Opportunity is knocking

WashcycleCo wishes it had the manufacturing power to bring this product to market, but sadly our board has decided it does not, so I'll just throw it out there. 

With more and more Bixi-style (and Bcycle-style) bikes hitting the streets, it is time for a bag manufacturer to make bags specifically designed for the racks on front. Laptop bags, briefcases etc.. all designed with the dimensions of the rack in mind. What would be really great is some sort of front panier that sits in the center with larger areas hanging off the sides. My brother-in-law would love to use CaBi to get to his various construction jobs, but he has to bring a bunch of tools that don't fit in the rack, so instead he's using Metro. 

Comments

[Daniel]

Try the Travoy:
http://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_416/travoy.html

The connection to the bike isn't ideal because you have to screw the hitch to the seat post. If Burley could make a quick-release hitch, this could be the grocery shopping, tool carrying bag. Still need a small laptop bag, tho.

[Mase]

Absolutely. Will be interesting if Arkel, Ortlieb, and some of the 'smaller' pannier makers will start making a Bixi-style-bike specific bag. Hopefully one that can be a shoulder or backpack as well.

As my commute is about a mile, I've switched over almost full-time to CaBi and would love such a product. I have an Arkel Bug bag which I can shove into the front rack, but just a backpack is actually easier.

[charlie]

Has anyone tried the Racktime Workit?

[Michael H.]

I thought about this idea a few months ago. Something with stiff sides would be nice. The elastic cord on the bikes can crush soft items such as groceries.

[Mr Share]

Wouldnt it just be easier for Bixi to make racks that are actually useful? Like the ones JCDeceauz (Paris) and Bcycle use?

[Dave]

If the racks can hold trash people will use them as garbage cans. Creates a maintenance nightmare. The current design holds a bag without holding people's trash.

[JeffB]

This has been my greatest disappointment with CaBi.

I'd like to ask them how they see someone using CaBi to do the week's grocery shopping.

They located the stations next to grocery stores. Do they think everybody is just buying 2 lemons?

[washcycle]

The issue with both Velib and B-cycle racks is that people can sit on them (and do) as a second passenger. That's illegal and dangerous, so the Bixi rack was designed to prevent that.

[Krystal Megan]

That is a good idea. You should patten them before someone steals the idea.

[charlie]

Maybe, if you are doing a week's worth of grocery shopping, you should be using a bike!

I've had no problems getting paper grocery bags in there for small loads.

Bigger problem is lack of plastic bags to hand off handlebars in a pinch.

[IMGoph]

send this idea to the ladies who run po campo!

[oboe]

How about a kid's seat that mounts to the CaBi rack?

:)

[dynaryder]

@charlie: "Bigger problem is lack of plastic bags to hand off handlebars in a pinch."

I cringe when I see people doing this. Bad idea. Adding a pendulum to the end of your bars hinders your maneuverability and can make it impossible to take evasive action. Please carry things on your body or on racks.

Pro tip: if you do have plastic bags,you can tie the handles together in pairs and drape them over your head so one is in front and the other in back.

[washcycle]

Oboe, yes! Start printing your own money.

[Westnorth]

@IMGoph: done! I also talked at length with them about making something more briefcase-like. Messenger bags are for youts who don't wear pressed shirts.

[IMGoph]

Westnorth: I tweeted the idea to them, and they sounded happy to think about it. I can picture patterned bags with the CaBi logo all over them. I think it would do well.