Bolo Grubb

anyone know of a lockable trunk rack for a commuter bike?

I have an early morning class and would like to be able to lock up my helmet, flat kit, gloves, lights, etc while I am in class. Something I can lock and leave perma-attached to the bike would solve some of my issues with commuting.

Hardshell or maybe even softshell would work. Does not need to be bullitproof, just a decent theft deterent.

Thanks

chipcom 

https://otivia.com/cargocache.html

Allen

https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...?pid=141&cid=2

fillthecup

Those look awesome, but I didn't have the expendible cash so I bought a $7 lockable toolbox and bolted it to my rack. It has been there for eight months now, and has lasted through a winter of commuting and cobblestone roads. You could do something similar, no reason to blow $100 on it when it can be home-made.
Link to pics + description...https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/207894-rack-mounted-trunk.html

Bolo Grubb

Thanks for the links and tips, I will check them all out.

THe cheap do it yourself options appeal to me do to the cost, but the first 2 links do looks slick.

ken cummings

Have you looked at the lockable containers designed for motor bikes? Strictly DIY but still an option. Lots of lockable metal and plastic boxes can be found at good hardware stores as well as mounting hardware. Again DIY.

Nightshade

A slick cheap very effective solution. See how many$$ can be save by a little "out of the box"
thinking???

Bolo Grubb

here is an idea I am toying with. I have several old milk crates. Bolt one of them to the rack. Cut the bottom off of another to make a lid/top for the one on the bike. Use 4 long shackle padlocks to make it a lockable trunk.

Now if this works like I am thinking, I have a lockable trunk that people can see in. Hopefully any want-to-be thieves sees that there is a flat repair kit, pump, cheap light, and helmet and decided it is not worth the hassle of trying to steal.

Want do you think? My biggest expense would be getting 4 padlocks.

Nightshade

Milk crate "trunk"?? Nah,mate don't think you'd like that for very long.

A much better solution is the tool box. You can find one cheap @ yardsales
or home depot or wal-mart. What you gain is waterproofing no miik crate
can give plus prying eyes can't "want" your stuff.

Bolo Grubb

maybe the toolbox and some wire baskets for my book bag is the way to go

MyPC8MyBrain

Here's the one I put on my bike.. not big enough for a helmet, but holds all the rest of the stuff just fine. It was like $20 and a trip to the hardware store to bolt it on.

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=220547

I bought it here :

https://www.partsforscooters.com/Scooter-Trunk

Bolo Grubb

Over the weekend I made some changes to the commuter bike. ignore the date in the pictures, forgot to reset that on my camera

Ok first ride to school and work turned out great. The only time the weight of the loaded crate seems to be an issues is walking the bike. Once I am moving, no problems.

A little noisy on rough roads but tolerable.

here are the addresses for a few pictures.

https://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/G...iser%20006.jpg
https://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/G...iser%20008.jpg
https://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/G...iser%20014.jpg
https://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/G...iser%20015.jpg

I just zip tied the crate to my rack, because I have a ton of zip ties and not concerned with a quick release crate.

I used a power circular saw to cut the bottom off of the second crate. easy and quick.

There was no out of pocket cost as I have had all the supplies for this project for several years. My hope is that because you can see what is locked in the crate, it will be less tempting to would-be thieves.

The only issue I have at the moment is seen in the last picture. Should be easy enough to fix with another couple of locks. I am pretty sure I have a couple more locks to fix this, but I might buy a set of 4 locks that are all keyed the same.

Another idea I had this morning was a couple of longer U-locks or a cable that would fit from the top to bottom.

Woohoo, I think I just remembered that I have a cable that might work and then I would only need one lock. Just needs to be a long cable.

Next, I am thinking of turning the handlebars into bullhorns and possibly turning this bike into a single speed.


Somewhere down the road I will likely switch to a toolbox and wire basket panniers, but for now this seems to work for my needs.

Let me know what you think.

fillthecup

Dig it! I like the lid, I hate carrying all my gadgets and tools into the store or work. My only issue with milk-crates was water-proofness.

This weekend I spotted some fishing tackle boxes that are light, sturdy, cheap ($7-$9), and transparent to boot. Lots of removable shelves, compartments and doo-dads also.

I looked for a long time for the right transparent tupperware, eventually found something that would fit on my rack, and it shattered in the winter cold. The toolbox was much sturdier and had a space for a lock, but I suppose it could entice thieves who wanted to see what was inside. I work on a college campus and it hasn't been a problem in the last eight months though.

If you want to use panniers in addition to the milk-crate you can use a spacer between the rack and the milk-crate.

Bolo Grubb

I did it this way mainly because I already had everything I used. I may redo it in the future with a toolbox or a rectangular Milk crate (I have 2 of those so I could do the same thing).

I live in Arizona and we do not get much rain. and when we do I may have to ride in it anyways, so I try to use waterproff stuff and keep heavey duty garbage bags handy.

NeezyDeezy

could heavy duty tape make that waterproof, at least for a couple weeks heh

smurfy

I wonder how a wood box would work? Wood is pretty light and can be stained and polyurethaned for beauty and added protection from the elements. It can look really classy with brass fittings and would compliment a honey or antique brown Brooks saddle real well.

Anybody here handy with woodworking?

mjww

This opens up a whole avenue of ideas - custom sizes (fit what you want), as strong as you want and with a fiberglas covering, impervious to natural elements! The only question is how heavy will it be?
Hmm..... I have some 1/8 plywood, 3/4" pine strips.......wonder what I can come up with!! :-))

zum

I have an idea that I think has some mileage - containers could be woven out of polypropelene strapping, the type that's used to hold together cardboard shipping cartons. It could be effectively opaque like a solid box, but flexy so a drop wouldn't shatter it. Could be made with lockable lids, more resistant to slashing than the nylon that panniers and trunks are usually made from and with good design not much heavier. All the advantages and more of cane wickerwork without the girls' school, volvo-esque stigma, and good recycling principles too.

Whadda you guys think?

Bolo Grubb

ok after a couple of weeks of commuting with the milk crate i am starting to give more thought to a set like fillthecup's ( a toolbox bolted to the rear rack and wire baskets.

with a small load the milk crate does fine, but on days when I have to carry a couple of school books and my lunch the crates gets very full and very heavy. So much so that I notice it alot more when standing to sprint through an intersection.

with the toolbox and wire baskets I could put the weight of the school books lower and split the load on 2 sides. Use a small tool box just for my flat kit and lights.

Going to make some other changes first though. I do not like the bar end shifters I have so I am going to put downtube shifters on the bike. Also I am going to either get some wider platform pedals or put a set of old Look pedals I have on it. Leaning towards the BMX style platforms because I think those would be easier for riding around campus, plus wearing what ever shoes I felt like.