grocery bag panniers

[madscot13]

Well I bought the REI Novara grocery bag panniers a year ago, and unfortunately they did not hold up to well. The Nylon on the corners is worn down pretty far, the plastic on one of the bottom pieces has gone missing as well as an attachment hook, and the aluminum struts are bent. One of them is usable but I was considering buying some new ones. Any recommendations? I haven't gone out and used my REI member coupon yet so I was thinking of picking up something from them. Here are my thoughts

Ortlieb bike shopper http://www.rei.com/product/737830
I hear that their products last forever and the water proofness would be nice this summer. But I'm so used to an open top design and the ease of just throwing stuff in with sides not getting in the way.

Cannondale harvester panniers http://www.rei.com/product/765595
I like how these fold down flat and have a cover

Detours Toocan Pannier - Single http://www.rei.com/product/749998
These look nice but look like they are simply meant to stay open

I use my pannier every day to throw my back pack/ purse in. I like that my Novara panniers can fold flat instead of jutting out when I don't have anything inside of them. I think it is convenient to have an open top that I can just throw random things inside. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts with these panniers or in general?

[Zen]

Check this thread -
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20720

[madscot13]

yep i checked that thread out, and that is where I heard about the detour bag. I was interested if anyone had any further experience or had any more input.

I also found out that there is a waterproof version of the detour bag also!

[Zen]

I kinda liked the wire ones mentioned in that thread, probly because I'm verging on geezerdom.

Funny thing about how I found that thread, it was by googling "wire grocery panniers", not by searching the forum

[7rider]

I have the Detours Toocan bag.
It's pretty nice and I've gotten lots of use out of it.
But note - the bottom is not "welded" to the bag, and consequently it's limited in the weight it can carry ... something like 12 pounds max.
Some pros: It's super-easy to load on and off the rack. It's fairly roomy.
Some cons: Limited cargo capacity (weight). Pockets are not terribly useful, in my opinion.
I've never used it for groceries, but I imagine it would be pretty good to cart into the store and load your purchases up right at the checkout. As long as you aren't buying gallons of milk, I suppose.
Oh...and the last con....
Your TE friends will razz you no end about your old lady "carpet bag!"
Oh...maybe that's just me!

[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

[shootingstar]

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_l...=1206287682422 I've bought their lines ever since I returned to cycling. On wet days groceries are usually in plastic bags, so no worries. I also tour in them, bike commute, etc. On average, the pannier lasts me over 5 years. And whenever I bike, I take my pannier.

http://www.arkel-od.com/
My partner bought panniers which he uses only for bike touring. He has an Ortileb for touring also.

Fabric takes alot of abuse, not like nylon at all.

[madscot13]

hmm it is a bummer that REI doesn't have those. I thought MEC and REI were supposed to be the same thing. ALso, why don't they have dimensions?

[Blueberry]

I have the Ortlieb you're looking at, and have found it sort of cumbersome to load. It's an awesome design, except for the fact that it's small at the opening. I've thought about the Arkel Bike Shopper - but haven't wanted to treat myself to another pannier just yet

I second the recommendation of talking to REI. They've been great with me when we've had products wear out prematurely.

CA

[Grog]

hmm it is a bummer that REI doesn't have those. I thought MEC and REI were supposed to be the same thing. ALso, why don't they have dimensions?

Sorry, there are no business connections between REI and MEC at all. The business model is also a little different (you HAVE to be a member to buy at MEC).

Good luck!