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Carrying a crutch while cycling

  • This topic has 26 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by comanchemoon.
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  • October 11, 2015 at 8:10 pm #24908
    dottigirl

    Was wondering if anyone could help me out with this please.

    I can’t walk far, but can cycle. I usually carry a crutch to use when I reach my destination. It’s a normal elbow crutch, nothing special, that I shorten. I’ve looked at foldable crutches, but tbh, they’re either not that much shorter, or they have an open elbow brace, which annoyingly falls off.

    I’ve never found a method of strapping it to my road bike (48cm Spesh Dolce/Kinesis Racelight/others) where I was comfortable with the position it was in (going through Central London, I really don’t want stuff protruding from my bike). Therefore, I’ve been carrying it attached to my rucksack – an old Karrimor 30l.

    Unfortunately, my Karrimor is knackered, and the newer version doesn’t have the same webbing and strap arrangement. I’ve attached a picture of how I usually carry the crutch – I tuck it under the webbing, then reverse the straps, and tie the end to the top loop (so it doesn’t move sideways and turn into a joust). Tbh, it’s not the best bag, and it’s a bit of a faff attaching it, but when done correctly, it doesn’t move at all.

    Ideally, I’d like:
    – a slimline/fast and secure method where I don’t have to carry a bulky bag.
    – a new backpack (~30l) which is more comfortable.

    I’ve spent a good part of this afternoon squinting at pictures of backpacks/rucksacks. A friend has suggested a Dakine Heli Pack which has a part to carry skis, but I’m not sure where the crutch handle would go.
    (I tried a friend’s Grivel rock climbing bag and it was great with plenty of loops, but ~£65 new which I can’t afford/justify.
    http://www.outbacktrading.co.uk/product/grivel-marmolada-28/?gclid=CNuNivLEusgCFSLnwgodNC4KzQ )

    Does anyone have any better ideas please? Particularly for the less-fuss option.

    Thanks.

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  • May 27, 2020 at 1:03 pm #861719
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    comanchemoon

    I think there might be a

    I think there might be a little overthinking going on. I think the crutch can be quite securely attached with bungee cords assuming you can attach them horizontally. They could fall through if you tried it vertically. Good luck

    October 16, 2015 at 3:08 pm #861717
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    DaveE128
    dottigirl wrote:
    DaveE128 wrote:
    Hmmm, perhaps a bike trailer then? A lot of extra weight to pull though 🙁

    Same problem in laying the bike over, I’m afraid. Plus being a smaller frame, there’s no room on the seatpost for any more attachments.

    I suppose I was more thinking of the sort that attaches at the rear axle. I think these allow the bike to be leaned over. Either the Bob-Trailer (one-wheeled) sort which leans with the bike, or the two-wheel sort that have a pivot in the hitch.

    If you can get them in a backpack without it getting in the rear wheel or catching on tree branches, that is surely the way to go though!

    October 16, 2015 at 2:44 pm #861715
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    dottigirl

    crikey wrote:

    crikey wrote:
    Any rucksack with the capability to carry an Ice Axe will do; check out Decathlon for cheaper versions. Basically you stick the long thing be it axe or crutch through the bottom loop then twist it upwards and secure it using straps. Ice climbing or mountaineering packs tend to be narrower than day sacs and are much better on bikes. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-313376-mountaineering-backpacks Look at the Simond range..

    nopants wrote:
    I’d second the Decathlon mountaineering/ski packs. I’ve had a couple of different models for years and they’ve been really robust (and cheap!)

    Thanks to you both. When I checked Decathlon before, they didn’t pop up.

    I’ve ordered one of the Simonds – it’ll be a little small for my shopping, but should be fine for my trips into London. Fingers crossed!

    October 16, 2015 at 2:40 pm #861713
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    dottigirl
    DaveE128 wrote:
    Hmmm, perhaps a bike trailer then? A lot of extra weight to pull though 🙁

    Same problem in laying the bike over, I’m afraid. Plus being a smaller frame, there’s no room on the seatpost for any more attachments.

    BBRAP wrote:
    Can you not modify the crutch so that it comes apart (thus making it more transportable?). The height adjust on that type of crutch is a tube within a tube, if you used the same method (the little spring buttons locking into holes in the outer tube) you could separate the top section by cutting in half and using a thinner inner tube with spring button to join it back together. All the bits you need could be cobbled together from a spare crutch. Any half decent engineer type could do the mod in less than half an hour.

    Not totally sure how to do this, but I have spare crutches so will have a think. Not sure how much it would compromise the integrity of the crutch to have extra joins though.

    October 16, 2015 at 2:11 pm #861711
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    DaveE128

    Hmmm, perhaps a bike trailer

    Hmmm, perhaps a bike trailer then? A lot of extra weight to pull though 🙁

    October 16, 2015 at 5:58 am #861709
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    dottigirl
    DaveE128 wrote:
    Do you have a pannier rack?

    <snip>

    Top tube might be the way to go if you have traditional geometry.

