PVC Bicycle Luggage Rack

A PVC luggage rack for bicycles that doesn't rely on mounting points on the frame.

Step 1: Background

As you can see from the picture, my road bike does not support bolt on pannier racks. While I could buy rack that would get around this, they are more expensive than I'd like. Given great success I've had in the past with a PVC surfboard holder for my other bicycle, I decided to make a low cost and minimalist as possible rack to hold my camping gear for future bikepacking adventures.

Step 2: Materials Required

32mm PVC pipe (length varies on the size rack you wish to build)

X4 32mm T joints

X4 32mm 90 degree joints

PVC cement

~6m of paracord or other strong non stretchy rope

Step 3: Cut the Pipe to Size

For my rack in particular I cut the pipe to the following lengths (formatting corresponds to layout in the image)

5.5cm

4.5cm 6.5 cm

21.5cm 21.5cm

12.5cm

9.5cm 9.5cm

14.5cm

The non-symmetry is to compensate for the T joint not being a true T

Step 4: Seat Post Mounting Point

It just so happens that the through internal diameter of the joints I was using fit snugly over my seat post.

If you are not so lucky you can either try heating the joint with a heat gun to make the PVC malleable to shape over the seat post

or

cut a slit in the joint to allow it on the seat post with either room to expand over a bigger post or contract over a smaller post. This then can be held in place with hose clamps

Step 5: Gluing the Structures

The first structure is the two T joints joined perpendicular to each other.

Use pencil marks to line up the position of the structure so you can quickly get it in place when gluing as you will not have a lot of time before it sticks.

Paste the inside of the tube with PVC cement and push the pipe in until in position and repeat.

The second structures are the two halves of the rack bed.

Using the same procedure as before, create the two halves as shown in the image.

Step 6: Final Assembly

Apply PVC cement to the bottom two pipes (furthest from the seat post) ONLY.

The connection at the T joint attached to the seat post is supposed to pivot.

Step 7: Attaching to the Bike

Slide the seat post into the mounting point of the rack and then into the bike frame.

Using the paracord, tie around one corner of the rear of the rack.

Thread through the rails of the saddle and pull tight to desired angle of the rack.

Tie off on the opposite corner of the rack.

The remaining paracord will be used to further secure you gear or alternatively you could cut it here.

Step 8: Finished

Check your knots are secure and your done.

The pivot point and stretch of the parachord over your gear acts as somewhat of a suspension when going over bumps.

How you mount your gear is up to you. I will likely cut some tarp to line the underside to protect from dirt and fold over the top to protect from rain.