beer-getter rack

[pirate]

Alright, so my beer-getter bike is almost built, and now I think I need a rack to carry my cargo home from the store...

Anyone got any recommendations?

I've been poking around, and have initially come up with this rack/basket... (http://www.amazon.com/Kettler-8985-500-Rear-Bicycle-Basket/dp/B000BTEODY/ref=pd_sbs_sg_img_1)

I know someone out there has a REALLY good solution for getting cold beers/groceries home... so let's have have it. :)

[Dirt]

my gave is the Paul's flatbed. It is expensive, but designed specifically for beer. Beer is heavy and needs to be specially cared for.

Pete

[blacknell]

I always worry about breakage from a rough ride in the back, so I carry beer in a bag in my hand up front. Of course, this means you need equally balanced bags, so you always need at least two sixes.

Of course, this is horrible advice, but it's what I do :)

[jon_baler]

If you are still looking at touring bikes, you could just get a good touring rack. I've carried a 30 pack on my Old Man Mountain rack for a short distance. Just use some bungees.

Once had a cop compliment me over her car PA for carrying a 12 pack of bottles on the rear rack.

[mjbrox]

You could carry a keg with this

http://www.xtracycle.com/

[jvanbrecht]

I always worry about breakage from a rough ride in the back, so I carry beer in a bag in my hand up front. Of course, this means you need equally balanced bags, so you always need at least two sixes.

Of course, this is horrible advice, but it's what I do :)


I believe this violates all sorts of laws.... I could be wrong.. but... Since rules that apply to cars also apply to cyclists.. would riding with a beer in your hand.. opened or not be a violation of some law...

[crack monkey]

I use a Crumpler Complete Seed messenger bag. Holds two 6-pack of bottles and small snacks.

[CRAIG2]

I believe this violates all sorts of laws.... I could be wrong.. but... Since rules that apply to cars also apply to cyclists.. would riding with a beer in your hand.. opened or not be a violation of some law...

I think he just means two, new, unopened six packs in grocery bags hanging from the handlebars. To my knowledge, having done it myself more than once, this is perfectly legal - maybe not the safest method, but it does the job. I usually just put one or two 6-packs in my messenger bag, though.

[Dirt]

You could carry a keg with this

http://www.xtracycle.com/

I love the Surly Big Dummy (http://www.xtracycle.com/images/images_big/big_dummy.jpg). Too bad they don't make it so that you can run a 3.7" endomorph tire on the back. That would freaking rock!!!

[jon_baler]

I use a Crumpler Complete Seed messenger bag. Holds two 6-pack of bottles and small snacks.

I got one of these for Christmas from my gf, 6 pack cooler (http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=13986). Works well for carrying bottles in the messenger bag.

[g_barr]

Once had a cop compliment me over her car PA for carrying a 12 pack of bottles on the rear rack.
Are you sure that's what she was really looking at?

[riderx]

12pks and 6pks. in mess. bag
cases in the Pauls rack
Kegs on the rear ;)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/419889482_d0f34636fb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/singlespeedoutlaw/419889482/)

Note: that was returning the empty keg about 7 miles away. That was plenty heavy enough to make riding interesting, no way I'd ride with it full loaded up that high. BOB trailer would be more suited for that.

[blacknell]

RiderX, I would have stopped and applauded, had I seen you do that.

~

Craig's correct in describing my method. However, thank you to jvanbrecht for amusing me with the idea of riding with an open 40 of Olde English in each hand over the bars.

[eloach]

I have this setup from Topeak.

Affordable and locally available.

http://www.topeak.com/t8/products/bags/rearmtxbasket.php

I have a couple of pannier sets (sm and lg), clip rack, and the basket. It's sturdy, versatile and affordable.

I have other stuff for touring (Arkel), but for commuting, this stuff is nice because you can also slide it off and put it through the security x-ray at work in nothing flat.

[riderx]

RiderX, I would have stopped and applauded, had I seen you do that.


I got a few props. Here's what I wrote about it at the time:

Anyone who has spent even a small amount of time pedaling on the road knows it's only a matter of time before you get a bad vibe or worse from some motorist who doesn't think you warrant inclusion on the tarmac. It's usually a horn or some verbal heckling followed by the bird but other times things get physical. We've all seen the stories, heard the news reports or actually experienced it. The point is, you have to wonder just what it is that gets these people so fired up.

When the exact opposite happens, you stop and wonder, is it all as simple as beer? On Saturday I decided to take back the empty 1/4 keg of Dunkle from Ellicott Mills Brewing. The brewpub is about 7 miles away, so I strapped that big silver cylinder on the back of the one speed utility bike and into the sweltering heat I went. It looked like some futuristic bike conceived in the '50s with an afterburner for the times when top speed is needed. The effect of traveling with this thing was a social experiment I could never have planned for. Yeah, I got honked at a few times, but it was followed by a pumped fist in the air or a shout out of support, no negative vibes here. A pair of Harleys pace me for a bit on a big downhill, the lead rider and the honey in the rear give me big smiles and the thumbs up. Fellow cyclists cheer me on and I get more points, stares and smiles from passing motorists than I could ever imagine. It was like a magic moment for cycling where people actually appreciated you were traveling by human power.

