Introduction: How to Make an Every Day (bike) Carrier Fast, Cheap and Easy for Your Gps, Smartphone, Mp3 Player, Powerpack And/or Other Stuff....
Riding a bike is healthy and fun.
Sometimes, however, I wish I had more space on my handlebar to attach my every day needs.
After some experimenting I found an easy way to create extra mount possibilities.
Sometimes, however, I wish I had more space on my handlebar to attach my every day needs.
After some experimenting I found an easy way to create extra mount possibilities.
Step 1: What You Need..
a piece of strong foam or similar material (isolation foam, plywood...)
a sharp knife or sissors (be carefull..)
a degreaser (in my case: hand disinfecting gel)...
a ruler - preferably a metal one...
duct tape and velcro
some tie wraps (optional..)
a bike (elementary) and
some time and effort...
a sharp knife or sissors (be carefull..)
a degreaser (in my case: hand disinfecting gel)...
a ruler - preferably a metal one...
duct tape and velcro
some tie wraps (optional..)
a bike (elementary) and
some time and effort...
Step 2: Preparation..
One could also use a piece of wood or some kind of light metal. I happened to have a piece of 20 mm isolation foam, used in building brick walls. It proved to be strong and flexible as well.
A surplus advantage consists in the fact that it will never rot (outdoor use) and that it absorbes vibrations and shocks very well. We 'r going to attach electronic stuff, so that's important.
1. Cut a piece of foam that more or less fits the desired form. Try it out first before you proceed.
Let it touch the handlebar on multiple points for stability.
2. Use the ruler to cut the preferred lenght and with.
3. Working with straight angles is a allways a good idea.
A surplus advantage consists in the fact that it will never rot (outdoor use) and that it absorbes vibrations and shocks very well. We 'r going to attach electronic stuff, so that's important.
1. Cut a piece of foam that more or less fits the desired form. Try it out first before you proceed.
Let it touch the handlebar on multiple points for stability.
2. Use the ruler to cut the preferred lenght and with.
3. Working with straight angles is a allways a good idea.
Step 3: Tape It..
1. and 2. Tape the form with duct tape or any other weatherproof material. Make sure the whole surface is covered. Taping makes it stronger, neater and eases the possibility to attach the velcro.
3. Tape it in a manner or color you prefer, this is my result so far.
3. Tape it in a manner or color you prefer, this is my result so far.
Step 4: Velcro..
Tie wraps are a quick way to fasten objects, but I chose to use velcro. This way the carrier is attached and removed with ease. One could even use it on another bike, if so desired.
1. Velcro strip on the handlebar for extra stability.
2. A strip of yellow velcro I stumbled upon. Proved to come in handy.
3. Cut through. Be carefull !
4. Don't be afraid to use some force to pull the strip through the carrier. Do a dry run first and try it out. Orientation is important to make it work.
5. and 6. Attach the carrier - view from above and under. Fasten it with the yellow strip underneath the handlebar. Try to move it, you should be comfortable with the way it feels, otherwise fasten it some more. The carrier is flexible so it can take it.
We 're allmost there.
1. Velcro strip on the handlebar for extra stability.
2. A strip of yellow velcro I stumbled upon. Proved to come in handy.
3. Cut through. Be carefull !
4. Don't be afraid to use some force to pull the strip through the carrier. Do a dry run first and try it out. Orientation is important to make it work.
5. and 6. Attach the carrier - view from above and under. Fasten it with the yellow strip underneath the handlebar. Try to move it, you should be comfortable with the way it feels, otherwise fasten it some more. The carrier is flexible so it can take it.
We 're allmost there.
Step 5: Allmost Done..
Final stage.
1. I put some extra tape over the yellow velcro strip to secure it to the carrier and to be able to attach velcro over it.
2. Using the degreaser, clean the surface before attaching the velcro. It 'll stick much better!
3. Velcro ready rough side up.
Let it rest overnight for durability.
I use the rough side up on the carrier and handlebar, so I can use the velcro soft side up on my equipement. It's more comfortabel to put things back in your pocket that way.
1. I put some extra tape over the yellow velcro strip to secure it to the carrier and to be able to attach velcro over it.
2. Using the degreaser, clean the surface before attaching the velcro. It 'll stick much better!
3. Velcro ready rough side up.
Let it rest overnight for durability.
I use the rough side up on the carrier and handlebar, so I can use the velcro soft side up on my equipement. It's more comfortabel to put things back in your pocket that way.
Step 6: Results..
Applications... (the reason why I built it..)
1. Smartphone, power pack, mp3 player.... Just to demonstrate the possibilities. I usually put only my smartphone on the carrier (I don't hear it ring sitting in my pocket sometimes) or my gps (for various reasons).
2. Even tried my tablet... No problem.
3. Charging my light .. (got to get a solar panel soon)..
and keeping track of my gloves.
4. I'm sure you can think of some more applications..
Of course one has to attach velcro to every object one wants to carry this way, but I presume that speaks for itself.
Have fun and stay safe!
1. Smartphone, power pack, mp3 player.... Just to demonstrate the possibilities. I usually put only my smartphone on the carrier (I don't hear it ring sitting in my pocket sometimes) or my gps (for various reasons).
2. Even tried my tablet... No problem.
3. Charging my light .. (got to get a solar panel soon)..
and keeping track of my gloves.
4. I'm sure you can think of some more applications..
Of course one has to attach velcro to every object one wants to carry this way, but I presume that speaks for itself.
Have fun and stay safe!
