How do you get your leg over the milk crate?
01-11-10, 10:54 AM
#26
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The way I teach it in the League Traffic Skills and Commuting classes:
Stand on the left side of the bike. Place your right hand on the saddle and reach across the bicycle with the left hand to grab the right end of the handlebar. Lean the bike towards you until you can easily step over the frame and then start raising the bicycle and shifting your feet until you are astride the frame. You may have to make two steps to get all the way over the frame.
As for spilling what's in the crate, I usually keep the stuff back there containerized in some sort of box or plastic bag... it's much better than having loose junk rolling around back there, and potentially falling through the holes in the bottom of the crate.
Stand on the left side of the bike. Place your right hand on the saddle and reach across the bicycle with the left hand to grab the right end of the handlebar. Lean the bike towards you until you can easily step over the frame and then start raising the bicycle and shifting your feet until you are astride the frame. You may have to make two steps to get all the way over the frame.
As for spilling what's in the crate, I usually keep the stuff back there containerized in some sort of box or plastic bag... it's much better than having loose junk rolling around back there, and potentially falling through the holes in the bottom of the crate.
After my hip replacement I got a U-frame, and then a Mixte; problem solved. I’m probably to the point now where I could mount/dismount a diamond frame again using your method, but I like my Mixte so well there really isn’t any need to now. And, even with a cooler full of picnic for the wife and I… I don’t need to lean the Mixte over at all. But, I used to wonder if anybody else mounted their bike the way you describe, because almost everyone else threw their leg over the seat or some over the handlebars. I never saw anyone else lean the bike over and step over the center bar like I used to.
01-11-10, 11:11 AM
#27
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Very simple, I put the crate on the FRONT RACK. But then, if I put it on the back (against all sense), it's a step thru frame anyway. Much more practical for heavy loads.
01-11-10, 04:19 PM
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for some reason I read that as "How to you get your keg in the milk crate?" and I was gonna tell you thats what trailer is for 
That is funny.
01-11-10, 08:02 PM
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hmm, I don't get on my bike that way. I get on by stepping over the center bar. Perhaps you can try that *shrugs*
01-11-10, 08:54 PM
#31
----
I have a milk crate on the back of my bike and fill it with stuff but for the life of me am not really certain how I get on the bike when it is loaded with stuff- I just do. I do admit to sometimes doing the over the h-bars method. I think I just do a good kick up and over but I'll check next time. The memory of how I do it seems stored in my body and not in my mind, I guess.
So funny that I seldom think about it.
So funny that I seldom think about it.
01-11-10, 09:39 PM
#32
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I always just lift my leg over the top tube when I captain our tandem. Not difficult to master.
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01-11-10, 10:18 PM
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If I couldn't swing my leg well over the seat to get on I'd assume it's a hint that the bike is waaaaaay too big for me. 
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01-14-10, 01:10 AM
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01-15-10, 01:43 PM
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01-15-10, 02:12 PM
#38
Pedaled too far.
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Seems that no one has supplied the obvious answer.
Put the milk crate on a mixte frame or a recumbent.
Put the milk crate on a mixte frame or a recumbent.
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01-15-10, 02:42 PM
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01-15-10, 03:30 PM
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The same way. Keep left leg on pedal, as it comes over the top and heads down, take your right leg and just swing it around the back over the crate. meanwhile your left foot has reached the bottom and you can support your weight with it while you finish the manuever by bringing your right leg along the frame and down. Works whether you use clipless pedals or platform pedals. (watch youtube videos of cyclocross dismounts if my explanation makes no sense).
01-15-10, 10:54 PM
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I've wondered this my self a few times.
But then again, i use panniers so i never run into this unless i have both filled and something large strapped across the back.
When i do have something large on the back (depending on the weight) I swing my leg way over the saddle, over the handle bars, or over the top tube.
And to the OP: I recommend on just picking up the cheapest panniers that could work for you when they go on sale at nashbar. If you move the weight that your hauling farther down and balanced it is a much more pleasurable experience.
But then again, i use panniers so i never run into this unless i have both filled and something large strapped across the back.
When i do have something large on the back (depending on the weight) I swing my leg way over the saddle, over the handle bars, or over the top tube.
And to the OP: I recommend on just picking up the cheapest panniers that could work for you when they go on sale at nashbar. If you move the weight that your hauling farther down and balanced it is a much more pleasurable experience.
08-05-19, 08:32 PM
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It's hard to see what some of you guys are saying without pictures So forgive me if I'm repeating what has already been shared.
My milk crate bike mounting/dismounting technique. If you know the trick of mounting your bike straightaway by stepping down on one pedal and then throwing the other leg over, then you're 90% there. It's the same trick, except the 2nd leg goes over the top tube instead of the back wheel. To do this, you need some flexibility because you need to create space between your 1st leg (standing on the pedal) and the bike frame for your 2nd leg to pass through and go over the top tube. This can be done even on a top tube that is level with your inseam because your 1st leg is standing on the pedal which elevates your inseam above the top tube by several inches (5 inches on my bike). Actually this number is low because I typically throw my 2nd leg over when the pedal is between 2-3 o-clock which means my inseam is even higher above the top tube. At the point where I throw the 2nd leg over, I estimate my knees are practically level with the top tube, meaning the 2nd leg kind of just steps over the top tube. Ah, rereading this makes me realize I should just post some pictures instead.
So forgive me if I'm repeating what has already been shared.My milk crate bike mounting/dismounting technique. If you know the trick of mounting your bike straightaway by stepping down on one pedal and then throwing the other leg over, then you're 90% there. It's the same trick, except the 2nd leg goes over the top tube instead of the back wheel. To do this, you need some flexibility because you need to create space between your 1st leg (standing on the pedal) and the bike frame for your 2nd leg to pass through and go over the top tube. This can be done even on a top tube that is level with your inseam because your 1st leg is standing on the pedal which elevates your inseam above the top tube by several inches (5 inches on my bike). Actually this number is low because I typically throw my 2nd leg over when the pedal is between 2-3 o-clock which means my inseam is even higher above the top tube. At the point where I throw the 2nd leg over, I estimate my knees are practically level with the top tube, meaning the 2nd leg kind of just steps over the top tube. Ah, rereading this makes me realize I should just post some pictures instead.
