Along with my Bulldog Mini U-Lock all separately, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. :D I went with the Novara 'Round Town Panniers (http://www.rei.com/product/47995013.htm) from REI combined with 2 Earth-Tote (http://www.reusablebags.com/store/earth-tote™-p-10.html?osCsid=5aeaeaf30cb0cd21a00067fa2a4d04fe) grocery bags from reusablebags.com (http://www.reusablebags.com/). The panniers are really roomy on their own but the Earth-Tote bags really boost the carrying capacity.
I had to reposition the lower hook on the Novara's, as the way it was made it almost impossible to mount them properly. My guess is that perhaps the person who mounted the hook & spring either wasn't paying attention or is not familiar with securing panniers? No big deal but thought I'd mention it. The Earth-Totes fold up just like paper grocery bags and the Novara panniers fold up and snap together when not in use making things real tidy. ;)
Unfortunately I don't have to grocery shop for another week so I'll post back and give a more thorough review and yet another one in about a months time. Meanwhile enjoy some photos. :D
jaydubya
05-03-06, 04:50 PM
Looks great! You should be able to carry a lot of groceries in that. -Jerry
Eriol
05-03-06, 04:57 PM
I like it, I'm still new and havent attached panneirs yet. Do you find your balance to be off when there fully loaded?
Patrick A
05-03-06, 04:58 PM
That's a pretty good set up. I have a pair of older Trek panniers that I use for groceries that are about the same volume as a small paper grocery bag, but the other day I really had to cram - no where near the capacity you have. I *have* been saving up for Jandd grocery panniers, though.
Patrick A
05-03-06, 04:59 PM
I like it, I'm still new and havent attached panneirs yet. Do you find your balance to be off when there fully loaded?
Speaking for myself - no, not usually.
chicbicyclist
05-04-06, 03:57 AM
Oh, very pretty! You should be proud riding on that thing because if I see that on the street, I woiuld think its really cool.
Off topic but I hust had to nitpick. Wouldnt a disposeable paper bag make more sense than a plastic one made out of petroleum? They don't cut trees from virgin rainforests anymore(not that large of a scale anymore anyway, they have tree farms now and theres a good chance that the paper bag was recycled) and paper bags decompose!
bikerbear
05-04-06, 06:42 AM
Man, that is sweet... I love my panniers but your setup is fantastic! I bookmarked both the REI and resusablebags sites. Now I know what to save up for :)
yespatterns
05-04-06, 06:59 AM
Man, that is sweet... I love my panniers but your setup is fantastic! I bookmarked both the REI and resusablebags sites. Now I know what to save up for :)
+1
Bockman
05-04-06, 07:16 AM
They should come with the prerequisite enormous loaf of french bread sticking up.
gwd
05-04-06, 11:06 AM
I use an earlier version of those panniers from REI. They've lasted 8 or 9 years. I used them for a bike camping trips too. They are beginning to fray but have outlasted 4 bikes. I also have some Ortliebs for wetter weather.
kf5nd
05-04-06, 11:26 AM
oh, those panniers are kick-ass
DavidLee
05-04-06, 12:19 PM
Thanks everyone. :) gwd I hope they last as long as yours did. As stated I'll post a more thorough review once I get to use them for a month or two and see how they actually hold up in use.
They should come with the prerequisite enormous loaf of french bread sticking up.
On my first trip to the market with them I'll be sure to grab a loaf or 2. :D
I *have* been saving up for Jandd grocery panniers, though.
I was looking at those Jandd panniers, they seem very similar to the Novara's. If you get them post some pics and let us know how they are?
Oh, very pretty! You should be proud riding on that thing because if I see that on the street, I woiuld think its really cool.
Off topic but I hust had to nitpick. Wouldnt a disposeable paper bag make more sense than a plastic one made out of petroleum? They don't cut trees from virgin rainforests anymore(not that large of a scale anymore anyway, they have tree farms now and theres a good chance that the paper bag was recycled) and paper bags decompose!
