Panniers For Groceries?

[Quillfred]

One of my latest kicks is to figure out if I can get groceries safely home during my commute home. "Safely" as in breakage, temperature control, keeping the groceries in the pannier, the pannier on the bike and the bike on the path. The distance traveled would be about 6 miles.

The panniers would need to be at least water-resistant if not water-proof. The Ortliebs seem popular here. Is anyone else persuing this? Somehow I like the idea of trying to get a dozen eggs home intact. I'm wondering if items need to be packed with newspaper or ??? I've seen a grocery-specific bag but it seemed shallow and not secure.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[KnottedYet]

I have a pair of REI panniers ($40), which I haven't used yet for groceries. I used to have some Nashbar panniers ($30 or so) which I did carry groceries in. I packed just like you would a grocery bag, heavy stuff on the bottom, light and fragile on top. The drawstring top molded itself nicely to the contents, and the buckled flap kept things dry and secure. I didn't cart groceries in heavy rain, though. Eggs didn't break, but I took it slowly.

[Blueberry]

I have Arkel T-42's, which I have used for groceries numerous times. They work great - the biggest thing is making sure the groceries are packed appropriately. However, they have something called the "Utility Basket" that I've been drooling over for quite a while - it's expandable, has a drawstring hood, and you can get a rain cover for it if you need it to be absolutely sure it's waterproof. Arkel's mounting system is superb - panniers stay secure.

Good luck in your search!

Carrie Anne

[TsPoet]

I really like my simple and cheap Nashbar Townies - I have some other nicer pans for commuting and the like - but nothing beats the townies for shopping. They have a rain-resistant cover that zips inside, they fold up when not in use.

I bougth mine after reading this review
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000674.php

I note they've cone up $3 in price.

[uforgot]

I purchased the Trek grocery pannier, and I love it. Just lift it off and carry it with you. The first time I used it, I wondered if the video camera was capturing me putting groceries in it. It probably looked like I was stuffing groceries in my oversized purse! It's really roomy. I can also carry papers home from school in it. It's not rain proof, but its just like my bag I used to carry home from school, yet it clips on my bike.

[Geonz]

I got tired of not being able to carry stuff so I got an Xtracycle ( www.xtracycle.com ) ... and the blender works! http://www.wetmores.net/xtracycle/Xtracycle-Pages/Image1.html
<BR>http://www.wetmores.net/xtrablender/XtraBlender-Thumbnails/3.jpg

[Geonz]

And the bike without blender...http://www.wetmores.net/xtracycle/Xtracycle-Thumbnails/1.jpg

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have Ortlieb panniers and I highly recommend them. As you noted, they are waterproof - which was a big plus for me when I bought them (and still is...). They are fine for carrying anything - your gear for touring, clothes for commuting, (including my laptop computer on days when I needed it away from the office), and groceries too!

I sometimes stop for groceries on my commute home (summer days only...). On those days I put 2 panniers on my bike - my usual 1 for commuting stuff, and the other for groceries.

It's funny that at the same time that you asked this question, someone asked it over on crazyguyonabike too. If you're interested in the answers, that discussion is at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum/board/message/?message_id=28335

--- Denise

[KnottedYet]

Sue, that is one cool bike! I've seen a couple around town but had forgotten the name.

I get a kick out of the www.bikesatwork.com site, with the pics of the guy pulling 1,500 lbs on 3 trailers behind his bike. :D

Edit: whoops, I just hit the link to try to get a specific addy for the cool bike pic, but it looks like their website is down this morning.

[Lise]

And the bike without blender...http://www.wetmores.net/xtracycle/Xtracycle-Thumbnails/1.jpg
Now that is a picture of Illinois in the winter. Good for you. I went to the website....it planted the idea of transforming my Marin...maybe someday.

[Barb]

Caution about the inexpensive nashbar grocery panniers. Mine are open at the top. I have to tie my plastic grocery bags shut. they do hold alot, but they are kind of floppy on the sides. I am toying with the idea of adding a flap to close them. HMMM gorilla glue, vinyl and velcro. I think I can I think I can.

[TsPoet]

Caution about the inexpensive nashbar grocery panniers. Mine are open at the top. I have to tie my plastic grocery bags shut. they do hold alot, but they are kind of floppy on the sides. I am toying with the idea of adding a flap to close them. HMMM gorilla glue, vinyl and velcro. I think I can I think I can.

What about the cover that comes with them? I just cinch that cover down and have never had a problem.

Sue