Living Car Free - What do you do with Panniers and seat at the grocery store?

I like to post my questions in the subject field. Now that I have a pannier a good saddle and lights on the bike...what do you all do when your for example in the grocery store? Do you haul your pannier and seatpost with you? Do you feel comfortable leaving your bike locked up outside? Any fear someone will swipe your stuff? I wish I could leave my bike un-locked and not have to worry about bike theft. I'll never understand the mentality of a thief.

I leave the seat on the bike; if you're worried about it being stolen, replace the quick release with a regular bolt. As for the panniers, I bring them inside with me, and load them up at the register. (Mine have shoulder straps.)

I use the folding wald baskets on my grocery getter and have the reusable shopping bags. Seat is held on with a regular clamp. Helmet gets the cable or u-lock threaded thru one of the straps and stays with the bike.

Aaron:)

I fill the panniers in the store, I put them in the shopping cart. One set has shoulder straps so I can go that route too. Bolt on seats. I never understood quick release seats. I notice some people around here lock their seats with a cable. I just hang the helmet from the handle bars. Who would take my sweaty old scratched up helmet? I need a new one anyway.

gwd,

what type of pannier do you have? Can you haul around milk and orange juice?

Most bike thieves are repelled by dorky, and there's nothing more dorky than grocery panniers.

I leave them on the bike while I shop which creates a dorkiness-powered repulsion zone around my bike. (I also find it difficult to mount loaded panniers on the bike, what with the fussing with straps and hooks while trying to keep the bike from falling over.)

As for the saddle, I never had a problem with a QR, but I also feel safer with a bolt-on.

Ortlieb is the type with the shoulder straps. Of course milk and orange juice fit in most panniers don't they? Why would you have panniers that are so small you can't carry anything? Actually, I rarely use the shoulder straps on shopping trips, I put the panniers in the grocery cart. I use the shoulder straps if I'm bike camping and the place I hang the hammock is far from the place I stash the bike- like up a steep cliff or through thick brush. Something like that.

I wish I could leave my bike un-locked and not have to worry about bike theft.

What's so different about locking bikes as opposed to locking cars (or houses or businesses)? It's just something you do. I'd be willing to wager that all the cars in the lot at my grocery store are locked.

What's so different about locking bikes as opposed to locking cars (or houses or businesses)? It's just something you do. I'd be willing to wager that all the cars in the lot at my grocery store are locked.

Dunno, we had two stolen from in front of my local grocery store last week...they left the keys in them with the engine running :o:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

Dunno, we had two stolen from in front of my local grocery store last week...they left the keys in them with the engine running :o:rolleyes:

My point exactly. An unlocked bike is like a car with the engine running. Either one will be gone in a similar amount of time.

I have two standard responses when some one tells me nobody is going to steal my bike:

1) It's not "nobody" I'm worried about. It's "somebody".
2) Is your car locked? Have the keys? Set the alarm? If nobody's going to steal it, why did you do that?

My comfy saddle is a $1 beater from my LBS. I don't think anyone's going to steal it, so it stays on the bike. If someone is that desperate, I have a spare hiding in my closet. I'd *like* a Brooks or some other expensive saddle, but it's not worth springing for one if I'd worry about it all the time. The beater is fine for up to 20 miles (maybe more, haven't gone further yet), and it's put in good miles for the money *g*.

My panniers are cheap Axiom panniers (*really* cheap... the plan is use the hell out of them, then replace with something more suitable once I know what really is more suitable). They *can* hold 1 gallon containers, but I prefer to get milk at the grocery store in the back yard. If someone wants to steal $45/pair panniers that have been beaten to hell for 9 months, they're welcome to them. Mostly I don't leave them on for groceries tho. I'd rather load them properly inside. When I do grocery loading outside, I don't always get the load balanced as well as I prefer. They do tend to stay outside for library runs tho.

The LBS also speaks highly of Wald baskets in both the folding and non-folding versions. If you need something that is sturdy and won't walk away with a thief, they seem to be a very good choice. I wasn't sure that I needed something that sturdy, so I went with a rack and panniers. The more I ride, the more a front basket appeals, so my next bike will likely get one. I like having the rack in back, so that will probably stay.

