Carrying Something Very Old And Delicate

A letter from a reader:


I have a bit of a unique problem and was wondering what your take on the solution would be. I have a very old (and delicate) Persian instrument called a santur.

Reader's picture.

I'm wondering how I could secure the suitcase that this instrument is placed in on to a bicycle. There are basically a few locations I really like to play my santur, and they're all a ridable distance away. They're are some good bike paths to the areas I'd like to go, but also some short spats of steep inclines and rugged dirt paths.

I've recently sold my old bicycle, so I was wondering what the best option would be in terms of getting a new bicycle, given these are my needs.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

 Thank you!

I wrote back and asked about the dimensions of the instrument.  I have not heard back yet.  Assuming that the instrument and case do not fit inside a waterproof pannier (which would be my #1 recommendation), what would you suggest?

UPDATE!!!

More information from our reader, who is grateful for your comments.  This time the reader includes dimensions, along with a diagram:

I'm very flattered you've included my question on your blog!

The instrument is basically a trapezium shaped and the dimensions are: 80cm on the bottom, 33 cm on the top and 35cm on both sides with a total height of 9cm. The suitcase I use for the instrument is 31cm x 98cm x 11cm.

I've read some of the comments on your blog and can already see some potential solutions.

The Burley Travoy seems like a possible resolution, so long as I can secure the suitcase on to it, however, I'm not to certain how my santur will hold up given the slant (the weight of the instrument will be focused on one of the edges, which could potentially damage it - though this shouldn't be too much of a problem given the instrument only weighs about 3 kilograms).

I'd prefer to keep the item flat, so maybe a simple rear rack would do the trick - though I'm not sure if there are rear racks out there that can sport a 98cm suitcase.

I'm not sure if its the best idea in terms of functionality, but I wonder if there are any front rack options where I can place the suitcase perpendicular to the bicycle to keep an eye on it while I'm traveling.

Someone suggested buying a Bullit Cargo bicycle, but this is probably a little too specialized for my needs, as I'll taking the bicycle out for a lot of trips where I won't be needing to carry something on it.

I've attached an image with the exact dimensions for my santur the better visualize the size of the instruments.

Once again, thank you for your response and I look forward to hearing from you again!

 
Any additional ideas?

Felt York

Felt York. Credit: Felt Bicycles

The Felt York may look like a fixed gear, but it actually has a 2-speed Sturmey-Archer hub. The MSRP is $829.

This is a gorgeous bicycle.  It's a beautiful "Duke" blue with a porteur rack painted to match, with a stained wood base.  The aluminum fenders are polished and even the color of the tires is aesthetically pleasing.  Take a closer look at those tires, though, and you wonder whether they are a bit too skinny (700 x 25) for a bike that poses as one that can heft a full front load. 

That's the real question about the York:  Is it all beauty and no brawn?  A porteur bike should be designed to carry stuff, after all.  This is no cargo bike.

Still, it's beautiful and it may be just the thing for those who wish to cruise around town with the ability to carry light loads.  I'm sure the front rack could carry a six-pack.  I also give Felt lots of credit for trying something different, and for making a piece of art.

The Bicycle Times has a review here.

Here are the specs:

• Finish:
  Duke Blue

• Sizes:
  700c x 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm

• Frame:
  Felt single speed custom butted 4130 tig welded cr-mo tubes, butted tapered seatstays w/ cr-mo dropouts, horizontal top tube

• Fork:
  Felt urban design, 100% cr-mo, 1-1/8" threadless steerer & oversized curved fork blades: 43mm offset w/ drilled flat crown for front brake

• Headset:
  1-1/8" threadless press-In cup style, Felt Tornado aluminum top cap

• Stem:
  Felt aluminum forged threadless quill, 31.8mm w/ -15° Rise

• Handlebar:
  Felt design aluminum English touring bar 31.8mm, 30mm rise, 580mm wide, 50 degree sweep

• Grips:
  No flange Felt design with stitched cover

• Crankset:
  Felt TkR Pista inspired cold forged aluminum, w/ 144mm B.C.D. ; 51cm-54cm=165mm, 56cm-61cm=170mm

• Chainwheel
  Skip-Tooth Hess Chainring, 24t x 1/8", aluminum

• Chainguide:
  n/a

• Bottom Bracket:
  FSA 68mm w/ forged cr-mo square taper

• Pedals:
  Aluminum "Rat Trap" style pedal

• Chain:
  KMC Z410 1/8" width

• Freewheel:
  coaster brake cog -22T x 1/8"

• Brake Levers:
  Tektro front aluminum retro brake lever

• Brakes:
  Tektro dual pivot caliper, stainless hardware, teflon bushings

• Cables:
  Felt Slick Brake

• Saddle:
  Felt urban classic road saddle w/ riveted custom cover and steel rails

