bike bags?

[pooks]

So many to choose from! I read REI's info about choosing bags/panniers and they suggested starting small and building which is probably a good idea for me -- since my specific needs right now are small and it's only later that I'm thinking I'll need a larger bag.

They say the smaller Arkel bag holds a six-pack, which is a solid visual and probably a good size for me. But I like some of the others I've seen, too, even though they don't come in cute colors.

Another thing I'm considering is being able to bike to the post office or supermarket. I live so close to the supermarket it's disgraceful not to bike up there for small loads (and most of mine are small at that store). However, my husband is very apprehensive about the bike getting stolen. There's no bike rack and even if I could figure out some way to secure it, it's still a little nervewracking. We don't live in an area where a lot of people bike that way, and bikes DO get stolen.

But if I were going to do that (and I'd really like to figure out a way to) I'm also considering something like this (unfortunately my yellow lab wouldn't fit in!):



or



because they seem handy to put shopping bags in.

Any experience with something like this?

Also, re: securing bikes w/o a bike rack?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Also, re: securing bikes w/o a bike rack?

How about a light post? Or at a grocery store, sometimes they have racks outside to hold the carts. You need to be careful there so the bike / lock isn't in the way of getting carts in and out of those corrals, but it can work. But definitely lock the bike to something!

And on the pics above - I wouldn't put a container filled with groceries on the handlebars. I don't think you'll like the way the bike handles if you start adding heavy items there; for grocery shopping I really think panniers are the way to go.

[bcipam]

I am not a fan of either a front bag or a large seat bag. We call the big seat bags "utter bags". They can interfere with leg and pedal stoke motion and it looks really weird from behind.

Do you really need to carry all that stuff? On my road bike I carry 2 tubes, irons, some med. supplies in my seat bag. It's fairly small and tucks up underneath the saddle. I also use a Bento Bag. I can place in it either my digital camera, my keys and cell phone, goodies/snacks. I also have an advantage in that I like to use a Camelbak for water. Even though my road Camelbak is small, I can still out in it a pump, keys, Gu/bars, lip gloss, money, ID etc.

[li10up]

Do you really need to carry all that stuff? On my road bike I carry 2 tubes, irons, some med. supplies in my seat bag. It's fairly small and tucks up underneath the saddle. I also use a Bento Bag. I can place in it either my digital camera, my keys and cell phone, goodies/snacks. I also have an advantage in that I like to use a Camelbak for water. Even though my road Camelbak is small, I can still out in it a pump, keys, Gu/bars, lip gloss, money, ID etc.

That's a good question...what all are you folks carrying? Do you carry all that stuff when you just go out for a training ride? Around here the most you'll see is a Bento Bag and a seat bag. Alot of people don't even use Camelbaks - just water bottles.

[pooks]

In my case, I'm a new, overweight, out-of-shape cyclist who isn't doing road trips yet or training for anything.

But I'd like to do my part for the environment (and my health) but making this 1/2-mile to 1-mile errands bike-able. That would mean having a basket large enough to carry mail or a small package in, and or a couple of grocery bags. You wouldn't believe how often I go to the supermarket and pick up small items. The supermarket is closer to me than a convenience store!

So what I like about those baskets is how easily they come off. I wouldn't use them all the time -- just on quick errands.

As for the larger bar bags, because my husband and I will be "Sunday cruisers" and aren't looking to compete, I'd assume they would be for cameras (mine is Digital SLR and my husband has several different ones to choose from, or to carry more than one), snacks, I don't know what. I do eventually foresee us picnicking from our bikes, though.

[susiej]

But I'd like to do my part for the environment (and my health) but making this 1/2-mile to 1-mile errands bike-able. That would mean having a basket large enough to carry mail or a small package in, and or a couple of grocery bags. You wouldn't believe how often I go to the supermarket and pick up small items. The supermarket is closer to me than a convenience store!

If you are bringing back two grocery bags, and they are packed fairly full -- not like the baggers around here who seem to think you can't put more than a pound of things into a plastic bag, sheesh -- well, I'd want to carry that on the back where it won't interfere with handling. When I go to the farmer's market, the bags go into cheap panniers that clip onto the rear rack. There's also a teeny under-seat bag that replaces my purse -- ID, tire repair kit, tire levers, phone, insurance cards, cash, keys, inhaler, first aid kit. A purse loose in the bottom of the panniers seems an invitation to trouble -- or a MasterCard commercial (bike: $x00, seat bag: $x, having $2 for a bottle of water: priceless). A trunk bag is on order for my daily commute to hold lunch, shoes, lock, jacket.

One advantage of a rear rack is that it doubles as a rear fender. Although you couldn't put a golden retreiver on the rack either.

[Bad JuJu]

Do you really need to carry all that stuff?