My panniers are starting to fall apart... not surprising for $35 grocery panniers that have been on the bike for at LEAST 5,000 miles, and hauled around 200 loads of groceries from the store... And we're not talking little loads of groceries, here!

I pretty much leave EVERYTHING on my bike... lights, pump, panniers, saddle bag, etc. The only thing I've ever had taken was a head unit for my light when I parked too close to a food bank. :( Funny part was they left the battery pack and the charger (Charger was in the grocery pannier, right on top... full view)

You never know. I went years without having anything stolen, then I lost a whole bike (locked) and within a month the front wheel of the replacement bike.

Usually shop at a suburban Meijers between 3-6am. Bike rack is right in front of the windows. Transit metro panniers are always on the bike. Both wheels and seat are QR. I take my lights in with me; the helmet usually goes in the pannier while I'm shopping. The panniers easily hold a gallon of milk +$50 groceries. No problems yet but I'm sure my luck will fail eventually. Don't know if the my bikes dork factor or the highly visible bike rack have kept everything intact.

If I had to remove my seat and panniers or even wheels every time I lock up I probably wouldn't want to ride.

I have my seat covered with a locking bolt. Those are nice, because you can also get them for the wheels and save having to bring along an extra cable or worry about the wheels.

As for the panniers, I used to take them inside, but now i'm using an Xtracycle and it isn't a convenience, I don't think the freeloaders are a big theft target but we'll see. Its been 2 months and they're untouched as of yet..

I just happened to think about it...all of my grocery store bikes have bolt on hubs on them:p I usually use a heavy Krypto cable thru both wheels. I seldom spend more than 30 minutes in the store. On more than one occasion at the one store I shop the manager has insisted that I park the bike inside by his office;)

Aaron:)

Dunno, we had two stolen from in front of my local grocery store last week...they left the keys in them with the engine running :o:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

Auto Libré.

My point exactly. An unlocked bike is like a car with the engine running. Either one will be gone in a similar amount of time.

I have two standard responses when some one tells me nobody is going to steal my bike:

1) It's not "nobody" I'm worried about. It's "somebody".
2) Is your car locked? Have the keys? Set the alarm? If nobody's going to steal it, why did you do that?

How about the fellows who say, "You don't have to lock the bike. I'll watch it for you." I've heard that one several times.

How about the fellows who say, "You don't have to lock the bike. I'll watch it for you." I've heard that one several times.

I always ask them I can borrow their wallet to shop with:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

I like to post my questions in the subject field. Now that I have a pannier a good saddle and lights on the bike...what do you all do when your for example in the grocery store? Do you haul your pannier and seatpost with you? Do you feel comfortable leaving your bike locked up outside? Any fear someone will swipe your stuff? I wish I could leave my bike un-locked and not have to worry about bike theft. I'll never understand the mentality of a thief.

One of my bikes has a deluxe saddle. I wrap my lock about the saddle's rails and down about the frame to some outdoor post to secure it all. Lucky, where I live theft is not that much of a problem. But, habits from elsewhere die hard. / One miserable thing that once happened to one in our group. While all were in the store, someone spat into a cycling buddies water bottle. / We were warned because a cycling friendly type saw it happen and waited around to tell us. I know notice the position of the water bottle before leaving the bike, just in case.

I take the pannier in with me because I use that as my bags & get .5 cents off for each one. Doesn't seem like much but it doesn't cost me anything more to do & I need a bag anyway.

I just lock my bike outside but I took all the extras off my hybrid to do the shopping.

When I go into a grocery store, I take the panniers off and inside with me - a) because they usually have stuff already in them I don't want people to steal, b) they are expensive enough to replace themselves, and c) to load with groceries!

I usually take the headlight inside with me and leave the taillight on the bike.

I have an ordinary saddle and seatpost so I don't bother with them. I think it would be too much hassle to take the seatpost out and inside for a quick trip. Either get a bolt or if you're still worried loop a cable lock through.

