Poles on my bike
 

Where I am, there are a lot of uncontrolled dogs, and a lot of people have been bitten by dogs. One way to keep dogs back, is to swing a stick at them. I decided it would be a good idea to have something I could use on my bike. So I clamped a PVC pipe to the chain stay, and rack. I put a longer thinner PVC pipe inside it. I could lift it out while cycling, and swing it at any dogs that came too close. Some time later, I went under a low tree, bent the pipe, which kinked, and it finished up shorter. I replaced it with a piece of bamboo.

I had previously carried two backpacks on my rack. They tend to lean over, and can fall off. With a pole on my bike, it was easy to secure two backpacks so they stay in place.

My aluminum rack broke. So I clamped a piece of bamboo to the side of it, and screwed the support to the bamboo, making it stronger than new. Later the other side of the rack broke. I used more bamboo to repair it and make it larger. My rack now has more bamboo than aluminum. The aluminum is broken in so many places it would fall apart if I removed the bamboo. The front of the rack is clamped around the seat post, allowing the rack to swing from side to side. Having pipe clamped to the side, reduced that. But PVC flexes, so I added another one on the other side, to reduce the swinging.

I now have a pole on each side. I can carry two backpack or more between the two poles, and one strap secures them. I can also carry two cartons of drinks or more between the tow poles, and one strap secures them. They make it really easy to secure high loads on the rack.

In the future I plan to replace the rack with a large strong rack. I plan to still have a pole each side, so it is easy to secure high loads on my rack.

If I ever ride long distances on busy roads, I can use a longer pole, and have a flag on top.

The best way to set up a bike depends on how you use it. Anyone wanting to load a rack high, consider a pole each side. This is light weight, and makes it easy to secure high loads on your rack. You could use broom handles, or aluminum tube, or anything else you want to use.

I prefer this to having something sticking out the sides, which can be an inconvenience in narrow spaces, either in traffic, or narrow trails.

It wold be interesting to see a photograph of this setup.

Wouldn't it be easier to just carry a collapsable baton? Or maybe some pepper spray?

I'm laughing at you real hard. Can you please post of pic of this nonsense?

Back in the day, I used a frame mounted Silca pump mounted along the seat tube to deter dogs. Easy to reach while riding and a useful length.

Otto

I employ a similar setup for jousting.

I use a Small Marine Air Horn to fend off biting dogs. Has worked for 60,000 miles.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...182694e2a6.jpg
Keep it on the Right
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c51bc95e24.jpg

I agree w/ Kahn "It would be interesting to see a photograph of this setup" for me because I like to carry a camera stick & I want to find a better way to do it. right now it rides on my rear rack, collapsed or partially collapsed. I can reach around while I'm riding to get it, but I have to stop to collapse it & put it back on the rack. sometimes I carry it across the front bars but that's not ideal. I know there have been threads about carrying fishing poles on bikes, that might interest you (I found a cpl see below). I once carried one on my top tub w/ velcro straps but it couldn't be retrieved while riding

https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plu...hing-bike.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/recreatio...hing-pole.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...reel-bike.html

Finished building the "Fishing Bike" - Bike Forums

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...any-ideas.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/9...hing-rods.html

I've yet to find a dog that will bite me. They love it when you flee or look scared. They seem to become meek as soon as you stand your ground and look big.

Though I'll suppose that maybe I haven't encountered that one dog that will bite me.

Seems like pepper spray will be the better choice, then they can go home and rub it on their owner.

I used to ride with a Pole on my rear rack, and he was quite adept at scaring off dogs. The Swede? Not so much.

Don't hold your breath. And any pic needs to be a "proof-of-life" pic.

Here is one picture. It has gone through a number of remodels. When I started, the pipe was longer. This is after going under a tree and breaking it off. Since then I replaced it with bamboo. Since them my rack is wider with more bamboo than aluminum. Since then I have one each side. I plan to fit a new rack in the future, but maybe not for some time.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca4137ac5d.png

Letts are more effective.

So basically, you've constructed a rack that looks like a prop from Gilligan's Island?

This never ends well and almost always gets locked fairly quickly as it degenerates into a pissing match between dog lovers and some who do not love dogs much. In decades of riding I have been bitten only once and the confrontation with the owner was far more cantankerous than with the dog. It ended up with calling the county sheriff for assistance.

My last memorable encounter with a dog was to have it jump into my lap and lick my face, much to the dismay of the owner. They can do that when you ride a trike. Luckily it was s small dog!

Sorry, but that has "this isn't going to end well" written all over it.

This started out for dogs, and ended up being a good way to secure a high load on the rack.

Frankly, I think the OP is running a bigger risk with that monstrosity on his bike just begging to fail than any risk a dog attack could bring.

Why don't you just get a new bike rack and carry some mace with you?

Are you familiar with the expression "plumber's nightmare"?

I rode with a touring group in Florida and when a dog took chase it was usually the girls they went after. One morning A dog went after one of the female riders and I came up behind the dog, grabbed his tail and raised him up some then released him. At one time I had a cattle prod attached to the top tube of my Tandem. Most of the time being stern is enough so a dog will back off.

Can you deploy the pole while riding? Have you warded off any dogs with it yet?

Bit of a samurai vibe, which I like.

Seriously guys, you can get a collapsible baton for less than $20. Carry it in a a holster and live out your ninja samurai fantasy whenever you are attacked by beast or man.

https://www.amazon.com/Halafs-Expand...12954170&psc=1

I throw kittens. Works great.

I don't vouch for the accuracy of this list, but you might want to consult this before you do that:
State Baton Laws - Weapon Laws for Dummies