Bicycle rear rack basket

I have always wanted to get a basket for my bicycle, since my first post on installing a rack. I finally found myself a suitable and most importantly economical solution. I want to do my marketing and put all my misc stuff in it, instead of using a backpack.

So I got this basket from NTUC for $3.90. It has opening at the bottom. I use velcro tape to secure it to the rear rack. Velcro tape would be an option for you if you want if removable; otherwise, you can just use cable tie to fix it permanently. When fixed permanently, it would affect your folded size. This basket measures about 19 x 27cm base, 24 x 32cm top, 17cm height.

Photo: the basket was unintentionally put closer to camera so it looks bigger... it is actually smaller than the rack

Photo: side view for better intepretation of the basket size vs rack size

You need to take note of the opening of the basket to make sure that your velcro tape has the correct width to "pass through" the openings. I asked my mum to sew velcro tape into correct sizes for me. I am using 4 inch "hook" side and 13 inch "stick" side with 1 inch overlap. The total length of the velcro tape would be 16 inch. The velcro in the photo here are temporary velcro which I made using stapler for me estimate the length required. I recommend using at least two velcro tapes to secure the basket onto the rack. Place the velcro at the position on the rack where there are vertical bar on the rack to avoid movement on the longitudinal direction (see the cross in the photo above).

Add-on: If you have more things that is "bigger" than your basket, you would want to buy a elastic mesh net to cover the basket. I was told that the mesh net could be obtained from Daiso. I will pay a visit to Daiso to see if they have these items. I intend to get all of these so that I can use my bicycle for all scenarios. Mesh net to cover the basket, "single" hook to hold boxes, "triple" hook to hold bags.

Photo: mesh net, "single" hook, "triple" hook from taobao

It is useful as you can put "anything" in plastic bags in it, instead of using a backpack which would be uncomfortable. These basket are extremely useful for quick grocery errand (buying bread / milk). Hanging plastic bag on the handle bar is also uncomfortable and not safe (I'm sure you know it).

Photo: hanging plastic bag at handle bar - not safe

Photo: Securing a box on the rack using nylon string (for one time use only)

My bicycle weighs 14.9kg with the bicycle itself, light with battery, rear rack, basket and lock. The rear rack itself is 1kg+, torchlight + battery about 0.5kg, and the lock is also 1kg+. My bicycle nett weight is about 12kg+. Weight is not a main concern for me because I am not taking it for race / speed (my "engine" is not fast enough either... so I can accept my "hardware" (bicycle) to be heavy. Having a heavy bicycle also give me an excuse for not riding fast enough, ha ha ha.

Vertical planting rack

So I went back to my hometown for a quick 11 days mainly to complete a minor house gardening 'upgrading' project. I wanted to install a 'vertical wall' at home. This is the end product:

Materials / Equipment:

• 2" x 1" x 3' Batu timber x 9 pcs as horizontal member
• 2" x 5" x 6' Batu timber x 2 pcs as vertical member
• 2" x 1" x 6' hardwood timber x 1 pcs as bracing (timber name not known)
• Green color plastic mesh 1m width x 4m length
• Black color shelter mesh 1m width x 1.2m length
• Min 1.5 inch Screw x 20 (2 pieces per row + 2 for bracing)
• 1 inch Screw x 27 (3 pieces per row)
• Electric drill / screw driver (make sure drill bit is smaller than the screw diameter)

As Batu one of the higher quality hardwood, very dense and heavy, we tried using nails and hammer but failed to penetrate into the timber. Therefore we bought a electric drill, using 2.8mm drill bit, we drill a pilot hole and then use the electric drill, mounted the screwdriver bit and then drive the screw into the pilot hole. The timberis still hard enough that gives quite some resistance when drilling and screwing.

This is the drawing for the rack (units in inch). It is intentionally slanted so that it leans on wall and has better stability. Note that as it is 6ft tall, when slanted even at a small angle, it takes up about 11 inches horizontally at the ground. In summary it measures 3 ft wide, 6 inch depth, and 6 ft tall.

So I put them on floor and start marking up the 2inch timber and 4inch gap in between them.

Then I start drilling...

It is intentionally not screwed fully so it acts like a 'hook' to hook the plastic net

The timber is so hard that my screw stuck and the screwdriver start damaging the screwhead.. so I ended up with a additional hook.. for plastic bag.. heh

So I put hook the net on the screw.

So done... but it is not stable and can sway left right as there is no bracing.. So I got another piece of timber behind slanted as a bracing.

So when the rack is up, I start putting soil in. Before putting in the soil, the black fabric (usually use for shading orchid plants, etc) is laid on top of this green layer. The green layer transfer weight of soil to the horizontal timber. The black layer act as a filter to sit on the green layer, and to avoid the soil from sieving through the green layers. The black layer has much smaller openings. But I think black is not as strong as green. And there is nothing to hook the black layer properly. Cutting the black layer could easily tear the whole layer with the cut getting bigger and bigger over time. So, I overlay the black on top of green. They are permeable, breathable and do not degrade (decompose) overtime.

Topping in soil into the pockets

Finished project, with one layer of plants... Need to get other plants from neighbours / nursery.

I think the cost for this project is not high and probably <RM150 for all the materials (depending on what timber you are using). And maybe you need to buy a drill if you do not already have one. It is a fun family activity. You can have higher and wider rack (maybe another vertical member if it is too wide), depending on the size of your wall. 

Construction time maybe 4-5 hours. Starting from measuring the height / width of your wall, then buy the timber pieces, marking the position on the wall. 

If you need advice on how to construct this or procuring the materials in Penang area, you can contact me personally.

Inspired from: http://thefeltedfox.blogspot.ro/2013/04/living-wall-diy.html and http://tumbleweedtraveller.blogspot.sg/2011/03/how-to-build-your-own-living-wall-or.html