Two Dollar Bike Rack / Headlight

First off let me give props where they are due, this idea was inspired largely by the instructable posted by mydian_nightshade called Cheap bike rack. Please visit his piece to fill in any gaps on construction or to see what else can be done using this same process. My documentation was done without a step-by-step in mind so it is a little dicey, however the process is very simple and fairly self explanatory. So, lets get started.

Materials:

Ladies bike

1 2x4

Screws

Dollar Store LED flashlight

Stain (if desired)

Tools; Table saw, chop-saw (miter saw), chisel, drill, sander

Step 1 Getting started

The first thing I did was rip the 2x4 lengthwise on a table saw to get two 2x2 sticks. Next, you need to measure across the frame, starting a couple of inches behind the top-tube and extending out to the distance you want your rack to end. I decided to make a rack that would extend the length of the tire and came up with about 21 1/2 inches. Cut two sticks out of your 2x2s to the length you like. These are going to be the center pieces of your rack and they will sandwich around the frame. To achieve this you simply need to hold the pieces, one at a time, up the the bike frame at the height you want your rack to sit, and trace the frame onto the wood. Use a level to insure that your rack wont be tilted up or down when you are finished. This is the shape that you need to chisel out to fit the boards around the frame. If your tubes are 1" in diameter then you would cut each board to a depth of 1/2". (again, mydian_nightshade has a great example of how to do the chisel work HERE It helps the stability of your rack if it is a tight fit, so it is better to err on the side of removing too little material and then fine tuning the fit from there.

Comments

[bikebum1975]

I love the rack idea I got similar bike and have been looking for an idea for a front rack looks like it could hold some serious weight Thanks for sharing that.

[Fitwit]

Not to wee wee on the picnic but you can mount many flashlights under the handlebars with one of those 'Live Strong' type rubber bracelets. Loop the bracelet under the flashlight near it's front, over the handlebar and back under the back of the flashlight.

[Hycro]

For headlights, I use two 6V floating lanterns, and have a thumb switch geared up to turn both on/off on my handlebars...making it very easy to use them, and much safer than most commercially available bicycle light sets I've seen...brighter too, with fresh batteries, they're about as bright as ATV headlights...

[alpacalypse]

Yes, but could it hold a six-pack?

[yopauly]

I think it is perfect. It looks strong enough for a 1/2 keg. One could use the same design on men's bikes by adding a block at the rear to rest against the bottom of the top tube. Some screweyes around the edges would make bungee use easy. Very cool!

[goodgnus]

I'd make it removable by keeping it split in half (would have to move light to one side) and then use modified (shortened and re-threaded as necessary) quick release skewers and large washers to keep it attached when desired. You could have one behind the toptube and one between the toptube and downtube although the rear of the rack would have to extend a bit further past the toptube to accommodate a skewer there.

[alpacalypse]

yeah, I was also thinking you could just hack down some all-thread, run it all the way through, and tighten it up with some wing nuts so it could be easily removed, but I like the idea of quick-release, especially with so many rabid bike thieves running around.

[Lost Moai]

Very nice. Simple, cheap and workable. I have a basket on the front of my bike. I like that I can just throw things in there, but it's mounted on the handlebars and rubs on the steering tube. If I make your rack, I can just tack the basket on with some staples. Good form.