Beer, the great uniter.

[Trailcreep]

just put any type of rack on the back and zip tie a stolen plastic milk crate to it....these are usually available behind most 7/11s....if you need more cargo room get one of those " Postal Use Only" plastic bins

[jon_baler]

Are you sure that's what she was really looking at?

Either way, she let me continue on merry way without hassle. :D

[g_barr]

just put any type of rack on the back and zip tie a stolen plastic milk crate to it....these are usually available behind most 7/11s....if you need more cargo room get one of those " Postal Use Only" plastic bins
...
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
Breaking the law, breaking the law
...

Milk crate users loose lots of money this way so they employ lawyers and press charges. The USPS bin will get you federal time. You'd be better off buying a crate at the Walnut store.

[pirate]

just put any type of rack on the back and zip tie a stolen plastic milk crate to it....these are usually available behind most 7/11s....if you need more cargo room get one of those " Postal Use Only" plastic bins

This would definitely keep up the "this bike is so crappy, you don't want to steal it" image... :)

[dphelps]

just put any type of rack on the back and zip tie a stolen plastic milk crate to it....these are usually available behind most 7/11s....if you need more cargo room get one of those " Postal Use Only" plastic bins

I'm looking to zip tie a similar setup to my handlebars...no 7/11 crate though...

[riderx]

I wouldn't be trusting my beer to zip ties...

If you want something inexpensive and functional, look at the Wald (http://www.amazon.com/s.html?ie=UTF8&node=3375301&brand=Wald)baskets, racks and grocery panniers.

[Trailcreep]

Wald baskets are great and will outlast most bikes. Watch out for the dual rear pannier style baskets, they can be rough on the shins. The folding rear pannier style basket is very cool...

[OverStuffed]

Wald baskets are great and will outlast most bikes. Watch out for the dual rear pannier style baskets, they can be rough on the shins. The folding rear pannier style basket is very cool...

And they're a good size for a sixer. Two of these and your set.

The Paul rack looks nice.

Velo (http://www.velo-orange.com/rafrra.html)Orange (http://www.velo-orange.com/vochplrara.html)has a couple (http://www.velo-orange.com/nimfrra.html)of choices (http://www.velo-orange.com/courierrack.html).

CETMA (http://www.cetmaracks.com/)is another good choice.

[MD Fire]

I love the Surly Big Dummy (http://www.xtracycle.com/images/images_big/big_dummy.jpg). Too bad they don't make it so that you can run a 3.7" endomorph tire on the back. That would freaking rock!!!


I was excited when I first saw this bike, then I looked at the frame only price. That would take a lot of trips to the beer store/grocery store to pay for itself. I just ride my Jake and take my large Timbuk2 bag along and stuff it with beer/liquor or 40s of Schlitz if I am in the mood.

[kenholmes]

ok a little off topic but I should mention it. I have been told this by a reliable source, I have not experienced the failure firsthand, however from my brazing knowledge it is quite correct and something to be slightly concern of if you prize your beer like any other MORE'on.

It will be pretty important to make sure that where ever these racks are being mounted to the bike you have a strong connection. Brazed on eyelets will not be strong enough over the long term. Welded on I am not sure of, but I would stay away from those too. For loaded down panniers and other racks you want an eyelet that was cast (one piece) with the dropout or other frame component.

The reason for this is quite simple, as with any brazed joint the strength of the joint goes up dramatically with the decrease in clearance between the two mated parts. .005" is the optimum fit usually. If an eyelet is round it only has one very tiny spot on it that actually contacts the frame this close, as the eyelet curves away from said spot, strength of the brass or silver is lowered dramatically. This is fine for fenders but for panniers or a rack that is loaded with of all things beer! this is going to break. If not right away, eventually.

One way to get around this is to just drill a hole in the dropout and tap it to accept the mounting bolts as long as you have enough material to do so. this way you can keep your eyelets for fenders and other wacky doodads for strategic attachment to yer bike.

example of cast dropout with eyelet
http://www.novacycles.com/catalog/images/NOV_DROP_1001_LRG.jpg

[smdubovsky]

If someone were brazing on eyelets, why would they not first either file a flat on the eyelet or file a round in the dropout?

I would rather risk breaking a braze (which can be rebrazed - or just no longer use a rack on that bike), then drill/tap a casting & risk breaking it. If you're still going to drill it, at least don't tap it. Drill a though hole, properly deburr, and use a bolt & nylock.