The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Do it Yourself Discussion! => Topic started by: GuitarStv on January 04, 2013, 06:50:28 AM
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Anyone have ideas for making sturdy pannier hooks that are easy to clip on/off bike racks?
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Check out the Ortlieb quick-release system. Their website has extensive documentation and also video.
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Instructables has a great many DIY pannier ideas, I'd check there if I were you.
I'm still looking for a suitable bag to convert, so I have no experience to share.
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I've been using cat litter bucket panniers for years. They are roomy and 100% waterproof (provided you caulk the holes you drill), and less than $5.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-Better-Bucket-Panniers/
Mine are very similar to this instructable, except I used a bungee cord instead of bike tubing for the bottom hook. Fold the bungee cord in half, drill small holes in the outer rim of the top of the bucket for the two bungee hooks. The cord will hang down in a "U" shape. Thread the folded bottom of the bungee cord through an eyelet midway down the bucket. Tie a knot so it can't slip above that point. The knot fits on the bottom of your bike rack. It hasn't fallen off yet.
Crude drawing ahoy.
(http://i45.tinypic.com/faai50.png)
(note: edited to show top hooks too)
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Oh, and whatever bag I'm using that day just goes inside the bucket, safe and sound.
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MEC sells replacement pannier mounting hardware that one could use to adapt to DIY panniers. I've always intended to mount a set on a briefcase. I think one would get away with installing Universal Upper Pannier Clips without the J-hook.
http://www.mec.ca/Search/search.jsp?bmForm=mec_quick_search&bmFormID=jTDpCB7&bmUID=jTDpCB8&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2FSearch%2Fsearch.jsp&bmText=quick_search&quick_search=pannier+replacement&bmImage=search.x&bmImage=search.y&bmImage=search&search.x=0&search.y=0 (http://www.mec.ca/Search/search.jsp?bmForm=mec_quick_search&bmFormID=jTDpCB7&bmUID=jTDpCB8&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2FSearch%2Fsearch.jsp&bmText=quick_search&quick_search=pannier+replacement&bmImage=search.x&bmImage=search.y&bmImage=search&search.x=0&search.y=0)
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I've been using a bungee cord attached to my backpack for a while now and I'm pretty happy: http://i.imgur.com/J7pZNYU.jpg
I use one of the compression straps to anchor the backpack to the bike's frame to keep it from wobbling around.
It's not ideal, but the only thing I ended up buying was one of these puppies (http://speedystitcher.com/), which made the attachment a whole lot stronger.
Cord goes through strap at the bottom and hooks onto the bit protruding from my axle where I attach my trailer. The other little bit of webbing is to keep the axle from digging a hole through my backpack.
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Two suggestions:
#1. Jand sells them. . .
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FWSA-HJH
#2. This may be overkill, but I droppped ordered the kit for the bucket pannier from Portland (even though I don't live in Portland) after not finding a great solution to your question. The only issue I've had with the bucket pannier, is that it isn't great to carry a ulock in them on bumpy surface as it can smack the top of the pannier and knock the top off. Note that the $10 kit only builds one bucket though!
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/250784
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The cheapest (rugged solution) I have found is to by metal braces- they in various shapes and sizes, and have screw holes pre-drilled.
something like this- although I the ones that are just flat and straight...
http://cntaijie.en.made-in-china.com/product/AoREbymKhShg/China-Metal-Corner-Brace.html
Then put it in a vice and beat/bend it to the shape you want. Super cheap and works fine.
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If you're anywhere near an Ikea store, check out the Blecka hooks - particularly the 1.5"/ 40mm nickel-plated version (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40031373/#/40031373). They come in sets of 4 for USD$4.99. In Canada we get to pay CAD$6.99 per set.
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Most pannier companies sell their hardware as replacement parts:
http://www.ortliebusa.com/ProdList.asp?scat=21
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Make sure you post what you end up doing! I have a set of Ortlieb panniers that are awesome but they were certainly not cheap. Since I use them daily I feel the expense was justified, but it is nice to see options.
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I tried making hooks myself from some mild-steel cross supports off an old metal shelf; they were little more than sheet metal, and did not hold their shape very well under heavy load. The metal braces Meoates1 suggests would probably work much better, and I think I'll try that next. I've also got some leather from an old couch to make nicer bags out of this time (my first were fabric tote bags from a conference, only slightly more rugged than reusable grocery bags.)
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I came across this thread during my hunt to convert my old beat up non-pannier backpack into one I can attach to my bike for the daily commute grind. I’ve thought about just getting some wall hooks from the hardware store but I also found these guys: http://pannierhooks.com (universal pannier hardware for $15 bucks).
Anyone have much luck with a stand alone pannier hook product from google, eBay, else?
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I ended up using the MEC ones, which (after a little fiddling to get them installed securely) worked great.
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Thanks for the follow up GuitarStv!