Necessity is definitely the mother of invention
02-02-11, 09:55 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Necessity is definitely the mother of invention
I had this great TOPEAK EXPLORER BIKE RACK & TOPEAK TRUNK BAG with SIDE PANNIERS on my Mtn bike but everyone said it couldn't be used on my Sprint 2 because of the rear suspension. I was hesitant to spend $150 for the Ice Rack so after some thought, $7, 36" of 3/4" wide aluminum flatplate , 4 SS 1" nuts & bolts & 2 threaded drop-out screws, a hacksaw, vice etc, I came up with this solution. It's extremely sturdy & looks great. I may paint the aluminum black or cover with black tape in the future. But now I've solved my storage problems.
02-02-11, 02:39 PM
#3
Senior Member
It should work, as long as you don't load it too heavily. At which point it could bend under load, because aluminum bar isn't all that strong. But I'm curious why you didn't make it the same width as the rack instead of as wide as you did. It would have been stronger if the entire top part was supported by the rack.
02-03-11, 02:49 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tulsa
Posts: 582
Bikes: RANS Formula LE, Giant Escape 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Love the idea. I have the same rack and want to use it on my trike. Thanks for the solution.
02-03-11, 02:54 AM
#6
Riding
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 1,909
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro; Motobecane Nemesis Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looks a little top heavy but it should do the job. 
Out of curiosity, why did you set it so high?
Out of curiosity, why did you set it so high?
02-03-11, 07:27 AM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The bar is 1/8" thick & only 12" long. The majority of the load forces are down. There would be some forward force when you'd have to stop very quick while going quite fast (more than 20 MPH?) The width of the addition is the width of the original rack (sorry I didn't give you an "end-on" shot. The top of the rack is through bolted to the bar stock & now is integral with the original rack.Thanks for your interest
02-03-11, 07:32 AM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Make sure you use SS nuts & bolts & that the nuts are locking (you know with the nylon bushing inside). I found 1" a little long but 1/2" too short. 3/4" would be best but Home Depot didn't have. Aluminum was very easy to cut, bend & file smooth. Smallest piece was 36" but after bending to fit underside of Topeak rack was easy to shorten "legs". You will find that you may have to gently force the "legs" to meet the holes in the frame but it is quite forgiving & easy to do. Predrilled with smaller bit. Good luck
02-03-11, 07:34 AM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The top of the bag has only very light objects. The beauty of this bag are the hidden panniers which when filled will bring the weight down even lower.
