Commuting - Grocery Pannier? Nashbar Townie?

Hello, just found this forum and in my newfound spirit to delegate more of my errands to the bicycle I've been looking at getting a Tubus Logo rear rack and a set of grocery panniers. I saw all of the recommendations for the cheap and simple Nashbar Townie, but it looks like they stopped making them. Does anyone have any recommendations for something similar? Or perhaps know where I might be able to buy a set? Thanks.

Performance has their Trans-It brand grocery pannier, but I think it's a bit shallow and sits too high.

Jandd makes a grocery pannier which is a little deeper, but it's more expensive. They have it at www.bikeman.com along with the Jandd Hurricane grocery pannier, which is the same design but waterproof.

The Nashbar townie basket is back!!! (maybe) I saw it in the last paper catalog, but it's not on the website. Hmmm...

Check out REI. They have one.

Trek's bag, http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=35&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1,2,15,411,413&iProductID=35&bShopOnline=1, is a good heavy-duty grocery pannier, but the mounting system is poor. I've retrofit mine with Ortlieb parts for about $50, and that's working out well.

I use Jandd grocery bag panniers and they are pretty bombproof. Spendy though!

When you can't find something on Nashbar.com, it's probably out-of-stock. When they come in again, the item pop right up. I've seen it happen a couple of times with the Townie Basket. I love mine. Cheap (especially on sale), durable and they come with rain bonnets. What more could you ask?

I have a pair, and I find them kind of flimsy (but maybe I overload them?). Go with something metal-framed. They are a great size, though.

The REI grocery panniers are very good. I have a pair and used them for about a year. Then I got a pair of REI regular panniers, the REI Transfers, and I find that I use them for shopping (and everything else) b/c they're on the bike anyway, and it turns out they're just as good if not better than the grocery-specific ones. My point being, the grocery specific ones are ... specific, whereas a good set of panniers can be use for groceries and everything else.

I have the Performance grocery getters, but much prefer my Wald 532 folding baskets (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald582rearfoldingbasket.html). If you have a dedicated utility bike they are the only way to go IMHO.

Aaron:)

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/42608/2683444210066886751S425x425Q85.jpg

I have a pair, and I find them kind of flimsy (but maybe I overload them?). Go with something metal-framed. They are a great size, though.

Yea, they can be kind of floppy, but when I'm carrying huge things like watermelons or cases of beer I use a couple elastic cables to tie it down. It works well enough for the way I ride.

I only have one, and I love the thing. I've been watching for them to go on sale again so I can get another, but it looks like they've been redesigned. They don't match the one I have.

I had a pair but gave one to a friend thinking I could get another for $10-$15. I haven't seen them for over a year.

I like them a lot. They are 1/3 the price of many others, aren't too heavy, and have a great rain cover built in. I bought another slightly larger grocery pannier that had the same drawback of sagging under a heavy load, but was heavier, awkward to mount, and so big it was too conspicuous on the bike when folded.

The nashbar product is great. I hope they really are offering them again.

I agree that the best grocery pannier is the wald basket. The big drawback with the wald is that it's a pain to install and remove if you want to use a different pannier. Wald baskets are heavier than fabric grocery panniers too. Some panniers can be installed over the folded wald basket.

Right now I have one wald installed on my rack. The other side either carries a messenger-bag-type pannier or the nashbar townie, depending on what I'm carrying.

Yea, they can be kind of floppy, but when I'm carrying huge things like watermelons or cases of beer I use a couple elastic cables to tie it down. It works well enough for the way I ride.

I only have one, and I love the thing. I've been watching for them to go on sale again so I can get another, but it looks like they've been redesigned. They don't match the one I have.

Can you elaborate on your elastic strap attachment? I also experience beer sag issues.

another option is the banjo brothers grocery pannier (http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01080.php). $35 a piece.

+1 on the Wald 532s.

I have the in black on my lht and havent driven to the grocery store in the three weeks since I installed them.

-E

Can you elaborate on your elastic strap attachment? I also experience beer sag issues.