The grocery store I go to most often has the bike racks furthest away from the door possible so I often see bikes outside the front door locked only to themselves and knowing my neighbourhood I cringe knowing there is a high possibility of theft. I've seen some people lock the bicycle to something inside the doors, and others bring the bike around with them (a bit cumbersome I think!)

I'm wondering what to do with my trailer at the grocery store, its metal with a rubbermaid bin in the frame. I run a cable through the arm of the metal frame to prevent theft of the trailer itself. But sometimes I want to visit more than one store. Do I leave groceries from store a in the trailer while visiting store b? The lid is bungeed down to keep it from flapping while riding so it prevents casual looking. Obviously I wouldn't go shopping for electronics and then go grocery shopping. But I'm assuming nobody gonna steal my kitty litter while at store #2.

I take my bike with me nearly everywhere I go: work, the grocery store, the pubs on Friday night (I drink, but not too much!), friends' houses, the park, etc. I have a moderately beat-up frame and rack with recently replaced shifters and gears, and QR on my seatpost and both wheels, and haven't had any problems yet. When I make a stop, I bring my lights and helmet with me. I always lock up with a higher-end U-lock, but I think the real reason it hasn't been stolen is because it looks like a beater (even though it really isn't). Why steal a scratched up 15 year old Hybrid when, with the same amount of effort, you can steal a bike worth hundreds, or even thousands, more?

What's so different about locking bikes as opposed to locking cars (or houses or businesses)? It's just something you do. I'd be willing to wager that all the cars in the lot at my grocery store are locked.

True. Trouble is those heavy beasts stay in the door and you carry the light little key. On a bike you have to lug the whole thing around, or leave a lock at every rack you frequent. My cutter resistant chain weighs in at about 12 lbs.

While all were in the store, someone spat into a cycling buddies water bottle.

Geez... What a world.

If I only need one or two things I just roll the whole bike, bags and all, into the store. Never any problem. If it looks crowded I lock up and take the bags in. Parking is right by the front door and under cover with big solid racks. Always several bikes locked there usually with weaker locks. I only double lock on the local junior college campus. The lights are not easily removed and inexpensive anyway. God bless D.I.Y. lights.

My panniers are starting to fall apart... not surprising for $35 grocery panniers that have been on the bike for at LEAST 5,000 miles, and hauled around 200 loads of groceries from the store... And we're not talking little loads of groceries, here!

I pretty much leave EVERYTHING on my bike... lights, pump, panniers, saddle bag, etc. The only thing I've ever had taken was a head unit for my light when I parked too close to a food bank. :( Funny part was they left the battery pack and the charger (Charger was in the grocery pannier, right on top... full view)

Same here. First, the grocery store parking lot has surveillance cameras, and I'm always careful to lock my bike in a spot in full view of at least one. Second, the grocery store always has an off-duty police officer on premises, and at the place where I usually shop it is usually one of the bike patrol people, all of whom know me. Third, I have one of two Xtracycles in town; given that most of our brothers and sisters in blue know that, anyone other than me and the other guy toodling around town on an X (much less trying to sell one) is going to have to answer some uncomfortable questions.

You never know. I went years without having anything stolen, then I lost a whole bike (locked) and within a month the front wheel of the replacement bike.

Yeah, well.... Tuesday someone went through my seat pack while my bike was locked up in our garage at work... stole my Multi tool and pocket knife. :mad:

I think I'll start locking my bike in the electrical enclosure... it's a solid wood fenced area so you can't see it's in there... plus my office looks out over it and I can see if anyone is hanging around there.

I take the pannier in with me because I use that as my bags & get .5 cents off for each one. Doesn't seem like much but it doesn't cost me anything more to do & I need a bag anyway.

I just lock my bike outside but I took all the extras off my hybrid to do the shopping.

The stores around here supposedly offer that discount... I say supposedly because you practically have to twist their arms to get it... and even if you ask for the discount they usually just look at you funny for a minute. Meh... it's usually not even worth my time to try to get the discount.

