To a lesser (but real) extent, buying accessories for your bike can be like scrolling through your car accessory options after you’ve already made the decision to buy…they add up in ways you didn’t originally consider when you decided to take the plunge.
When you decide to use your bike extensively and/or rigorously, it often becomes clear what items you need to really shell out for and what others you can treat more frugally. When you ride year-round and need different items in different seasons–also when you ride with your children and need to change gear as they grow–it comes in handy to be able to save a few shekels by making and customizing some of your own accessories. (I also think it’s fun).
I am neither a contractor nor mechanic, but I do love to tinker. I’ve found that bikes, and cargo bikes like our Yuba MUNDO in particular, really lend themselves to ongoing customization. Some people feel that forgoing driving for biking means giving up too many creature comforts and conveniences. However, while it will always be more comfortable sitting in a fully-loaded car then in a bike saddle, it is possible to have many of the options we’ve come to expect in our other modes of transportation AND still reap the benefits of cycling, all without having to go into hock.
Today’s project: How to make a cool, timeless (and super cheap) cupholder/ whatever-needs-keeping holder
This really does the job, looks pretty sweet, and is really inexpensive (if not free, from stuff you already have laying around). Fancy/trendy coffee cup or beer can-style holders (not bottle cages) run at least $15, if not upwards of $25. This one holds BOTH a typical coffee cup AND a beverage can or slim-to-regular water bottle. It also only takes about 10 minutes to make.
Raw materials? Plastic clamp, super glue, 14.5oz (or so) tin can, and a short screw…that’s it. You likely already have most, if not all of these. The last three are dollar store staples, and the clamp (of which just about any design will do) can be found at hardware stores in the hardware or plumbing sections (also online bike stores). I have a number of clamps left over from miscellaneous bike lights, reflectors and other gadgets. On to tinkering:
- Figure out where on the handlebar you’d like the holder, factoring in that the clamp may need to be angled.
- Puncture middle of a clean can with the screw, then thread the screw through the hole from inside the can so the end result is the pointy end protruding out from the can
<–click to enlarge photo - Screw can partway into the thickest part of the clamp, leaving room to add glue to the clamp before screwing it all the way in (you may have a clamp with a big flat base, you may not–the size of your screw will need to be about the same as the depth of the part of the clamp you’re screwing it into.)
**** if you don’t want to deal with screws, you can also just go with only gluing the cup to the clamp. I just like the added strength and stability of having both forms of attachment.**** - Add glue to the clamp and continue to screw all the way till it is flush with the clamp at the angle you want
<–click to enlarge photo- You can also cut out a piece of foam, cardboard, rubber, or other dampening material to reduce rattling. (My buddy Jose Luis is going to use a bigger can and add foam all along the inside for better insulation–he’s a smart guy).
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You can also, obviously, use these to hold just about anything (not just beverages). I’ve had so many people ask me where they can find a bike like mine that I started carrying the bike shop’s business cards in a second handlebar can. Snacks, flowers, glasses…I’ve put them all in there. (It also makes a neat amplifying holder for a small mp3/radio speaker).
8legs2wheels 