Bikeforumuser0011

Well, I finally found a carrying solution that works for me! I've been lusting after a the handmade cargo cradle by Bike Culture Rising on Etsy. I ended up purchasing the One with a cute little design here. I can't wait until it arrives, to install it, and to begin using it.

I gave up my panniers due to the balance concerns/issues I have due to my cerebral palsy, so having my items lay flat on my rack is easier for me than having panniers one one side or both.

I'm very excited about this purchase, and can't wait to test it out.

I'm a little nervous about it, in regards to cars and such, but the designer has sold a lot and has beautiful reviews, so I'll see how it works out!

no1mad 

I can dig it, as it is a more elegant version of what I ran for a while (beverage crate). Word of caution: I would either augment or totally replace that shock cord with something a bit beefier. Also note that you may experience leg rub when out of the saddle and your posterior moved aft (I did).

katsrevenge

Those are cute.

I want a milk crate for my bike. Functional and has sides. (and it makes any bike look scruffy)

fietsbob

doubles as a cutting board ..


I have a rain cover made for my touring panniers with the same shockcord lashing scheme.

FenderTL5

I bought a wire basket over the weekend that I plan to zip-tie to the rack when needed.
I also ordered a bungee net to cover it. Same principle just not as.. uh.. sexy, I suppose.

Papa Tom

This looks neat, but it gave me an idea for something I think would be even better...a normal-sized rear rack with pop-up "wings" that fold out only when you need them for a wide load. Shoot! Somebody make one of those and I'll buy it!

acidfast7

wow

that's quite nice and a steal at £13.05

GeoKrpan

I bungee a wicker basket to the top of the rack.

Bikeforumuser0011

Nice idea Papa Tom! If you ever make one I want first dibs!

Bikeforumuser0011

Hey, if it works! That's great!

Bikeforumuser0011

Good thought. Any suggestions on which ones to replace it with? I'm sorry I do not understand (I've been working on my MA Thesis for a long time tonight & am very sleepy) what you mean by leg run, and my butt is going to move? LOL Sorry, I am REALLY TIRED!

Bikeforumuser0011

katsrevenge,

Do you want a plastic one, or an old fashioned wood one? Check Etsy, they have everything, and it's a great concept. I love Etsy.

PatrickGSR94

Kind of like those tables that have fold-up sides to make the table larger?

GetOuttaMyWay

Giant had a model a few years back- the Tran Sport- that had front and rear racks that had "wings". The sides could be moved independently of each other and locked into position in either down, out, or pointed straight up. Heavy beast it was, so it died in like 2 years due to lack of sales . Here's a pic with the sides extended-

no1mad 

Yeah, I remember those ^^. I actually asked my LBS if he could order me the racks and the handlebar and I was informed that they were not available.

acidfast7

that's too bad that they killed it. it looks like a nice european touring bike

GetOuttaMyWay

It isn't noticeable looking at the pic, but the racks had another feature. They had two "holes" in the platform's edge that faced away from the bike.

On the lower end bike model, these cut outs were barren, but on the upgraded model, there were lights installed. Little flashlight shaped affairs that had a clicky cap- not terribly bright- but that gave you twin front and rear 'see me' lights. Upside is that they were mostly protected in such a location, downside is that you could not access the power buttons while riding, as you would have to reach up under the platform(s).

acidfast7

looks interesting ... could've solved the button problem with a dynamo

but it is a shame that it was cancelled.

tim24k

Sorry I like my Panniers. It gets the weigh down low, very nice in cross winds and with Ortlieb panniers it's so easy to take them on and off the bike. And completely waterproof. A big + here in the NW.

fietsbob

the Trans Sport, Might have sold better painted Woods Camo ,and sold through Cabellas.

2manybikes

I'm confused. Moving the weight of your load from panniers, down low on the sides, to up on top of the rack will make the bike harder to balance and harder to swing your leg over, with a big load you will have to slide your leg over the top tube.
Hard pedaling will really move that load around. The balance will be worse. Some go from a rack basket to panniers for this reason. Also the panniers hide things like a camera etc. Some expensive panniers are totally water proof.

What am I missing here?

cooker

It is cool, but I probably wouldn't use that. As the previous poster points out you're carrying the load a little higher, so slightly less stability. As an old guy, I would certainly find it harder to swing my leg over that wider and higher cargo. It's probably a bit heavier than a pannier. Can't stash tools and tubes in it and forget about them. Bungee cords deteriorate over time and lose elasticity. It has no built in rain protection. So a few minor disadvantages. However it is also much more versatile and probably quick to load and unload.

jrickards

I was thinking of ditching my panniers too but to trade them in for a better set, a waterproof set. In the end, I decided to keep mine and got some cheap dry bags from eBay so now my clothes will stay dry and I have shelled out $30 (2x10L, 2x20L dry bags) and probably saved close to $120.

2manybikes

Also with two panniers the top of the rack is still open for carrying things. You could add this board on top of the rack and panniers for a huge load. There is no down side to panniers, except possibly the price, if you did not already own them.

2manybikes

Even if they do wear out 2 gallon zip closed freezer storage bags make great dry bags. They almost cost nothing
they are lighter than dry bags and very clear, to see what's in the bags. Good for separating a few different things inside the panniers. In a pinch the can do duty as a trash bag and be thrown out. Or even used as gloves or socks in a huge downpour. A good trash bag works too. But smaller clear bags make it easier to find things, it also allows you to take some things out of the bag and put them down in the rain without getting the contents wet.