They're trying to pass a law here that the stores have to charge 10 cents per plastic grocery bag used... I'll make sure they know I'm not using a bag then! heh

If I only need one or two things I just roll the whole bike, bags and all, into the store. Never any problem. .

I don't get this strategy. Every time I see a nice bike unlocked inside a store, I think that I could easily ride it off. By the time the owner knew I took it, I'd be 2 miles away. By the time the cops showed up and told the owner there's really nothing they can do, I'd be 20 miles away, or I'd have "my" new bike stowed away in my garage.

Of course I've never acted on this impulse.... so far.... ;)

I take the pannier in with me because I use that as my bags & get .5 cents off for each one. Doesn't seem like much but it doesn't cost me anything more to do & I need a bag anyway.

I just lock my bike outside but I took all the extras off my hybrid to do the shopping.
Is that at Whole Foods? I saw a sign at my local Whole Foods that's raising it to 10 cents off for each bag you bring.

I've got the Novara 'Round Town panniers. They fit as much as a brown paper bag and can handle reasonably heavy loads. I haven't put any gallon-size jugs in them, but they handle a half gallon of milk on one side and a half-gallon of OJ on the other side just fine, with plenty of room to spare.

Is that at Whole Foods? I saw a sign at my local Whole Foods that's raising it to 10 cents off for each bag you bring.

I've got the Novara 'Round Town panniers. They fit as much as a brown paper bag and can handle reasonably heavy loads. I haven't put any gallon-size jugs in them, but they handle a half gallon of milk on one side and a half-gallon of OJ on the other side just fine, with plenty of room to spare.

They will hold gallons...two per side with no issues. I have the same panniers (actually I think mine came from Performance) I use the Reusable Grocery bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags%E2%84%A2-earthtote%E2%84%A2-reusable-shopping-p-10.html), which are a tad taller than the brown paper bags.

Aaron:)

At my Mexican Grocery they bring them into the store as they don't even provide a rack.

I have a cable lock that I run through my Thudbuster suspension seat post and rear wheel. When the new ABUS lock is available in the USA I'll use both.

I bring my lights, computer, and helmet inside. There is no place safe from thieves.

Peterwhitecycles.com has special key nuts for replacing quick release levers. They are called Pitlock Skewers. They still work as quick releases but you must use a special coded lever to make a quality connection. They work on the same principal as automotive lug nuts that need special keys to be removed. The site says that even vise grips can't remove the bolts without the special keys.

Peterwhitecycles.com has special key nuts for replacing quick release levers. They are called Pitlock Skewers. They still work as quick releases but you must use a special coded lever to make a quality connection. They work on the same principal as automotive lug nuts that need special keys to be removed. The site says that even vise grips can't remove the bolts without the special keys.

There are 2 other options out there that i've seen so far - i've not tried the pitlocks, but i've tried the Delta and Pinhead systems.

Delta? Forget about it. These are utter junk. The key and locking skewer head are so soft that they chew each other up as you use them. They're designed much too short and won't fit anything but a thin steel dropout. The front skewer started squeaking after a few weeks which was when I just got paranoid about them and picked up the Pinheads.

The Pinhead system is much different: The whole system is just wholly superior. Unique keys, smaller skewer ends which can't be grabbed with pliers, skewers which are long enough to accommodate just about any wheel, it doesn't squeak, and the keys and skewer ends don't get damaged just by you know, using them. You can get the pinhead system for the seatpost as well as for the headset. I would recommend these in a heartbeat, good product.

Side note: after having a pair of useless Delta skewers around, I threw them onto an old bike to see how they could be defeated, out of curiosity. They lost to a pair of locking pliers without effort. I give these a 0/10. Utter garbage.

After all these years, I haven't lost one single bike to theives, and they can have my current bike since it has paid for itself many times over in gas savings. As said in an earlier post, dorky doesn't do well with our local bike theives.

After all these years, I haven't lost one single bike to theives, and they can have my current bike since it has paid for itself many times over in gas savings. As said in an earlier post, dorky doesn't do well with our local bike theives.

