If your load hauling requirement relevant to the kid's stuff is limited to the bicycle bus, I'd just pick up a pair of used panniers. You should be able to get a serviceable pair for under $50, and likely someone around here has an old set for even less. Expect them to be ugly & beat up but consider the service. If you then find you are using them more & more, invest in a nice set. REI sometimes has Ortlieb end-of-year specials for $100 for the big back ones. But they'd be serious over-kill for what you describe.
Where's cargo box guy? He sounds pretty handy.:). dougP On Friday, August 26, 2016 at 3:02:45 PM UTC-7, John Aydelotte wrote: > > > > On Friday, August 26, 2016 at 3:27:25 PM UTC-6, LeahFoy wrote: >> >> School begins on Monday, and we have before us a number of challenges. >> The school is in its second year, and it has exploded in population. There >> was nearly no parking to begin with, and with the second school in the >> neighborhood also convening in the morning and with the canyon's whole >> workforce trying to get out for their 25 minute commute with but one single >> road that we all must share, biking is a NO-BRAINER. But nearly no one, >> excepting us, has done it. The school is 2 miles from my door (too far to >> walk), all downhill to school, and all uphill on the way home. The hill is >> so steep that a child really needs brakes of good quality for the downhill, >> and a bike that isn't too heavy (these are just kids, remember) and has >> GEARS for the way uphill. Also ideal would be a bottle cage for water since >> we live in Vegas and a rack. But a rack is probably asking too much. >> >> I mentor the junior high girls from church (I heart teenagers!), and one >> of my little favorites, L, will attend our school. She and her little >> sister plan to use their electric scooter and bike to join us. She babysits >> a boy who will ride with us on his own bike. Another family I'm acquainted >> with asked if their 5th grader could join us. As I was leaving campus after >> the meet and greet today, I heard L yell, "Leah! We have some more coming!" >> >> "More what?" I asked. >> "More girls!" she called. >> "Riding bikes?" I asked, incredulous. >> "Yes, my mom's getting all their information, I'll tell you later!" >> >> So, there you have it. Leah's Bicycle Bus is born! >> >> You might imagine I have some anxiety about the logistics. Even more >> about the liability. I have a plan worked out, and I'll tweak it as need >> arises. >> >> Now, for the question. >> >> My only-5th grade-son has been reclassified as a middle-schooler. He must >> carry all his books/folders/etc in his backpack. They tell me, "Oh, and >> here's his Chromebook for the year. It goes home with him every night." >> >> SERIOUSLY? >> >> My Betty Foy has a Nitto Big Front Rack with the biggest Wald they make. >> The back has a lighter duty rack that was acting as a support for my medium >> Saddlesack. This is not going to carry both sons' bags and lunches now that >> my "middle-schooler" must schlep around everything he owns. Also, what >> happens if one of the neighborhood kids needs me to haul something? I >> called Riv and Will listened and we both thought I would need the Big Back >> Rack, so I ordered it. Now, I wonder if I should continue to use my medium >> saddlesack or if I should order the large. Or maybe just add >> Back-a-Bike-bags, which are out of stock for now. Will suggested: >> http://www.carsickdesigns.com/products/large-pannier-set >> <http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carsickdesigns.com%2Fproducts%2Flarge-pannier-set&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEb5CAazuwSonHNeezr88sAScbNXA> >> >> but I don't love them very much. >> >> Someone chime in and tell me what's the best way to carry all this weight. >> >> Thanks once again! L >> > > Sounds like you might be in cargo-bike territory. Xtracycle or Yuba make > good ones -- even battery powered for that climb going home. They aren't > cheap though... You could convert your Betty to a longtail with an > Xtracycle kit, but that might ruin it for other riding. > > Attach a trailer to the back? > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
