BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

You could put together a nice grocery carrying system for $200. Do you have braze-ons for a rack?

Depending on your bike (short chain stays? 26" wheels? 700c?) I'd probably get a tubus cargo rack and something like the banjo brothers panniers (or larger, if you want to carry a lot of groceries).

EDIT: just noticed your edit.. you have short chain stays, so you may want to look more at a rack like the tubus logo. It has a second set of rails that allow you to put your panniers further back to avoid heel strike.

I use and like the Banjo Brothers waterproof panniers. I wish they were a little bigger, but I can fit A LOT of groceries in them, so I think they are great for grocery-getting. I will always want panniers to be bigger.

I know people who use the Axiom panniers and are very happy with them. Axiom has a big line of panniers, and some are waterproof and get pretty big. Next time I buy panniers, I will probably get these.

Note on rack/bag compatibility: Many racks you'll find at bike shops are the "newer," thicker tubing style, which fit the metal hooks on many popular panniers. The Banjo Brother's panniers have smaller hooks (well, mine which I bought a few years ago do) which don't fit on thicker-tubed racks. It's easy to find a smaller-tubed rack - Kraynick's has inexpensive ones. I've been using a cheap-o Kraynick's rack with my Banjo Brothers panniers which feels really sturdy and hasn't buckled under all my crap yet.

What I would do is find panniers that you like, and then buy a rack which fits the panniers. Just take them to some bike shops and see how they fit on different racks.

Ortleib makes a waterproof grocery pannier, with a zip-lock style bag closure (as opposed to the roll top style of their other bags) that allows you to put full grocery bags in them and still protect the contents from the elements.

I use one of these to carry my laptop case, and like it a lot.

I've got some cheap bags attached to my rack from REI which I use for holding my backpack during my commute and for grocery hauling. http://www.rei.com/product/780449

The nice thing is that they double as grocery bags. They are about the same size as those re-usable giant eagle grocery bags they sell at the stores.

The bad part is that they are definitely not waterproof and don't have a cover. One warning as well, They may not fit some larger tubed racks.

About 80 bucks for a pair and they quickly attach / detach from your rack.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

So how would I go about making sure whatever I purchase does not become an issue with heel strike?

I have a 60 cm bike with short chain stays too. I have a tubus logo rack mounted on it with some pretty sizable ortlieb panniers. You're welcome to stick whatever bags on there you want and try it out. Whatever you buy, I'd look for a rack that allows you to mount a pannier further back than a standard $30 rack, or you will probably have heel strike with any bags you put on there.

I made a pair of cat-litter-bucket panniers i sometimes use for grocery getting(total cost <$5). They hold a lot of can goods, etc. and your bread doesnt get squashed. Of course you look like a goob, but I don't care.

One milk crate on top, and one on either side. Attach with plenty of zip ties. Done.

And 198 dollars to spend on groceries!

Arkel Utility Basket:

http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categories/laptop-bicycle-pannier/utility-basket.html

You can get them cheaper I think from Ambridge Bike Shop

The attachment points on the pannier (called cam-locks) are on an aluminum track and can be moved from left to right so if you're having a problem with heel kick, you can adjust the cam-locks to be further towards the front, which means you can put it further back on the rack.

I would watch out for anything that has plastic attachment points as they may break under load on a pot hole or something. I used to have some cheapo Topeak water proof panniers, which broke over a bridge gap (what is the technical name for that thing?)

The frame in these can also be taken out so you can wash the fabric, if that's something you would want to do

What Ricky said. You don't even need zip ties, just bungees. That's what I do. If you want to be 100% law abiding you could get a milk crate from OfficeMax/et. al.

I just use a messenger grocery bag I bought from Whole Foods for 10 dollars. It is large, zippered, and keeps things cold. I just sling it around my back, even when it is heavy. It surprisingly fits a lot. Sometimes I'll make a trip to one grocery store with it, ride it home and then bring it emptied to another grocery store and pick up a few more things. Cheap.

Re; Pierce, expansion joint.

I have the Ortlieb Backroller Classic. I think they fit 40 Liters of stuff. It won't get you to Costco, but it will be enough to fit a weeks worth of groceries if you live alone. Also they are great for long trips since they are waterproof. A bit pricey, but hey mine were a birthday gift.

I just saw someone is selling some nice panniers for cheap!

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/fs-panniers-axiom-lesalle

I bought some cheap blue panniers at Biketek (I think?) in Sq. Hill. They cost me about $40. They work just fine along with a reusable grocery bag or a pile of old bags.

I just purchased a set of city box panniers from Nashbar $50 each, on sale from $100, not for everybody but I love them, east to mount, removable, lockable, though the lock is kinda cheap,

Nashbar is always having stuff on sale, also bought a $200 trailer on sale for $70.

I like having a travel bag bungied to the racks of my bike as well as some roomy panniers (when I don't use my BOB trailer). The panniers help support a carry sack that would otherwise be oversized for the rack.

Mick