Thanks chicbicyclist, I like your way of thinking. :) I can see your point to an extent but these grocery bags will last years and years. They have handles & a small pouch on the outside as well. I can use these bags for much more than grocery shopping. It also seems that some of my local grocers no longer carry paper bags so these will keep me from having to use a bunch of those little plastic bags. ;)
Reusablebags.com has more info to help answer your question as well found here (http://www.reusablebags.com/help.php?id=2#help61).
likeakidagain
05-05-06, 05:09 PM
hello david,
I am brand new to the car free way..
I have a few questions..how do you put these on..I guess a rear rack right?
I was thinking of using a rear rack that is clipless, hooks to the back seat post on/off..but only holds 25 pounds...obivous theses bags were ment to hold much more then that..
thanks for sharing..this may be a a better idea then a cargo trailer..of course my eyes are on xtracycle..but that only comes after a year or two of savings from gas/insurance etc.
FXjohn
05-05-06, 08:41 PM
Off topic but I hust had to nitpick. Wouldnt a disposeable paper bag make more sense than a plastic one made out of petroleum? They don't cut trees from virgin rainforests anymore(not that large of a scale anymore anyway, they have tree farms now and theres a good chance that the paper bag was recycled) and paper bags decompose!
offhandededly nitpicking, I'd say those panniers rock, and yer a t3rdburglar's t3rdburglar.
DavidLee
05-05-06, 09:53 PM
I'd say those panniers rock
Thanks FXjohn :)
hello david,
I am brand new to the car free way..
I have a few questions..how do you put these on..I guess a rear rack right?
I was thinking of using a rear rack that is clipless, hooks to the back seat post on/off..but only holds 25 pounds...obivous theses bags were ment to hold much more then that..
thanks for sharing..this may be a a better idea then a cargo trailer..of course my eyes are on xtracycle..but that only comes after a year or two of savings from gas/insurance etc.
Hi likeakidagain, welcome to the forums. :) Yes, I have a rear rack that I bought from the same bike shop where I purchased my bike. The rack is rated to hold 50 lbs, most mounted racks I've seen are rated about the same + - 5-10 lbs. You're correct that most seat mounted racks are rated to hold about 20-25 lbs. I'd be careful if you choose that type not to over load your rack. As seen in the last photo they have 2 hooks up top and a dual spring/hook combo on the bottom to connect to my rack.
I've seen many post on this forum from people who use and love trailers. Some members have multiple trailers and haul all kinds of things with them. It all comes down to personal preference and needs I suppose. Someone here posted a great link to an extracycle slide-show (http://www.xtracycle.com/media/slide600/slideshow.html), I had to bookmark it was so cool. I'd love to have one someday, they so rock!
I needed some bread and milk today along with a few other things so I actually used 1 pannier today minus the Earth-Tote as I didn't need it. The pannier stayed nice and steady & I had no heel clearance issues at all nor did I feel off balance with just 1 pannier. I can't wait until next week when I can put everything to the test. :D
Ricardo
05-07-06, 12:54 AM
Sweet setup. Enjoy it.
RR
burbankbiker
05-07-06, 01:00 AM
Can I ask, how easy are they to take off? I'd love to get something like this for the grocery store but don't want big paniers on my bike for the one hour a week I need them. I've never dealt with racks or panniers before so I don't know if they just lift off, or if it's more work than that. Any info would be cool, thanks.
bkrownd
05-07-06, 01:34 AM
I also have a couple brands of "grocery bag" panniers like that. I have two "issues" with them. The first is that the hooks have to be perfectly matched to your particular rack because they aren't adjustable. If they don't match well to your rack, you could have some serious heel strike issues. The second is that they're too floppy, and only get more floppy with age. When you're pedalling they tend to sway around a bit, which is quite annoying. Once I kicked one with my heel and it popped off the rack and fell into my rear wheel, breaking a spoke. They'll do in a pinch, but I'd like to switch to the rigid wire version soon.
DavidLee
05-07-06, 11:33 AM
Can I ask, how easy are they to take off? I'd love to get something like this for the grocery store but don't want big paniers on my bike for the one hour a week I need them. I've never dealt with racks or panniers before so I don't know if they just lift off, or if it's more work than that. Any info would be cool, thanks.