    No pannier rack, and I struggle to lift my leg over the wheel to get on/off some days (I often lay the bike over slightly). So panniers would be a no-no, sorry.

    Geomertry is compact on all bikes (sloping top tube). I just can’t get the crutch to sit in any position on the bike where it’s not interfering with me or the bike.

    October 15, 2015 at 4:11 pm #861707
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    DaveE128

    Do you have a pannier rack?

    Do you have a pannier rack?

    http://www.onemk.co.uk/news/traffic-and-travel/2015/5/cycling-quest-cycle-75-000-miles-year-hits-major-26529729.html

    However this approach has limitations:

    http://cycleseven.org/let-me-eat-cake

    (read the text!)

    Top tube might be the way to go if you have traditional geometry.

    October 14, 2015 at 7:11 pm #861705
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    BBRAP

    Can you not modify the crutch
    Can you not modify the crutch so that it comes apart (thus making it more transportable?). The height adjust on that type of crutch is a tube within a tube, if you used the same method (the little spring buttons locking into holes in the outer tube) you could separate the top section by cutting in half and using a thinner inner tube with spring button to join it back together. All the bits you need could be cobbled together from a spare crutch. Any half decent engineer type could do the mod in less than half an hour.

    October 14, 2015 at 8:45 am #861703
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    VeloPeo

    abudhabiChris wrote:
    Nope, I

    abudhabiChris wrote:

    Nope, I can’t foresee any problems riding around with a long metallic object in a rifle case…..

    :S

    ….in Central London.

    October 14, 2015 at 8:27 am #861701
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    KirinChris

    Jacobi wrote:Hi, what about

    Jacobi wrote:
    Hi, what about an air rifle case that you can sling over your shoulder? It can be folded away into a back pack when your crutch is being used.

    http://www.pellpax.co.uk/airguns/accessories/air-gun-bags-cases/gun-bag-zrifscoslip/414

    Nope, I can’t foresee any problems riding around with a long metallic object in a rifle case.

    :S

    October 13, 2015 at 8:33 pm #861699
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    nopants

    I’d second the Decathlon
    I’d second the Decathlon mountaineering/ski packs. I’ve had a couple of different models for years and they’ve been really robust (and cheap!)

    October 13, 2015 at 8:18 pm #861697
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    Jacobi

    Hi, what about an air rifle
    Hi, what about an air rifle case that you can sling over your shoulder? It can be folded away into a back pack when your crutch is being used.

    http://www.pellpax.co.uk/airguns/accessories/air-gun-bags-cases/gun-bag-zrifscoslip/414

    Or perhaps a takedown recurve bow bag from an archery store? Some of them come about 3 feet long with shoulder straps. These links will give you an idea of what I’m on about.

    https://www.quicksarchery.co.uk/superbasket/product/916/ZZ06+Longshot+Take+Down+Shoulder+Bag+in+Black%3A+SALE+PRICE

    October 13, 2015 at 8:17 pm #861695
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    crikey

    Any rucksack with the
    Any rucksack with the capability to carry an Ice Axe will do; check out Decathlon for cheaper versions. Basically you stick the long thing be it axe or crutch through the bottom loop then twist it upwards and secure it using straps.

    Ice climbing or mountaineering packs tend to be narrower than day sacs and are much better on bikes.

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-313376-mountaineering-backpacks

    Look at the Simond range..

    October 13, 2015 at 7:27 pm #861693
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    dottigirl

    Batchy wrote:You could try a

    Batchy wrote:
    You could try a photographer’s back pack that has straps/loops/laces for attaching a tripod ?

    Will have a look at them, thanks.

    Nat Jas Moe wrote:
    Overboard have some good backpacks and they’re on sale at the link below has some webbing like your Karrimor might be useful.

    Thanks. Have looked but there’s not enough straps to secure it (needs something at the top and bottom) as the webbing alone isn’t usually enough.

    Gkam84 wrote:
    Skateboard backpack?

    Ooh, now that could be a possible, thank you. A google shows me they use two thick horizontal velcro straps – I’ll have to find a shop which sells them to try one out. Upside-down, the handle would stop it dropping out, but I’m not sure how near-vertical it would stay.

    I popped to Snow & Rock today and found a Deuter climbing/hiking rucksack which had enough straps to work, but the actual backpack was a bit flimsy.

    Gkam84 wrote:
    I’ve got a Karrimor Urban 30l and also a smaller version sitting here there hardly get use if that might be of help to you?

    With compression straps? That would be very kind of you.

    October 12, 2015 at 11:30 am #861691
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    Bikebikebike

    You should be fine with a
    You should be fine with a Dakine heli pack. It’s got loops for carrying skis diagonally, which will work perfectly with your crutch – you’ll probably have to have the handle at the top rather than the bottom. Suggest you go into a shop and give it a go.

    They’re also hydration compatible so you can stick a camelback in there as well.

    Might be a bit small if you want 30l though.

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