Introduction: PVC and Milk Basket Bike Basket
I needed a simple and cheap way to carry vegetables from our crop share this Summer. I really like my cruiser bike, but did not want to buy a basket. I made the following with some left over PVC and a milk basket I am borrowing.
Step 1: Get the Supplies
A basket, and some 3/4" PVC pipe & fittings. I needed about 6 feet of pipe, 4 "T" s, 4 "L"s, and 6 caps.
Step 2: Measure and Cut the PVC
The support for the basket is composed of a simple pair of mounts that screw to the existing hole in the frame by the axel. Most all bikes will have this hole pre drilled. On my bike the fender is attached to it. I obtained a couple of longer bolts from the HW store so that the 3/4" of the PVC could be connected. There are holes drilled through both sides of the pipe.
Cut the pipe so that there is not too much overlap such that the axel bolt gets in the way. Also, you'll need to measure the proper length of height, considering that you will be connecting a "T" to one end.
As you will see, the "T" allows an extended support to run towards the rear of the bike. The diameter of the "T" (and "L") just happens to be the right size to fit in the hole groove of the basket, but not through it. This is key. You'll see this in the next step.
Step 3: Fitting the Support
Note that the "T" and the extended "L" on each side fit inside the diamond shaped construct of the basket. Different baskets may be a challenge, but this worked great for me. One near the front and one at the rear allows good support of the basket. The other handy part is that a piece of 3/4" PVC will also fit through the "diamond" such that it can be locked in with a cap and a small piece of pipe.
Step 4: Connection to the Seat Post
Additional support is obviously needed so that the basket does not rotate back behind the wheel. This is done by a simple construct that goes around the seat post. See in the photo - it's a simple boxe made out of 2 "T" s and 2 "L"s with small pieces of PVC in between them. It's not that important that it fit exactly or snug, as you'll see. Add two lengths of PVC to the rear facing outputs. These will be cut to the proper length as the basket is fitted.
Step 5: Final Fitting of the Basket
Caps and pipe are glued with pipe cement on the support side. The other connections are also glued of course.
The, you will need to measure the appropriate length for the PVC that is connected to the seat post. Cut it the right length and cap it with pipe cement.
This keeps the basket level.
Step 6: FInal Fit
It should look like this. Adjust and swap out pipe size as needed.
Step 7: Some Pipe Insulation for Aesthetics Mostly
Done, now I can fetch veggies and other things.
Removal will be simple.
Unscrew screws and remove seat and lift off.
It's quite sturdy.
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34 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
where does everyone get milk crates?
Reply 5 years ago
Found free range behind a dumpster
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
You can get milk crates at a lot of places. Look on the sides of highways, in apartment trash dumpsters, and drive to a dairy trucking yard. They often have a bunch of them, dirty, old, maybe cracked or scraped up, that customers don't want to use. You can buy them or maybe they will give you one. Also look around where bums hang out a lot. They leave them everywhere.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
outside of my corner store.... try late at nite
6 years ago
Hrm, good design and food for thought. A few very minor tweaks and my regular bike basket would fit nicely (the old mount had to come off - cheap steel and ocean winds do not mix well and it disintegrated). Thanks for the inspiration. Looks simple, sturdy and damn cheap - everything a broke bike rider looks for, right?
11 years ago on Introduction
you may wanna heat the PVC (heat gun/propane torch) and flatten, let cool, THEN drill hole to fasten to wheel (jes'sayin')
11 years ago on Step 7
Thanks, this looks good! But how sturdy do you think it is really? I plan to commute to and from school on it, which is about 6 miles; if I were to put about 8 - 12 pounds worth of text books in it, would I have to fear the basket falling apart mid ride?
Reply 11 years ago on Step 7
But i think if you go the DIY route its about as sturdy as you make it.. the PVC won't break until higher weights I dont think, more ti would be making sure the screws wont come loose(happened to me) or that you use a strong sealant
Reply 11 years ago on Step 7
if you are worried about that, consider purchasing a metal bike rack (~30$ for me) that has a high weight rating! I bought one that can do up to 35 lbs I think.. (I have a boombox that I strap onto it)
11 years ago on Introduction
I don't like encouraging theft (alright 'borrowing') but these types of crates come in many shapes - square and rectangular- and can be bought cheaply from a local thrift store. If you have the means, buy them new from Staples, Office Depot or Office Max but please BUY THEM!!!!!
11 years ago on Introduction
A borrowed milk crate, eh? Sounds like my kid when she told me, "it's not called cheating any more, Daddy; it's called team work." : >]
13 years ago on Introduction
I'm always riding my bike to my Granny's down the street to get cooking stuff for my mom. This will be perfect!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Don't take that short cut through the woods! There's wolves out there. : >}
11 years ago on Introduction
This would be awesome if I weren't a dairy clerk now who hates milk crates.
11 years ago on Step 6
does this bike rack happen to swerve? i buillt a similar model before you probably created this but mine was created out of wood and wiggled side to side when i put heavy weight but mine was built for heavy weight so i can put all my fishing equipment and groceries in it. that was probably the only problem i had with mine im just wondering because i could probably make one similar to this one but without any swerving any ideas?
Reply 11 years ago on Step 6
Only a little "swerving". I've filled it up with veggies and not had a problem.
Jon
12 years ago on Introduction
This is also a great tutorial for college students with lots of stuff that wouldn't fit well in a bookbag
12 years ago on Step 6
Thank you sooooo much! I CAN DO THIS And my great grandkids won"t laugh at it
12 years ago on Introduction
nice cruiser bike.....
13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for such a great idea. I adapted this for my son's bike, combined with another Instructable: Rack From Electrical Conduit. I found I could slide a PVC Tee fitting down over the seat post, and attached the rest of the rack to that. It was slightly rattly so I threaded a bolt through the side of the tee to snug against the post. Thanks again for a really eye opening idea!