I just clip the bottom hook in place to the rack & lift the top up and hook that in place, its very easy. Make sure you have a rack that can accept rear panniers, most racks do. You'll want something with a "hook" type bottom & open rails up top to secure your pannier with, such as the pic below.
"Unfortunately I don't have to grocery shop for another week"
That's really funny:p
When was the last time I actually heard someone say they they were actually looking forward to 'Grocery Shopping'.
They look great...gotta get me some, my bags are a bit on the small side now..
Cheers..
likeakidagain
05-07-06, 07:52 PM
great keeping up to the questions..I am thinking about doing it..How many gallon water jugs you think they hold?
Yes..the xtracycle is like the yukon of bikes! perhaps one day..
DavidLee
05-07-06, 10:39 PM
"Unfortunately I don't have to grocery shop for another week"
That's really funny:p
When was the last time I actually heard someone say they they were actually looking forward to 'Grocery Shopping'.
They look great...gotta get me some, my bags are a bit on the small side now..
Cheers..
Yeah, I thought that was kind of an odd statement after I posted. :o :p
great keeping up to the questions..I am thinking about doing it..How many gallon water jugs you think they hold?
Yes..the xtracycle is like the yukon of bikes! perhaps one day..
A gallon of water weighs about 8.34 lbs (ok, so I googled that :p ), both panniers are about 2 lbs together & my rack is rated at 50 lbs. Theoretically I could support five 1 gallon water jugs. But that's a lot of dead weight for just 5 items & wouldn't feel safe or comfortable placing those in my panniers. Hauling multiple gallon jugs sounds like a call for a trailer or the all mighty extra-cycle. Personally, I would buy one of those 2.5 gallon water dispensers with the spout that fit inside your refrigerator & bungee that to the rack itself. That would be the best solution IMO.
likeakidagain
05-08-06, 05:22 PM
thanks for the tips..keep it safe, and look foward to hear report on fully loaded groceries handling.
Also could you not bring the pannier in the store put in your cart,folded (good to keep from be stolen)and then load up at checkout..it does have a handle right.
anyhwho..I enjoy this thread as its helping make a choice..carrier or panniers.
kf5nd
05-08-06, 09:22 PM
I Got Mine On Sunday !!!
thomson
05-08-06, 10:04 PM
Those are beautiful. I have been grocery shopping using open panniers for a few years now. Absolutely wonderful. Just keep in mind what your bags can hold. I usually buy more than what will fit and string the lighter bags on my handlebars.
But the mention that paper bags are more ecology sound than plastic has me rethinking that strategy. Perhaps I better start doing two trips instead. And while I am thinking of it, I probably should just take the panniers into the market with me and when they say "paper or plastic" I will say "canvas" as I hand the bags over.
DavidLee
05-09-06, 07:14 AM
I Got Mine On Sunday !!!
Nice, let us know how they're working out for ya? :)
Also could you not bring the pannier in the store put in your cart,folded (good to keep from be stolen)and then load up at checkout..it does have a handle right.
Absolutely & that's what I intend to do. I'll bag the groceries myself in my bags and avoid all those pesky plastic bags. ;)
Those are beautiful. I have been grocery shopping using open panniers for a few years now. Absolutely wonderful. Just keep in mind what your bags can hold. I usually buy more than what will fit and string the lighter bags on my handlebars.
But the mention that paper bags are more ecology sound than plastic has me rethinking that strategy. Perhaps I better start doing two trips instead. And while I am thinking of it, I probably should just take the panniers into the market with me and when they say "paper or plastic" I will say "canvas" as I hand the bags over.
