Decent-looking milk crate alternatives?

[Smaug]

I currently have a red milk crate zip-tied to my Ranger's rack. I just love its utility. It is deep enough that it can take a bag or two of groceries. It's rugged, too, as it was commercial grade, in its former life. In commuting, I put my backpack vertically in it and it keeps my back from sweating.

However, it kind of ghetto-fies the look of the bike.

I've seen a lot of eBikers use a purpose-built rack bag. They look nice and are not too big, but they are also not of high enough capacity to help with a grocery run, which I do often. I've also seen the racks that the manufacturers sell, but they're overly wide and not deep enough.

I feel like there has GOT to be a solution. Something as rugged and deep as the milk crate, but in black, white or silver, so it would match the bike better. I do have a set of panniers, but I don't like how they hang out and wreck any remaining aerodynamics. Also I don't want anything I'd have to worry about being stolen so I have to remove it all the time.

I'm thinking maybe a big black toolbox: drill some holes in the bottom and zip-tie it to the rack. Then, I would have the option of padlocking it too... but I don't think the lid would hold up well if it was open while riding, and it wouldn't hold as much as the open-topped milk crate.

What have you got?

 

[CloneWerks]

I attached a decent quality "drybox" with "U" bolts, but it certainly doesn't have the volume of a milk crate. In fact I'm trying to decide what to do so I can be a "grocery getter" since the store is so close I feel stupid firing up the car to go there. Ultimately I think I'm going to build a small homebrew trailer for grocery runs.

 

[diggitydog13]

I currently have a red milk crate zip-tied to my Ranger's rack. I just love its utility. It is deep enough that it can take a bag or two of groceries. It's rugged, too, as it was commercial grade, in its former life. In commuting, I put my backpack vertically in it and it keeps my back from sweating.

However, it kind of ghetto-fies the look of the bike.

I've seen a lot of eBikers use a purpose-built rack bag. They look nice and are not too big, but they are also not of high enough capacity to help with a grocery run, which I do often. I've also seen the racks that the manufacturers sell, but they're overly wide and not deep enough.

I feel like there has GOT to be a solution. Something as rugged and deep as the milk crate, but in black, white or silver, so it would match the bike better. I do have a set of panniers, but I don't like how they hang out and wreck any remaining aerodynamics. Also I don't want anything I'd have to worry about being stolen so I have to remove it all the time.

I'm thinking maybe a big black toolbox: drill some holes in the bottom and zip-tie it to the rack. Then, I would have the option of padlocking it too... but I don't think the lid would hold up well if it was open while riding, and it wouldn't hold as much as the open-topped milk crate.

What have you got?

 

[diggitydog13]

I'd either paint it or find some large stickers for it

 

[CloneWerks]

I saw these in various sizes at Lowes tonight when I was there.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-5-Gallon-20-Quart-Black-Tote-with-Latching-Lid/1000976064

 

[Snoop]

Are you guys familiar with the MIK system? I have it for my bike and I love it.

You can essentially attach an MIK adapter plate to the bottom of any luggage item ( cargo bag, milk crate, basket, etc) and then you can just snap it on/off your rear rack with ease. No clamps or straps required.

It makes interchanging your carrying device simple and quick to suit whatever you need that day or time.

 

[Snoop]

I attached a decent quality "drybox" with "U" bolts, but it certainly doesn't have the volume of a milk crate. In fact I'm trying to decide what to do so I can be a "grocery getter" since the store is so close I feel stupid firing up the car to go there. Ultimately I think I'm going to build a small homebrew trailer for grocery runs.


View attachment 4827

 

[CloneWerks]

 

[Black100]

Your milk crate looks like painted pelican case.
I like it tho.
Ones I see here are vertical with the rack

 

[CloneWerks]

Your milk crate looks like painted pelican case.
I like it tho.
Ones I see here are vertical with the rack

Are you talking about the OP's milk crate (in his link in the first post) or my drybox? Mine is a bright orange knockoff brand that works really well for my purposes though it's not -quite- large enough for "grocery getting". But since mine is attached with "J" hooks and wing-nuts I can easily get another box and swap out when it is grocery time.

 

["A"]

I've used milk crates on my bicycles, motorcycles & ebikes for ages.
I think of it as a theft deterrent, the dirtier it is the better, no one seems to me interested in stealing stuff from a dirty old milk crate with old tarp covering it secured by bungy cords, even in NYC.
As long as no one is messing with my bike, I don't really care what it looks like.

 

[Black100]

@CloneWerks I was referring to yours.
Pardon me for my bad writing.
Your basket looks more like a pelican case rather than a basket, most are dark colors. Thought maybe you painted it.

 

[CloneWerks]

@CloneWerks I was referring to yours.
Pardon me for my bad writing.
Your basket looks more like a pelican case rather than a basket, most are dark colors. Thought maybe you painted it.

Mine -is- a pelican style case.

 

[Hoggdoc]

I'd either paint it or find some large stickers for it

Found this by searching for rear cargo ebike baskets, I'm sure there are more out there.

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