Looking for ideas or pics. Main ? is how long should the rod tubes be.?
Max length I'll be using is 10'. Reel slot or no slot? On the rear of basket or side. Current setup is with newspaper carrier baskets with rods on side, which tend to catch trees odly enough, whenever a pretty girl jogs bye.

I like to tilt the rods, tubes, at an angle so you don't get hung up. No reel slots on mine . Drill a golf ball and jam it on the end of the kick stand too for more stability at rest.

Teleman, from my research "canal cruisers" are about as custom as OCC choppers. Everyone has their own tastes and needs so there's no "format" to follow, that being said... I too am building a canal cruiser and here's what I got.
I have (2) 10 footers, one spinning and one conventional, I started out with (3) 23" length PVC with a cap on one end and a slot for the spinning reel. find a rubber grommet or duct tape to prevent chaffing. The diameter of the PVC is up to you. The third tube holds a gaff or landing net.

To fasten the rod tubes to the rack or basket: you could use plastic zip ties or automotive hose clamps, for me I had zillions of zip ties around so thats what I went with. I fastened my tubes to the @ss-end of the basket and not the sides, again just my personal choice.

For added storage, I'm mounting a rack over the front wheel, which will support a basket. I found that you may need an s load of bungee cords, they really come in handy!

***BONUS*** This is an exclusive, one of my world famous cheap "bass" tard penny saving tips! If you look under mailboxes near post offices, office buildings, loading docks etc, you'll see some of those plastic mail crates. Those things rock! They're light and sturdy, 2 washers a nut and bolt to fasten to my front rack. Also got some in my garage with dividers inside to store plugs that are not in my surf bag. You can cut the bottom of one and fashion a lid. Best of all the price is right up my alley...hope this helps!

Thanks for the tips, golf ball sounds original. I found a sweet, rear mount kick stand at a local bike shop. The bike barn in whitman, mass. $15.00

no, not my idea but it works swell

What? Are people not proud of their canal bikes? I mean are they that bad?

I got one out of the dump on the cape. Needed a new rear tire, maybe a new set of brake pads, and if I was really motivated, a new set of cables. But with a little oil, lube and some basic bike knowledge, I think I have one for about $50.00. Picked up 10 feet of PVC and some clamps. For the first time in my life, I am thinking about getting a basket for the bike, a kickstand and a few other items I would of never considered before to be installed on my bike.

I do however have a real racing bike, a real mountain bike and and old Bianchi I first bought in high school. All without a kickstand.


Would I be the first to post a picture of a canal bike?

Just about done. I'll post pics over the next couple of days.

Pics are here: http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=51804

how do you guys make a slot?

Drill a half inch hole about two or three inches from the top of the tube. Cut two slots down to the outside edges of the hole with a hacksaw. Sand the edges smooth.

i widdled the slot out with my knife lol. retarded i know, but it worked, put a slit into the back of the pvc so it rested against the crate and zip tied her on

Thanks, guys! I'll post pics when I pick a day that doesn't just rain off and on!

Here it is, guys.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185558_816755408695_24416530_38652530_4568130_n.jp g

Be sure to drill a hole in the bottom cap, because you know it's gonna rain.:grins:

Damn I never thought of that, dude. Lol. Thanks again!

how do you guys make a slot?

try a bench grinder with a coarse stone,i made up some tubes for my truck that way,i just started getting a canal cruiser ready,i found mine next to a dumpster,needs a new rear tube,gonna do the milk crate thing,got one thats a bit longer than the regular ones annd was thinking go buy a rear rack and clamp it to it.will try and get some pics when i finish it

dont you worry about someone grabbing it and riding off while your down on the rocks, snatch a rod or the whole thing?..

dont you worry about someone grabbing it and riding off while your down on the rocks, snatch a rod or the whole thing?..

that's when you have to carry a gun with you. lol. well, not always as long as you keep it close to you.

dont you worry about someone grabbing it and riding off while your down on the rocks, snatch a rod or the whole thing?..

If you stay aware of what's going on around you that shouldn't be a problem. If someone ever tried to take off with my bike or any of my gear, they'd end up with a plug with 2 sets of trebles stuck in the back of their head.

i like the gun idea!

dont you worry about someone grabbing it and riding off while your down on the rocks, snatch a rod or the whole thing?..

I never leave a rod on mine. If I bring 2, they both go down the rocks with me. The reason is 2 fold. First, so it doesn't walk away like you mentioned. Second, no matter how good a kickstand setup you have your cruiser is gonna blow over in the wind at some point. Not great to have a rod in the launcher when it happens.

I never leave a rod on mine. If I bring 2, they both go down the rocks with me. The reason is 2 fold. First, so it doesn't walk away like you mentioned. Second, no matter how good a kickstand setup you have your cruiser is gonna blow over in the wind at some point. Not great to have a rod in the launcher when it happens.


Good call!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/rusticave/5df3ff6e.jpg
hah jk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/rusticave/Fishing%202011/0dda5e6a.jpg

i just got a free on the water in the mail, it had a great bike the guy set up, nice ideas! dated 1/ of 2012

a CARGO bike with the load in front
plus several members with new fishermen Babies
might like to see this as well

follow the link ---->
A Guide to Cargo Bikes - Green Transportation - MOTHER EARTH NEWS (http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/cargo-bikes-ze0z1301zgar.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=01.18.13+GEGH&utm_campaign=2013+GEGH&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/rusticave/5df3ff6e.jpg
hah jk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/rusticave/Fishing%202011/0dda5e6a.jpg

love your set-up, I like the minnow - eel lure

Looking for ideas or pics. Main ? is how long should the rod tubes be.?
Max length I'll be using is 10'. Reel slot or no slot? On the rear of basket or side. Current setup is with newspaper carrier baskets with rods on side, which tend to catch trees odly enough, whenever a pretty girl jogs bye.

I've been using my bikes for fishing for years, seems there is no end to modifications, full size-frame army surplus backpacks are a help also, I tend to carry enough stuff for a possible stay over. I fish for stripers on the upper Hudson river. there is a 2plus mile bike trail which connects to other trails all along the river and am able to cover tons of water because of my bike, I"ll be posting pics of my set-up soon, probably on my pics album. Pretty girls are a plus!!