Thanks, I'd love to see the cashiers expression when you say "canvas" & whip out your bags. Yeah, I'll have to remember that I'm not shopping with my extended cab any longer, that might not work out to well if I forget. :p
sfcrossrider
05-09-06, 03:36 PM
Along with my Bulldog Mini U-Lock all separately, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. :D I went with the Novara 'Round Town Panniers (http://www.rei.com/product/47995013.htm) from REI combined with 2 Earth-Tote (http://www.reusablebags.com/store/earth-tote™-p-10.html?osCsid=5aeaeaf30cb0cd21a00067fa2a4d04fe) grocery bags from reusablebags.com (http://www.reusablebags.com/). The panniers are really roomy on their own but the Earth-Tote bags really boost the carrying capacity.
I had to reposition the lower hook on the Novara's, as the way it was made it almost impossible to mount them properly. My guess is that perhaps the person who mounted the hook & spring either wasn't paying attention or is not familiar with securing panniers? They also come with a reflective blinkie loop on each bag but I'm going to have to trim some thread to get my blinkies to fit. Not a big deal but I thought I'd mention those two things. The Earth-Totes fold up just like paper grocery bags and the Novara panniers fold up and snap together when not in use making things real tidy. ;)
Unfortunately I don't have to grocery shop for another week so I'll post back and give a more thorough review and yet another one in about a months time. Meanwhile enjoy some photos. :D
Looks great!!! Can you pick me up some milk on your next trip? I like 1%, but 2% will do.
likeakidagain
05-17-06, 07:59 PM
ok..so how did grocery shoppin go?
DavidLee
05-24-06, 04:15 AM
ok..so how did grocery shoppin go?
Well, I had much more at home than I thought so I really didn't need much when I went shopping. I used 1 pannier with 1 Earth-Tote bag and used it for about 10 lbs of groceries. I could have quite easily doubled the amount for the 1 pannier/bag set-up making it a 20 lbs load for 1 side, 40 lbs fully loaded using both.
aikigreg
05-24-06, 07:52 AM
looks like the makings of a sweet sweet brekkie!
oilfreeandhappy
05-25-06, 06:52 AM
Awesome! I also think it's great for bicycling, in general, to see somebody hauling groceries on a bike. Good job!
MarkS
05-25-06, 08:37 AM
Just yesterday I was admiring the features on my performance grocery panniers (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=18210&item=20-1782&slitrk=search&slisearch=true) (on sale for $20/piece!). They have a long elastic band for more shock absorbtion. The band can be threaded through 3 different places to accomodate most set ups. They have a shoulder strap, so you can carry it with you, a handle at the top, reflective tape on the back and sides, and drainage mesh along the bottom sides so rain or fruit juice doesn't accumulate. I just noticed yesterday that there's also a velcro loop for securing the bags to your frame -- but I've never had the bag pop off without it in transit. I think with the loop it would be impossible to kick the bag off.
For a grocery bag, I've been using this bag (http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?terms=10567&cartLogFrom=Search). Its cheap, tall (more groceries), and can be worn like a back pack. This is handy if you make a lavatory pit stop after picking up groceries. If you work at it, you can get the top to close a little, reducing the entry of rain.
It seems to me that grocery panniers somehow get panned (joke, yes?? yes?). But mine can hold an 1800 cubic inch backpack. My daughter's backpack (with wheels, no less) goes in the pannier on our trip to school everyday.
I find that one pannier is good enough 90% of the time -- both panniers are needed only for full-blown trip-to-the park days. But I also carry a net to strap any additional load to the rack itself.
DavidLee
05-25-06, 11:45 AM
Just yesterday I was admiring the features on my performance grocery panniers (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=18210&item=20-1782&slitrk=search&slisearch=true) (on sale for $20/piece!). They have a long elastic band for more shock absorbtion. The band can be threaded through 3 different places to accomodate most set ups. They have a shoulder strap, so you can carry it with you, a handle at the top, reflective tape on the back and sides, and drainage mesh along the bottom sides so rain or fruit juice doesn't accumulate. I just noticed yesterday that there's also a velcro loop for securing the bags to your frame -- but I've never had the bag pop off without it in transit. I think with the loop it would be impossible to kick the bag off.