Two cables side by side. One end hooked at the bottom of the rack (like where the pannier cable hooks), wrapped around the pannier and over top of the load, then hooked on the top of the rack. It's not rock solid, but it stabilizes it enough for my comfort. If my description isn't clear enough, I'll post a photo next time I haul a load of beer.

My favorite is the Arkel Utility Basket (it's really a bag, but they call it a basket). It's a bit pricey for a grocery pannier, but pretty much indestructible and spacious. At first I was a little put-off by the idea of spending $100 on a grocery pannier, but I've used lesser panniers that were not very durable or well designed.

The only thing is that I have an older version of this bag that is a very different design from the new version. The new version has a zipper around the top that allows the lid to flip open. It also sports an internal frame that helps the bag keep its shape (but is removable). My older version has no zipper or internal frame (other than the flat reinforced bottom). You cinch the top closed with a cinch-cord, and then flip the top down and it clips into place. I'm not sure I'd like the new version as much since the old version makes it easy to strap down tall items (like baguettes of bread) while still allowing them to poke out the top. That said the new version added a few features that would be nice to have... like more external pockets.

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/features.asp?fl=1&site=

One Arkel Utility Bag holds quite a lot, so I don't know if I'd order a second one. it's easy to balance on one side, even when loaded down with heavy stuff like milk and juice (or beer). I like the Wald baskets as well, but the Arkel will hold larger loads more securely. I might get a Wald basket with a cargo net for the other side.

Sean

I also like the Wald baskets

Trek's bag, http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=35&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1,2,15,411,413&iProductID=35&bShopOnline=1, is a good heavy-duty grocery pannier, but the mounting system is poor. I've retrofit mine with Ortlieb parts for about $50, and that's working out well.

I use the newer click-on/click-off "Interchange II (http://http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=350&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=350&path=1%2C2%2C5%2C35%2C187)" model on my Surly LHT for both commuting and shopping.

IMO, they're great. It seems to be a pretty secure system, and they click on and off with ease. I've got nearly 2000 miles on mine, and my daughter has been using the same setup for nearly 2 years (she commutes to work nearly every day by bike, and also does all of her shopping with them).

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/Gc006.jpg

Milkcrate for the win!

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/Gc006.jpg

Milkcrate for the win!

Free with a six finger discount, just ride behind any grocer at night, maybe right before you go shopping haha.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I emailed Nashbar and they said that they should have the Townies in stock in a few weeks. Of course now I'm considering a full-on pannier for the extra utility... Decisions decisions :)

I love my Breezer Supersize Grocery Pannier. It has a strap for carrying into the store, so I load it up while shopping, load it back up at the register, and then just attach it to my rack, which is quite simple.

The Lickbike bag looks nice, too, but it is 900 instead of nearly 1400 cu with the Breezer bag.

I had one issue with the Nashbar Townie bag, it didn't have handles! It had this dinky single handle on it. But you can't beat the price...

I wanted to be able to carry the Townie bag like a regular canvas tote bag. So, I cut the handles off one of those canvas totes and had the shoe repairman sew them onto the bag for a whopping $5... 5 minutes of work.

Two cables side by side. One end hooked at the bottom of the rack (like where the pannier cable hooks), wrapped around the pannier and over top of the load, then hooked on the top of the rack. It's not rock solid, but it stabilizes it enough for my comfort. If my description isn't clear enough, I'll post a photo next time I haul a load of beer.

Duh! It's completely obvious now. For some reason I was thinking the bungees were inside the bag.

I blame sleep deprivation due to the recent birth of #3 (we have to get a Bakfiets now).

If you use regular pannier bags you can hang them on the inside of the shopping basket and load them at check out. no need for paper plastic or any other bag. A rolled up backpack in the side pocket gives overflow storage if your eyes are bigger than your packs. When I go to costco I bring my trailer and use a duffle bag plus a few bungee cords to hold down the 9lb box of oatmeal. I did dribble some coffee beans down the bike path when I hooked the bungee on the wrong way, hook inward.:p

p.s. when Nashbar says 45lbs limit, they mean it. The trailer twisted a little when I pack 60lbs into it. Bent back though.