Depends on the kind of ride you're doing and what kind of rider you are. On a fast training ride, a seat bag is sufficient, but not every ride is either fast or a training ride, and for some people, no ride is a fast ride. We've all just gotta do our homework--as you're doing, Pooks--and figure out what works best for us.

[Bad JuJu]

I meant to add that I agree that you might not be happy with that large basket on your handlebars. But there are one or two companies that make removable grocery-shopping bags/baskets that attach to a rear rack--you might want to look into that. Regardless of what you end up with, you'll want to limit the weight you carry in any sort of handlebar carrier because, as Denise pointed out, that weight affects the way your bike handles--and that can be dangerous. That's why if you want something on the handlebars, I'd keep it fairly small if I were you--just to be safe. We want to fall in love with cycling and be out there riding your bike for years to come.

[pooks]

Okay, it sounds like the basket, though romantic, is impractical!

I'll check out panniers.

[Veronica]

I am not a fan of either a front bag or a large seat bag. We call the big seat bags "utter bags". They can interfere with leg and pedal stoke motion and it looks really weird from behind.

Do you really need to carry all that stuff? On my road bike I carry 2 tubes, irons, some med. supplies in my seat bag. It's fairly small and tucks up underneath the saddle. I also use a Bento Bag. I can place in it either my digital camera, my keys and cell phone, goodies/snacks. I also have an advantage in that I like to use a Camelbak for water. Even though my road Camelbak is small, I can still out in it a pump, keys, Gu/bars, lip gloss, money, ID etc.

On a double century I start riding somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning and it's generally kind of cold. I'm going to want a place for my arm warmers and leg warmers when I take them off. I'm carrying all the stuff you listed, plus enough food to get me through 15 hours of ride time. Yes, these are supported rides, but certain foods work for me. I also bring some extra clothes as well, since most of these rides are not flat, a balaclava, long fingered gloves and a jacket are often neccessary for the descents. I don't like to have anything on my back for such a long ride. I don't even like to have things in my pockets. Personal preference is to put it all on the bike. I don't notice a significant change in the handling.

So it looks funny to you - oh well. I prefer to have what I need. BTW I have a gignatic bag for commuting to carry textbooks. It doesn't interefere with my pedal stroke.

Veronica

[bcipam]

On a double century I start riding somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning and it's generally kind of cold. I'm going to want a place for my arm warmers and leg warmers when I take them off. I'm carrying all the stuff you listed, plus enough food to get me through 15 hours of ride time. Yes, these are supported rides, but certain foods work for me. I also bring some extra clothes as well, since most of these rides are not flat, a balaclava, long fingered gloves and a jacket are often neccessary for the descents. I don't like to have anything on my back for such a long ride. I don't even like to have things in my pockets. Personal preference is to put it all on the bike. I don't notice a significant change in the handling.

So it looks funny to you - oh well. I prefer to have what I need. BTW I have a gignatic bag for commuting to carry textbooks. It doesn't interefere with my pedal stroke.

Veronica

OK for a double century you do need to carry much more than normal. I assumed the poster was referring to normal, training rides.

Although good thing about a Camelbak, I can attach my vest, arm warmers etc to the tie backs if need be. I've also been known to tie my arm warmers around my handlebar. Works great. I've done long week end tours and have then used a temporary seat rack and seat bag. If one is prong to carrying all that much stuff, a seat rack seems to work so much better than a under saddle bag or front bag. Or better yet touring panniers.

[pooks]

This is what I've decided to try for quick supermarket runs, securing the bags with bungees:



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=3375251

It fits on the bike rack in back.

That's a pretty good review and it's not expensive.

Now, back to the small bar bags...!

Thanks for all this feedback. It's very helpful.

[donnambr]

That's a really cute rear basket.

I'm primarily a utility cyclist who rides to work daily and doesn't own a car. Anyone own a briefcase pannier? I've seen ones by Arkel, Ortleib, and Carrradice. I'm leaning towards the carradice, but am definitely looking to hear about other people's experiences. I need it to look more professional and less sporty, because I ride to other offices for meetings and such. I've got to get something that I can organize myself with, as I have been forgetting stuff at home and work because I no longer use my excellent organizing bag with a pocket for everything. My grocery pannier isn't cutting it and I do not want to be carrying anything on my back. Fortunately, I do not have to lug a laptop around. Anyone have something nifty they use for work?

[caligurl]

So it looks funny to you - oh well. I prefer to have what I need.

yeppers! i'm a creature of comfort! and i hate to carry things in my rear pockets! only wear a camelback when i HAVE to! (prefer water bottles!)

[caligurl]

OH... and hubby has arkel panniers and the little boot bag that sits on top for his commuter bike!