For a grocery bag, I've been using this bag (http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?terms=10567&cartLogFrom=Search). Its cheap, tall (more groceries), and can be worn like a back pack. This is handy if you make a lavatory pit stop after picking up groceries. If you work at it, you can get the top to close a little, reducing the entry of rain.
It seems to me that grocery panniers somehow get panned (joke, yes?? yes?). But mine can hold an 1800 cubic inch backpack. My daughter's backpack (with wheels, no less) goes in the pannier on our trip to school everyday.
I find that one pannier is good enough 90% of the time -- both panniers are needed only for full-blown trip-to-the park days. But I also carry a net to strap any additional load to the rack itself.
Nice, I was looking at those exact panniers but they were not on sale at the time so I opted for the Novara panniers instead. That bag seems pretty nice, my Earth-Totes are doing great so far. It's soooooo much easier carrying the Earth-Totes filled with groceries than a bunch of little plastic bags.
Awesome! I also think it's great for bicycling, in general, to see somebody hauling groceries on a bike. Good job!
Thanks, I've noticed that cars seem to give me PLENTY O' ROOM when I was "fully loaded" today. :D I've learned real quickly to be careful getting on my bike with 43 lbs on the back. My kickstand is absolutely invaluable to me now when loading & unloading my bike.
Here are the results using both bag/panniers.
Total items - 42
Total weight - 43 lbs
And now for the pics. :D Yeah, I have a tendency to purchase the same stuff a lot. Pretty much looks like the last photo but quadrupled. A nice balance of healthy food (tofu, nanas, organic milk, mixed nuts & fruit, squash etc) with some "must haves" (pizza rolls, pringles, philly steaks, scrapple, mmmmmmmmmm scrapple) :p
likeakidagain
05-25-06, 05:20 PM
thanks for sharing..
MarkS
05-25-06, 06:23 PM
And now for the pics. :D Yeah, I have a tendency to purchase the same stuff a lot. Pretty much looks like the last photo but quadrupled.Hey! You store your food the same way I do!
DavidLee
05-25-06, 09:11 PM
Hey! You store your food the same way I do!
:p Nah, that was just for photographic purposes.
thanks for sharing..
No problem. Have you decided on rack/panniers, extra-cycle or a trailer or any combination of the 3?
I-Like-To-Bike
05-26-06, 07:55 AM
A nice balance of healthy food (tofu, nanas, organic milk, mixed nuts & fruit, squash etc) with some "must haves" (pizza rolls, pringles, philly steaks, scrapple, mmmmmmmmmm scrapple) :p
Hardly adequate in the "must haves" at all! Where's the Yuengling? If you have access to scrapple, you have access to Yuengling. Heck if you even know what scrapple is, let alone eat it after knowing what it is made from, you should be drinking Yuengling. Yuengling Porter, or Yuengling Lager, or Yuengling Black and Tan - Yummy!
likeakidagain
05-26-06, 04:24 PM
:)
No problem. Have you decided on rack/panniers, extra-cycle or a trailer or any combination of the 3?[/QUOTE]
:) I have decided..I was really:D tempted to but the croozer for $160. at some online store..free shipping, it holds 70 pounds or so..but then seen the great sale at perfrormance and going for the rack/pannier option..for the first year. I got a silver tanisIT rack..and 2 TRanSIT bike panniers as well as a muti tool, all for $70 shipped/tax! I am still well in my startup budget of $500.
My next plan is to use this new bike alot this year..and then perhaps turn it into a xtracycle bike thenafter..I must have at least all seasons of being car free to invest $400 plus into a SUB!
Anyhow..these panniers will let me not to have shop every other day, and help with laundry. I been blessed in the past finding new/like new bags at this consigment shop and thrift store..perhaps a touring pannier will show up.
I do need to buy some fenders soon..I got a light on order as well..
pedex
05-26-06, 05:06 PM
my chromebag is 3800cu inches, been working like a champ for groceries and packages, I much prefer it over panniers myself, but hey maybe that's just me
likeakidagain
05-28-06, 12:21 PM
what is a chromebag if I may ask pedex?
pedex
05-28-06, 05:56 PM
http://www.chromebags.com
messenger bag
Sir Lunch-a-lot
05-28-06, 09:29 PM
Personally, I could care less about seeing "what" you bought nicely laid out. What I would (I suspect others would) care more about is seeing it loaded on your fancy bike bag system. So... maybe on your next grocery trip, if you are planning on taking pictures of your food, do it while it's all loaded up. That will probably give us a better idea on the performance of this thing.