You must be one of the lucky few. I have had several bikes stolen, at least 3 out of locked buildings. Around here if it has wheels, it has value to the meth/crack heads. But then again 90% of what is on the road around here is half broken WM specials, so of course my bikes will stand out...they have fenders and the wheels match:o

Aaron:)

Buy insurance.

Any opinions on the OnGaurd brand of 'keyed' wheel/seat post quick releases?

Any opinions on the OnGaurd brand of 'keyed' wheel/seat post quick releases?

I haven't tried them, but if it's an OnGuard product I'd be willing to bet they're pretty decent quality. Todson (The parent company of Topeak and OnGuard) REALLY stands behind their products, and has the best customer service of any company I've dealt with.

I haven't tried them, but if it's an OnGuard product I'd be willing to bet they're pretty decent quality. Todson (The parent company of Topeak and OnGuard) REALLY stands behind their products, and has the best customer service of any company I've dealt with.

Those "Onguard" locks are actually Pinheads.

Same key, same skewers, same *everything*. Even the pictures on the outside of the packing are the same as the ones on the pinhead box :)

They're a good product. As I mentioned before, i'm using the pinheads currently, they're far superior than the Delta versions, and seem to be *quite* good.

They will hold gallons...two per side with no issues. I have the same panniers (actually I think mine came from Performance) I use the Reusable Grocery bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags%E2%84%A2-earthtote%E2%84%A2-reusable-shopping-p-10.html), which are a tad taller than the brown paper bags.

Aaron:)

These look great! Thanks for the link. I've been looking for rigid re-usable bags that would fit inside by baskets.

Buy insurance.

Where? Homeowners sucks when it comes to bicycles, most of my bikes are below the deductible.

Aaron:)

What's so different about locking bikes as opposed to locking cars (or houses or businesses)? It's just something you do. I'd be willing to wager that all the cars in the lot at my grocery store are locked.

You'd be hard pressed to ever find my car locked. I even leave the keys in it when I'm at work. But then again, it may be that I live in a fairly low-crime town that I don't feel the need to lock up. And yeah, there's been a number of times I've forgotten to lock the house up.

I leave the panniers and trunk bag on the bike and lock the bike to a bench. My helmet goes in the trunk bag.

You'd be hard pressed to ever find my car locked. I even leave the keys in it when I'm at work. But then again, it may be that I live in a fairly low-crime town that I don't feel the need to lock up. And yeah, there's been a number of times I've forgotten to lock the house up.

My grandparent's house was not able to be locked for almost 20 years... In 2001 they finally fixed the lock on the back door and put a locking doorknob on the side door because they were going to be away from the house for two months. ;)

After all these years, I haven't lost one single bike to theives, and they can have my current bike since it has paid for itself many times over in gas savings. As said in an earlier post, dorky doesn't do well with our local bike theives.

I think you have a classier bunch of thieves than we do here.

How about just wheeling the bike through the store like a shopping cart, and filling the panniers as you shop? If everyone else can push around a cart, why can't you push around a bike?

How about just wheeling the bike through the store like a shopping cart, and filling the panniers as you shop? If everyone else can push around a cart, why can't you push around a bike?

Not self-balancing, and a PITA to put the kickstand up every time you want to let go of the bike?

How about just wheeling the bike through the store like a shopping cart, and filling the panniers as you shop? If everyone else can push around a cart, why can't you push around a bike?

I do this in hardware stores... never done it at a grocery store.

I usually take my bike inside and nobody ever says anything.

Slightly off topic, I remember this one time when I worked at the grocery store about a block away from my house. I was getting some carts from the parking lot pretty late at night, and a kid, probably around 12 years old, comes riding up with a girl standing on his pegs. They get off the bike and leave it in the front unlocked and they're like "hey man, can you watch our bike for us?" I said sure, being a fellow cyclist and whatnot. Well, they come running out of the store a few minutes later with bags full of groceries and leap on to the bike and ride off, thanking me. I feel pretty good about watching their bike, until I walk back into the store a few minutes later and it turns out they stole all of their groceries.