My favorite is the Arkel Utility Basket (it's really a bag, but they call it a basket). It's a bit pricey for a grocery pannier, but pretty much indestructible and spacious. At first I was a little put-off by the idea of spending $100 on a grocery pannier, but I've used lesser panniers that were not very durable or well designed.

...

+1!!!

Arkel bags are so, so good. If you're willing to throw down some cash, it is well worth it.

I talked to Nashbar and the Townie should be back in stock in the next week or so. I have one and love it. I need another.

I have the Jandd and have been using it for 4 or 5 seasons now -- love it. Go to the grocery store with it, as well as take a 10 mile ride to the Mpls farmers' market once a week during the summer. I have also had a chance to closely examine the REI Novara bag, and it seems well made also.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. In the end I liked my Arkel Tailrider so much that I went ahead and got the Utility Basket (UB) for groceries, shopping, and hopefully a few day trips with my "serious" camera.

I just made a successful grocery run this morning and it was easier than I thought it would be. I took the Tailrider and UB inside and then just loaded up the Utility Basket as I went along. Worked really well, no one from the store interrogated me while shopping, nor while using the self-checkout.

The store is ~1.4 miles away and at the bottom of a decent sized hill. I don't plan on making many grocery specific runs as the store is on my way home from work, and on those days I'll just ride to work with the UB attached. I will need to go more often, but I actually kind of like the idea of that. I always buy way more than I need when shopping by car, and a surprising amount spoils before I ever finnish it.

Here are a few snaps from this morning. Gives a good idea of how big it is and how much fits in one:

http://joshzamor.com/images/PortlandWithUB/PortlandWithUB-Images/0.jpg

http://joshzamor.com/images/PortlandWithUB/PortlandWithUB-Images/1.jpg

On the bike. At this point I had already put the groceries away, so it's a bit of a pose:

http://joshzamor.com/images/PortlandWithUB/PortlandWithUB-Images/2.jpg

http://joshzamor.com/images/PortlandWithUB/PortlandWithUB-Images/3.jpg

http://joshzamor.com/images/PortlandWithUB/PortlandWithUB-Images/4.jpg

In total it was ~15lbs of food consisting of: 1 big box of Cheerios, 1 half gallon of milk, 2 frozen dinners, and 2 boxes of granola bars.

Also for those whom have been waiting, FYI it looks like Nashbar has the Townie back in stock.

So far I'm quite impressed with the setup. I may in the future add a Townie-like open basket on the other side for oversized items like the Cheerios and frozen pizzas. But for now I think I'll just wait and see if I really need more capacity over the next few weeks.

When you can't find something on Nashbar.com, it's probably out-of-stock. When they come in again, the item pop right up. I've seen it happen a couple of times with the Townie Basket. I love mine. Cheap (especially on sale), durable and they come with rain bonnets. What more could you ask?

Glad you said that.. I called Nashbar, and the Townies were back in stock. Mine came in the mail today! Can't wait to use them. They were a little more shallow than I thought they would be, but they will work nicely. I was aiming for a bag I could bring in the store with me so I could avoid wasting grocery sacks, so that's my next project.

Glad you said that.. I called Nashbar, and the Townies were back in stock. Mine came in the mail today! Can't wait to use them. They were a little more shallow than I thought they would be, but they will work nicely. I was aiming for a bag I could bring in the store with me so I could avoid wasting grocery sacks, so that's my next project.

I use the reusable grocery bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/)...we bought 6 of them. My wife keeps a set in her vehicle, we have a spare set at the house and I keep a set on my grocery getter bike.

Aaron:)

Can the Arkel Utility Basket be used on both sides of the bike? I am looking to get 2 of these and I need to verify whether or not I will have to special order or find another solution. I am planning to start commuting, but I need a bag that is BIG to haul bulky, light weight stuff (laundry). I'm a massage therapist and I haul 4 sets of linens per day and a normal pannier simply will not be big enough for 4 sets of flannel twin sheets.

