Largish rucksack platform for pannier rack

Currently for commuting I’m strapping my rucksack to a seatpost-mounted rack. Trouble is, due to the narrow width it’s not very stable on there.

I’d like some kind of platform to attach onto the rack. A basket would also solve it, but would get in the way of mounting the bike by swinging my leg over the rear.

I’ve found the Surly TV Tray which looks good, but at £60 it’s priced for bikepacking and I’m just commuting 20mins once or twice a week on a beater bike. The answer might be something not bike-specific that can be abused for the purpose. I’ve found one done using concrete reinforcing mesh, but I don’t have a piece nor the tools to fashion it into something remotely safe.

Any ideas?

link

Or buy a big cheap pannier?

Sorted. Same principle applies I suppose.

Something like that looks good p7 – thanks. I should get looking at kitchen trays or desk organiser type things.

What rack is it? If it’s a Topeak they have a foldy up basket you could clip in and leave folded down?

Front platform rack like this:

IMG_20180615_081759291
IMG_20190103_183903213
The first photo is en route to work before the weekend. Rucksack was on rack for riding into a bothy before wandering up some hills on the weekend.

Other ideas in a previous thread:

Carrying a rucksack on a rack

Or a crate. Numerous option at Holland Bike Shop:
https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/bicycle-basket/bicycle-crate/

Edit: sorry my image posting from Flickr account is failing me and I can’t remember the login to sort it!

Shallow Eurocrate is what I want, thanks for the thread link. Now to find one at a reasonable price without delivery costing more than the crate itself.

It is a Topeak, but I’m not buying a £55 folding basket to use as a flat platform.

May be a stupid question, but why aren’t you just wearing the backpack?

Does it have to be a backpack, or would panniers be better?

Is this mostly driven by cost?

That Surly thing looks like a piece of wood with holes in it.
I suggest getting a piece of wood and putting holes in it. 6mm ply and a pot of paint or varnish to seal it from the weather should do it.

May be a stupid question, but why aren’t you just wearing the backpack?

I used to do this when riding to the station for a week away with work. I wanted the rucksack to carry my computer around during the week, but I didn’t want to wear it whilst cycling as it made my work shirts sweaty and necessitated a change of clothes.

I used to do this when riding to the station for a week away with work. I wanted the rucksack to carry my computer around during the week, but I didn’t want to wear it whilst cycling as it made my work shirts sweaty and necessitated a change of clothes.

Fair point – I forget how lucky I am to have showers at work.

Yes it’s to avoid a sweaty back. The ride isn’t otherwise long or hilly enough to get sweaty, so I can avoid showering and getting changed.

Panniers might be good for the ride, but rucksack is better at everything else – use on site, no need to repack if I get the train one day etc.

Convenience and comfort mainly – no sweaty back, no backpack tangled up in the wheel. But cost is important as I’m not doing cycle commuting seriously at the moment – using a beater bike, don’t want to invest in this particular setup.

Plan to get a small euro container, drill holes (including ones for drainage), attach with cable ties.

Not quite the answer but…
I’ve altura panniers that turn into a messenger bag. Don’t know if that would work….

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-heritage-40l-pannier-bag-pair

pretty sure you can get backpacks that have pannier clips on. That would be the best solution for me.

15 Convertible Backpack Panniers That Can Be Strapped to Your Back or Bike

Another option might be to get some cheapy “bucket” type panniers. We use Ortlieb roll tops, but leave them open and drop the kids rucksacks into them. Double bagging, but nice and secure and waterproof when closed up. Leave the panniers on the bike, zip tie them on if youre worried about someone wandering off with them.

Lastly, something if youre not bothered about “looking cool”, steal a hand basket from a supermarket and attach it on top of your rack with zip ties. Bungees to stop the rucksack bouncing out.