Ok, I need some ideas to split up and organize a handlebar box that I have strapped to the back of the seat. Interior size is 9" wide, 6" deep, 6" front to back. I am going to carry a spare inner tube, various small plastic bags with tools in them all the time and when I ride I will have my cell phone, house keys and wallet. The zip nylon top has a worthless netting on the inside and cannot be closed with everything sliding right out. Any clever solutions of dividing this space would be highly appreciated.
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Here's a sample of what you can make with them. You don't have to stitch yarn on the sides. Just use it to sew the sides together.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Herrschners-Sunflower-Beauty-Tissue-Box-Cover-Plastic-Canvas-Kit/381570479
Set of 3 zippered bags.
I see you found an inexpensive lift for the trike. Plastic buckets work great! I have used similar items at times. Whatever works for you!
In the bag I would carry a spare tube, a patch kit (tiny), a pair of tire levers and a CO2 inflation device with a couple of cartridges (with sleeves to prevent frostbite). I'd also carry a couple of quick links and a chain breaker (these are small and fixing a chain is fairly easy; learn how to do it too). And definitely a couple of pairs of latex gloves and a few packaged towelettes.
Also carry a good quality multi-tool (hex wrenches; some have a chain breaker as well) because mirrors come loose. If your tube valves are Prestas (skinny) use an adapter for Schrader valves just in case (I use them on all three of my wheels; they only cost a buck a piece).
Carry a few long cable ties (zip ties) as they curve neatly around the inside of a bag (for you in that netting in the lid). You never know when you might need one.
There is a very bright, compact LED light called a "Nebo Larry C". It's inexpensive and looks like a ballpoint pen on steroids.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=larry+light&rh=i:aps,k:larry+light
For the cell phone I carry an extra power cell which I hook to my cell phone since my rides last four or more hours and I am running Strava to track my rides. Extra power is very, very good.
I also carry a couple of flat, elastic/Velcro straps in case I want to carry something on the outside of the bag like a rolled up windbreaker. And since my bag has a carrying handle I have two spare S-biners to carry such things as a locking cable or a tiny zipper bag with gloves, windbreaker, etc.)
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=s-biner&sprefix=s-,aps,225&crid=1Y0ABUKX6S1M9
There's my two cents worth, well maybe a quarter's worth, shucks, a dollar two ninety-eight.
One comment from the photo; I'd carry a multitool rather than baggies of small tools. It's too easy to lose an individual tool especially if you're out and about and drop one in leaves or gunk along a trail. I've been there and done that! (PS Fingers don't hold small tools well when they're pudgy, cold and trying to hold a flashlight as well.)
And, as a bit of advice to anyone riding a trike, learn to be as independent as possible. I can walk a bike if necessary, but walking a trike is a b@#$%.
Just had a thought about your comment on meds. For years I've been wearing a RoadID bracelet and not carrying my wallet. The bracelet has all my contact info, meds and even documents (living will, photos of trike, etc) available to first responders should they have to scrape me up off the pavement. They have different kinds of IDs available. I especially wear mine all the time because of a medical condition. I don't get anything for recommending them. I just like them. RoadID.com
Ordered Road ID dog tag this morning. Since I wear a medical alert necklace all the time I plan to wear the Road ID dog tag when I am riding or taking long walks. Thanks for the link.
Puppies are a lot of work but rescue dogs have their own set of issues!
I'm tired of keeping my cell phone in the trunk where I can only access it if I stop and get off the trike. Only then can I check for messages or email and, forget taking any photos along the way. Finding a way to hang the phone on a mount, just a pain in the butt.
With the side bag I can access the phone, have my snacks, carry a camera, extra power cells, etc in a weatherproof enclosure that's easily detachable and has a shoulder strap. When I get things organized I'll report how it's working out.
Hope the bags work for you!
I don't mean to rub it in, but this is not typical weather for this time of year. 70 F should be the norm and I haven't ridden for some time. What I thought was a bad head cold morphed into a painful sinus infection. I'm into cycle of antibiotics and finally feeling like taking a ride.
The side bag makes the trike a lot wider and one concern I see is getting through some of the pipe entrance barriers that are designed to keep larger vehicles from accessing the MUPs. I can adjust the bag in a couple of inches closer, but that will make it harder to reach into. I'll just have to see.
I also installed the bag on the left side where my shoulder, with the bone spurs, will make it less comfortable to reach around and tug on the zippers. I may move it to the right side. Those Arkel bags are very well constructed with shielded zippers to keep out water so they're not easy to unzip. It's going to be a learning experience.
I never thought those bags would be so wide. That's good to know. I too had problems getting through those barriers when I was in South Florida. But, they really protect the trail.
I did a 24 mile test ride and took some photos. I was actually able to get through the barriers with no problem.... luckily. I'll tweak the photos and do a blog post here in a few so you can see how it looks. I think I'm going to put the side bag on the right side so as to be away from my gimpy shoulder, but you can see what it looks like now. I can also move the bag 2 or 3 inches closer.
It's posted! https://trikesterhal.blogspot.com/2017/12/its-in-bag.html
I had seen the Arkel bags in other videos and really thought they would fit my needs.
We seemed to have returned to normal weather here. It will be in the 70s, sunny and a few clouds.