Introduction: Clothes Hanger (Dryer) Attachment for Bicycle (from PVC Pipe)

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I cycle 14 miles to work and often get sweaty, sometimes rained on. My cycling clothes need to dry out and my employer doesn't have very good facilities to help with that.

So, I attached a bit of PVC pipe to the bike rack and when i arrive at work i plug in something to store my helmet on, and a clothes rail that I hang my bike clothes from.

I tried it for the first time today and it worked nicely.

Supplies

  • 1 x 1m PVC Pipe straight section (in the UK it's about 22mm)
  • 2 x 90 degree bends
  • 1 x t- -connector
  • 1 x pipe joint
  • 1 x cotter pin
  • solvent weld for pvc pipes
  • EVA foam matt
  • Hot glue gun
  • tool for cutting PVC pipe (or saw)
  • Drill
  • Cable Ties

Step 1: Fit the Pipe to the Bike Rack

Bike racks are all different so you'll need to look carefully at yours.

I offered up the PVC pipe underneath the rack (you may need to go over the rack but this wouldn't affect panniers). I marked where the cross pieces would go and cut some light groves in the pvc pipes to try to make it sit tightly on these grooves. I then drilled some holes horizontally for cable ties.

You will notice in the picture that I added a t-piece to the horizontal pipe for my helmet stand.

Before fitting, i used solvent weld to secure the t-piece and the 90 degree bend in place so they won't move.

I then drilled one more hole in the 90 degree bit for the cotter pin. I want the upside down L shape to be removable and held in place with just friction plus the cotter pin.

Next I used cable ties to secure this piece of PVC pipe, with t-piece and 90 degree end, under the rack. I tightened this pretty well so it doesn't move.

Step 2: Make the Removable Bits

With the horizontal in place I set about working on the removable bits.

For the upside down L-shape I used solvent weld to glue both the 90 degree bend and also the end piece (a straight connector). Inserting this into the 90 degree attached to the rack, i drilled right through here so the cotter pin goes through and keeps everything secure.

For the helmet stand I drew around a couple of plates to get nice circles and cut out the EVA with a sharp knife. Then I used hot glue to glue the EVA pieces together and then glue the whole lot to a section of PVC pipe.

By the end of this step you'll have a removable L-shape and a removable mushroom shape! (I store these in a bag at work and attach them when i arrive)

Step 3: That's It - Well - Apart From a Sachet of Silica Gel Desiccant

On really wet days I will hang silica gel desiccant in pouches to sit near the wet clothes to dry them faster (this silica gel is re-usable - when it saturates you can microwave it to dry it again)