Commuting/Touring/Shopping Question

[Quillfred]

Before I sink a fair amount of cash into industrial strength panniers, I thought I should check and make sure I can handle two bags of groceries - weight-wise.

Any idea of what a safe limit would be? Would it depend on my weight, tires, rack and panniers? I tried to research on the web but was unable to turn up anything.

Thanks!

[tulip]

Make sure you get a good rack. Do not go for a seatpost rack, as they cannot handle heavier weights (and they shift around).

Get good-quality panniers. I made the mistake of getting some Nashbar grocery panniers, and all my groceries fell out the first (and only) time I used them because they were not secure.

For my commuting, I use an Arkel briefcase pannier for my laptop when I need to haul it around. Otherwise, I use some cheaper Axiom panniers. They work fine for my clothes, but are too small for many groceries.

I really like Arkel panniers (www.arkel-designs.com). They are well-made, made in the US and Canada, and have a very secure attachment. They also have a variety of styles. They are not cheap, but they will last and last, and they will stay on your bike (very important).

[KnottedYet]

I had a Blackburn Mtn rack on my Diamondback, which I used for commuting and groceries. When I got my Kona I bought another Blackburn. Mine was $13 used at Recycled Cycles.

Whatever panniers you get, be sure they have a drawstring top to keep groceries from bouncing out. Kept my groceries (an other stuff) in place pretty well.

My Nashbars had the bungee bottom-anchor attachment (below the 2 top hooks). My REIs have a weird side-ways hook thing that I don't like much. No matter how I try to adjust it, it's just not as secure as the bungee style. Haven't lost an REI pannier yet, but worry about them.

[kiwi girl]

I have Blackburn panniers and regularly do my grocery shopping on my bike (kind of by necessity since the only car in our garage isn't licensed or warrented). I don't know what size your grocery bags are but I can get two or three of our groecery bags worth of shopping in each bag (although that takes some repacking of the groceries)

In terms of size, if you have the brown bags I always see on U.S. tv shows then I think you would be able to very easily get one bag in each pannier.

In terms of weight I think I have had as much as 10 kg (about 20 pounds) each side - maybe even more . Certainly I have had a six pack of beer, 2 litres of mik and 2 litres of soda, a bottle of wine, plus some other stuff in one.

[Dianyla]

Here's a tip about keeping loads manageable... use a carry basket at the store instead of a cart on wheels. When your arm gets tired, it's time to stop shopping.

[annie]

Any rack you purchase should have weight limit information listed. So you don't want to go over whatever the limit is...... I like Dianyla suggestion about the shopping basket! What a great idea!

One other thought ---- did you ever consider a trailer to pull behind your bike instead of panniers? You can generally fit quite a bit in those.

annie

[KnottedYet]

How about one of these?

www.bikesatwork.com

[fatbottomedgurl]

How about one of these?

www.bikesatwork.com

These people are nuts.

[DirtDiva]

Here's a tip about keeping loads manageable... use a carry basket at the store instead of a cart on wheels. When your arm gets tired, it's time to stop shopping.

Heh. That's exactly what I do, but I stick mine in a backpack and walk it home. It also has the beneficial side-effect that I get all the healthy things at the start of the supermarket trawl, but but the time I get to the beer and ice cream, my arms are too tired to even think about lugging them home.

[HipGnosis6]

How about one of these?

www.bikesatwork.com

There's a guy at the local farmer's market who uses one of the long bike trailers to bring his tent and wares every week! And I have a friend who works as a cycling piano tuner - he doesn't need tons of tools (no more than would fit into a medium-sized backpack), but he puts in mad miles.

As for groceries on my bike... I use a cargo net on a rack. I can load two bags of groceries under it without incident, though I have squashed my bread with it more than once!

[Geonz]

I got really tired of how much I had to think about my cargo. My Xtracycle (www.xtracycle.com ) *was* more bucks but I have not had the anticipated buyer's remorse. (I also like the history behind it and what my purchase supports - www.xaccess.org )
It's funny, people *don't* look at me like I'm nuts... not with gas prices what they are. And I saw TWO more of them last Saturday (which was a crappy day here so I only rode about 20 miles all told).

Their forum even got me bringing my own bags... http://www.reusablebags.com/ ...

[Quillfred]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I look forward to the adventure!

Thought I'd mention that Trader Joes has some grocery bags called Thermobags. They are insulated, light weight and inexpensive. I'd never seem them before. I think with a cold pack inside, they just might keep things cool enough during the ride home.

Carole

[Geonz]

On the xtracycle list a guy from Australia said he just puts the ice and the beers right into the Freeloaders (the bags hanging down the side) - that the water nicely drains off as he rides and he's got brews ready to drink as needed. (Some translation was necessary - "It's very popular at mass bicycle events here as you can easily fit 2 slabs of
amber nectar plus ice in one side of the FreeLoader without the need for an
esky. The water just drains out the back and the beer is usually gone before the
ice has melted too much." Esky being, I suppose, the "Eskimo cooler." thinking of trying it... I already figured that a true exercise in tackiness would be to tuck a box of wine in there... easy access from the back...