If I can't find a commercial solution, I may just have to sew my own. I'm trying to get kitty litter buckets for the short term, which can hold 3 sets of linens, but that means that I will have to make multiple trips once or twice a week just to move the overflow between house and office. Any other suggestions?

Can the Arkel Utility Basket be used on both sides of the bike?

Yes, the Utility Basket can be used on either side. Check out Arkel's site for specs:

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/utility/overview.asp?fl=1&site=

My favorite is the Arkel Utility Basket (it's really a bag, but they call it a basket). It's a bit pricey for a grocery pannier, but pretty much indestructible and spacious. At first I was a little put-off by the idea of spending $100 on a grocery pannier, but I've used lesser panniers that were not very durable or well designed.

The only thing is that I have an older version of this bag that is a very different design from the new version. The new version has a zipper around the top that allows the lid to flip open. It also sports an internal frame that helps the bag keep its shape (but is removable). My older version has no zipper or internal frame (other than the flat reinforced bottom). You cinch the top closed with a cinch-cord, and then flip the top down and it clips into place. I'm not sure I'd like the new version as much since the old version makes it easy to strap down tall items (like baguettes of bread) while still allowing them to poke out the top. That said the new version added a few features that would be nice to have... like more external pockets.


I have a set of the newer version, and they're wonderful. They attach quite strongly (you can use them to lift the bike), they're well built, and they're quite spacious. The frame works pretty well; it gives the panniers a nice shape and makes them very easy to load. They are large enough to hold a whole paper grocery bag (or a 15lb box of cat litter, if that's your thing :)). Anyway, highly recommended. They are worth every penny.

FWIW, the set is often too much space for my needs, so I frequently ride with only one. The bike handles fine; once you get moving you don't even know it's there. (Obviously this is true with any pannier, but just in case you've never ridden with an unbalanced load... there's no need to worry, you'll do fine.)

Anyway, I wrote a few blog articles about the Trek panniers I had before. They were utter crap, at the top of my list for "worst product ever":

http://blog.jrock.us/articles/Trek%20grocery%20panniers.pod

http://blog.jrock.us/articles/Pannier%20update.pod

I use the reusable grocery bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/)...we bought 6 of them. My wife keeps a set in her vehicle, we have a spare set at the house and I keep a set on my grocery getter bike.

Aaron:)

Hit the grocery store the other day, and suprise! They were finally selling re-useable sacks! Pretty sweet- they're Tyvec (at least they appear to be), with a flat bottom like a paper sack, and they were only $1.00! They fit perfectly in my Townie baskets.

Hi--I'm in the market for a pair of grocery panniers. I've read a lot (mostly from folks on this forum)--thanks for all your input.

Has anyone had any experience with the Sunlite Grocery Getter Pannier Bag (https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/10661/)? It looks pretty cool, but I'm not sure if it's worth twice what I would pay for the Wald 582.

Thanks!

I have the Detours Toocan grocery bag panniers. They are really heavy and rugged with thick rubber bottoms. I stuff them with groceries at least twice a week. I am the primary grocery getter for a family of 6.

Free with a six finger discount, just ride behind any grocer at night, maybe right before you go shopping haha.ive only got five on each hand....

I bought the Novara 'Round Town grocery panniers when they were on sale at REI around Labor Day. http://www.rei.com/product/733820

They're...OK. I have to use 4 bungees to get them to stay on, mostly because I can't center them on my rack so the hook at the bottom doesn't work. I have one bungee on each side, and two on the top. It works, and is pretty secure, but at some point I'm going to want to get something nicer. They are nice and roomy.

I had one issue with the Nashbar Townie bag, it didn't have handles! It had this dinky single handle on it. But you can't beat the price...

I wanted to be able to carry the Townie bag like a regular canvas tote bag. So, I cut the handles off one of those canvas totes and had the shoe repairman sew them onto the bag for a whopping $5... 5 minutes of work.

The one handle, combined with the bungie/hook thingy is more trouble to take off than its worth. The hook will get caught up in the shopping cart. I just use re-useable grocery sacks, which when folded in half stay tucked nicely in the Townie bag when collapsed.