaud your innovation, but i question the design. firstly, freds need to go fast, it seems anti aerodynamic, why not just ride around with a parashoot? you have steep and harsh angles that are just going to suck and hold the air, make it more "aero!" sloping angles, and make it double butted for the weight wennies!

secondly, it looks like a childs seat. where are the seatbelts, do you stuff the child instead, do you bungie them to the back??? i'd like to know whre the children go.

lastly how much weight does it handle, can you put in a couple dumbells and a 15lbs chain lock?(who needs a gym with dumbells on wheels?)it doesn't look to sterdy, maybe put in the L-brackets. and attachet it better to the rear rack, what two clear zip ties? good bye load! also it doesn't look waterproof, or even water ressistant, add ruber o-rings!

I appreciate that--especially coming from another "Windy City" (or at least in the vicinity) resident.:) One of the reasons I quit commuting on a fully-faired bike several years ago was the repeated incidents of being pushed around by a big gust.

I can't tell you how much I like it!

Your making the rest of us freds look bad.

Well, I read your post and wasn't sure if you were serious or not (especially with the child seat comment). So I'll address your concerns that could be.

Yea, I could have made this more aero but I went with an easier to build design. I could have curved the back like I did here:

http://davidclary.com/images/strobe.JPG

Even with the "harsh angles" most of it is sitting behind my butt of churning thighs--a lot more aero than grocery bag panniers.

Stuffed in head first.

It's plenty damn sterdy(sic). It protrudes two inches on either side of the rack but the vast majority of the surface is supported directly. There are six zip ties holding it to the rack--it aint going anywhere. I have thought about putting in a thin piece of sheet metal on the bottom and bolting it down but it really isn't necessary. I'll put my 35 pound kettlebell in there as a test for you.

Not true. I rode home in the rain last week and everything inside was perfectly dry.

Chicago's wind gust got nothing compared to C.C's . I know that for sure, I lived there for 3 years before moving back here in Il. Those wind gusts makes up for the lack of hills. Not that I like both. :)

I think I posted it elsewhere but on my first day here, with my bike in the bed of my truck, I was in traffic behind more than one car that had a "pray for wind" bumper sticker. It seems the only time the wind is sure to lay down is if there is a wind surfing competition scheduled!! :)