I would like to hook up my school back to the bike, so then I can commute without having the weight on my shoulders, but... the 'above the rear wheel racks' at bike shops I have seen are just far too small for my bag (a lot of homework). I don't want to tie it down with ropes because it takes too much time, and is always flimsy.

Whats the best solution, except buying a new bike bag, and I don't want to carry anything on my shoulders because that can develop aches and pains in the back if you're riding every day 25kilometres or so.

bungee cords aren't all that flimsy. they wear out and u replace'm, cheap. they take an additional 30 seconds to secure the bike. i don't see the problem.

sd

If the school bag is big enough a motorcycle cargo net would work. It has three hooks on each side which holds the bag quite well on a bicycle rack. I have never had a bag fall off using one. They are less than ten bucks at Walmart.

Get a basket that fits on top of the rear rack (Wald is good brand). Toss in the school bag and tie it down with a piece of old tube.

Cargo net?

Cargo net! https://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...em=TUC_10-0009

These things are great, and I use one on my BOB Yak. I have three regular bungees for securing things to my rack. If I wanted, I'd put my backpack there with either the bungees or the cargo net.

You will need a cargo rack in any case. You might also want to look at the Wald saddle bag type baskets that fold up when you don't need them and are pretty inexpensive. I used those to hold my backpack when I first started commuting.

I have the delta cargo net II and it works flawlessley. It's quick to set up and take down and the hooks are strong plastic so it's light and nothing to wear off and scartch your ride. I take my girlfriend's books and backpack all the time with this guy (along with my pannier backpack).

https://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4500850

How do those hooks hold in place without sliding or vibrating off?

They just hook around the bars of my rack; I make sure that the cords aren't slack. They can hold a pretty hefty load back there, even on a bus!