Storage Totes

Why use a tote for your Lectric bike? 

Totes make it a bit easier to handle a Lectric bike and by folding the bike and tipping it up on its wheels it can be rolled into a tote. The tote can then be lifted more easily by 1 or 2 people into an SUV, minivan or other vehicle. Also, a pet ramp or other cargo ramp can be used to slide the bike in its tote up into a vehicle so lifting is minimized. Handling a folded Lectric bike is often difficult as it may try to unfold and they do have a tendency to roll around inside a vehicle. When I tied my 2 Lectric bikes down in my Subaru Outback they would often roll around no matter how carefully I tried to anchor them. Heavy ebikes rolling around behind you when you put on the brakes can make you a bit nervous! If they do roll around or fall over it can scrape them up and damage your vehicle interior panels or upholstery.

Note: The 45-50 gallon sized totes are very large and often they won’t fit in the back seat of a vehicle. They will need to be in the cargo area.

As far as other models – The Lite model will fit in a smaller container but since they are so much lighter and easier to handle, a tote may not be needed. A 40-45 gallon tote should be plenty for a Lite. The XPedition model is non-folding so a tote for them is a no-go. The XPremium model - I just don’t have enough info on the know what tote would be required and if a 50 gallon is sufficient. The Trike may fit in a container as it has been seen in one at the headquarters but I have no info on that tote sizing yet. I suspect the Trike may fit best in a tote sideways due to its 31” width.

Some sizing details on choosing a tote:

Depending on your bike most 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 models will fit in a 50 gallon tote. The Craftsman 50 gallon wheeled tote at Loews being the most popular. Also, some Lectric owners have used the 45 gallon Husky branded wheeled tote from Home Depot. However, some Lectric owners have stated the 45 gallon tote size was a very tight fit. Another less pricey option is the Sam’s Club 40-gallon tote. There are a handful of other totes from Walmart, and others I see used from 40-55 gallon range but those are not the main ones in use.

We see a lot of questions about if one or two totes will fit in a certain vehicle. Probably the best purchasing strategy is to buy a single tote at a big box store like Loews or Home Depot. There are very few online options for storage totes and the price of the tote and shipping is often cost prohibitive. A local store is the best idea.

When you go to a local store take one of your bikes with you in the vehicle you plan to use for tote transport, when you pick up the new tote. Go out the parking lot and see if it fits your folded bike OK and if the bike & tote package fits in your vehicle. If you are transporting 2 bikes, once you have one bike & tote package in the vehicle it will be easy to see how a second one might or might not fit. If it all looks good you can go back inside and buy a second tote. If it doesn’t fit in the way you hoped, you can make a quick trip back into the store to the returns counter to get your refund on your test tote.

As far as the lids that come with these totes – Once the bikes are in the tote the lids will not fit on any of these storage totes. Some members have done some creative cutouts on the lids to better secure the bikes once they are in the tote.

Links to Totes:

Loew’s 50-gallon Tote: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-50-Gallon-200-Quart-Black-Tote-with-Latching-Lid/1000976084 

Home Depot Husky 45-gallon Tote: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-45-Gal-Latch-and-Stack-Tote-with-Wheels-in-Black-with-Red-Lid-206201/312871610 

Sam's Club Member's Mark 40 Gallon Heavy-Duty Storage Tote, Black/Yellow: 

https://www.samsclub.com/p/member-s-mark-40-gal-black-yellow-tote/P03008886?xid=plp_product_3 

55 Gal. Tough Storage Tote in Black with Yellow Lid:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-55-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black-with-Yellow-Lid-HDX55GONLINE-4/205597365