grocery bag panniers

[shootingstar]

Since we don't have a car, cycling and walking are the transportation modes for grocery shopping. We shop every week or more often, on bike with groceries.

If I can weigh in with an opinion of grocery loading on bike for last 17 yrs. and panniers...

I use the same panniers for bike touring and work commuting, as for grocery shopping. I rarely carry a purse in my panniers. All the bike bags I've had were not nylon. It is cordura fabric. I'm onto my 3rd set of bike bags, so I am pretty particular what I buy since I want them to last and carry tons of weight.

I take off my pannier(s) and walk around with them in the stores/markets. I don't leave them on bike.Yes, abit of a hassle, but no more different than lugging around a tote bag. I don't like weight on one side of my shoulder. I'd rather not have a bag brushing my side...those panniers get dirty and splashed in rain.

I also carry 1 pair of bungee cords in the bag.

I've never considered wire baskets because they're open...which means have to make sure the groceries are bagged /held in tight without things rolling off. Anyway, our area gets enough rain.... Since our area has enough hills, I would want the bags, carrier to made of strong lightweight materials.

[uforgot]

I have the Detours Toocan and I love it. It has a rubber bottom so it can take a lot of abuse. It actually wants to stay closed, and it comes with a rain cover, although I've ridden in the rain without the cover and things stay dry. I like how I can zip it. I also have the Trek grocery panniers and while I like those too I find that the Detours stay on my bike better and ride a lot higher so I'm not kicking it with my heels. It's also easy to slip off your bike and carry with you. I also use it on my folding bike because it sits so high. I actually like the looks of it and no one has made fun of it. Okay, so no one else I know rides a bike, so they wouldn't know what is "cool" anyway. I wouldn't tour with it, I only use it for commuting but I do shop for groceries with it, and I've carried books and papers in it. It's kind of heavy. I got it last year with my 20%!

[Melalvai]

For panniers that don't close, just watch out that things don't fly out, if you go over a rough spot. I've lost sunglasses, sunscreen, and a checkbook (the latter was returned to me). I've nearly lost my garage door opener, and turned around to pick it up on more than one occassion. I did lose a jacket, but ran over it the next day and found it.

[madscot13]

7 Rider, I am actually in DC and there is a chance that some TEers will make fun of my carpet bag! It stinks that the Toucan bag has a weight limit. Seriously 12 pounds. A jug of milk is 8.5 pounds, sometimes I buy two... uh oh

So shooting star, so what panniers have you owned and which is your preference? Now that I think about it, I agree with you on the nylon fabric. It wears so quickly and I am not even sure how.

I've used the open top REI novara panniers for a year with open top grocery bags. I've only lost one thing. I was biking home from the grocery store and only 1 house away from mine. I hit a bump and a carton of eggs went flying out. Strangely, only 2 eggs were broken.

[7rider]

You know....
You may want to call REI about your current packs.
They have a 100% guarantee....
If a Novara item fell apart after only 1 year, they may be able to credit you something for the item. I don't know - maybe b/c of the nature of the usage they may not? It's worth a shot. All they can do is say "no", right??

[Zen]

I am actually in DC and there is a chance that some TEers will make fun of my carpet bag!

I'll only make fun of it once or twice.
I'm all for function over form.
actually, it reminds me of a diaper bag; just don't get in pastel pink or blue