bike bags?

[pooks]

You know, I'd considered that -- taking it into customer service or something. I may do it. And also point out to them that if they had bike racks I wouldn't have to. Of course I'd prefer the bike racks to be visible from inside, and that wouldn't happen. (sigh)

However the shopping center where the grocery store is is less than 1/2 mile from me so it's ridiculous to drive it if I have a bike. (Walking should be more of an option than it is -- I hate walking and would hate hauling back groceries in my arms, especially in the heat.)

But that shopping center has a Starbucks (no bike rack) and a Subway (no bike rack) -- the only bike rack is at Bally's and I assume they provided that themselves. I've considered figuring out who manages the shopping center and asking them to put bike racks by the food places, at least.

[Brandy]

I just ordered the Topeak Compact Handlebar bag that Tracy has! Nashbar has them on sale right now for $19.99

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

[pooks]

A lot depends on how much weight you have up there. I routinely ride with a small handlbar bag, a GPS unit and a light and I don't really notice a change. I REALLY like having things like food and Advil right at my fingertips. I can get into that bag while riding. I often drop a few Advil, but that makes the squirrels with headaches happy.



Ignore how unhappy I look. It's not because of all the stuff on my handlbar.


V.

Dredging up an old thread to ask Veronica --

What kind of handlebag is that ? Now that I've been cycling a bit more I've decided that I really would like a small bag that straps in without brackets for now. It looks like yours fits the bill, but I don't think you ever said where you got it!

[KnottedYet]

Me too! Is that something from Rivendell?

[pooks]

I didn't find it on their site.

[Rai Sue]

all sorts of solutions!

i have to say, I love having panniers. I got some nice ones at a garage sale that aren't too flash, and they're for around town. I just put a front rack on, and i actually like riding so much better with the weight in the front, but lower than the handlebar bag. (i'm pretty much an urban biker who doesn't use a car much, lately mostly i've been hauling 15 pounds of books on my commute)

Before i sprung for panniers, though, rather than buy a basket, i put a milk-crate on my rear rack, attached with zip ties and bungee cords. I loved it. It was great for groceries, picking up random stuff, and no one wanted to steal it, so i didn't worry about it like i do with my panniers.

ALso, i could use my normal bag or purse, and then drop it in the crate rather than biking with it, so my back was happy too.

The only thing that i didn't like was the high center of gravity if i was carrying heavier things. Does anyone else have problems with putting a lot of weight in a top-basket rather than ones that attach and hang off of your rack?

[WrensMom]

Pooks, did you find your bungee-net? If not, they sell them at motorcycle shops, so if you still want one, go there.

I have these really old and teeny panniers (Nashbar brand) on my mtb that I don't ride anymore. Well, teeny by pannier standards, and purple to boot . I love them, but I don't think they really "go" with the new Bianchi, so I don't know what my plan is yet for carrying stuff on it.

[pooks]

Don't be silly. Purple goes with EVERYTHING!

There's a Harley Davidson store near me. Heh. This should be interesting.

[KnottedYet]

--- purple does go with everything!

and I must say that my long-gone Nashbar panniers were much better quality than the REI panniers I have now.

Nashbar and Bianchi, what a match!

[Veronica]

Dredging up an old thread to ask Veronica --

What kind of handlebag is that ? Now that I've been cycling a bit more I've decided that I really would like a small bag that straps in without brackets for now. It looks like yours fits the bill, but I don't think you ever said where you got it!

It's a Gilles Berthould bag. But it's not on the Riv site anymore, which means they probably don'y have it in stock right now.

I just checked and Wallingford has it on their site. It's the small saddlebag. It can go either on the bars or on the saddle. I think it was cheaper at Riv.

V.

[pooks]

Thanks so much! Am I correct that it straps on and doesn't need special attachments?

[Veronica]

Thanks so much! Am I correct that it straps on and doesn't need special attachments?

That's correct.

V.

[pooks]

Um, what's it called? I'm on the Wallingford site and am not sure which one it is.

[Veronica]

http://www.wallbike.com/berthoud/berthoudbags.htm

small saddlebag - $55

V.

[pooks]

Thanks again!