Looking for suggestions for a rack trunk.

I submit that on or about Tue, 27 Sep 2005 13:55:52 -0500, the person
known to the court as Michael Erickson <[email hidden]> made a
statement (<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

As my first winter commute comes up, I think it might behoove me to trade in
my under-seat wedge for a larger rack trunk. I am interested in any and all
suggestions before I purchase.

As an Ortlieb user you will not need to be told that Ortlieb luggage
is very good. The Ortlieb Bike Box trunk bag is quick-release,
waterproof, capacious (it was my sole commuting bag for three years of
commuting in cycle kit and taking business casual *and* my lunch *and*
a toolkit to work in the bag).

The hook on the back is strong enough to take the heaviest rear light
you could want to hang on it. Mine supports a RealLite without
problems.

The QR frame has side rails to hang panniers on, so the panniers still
come off just as easily as they did before (they hang about 1" lower).

The flap pocket is easily accessibly without undoing the roll top and
is water-resistant, though not formally waterproof if it rains really
hard.

Stick with the brand you know, I'd say :-)

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

Michael Erickson said:

Hey all,

As my first winter commute comes up, I think it might behoove me to trade in
my under-seat wedge for a larger rack trunk. I am interested in any and all
suggestions before I purchase.

The trunk needs to be large enough to carry the following:
* a spare tube
* some standard tools (multi, tire levers, etc.)
* patch kit
* locks
* waterproof shell
* keys
* wallet
* cell phone
* mini-pump

I plan to continue carrying one or both of my Ortlieb back roller classic
panniers. The pannier(s) will hold my workclothes, laptop, lunch, etc.

I could technically fit everything into my panniers but the roll-closure is
kind of a pain get in and out of quickly. Plus, I like the idea of being
able to store all of my "bike stuff" with the bike and bring the panniers
in and out of work or the house with me.

I really like things to be waterproof, so I would strongly consider paying
more for something that was.

One thing I'm concerned about is still being able to get the panniers on and
off quickly. Has anyone had problems with incompatibilities?

Also, do people typically secure their rack trunk to the rack, or just keep
valuables out of there?

Best regards,
--mike

Sounds like you want a fairly big bag or trunk. I have given up, for
now, on finding a good way to carry a lot of things and have gone the
backpack way. It's kind of like a big Camelback but I can carry tools,
food and the occasional office stuff in it. That way if I want to go out
and get crazy on the dirt there is nothing to take off the bike.
My way of doing things and not necessarily that of the group.
Bill

"Michael Erickson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The trunk needs to be large enough to carry the following:
* a spare tube
* some standard tools (multi, tire levers, etc.)
* patch kit
* locks
* waterproof shell
* keys
* wallet
* cell phone
* mini-pump

I have a Jandd that holds all of the above, and also bars, first aid kit. It
has a pop-top for a larger load, when necessary. Right now it's packed for
the morning, so it has all of that (no jacket, though, I'll be wearing it),
plus a skirt, pumps [1], silk blouse and towel, because I have a meeting
off-site first thing.

Quoted message said:

Also, do people typically secure their rack trunk to the rack, or just
keep
valuables out of there?

I have a little bag that I keep my wallet, keys, cell phone, palm pilot (if
I'm carrying it) and crossword puzzle. I pull this out of the trunk when I
get to work, and also when I load the bike on the bus rack. It's easy to
just stuff back in later. I don't consider things like my spare tube or clif
bars to be "valuables". The trunk otherwise just stays secured on the rack.

[1] like this, http://www.twu.edu/o-cs/Images/LadiesShoe.jpg; not like this,
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/bl/blackburn-trackpump-pro-tp-4.gif)

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

"Michael Erickson" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

The trunk needs to be large enough to carry the following:
* a spare tube
* some standard tools (multi, tire levers, etc.)
* patch kit
* locks
* waterproof shell
* keys
* wallet
* cell phone
* mini-pump

I could technically fit everything into my panniers but the roll-closure
is
kind of a pain get in and out of quickly. Plus, I like the idea of being
able to store all of my "bike stuff" with the bike and bring the panniers
in and out of work or the house with me.

I'd have thought keys, wallet and cell phone would be some of the stuff
you'd take in and out with you, or do you live in a very nice neighbourhood?

Go to a hardware store and look at plastic toolboxes. Some of them
are just the right size to attach to a rear rack and are lightweight.
They are waterproof and have a place to use a lock. I've got a large
one on one bike and it cost $15. A smaller one of the same type was
$12. Take out the upper tray and make more space and reduce the weight.

Steve McDonald