Pannierization

[darkemeralds]

What I got on eBay:

A "vintage" (I'm guessing mid-90s) leather briefcase in great condition for pretty cheap.

What I did to it:

Added a positive-tension holding system consisting of stuff I found at the hardware store and in my sewing box: hooks, a hidden bungee cord, an O-ring, some grommets, and some internal supports. And a light.

Why:

Ta-da! Briefcase pannier! Easily holds my netbook, my wallet, my phone, Clyde's lock, and a sandwich.

The O-ring hooks onto the bottom of the rack, the hooks go on the top, the bungee pulls them toward each other so it stays on, but I can lift it right off and twist the hooks down inside the pocket. Will test it out tomorrow on the commute. Possibly not with my netbook and phone inside just yet--you know, in case my positive tension holding system isn't all I imagine it to be.

Comments

[serenity-valley.livejournal.com]

Wow, it turned out great! Love the final result, and it looks like it was relatively easy, too! Looking forward to reports on field testing...

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I rode to work with just the lock in there today, and it was absolutely stable. Will add a little more weight on the way home. But I think the principle is sound.

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

\o/

impressed

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Hee! Me too, sort of. :D

[communicator.livejournal.com]

Crikey that's clever

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Instructables (http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_make_DIY_Bike_Panniers/) gave me some of the key pieces to what had been quite a mystery.

I love Instructables.

[kispexi2.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Old school elegance! Nice.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I'm trying very hard to get away from black ripstop nylon and webbing and plastic clips.

You'll be pleased to know that I put my beautiful Harris tweed tartan handbag from Edinburgh over my handlebars today. It looked stunning there.

[kispexi2.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sure it does. Every time I see one of those little bags (still confined to the classier retail outlets), I think of you.

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

*that* is cool!

:D

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

It weathered a round trip today, the return portion of it in the pouring rain, and came out just fine. I'm pretty pleased.

[str8ontilmornin.livejournal.com]

Nicely done. And it's rain resistant. And it has a light. And it's stable. And it looks good.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Still working out the kinks--it's not as stable as I'd like--but overall, I think it's a functional design and I'm going to make at least one more that's big enough for a few groceries.

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

you are just *amazing*!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Well, I certainly am an amazing fritterer, I'll give you that. I frittered away a goodly sum of money on little bits and parts to make this thing, and then I frittered away a very substantial sum on another vintage leather bag to make ANOTHER one. Because I need two.

[tehomet.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think I got the compelling urge to make my own bike stuff out of my system. At least for the moment.