Just my 3.141592653589793238512808959406186204433 cents CDN
MarkS
05-28-06, 10:16 PM
my chromebag is 3800cu inches, been working like a champ for groceries and packages, I much prefer it over panniers myself, but hey maybe that's just meBut you do this all day, right? So groceries would be an "easy" load.
I've used my extra-large TB2 bag to carry one bag of groceries a few times (13 mile leg). No matter how I tried, it cut into my shoulder too much to be really comfortable. Also, maybe I'm probably getting too old for this stuff. Its good to know I could do it if I had to (like for carrying 3 bags of groceries), but mostly I've gone back to using grocery panniers.
pedex
05-29-06, 03:49 AM
Well, as messenger bags go, timbuk2's arent all that great, the strap system on them sucks. As far as an "easy" load, no not really, no more so than hauling boxes of paper when im working. 40-50lbs of groceries isnt any different than any other load. Im 40 yrs old, not like im a 20 something year old kid made of rubber anymore either. Biggest disadvantages of panniers is weather and capacity, when its raining buckets panniers dont work so well, and they typically dont carry very much. But yes in general, being a messenger already makes car fee pretty easy, its one of the reasons I did it, they go well together.
DavidLee
05-29-06, 08:08 AM
Personally, I could care less about seeing "what" you bought nicely laid out. What I would (I suspect others would) care more about is seeing it loaded on your fancy bike bag system. So... maybe on your next grocery trip, if you are planning on taking pictures of your food, do it while it's all loaded up. That will probably give us a better idea on the performance of this thing.
Just my 3.141592653589793238512808959406186204433 cents CDN
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, have you tried looking at the 2 pics of my loaded bags, post #33? That's my 2 cents. :rolleyes:
likeakidagain
05-29-06, 12:28 PM
yes David lee has done a fine job showing all the pics and setup..and has help me a newbie at all this.
This is a great thread..
thanks pedex I looked at the site.
Also I agree with messenger bags over distances..after 2 miles fully loaded become hard on the shoulders..even with a pad there..there great if lighty loaded, much better then a backpack..which I use to do..
wahoonc
05-29-06, 03:55 PM
Y'all made me do IT :roflmao: I just ordered the Performance bags :p fortunately my local grocer still has the big paper bags, and we use them for trash, etc.
Aaron:)
gwd
05-30-06, 08:53 PM
Thanks everyone. :) gwd I hope they last as long as yours did. As stated I'll post a more thorough review once I get to use them for a month or two and see how they actually hold up in use.
Well I borrowed a friend's mountain bike and used them for a bike camping trip last weekend so here is a photo where you can see them stuffed and can see how they're beginning to fray on the corners. They're ready for the duct tape aren't they? You can see how I pack things in plastic grocery bags in case of rain and to keep the trail dust out. That is the advantage of the ortliebs they seal up. But around here the prognosis for rain was only 20%, I got caught in only one shower. The open top Novaras let me quickly grab the camera or a snack but I have to be careful that things don't fly out when going over rocks potholes or tree roots.
Sir Lunch-a-lot
06-07-06, 04:49 PM
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, have you tried looking at the 2 pics of my loaded bags, post #33? That's my 2 cents. :rolleyes:
Uh... whoops. Heh, heh. Boy, now do I ever feel stupid. I must have only looked at the first image...
likeakidagain
06-12-06, 06:52 PM
well a qucik update..got the trainsit bags from the performance sale last May..put them on and they are great..alot better then I thought, they hold well and no problem when fully loaded..except at start up..I am very happy for now!
Sorry no pics..sadly my puter got a surge and blew the power and fan out..now using the public lib computers for awhile.
which is good..I spend way to much time online..