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?