Every Day Adventurers

In the spirit of the Longtail Standard, we happily present you with detailed instructions to build your very own PizzaLoader.

While we’d love to design, prototype and build every idea we sketch out, we’re still a bit grounded in reality and like to choose our products carefully. But don’t get us wrong, we love do-it-together (DIT) approaches to accessories, except the ones involving transportation of wee ones.

With that said we’re pleased to introduce: PizzaLoader! While there are a few bicycle pizza delivery services out there, the costs don’t justify the production on our end. Thank goodness for places like IKEA, where you can find just the right combination of parts to create masterpieces.

Wife and hubby team, Jeremy and Carrie, longed for the ability to carry pizza on their Xtracycle. Unfortunately, the square shape of a pie box leaves too much overhang when using a standard SnapDeck. Combine that factor with greasy, weak cardboard box and you’ll quickly accessorize gravel with your fresh pizza.

Solution? Build a wide-platform SnapDeck with rail to provide proper support and containment for your pizza as it travels from its brick oven womb to your home and, ultimately, belly. Let’s dig in!

Ingredients:

• 4 SnapHooks w/ 5mm Bolts Purchase SnapHooks Here
• 5mm Bolts @ 1.75″ long (the ones that come with SnapHooks are too short)
• 1 IKEA Gorm Bookshelf (19 5/8″ x 20 1/8″) IKEA Store Link
• 1 IKEA Lansa Bar w/ Two Screws (incl) (13 7/8″) IKEA Store Link
• 1 SnapDeck Template PDF Printed & Taped together PDF Link
• Optional Eco-friendly Wood Sealant/Protectant Types | Soy Based | Waterbased

Tools:

5mm Allen Key
#2 Phillips head screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
Drill w/ wood drill bit set
Tape measure or good eye for aligning
Adhesive Tape

Before proceeding, you may want to treat or stain your Gorm shelf with wood sealant if you’ll be using your PizzaLoader frequently, especially in harsh environments with rain, snow and/or blistering sun.

Steps:

1. Download and print the SnapDeck template. Print out and follow instructions on template for aligning pages and taping together. You’ll be using this sheet to mark your holes for SnapHook placement so that your PizzaLoader behaves like a SnapDeck and properly fits your V-racks.
2. Flip Gorm shelf over so that the slats are not resting on your work surface. The two side rails should be resting on the ground (see Ingredients or Step 3 photos for reference).
3. Place SnapDeck template on Gorm shelf. Center the sheet on the shelf and have the front and rear rows of SnapHook holes as close to the center of the outer planks as possible. Tape down the template once everything is aligned. The end with the shorter distance between the SnapHook holes is the rear of your plank. You may want to pencil this note since we’ll be installing the handle on the rear and you may forget by Step 6.
   
4. Take a 3/16″ drill bit and carefully drill a hole at each SnapHook hole location on the template. If you’re not handy with a drill, be sure to place some scrap wood under your holes in case you drill too far. Once all four holes are drilled, remove the template paper and recycle it.
5. SnapHook time! Take one SnapHook bolt and insert through the top of the shelf (the side that should be facing down). Thread bolt into SnapHook foot making sure the “toe” and “hook” of the SnapHook is facing out, towards the shelf edge (see picture #3). Also be sure to have the SnapHook sit square on the plank and not cockeyed, failure to do so will result in less-than-ideal tension when inserted between your V-racks. Complete this process for remaining hooks.
   
6. Flip this sucka over! Now that we have the Longtail Standard component of your PizzaLoader completed, we can add the aft rail that helps keep your pie on your plank. The rear of your Loader is the end where the SnapHooks are closest together. Measure the center to center distance of the two posts of your Lansa bar. Line up the mid-point of your measured distance to the middle of the plank. Drill two holes, one for each screw at the ends of your measured distance and about .5″ in from the edge of the plank. Drill too close to the edge and your bar may break the slat under pressure from hefty pies!
   
7. Snap in your PizzaLoader by pushing one side of SnapHooks against the inner edge their respective V-racks (just like a SnapDeck!). Rotate the PizzaLoader down until the other SnapHooks snap against their V-rack, sometimes using your free fingers to pull the V-racks out helps in this process. Now, call your local pizza shop, Bay Area’ers(?!) love Zachary’s, and place an order. With pie in hand, place on PizzaLoader and strap down using your FreeLoader straps or the ever-useful CamStraps, to keep it from bailing on you. Pie on!
   

Note:

Don’t limit yourself to our IKEA solution. Got a better idea? Run with it! Use the SnapDeck Template to snap just about anything between your V-racks, just be sure to test ride it in a safe, car-and-people-free environment to work out any design/performance kinks you may run into.

UPDATE!

John Gear followed our PizzaLoader instructions and actually built his very own PizzaLoader. High-five, John, we love your stained pie carrier and wanted to share with everyone else your handy work.

Of note, John had some issue with the standard SnapDeck bolts going through the Gorm shelf. Jeremy, co-inventor of the PizzaLoader, recommended countersinking the bolts to achieve the appropriate length, or do as John did, and just go buy some longer bolts. Load on!