Have you seen this—Tube Storage Unit for trike?
|
Bob Shaver says:
I commute on my trike about 355 days a year (all days except when snow is plowed onto the shoulder of the road), and I need to pick up mail, and have sufficient storage to carry my cold weather gear home, on days when I don’t wear it on the ride home. I had a rack, and panniers, and they worked fine, but I wanted something lighter and that didn’t make the Speed look like a utility truck. I got the $14 Nashbars triangular frame bags at Bruce’s suggestion, and they are great for summer commuting. I still needed a little more storage for winter use.
I saw all the room under the seat and thought I could use a PVC pipe to use that space. But I found a Pickett blueprint carrier which is very light, and with its screw top lid is totally waterproof.
It can carry my rain pants (in stuff sack), my rain coat, gloves, and head covering. They also have extension sections, so I can add another section for longer loads. it would also be perfect for carrying lunch, as long as its a round lunch, like bagels, hot dogs, donuts, etc. This tube setup seems light and aerodynamic, and is working well.
Rob Mackenzie ~ The Recumbent Blog, featured an article on Mr. Shaver’s idea.
Well, I have the concept of tube storage, as suggested by Captain Creeg, and have been looking for a solution for several days. Up to this point, I was at 3" diameter ABS pipe from Lowes—not what I wanted. I located a source for the tube Mr. Shaver uses and found one better. It is 4.3" in diameter and approximately 29" long & only $17 each. I’m thinking the larger diameter tube will be more functional for me than the 3.5" tube Mr. Shaver uses. Maybe 2 per side, standing on its end–just leave room for the trunk lid to open. Using one of them for dirty clothes storage is my idea.
Hi Jim – good find!
I had packed my repair kit and tools in a heavy cloth roll-up with Velcro ties and carried them in an ABS tube with cap, low behind the trike seat. Worked very well except for the ABS…too something not right. By and by found a better way – tools and repair kit elsewhre. Built a rectanglar box with removable top that slips into a light frame again low behind the seat. Much better access than ABS pipe. Loaded it with everthing needed on a long remote trip to repair tires and chains. Really good. I’D SAY THE TUBES YOU ARE HIGHLIGHTING ARE BETTER YET.
I’m watching. Isn’t it positive to be looking at the vast storage capabilities of a QUAD, compared to a Tike (which is already good)?
Indeed it is Terry. My floor gives me lots of utility. I’m considering cutting holes in the floor to insert the tubes up the the change in shape [about 3"] for stability and to reduce the tube height. I’m also thinking about a bag with [say 4] sections that I can lift out and go to the section I want. That will give me easy access to the bottom as needed. I like the 4.3″ diameter. I have a Stanley bag I’m looking at also. I could not do this on my CT700. So far, I do not need a trailer. Thanks! –jim
BTW, I looked at ABS tubing [2' of 3" diameter, cap, adapter, and screw top]–too heavy!
The comparment plan also works real good.
My packing is to put things that go together in waterproof heavy dry-bags, shaped to fit the space they are carried. The BOB trailer has two base bags, 1 for kitchen and with boxes inside to separte stuff, the other has 3 comparments for everything else not needed often. On top are dry bags for notebook, topo maps, paper stuff (notepaper, reading material…) The trike carries side bags (instead of panniers) on one side for sleeping bags, the other for clothes and tea making kit.
On top is a rectangular dry bag to hold tent and matress (folds square instead of rolled) On top is a mesh day-bag. (I’m also a pretty good seamstress so everthing is custom)
ps . I carried my Morph pump in the boz because I tired of losing pumps tied to a frame. If you put your pump in a tube, its going to be very long … you carry a floor pump don’t you?
I carry a floor pump on my riding excursion–not on the bike, but at the camp site or hotel room. I use CO2 with my DFs and a hand pump with my ‘bents. I’ll use a floor pump [that travels on the quad] with the quad. –jim
Terry, Where can I get bag to compartmentalize? I see a 3′ long mesh bag the I tie knots in to form the compartments. I’ll also search the Internet, where I find most. If you know, then I do not have to reinvent. Thanks! –jim
Short answer: can’t give you any specific links…searching the internet, as usual, will help.
Try looking in kayaking (other water sports), backpacking, motorcycling.
Here is a link to Seattle Sports, at the page bottom is a menu list…there are all sorts of bags and storage stuff…saw a fly-fishing bag with compartments that lashes to the top of a kayak. These water-sport bags were an inspiration to how I now store and pack. see kayak riders opening covers – I use one to cover the BOB.
For some trips I used a backpackers overnite bag – because I did overnight hikes to most interesting places I couldn’t cycle to…a working compromise only.
Motorcyclers use cargo nets to hold top loaded stuff in place … I use 2.
If you look into making your own bags (maybe not) I could send you links to material suppliers.
I’m visualizing linked in-line smaller bags that conga-line like would slip into the tubes … if there is time before May, might try that.
Looking forward to your ingenious solutions.
Thank you Terry,That is a great start. I appreciate it. If I had a sewing machine, I probably do it myself. I’ll see what I can come up with. –jim
Here is another source…
Thanks Terry…