• Seat Post:
  Aluminum micro-adjust, 27.2mm x 300mm

• Seat Post Clamp:
  integrated in frame

• Rims:
  Alex ACE 19 double wall aluminum rim

• Front Hub:
  Sturmey Archer, hi-flange, sealed bearing, track nuts, 32H

• Rear Hub:
  Sturmey Archer 2 Speed kick back aluminum coaster brake hub, 32H

• Spokes:
  14g stainless steel w/ brass nipples, 3X front and rear

• Tires:
  Felt All Weather 700c x 25

• Fenders:
  Front and rear full aluminum fenders with stainless struts

• Accessories:
  Front rack with wood bottom

Yuba Boda Boda

Boda Boda stepover and stepthrough. Credit: Yuba

The Yuba Boda Boda cargo cruiser is available at Bikes at Vienna and other local bike shops.  The typical price appears to be about $1,000.

Yuba had already perfected the long-tail cargo bike in the form of the Yuba Mundo, which is capable of replacing your car for most local errands.  For urban apartment or condo dwellers, however, the heavy, bulky cargo bike presented of challenge in terms of storage and just getting the thing up the stairs.  Boda Boda appears to be Yuba's solution, a lighter (35 lbs.) shorter cargo bike with a handhold for carrying it up a flight of stairs. 

The Boda Boda has an integrated rear rack and is capable of carrying an impressive amount of weight.  It's available both as a step-through and a "step-over."

In October 2012, Outside Magazine named the Boda Boda the best utility bike for $1,000.  There's also a review by Cyclelicious.

Here are the full specs as of June 27, 2012:

FRAME

BODA BODA FRAME, AL 6061

FORK

26"X2.125, CR-MO, OLD:100W, 400.5 LENGTH, 40 OFFSET,

DYNAMO BRAZE ON

WHEELS

FRONT RIM 26" X 26MM, DOUBLE WALL, 32 HOLE, NO DECALS

REAR RIM 26" X 26MM, DOUBLE WALL, 36 HOLE, NO DECALS

FRONT HUB MODUS NUTTED, 32 HOLE, CRMO AXLE, LOOSE BALL, DOUBLE SEALED, GROUND RACE, DUAL LOCK NUTS

REAR HUB MODUS NUTTED, 36 HOLES, CASSETTE, CRMO AXLE, LOOSE BALL

SPOKES 2.0MM, 14G, STAINLESS 3X FRONT AND REAR

SPOKE NIPPLE 2.0MM X 12MM BRASS, INCLUDED WITH SPOKES

FRONT TIRE KENDA 26" X .1.95", WIRE BEAD, 30TPI

REAR TIRE KENDA 26" X .1.95", WIRE BEAD, 30TPI

INNER TUBES CST/KENDA SHRADER VALVE (A/V), 1.2MM THICKNESS

TRANSMISSION
CRANK SET LASCO 170MM, JIS, 4-BOLT

CHAINWHEELS LASCO 38T, W/ GS0 STEEL OUTER GUARD, INCLUDED WITH CRANK SET

BOTTOM BRACKET VP JIS, CARTRIDGE SEAL, W/ CAPLESS STAINLESS STEEL BOLTS

CHAIN KMC 1/2"X3/32", APPROXIMATELY 125 LINKS

REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM MEDIUM CAGE, 7-8 SP, 1:1 RATIO

REAR DER SHIFTER SRAM 8SPD,

TRIGGER SHIFTER, RIGHT

CASSETTE SRAM 8 SPD, 11-32, STEEL


COCKPIT

PEDALS VP NYLON PEDAL, LOW PROFILE

HEAD SET VP STEEL, 1-1/8", THREADED

STEM PROMAX LARGE = 100MM, SMALL = 80MM EXT., 25.4MM QUILL DIAMETER, ALUMINUM

HANDLEBARS PROMAX FRENCH CITY BARS, >600MM WIDE, 70MM RISE, >196MM GRIP AREA TAPE / GRIPS VELO CORK, REQUIRES GLUE FOR INSTALLATION SADDLE CIONLLI WITH SPRING

SEAT POST PROMAX ALLOY, 30.2MM,

LARGE = 500MM, SMALL = 400MM
SEAT CLAMP PROMAX QR

BRAKE

FRONT BRAKE PROMAX DIE CAST ALLOY V BRAKE, 125MM ARM, 60MM 1PC PAD

REAR BRAKE PROMAX DIE CAST ALLOY V BRAKE, 125MM ARM, 60MM 1PC PAD

BRAKE LEVERS PROMAX TRIGGER SHIFTER, SILVER LEVER, ED BLACK BODY

OTHER

DECK 8MM THICK, BAMBOO,

KICKSTAND MASSLOAD YUBA SIDE STAND

BELL YWS DING DONG BELL, 60MM, STEEL