Utility Cycling - Ideas for Packing Groceries ... ???

Do you (or anyone else) know what the weight rating is for the Townie rear rack? How versatile is the Townie rear rack, as far as adding panniers? Are you limited to only Electra bags, or will just about any pannier set work on the Townie?

What about front racks? I'd like to have a front rack on my Townie that will allow me to have side bags and also attach stuff to the top of the rack (like sleeping bag, pad, tent).

Go to the Electra website for some of your questions. See link below
My LBS tell me that Townie requires a specific Electra rack. Look at the picture on their website and see how the rack front has a deep downward curve. Other racks may not fit or may require mod to fit.
I don't know the weight rating but prolly as good as any. The metal (alum I believe) is quite thick.
I believe most any pannier or metal basket can be attached to the Townie rack.
Electra also has a front rack.

Go to Electra
https://www.electrabike.com/index.cfm
Click on Townie
See mens "Euro" model for a rear rack
See mens "Holiday" model for a front rack
Good Luck

Don't forget to consider the effect of added weight to the rear tire! If you have an old crappy tire and tube, bring a spare. I had a blow out on a mildly loaded bike that took the sidewall with it. Fortunately I didn't have a load of groceries, but it would a real bummer if that happened.

I am siding with the trailer people on this topic. I bought a hardly used child trailer at a yard sale for $20. It's weight rated for 120 pounds. I pull it behind my forty pound steel cruiser and I can't tell it's there, even with my baby and a pinic cooler in it. It'll go off a curb and I'll pull it back up without noticing. When she out-grows it I plan to take the sides and fabric seating area off and mount up a grocery cart to it. It came with a wheel to attach to the front for pushing it by hand and the cart will give it a good bar to push it with. This is my future plan for a nice utility trailer. Walmart sells this trailer new for $75. Even without any modifications this type of trailer holds a lot and comes with a cover.

At one extreme end you could change your bike to a load-carrying orientated design like a Bakfiest, or add an xtracycle to your bike (or build your own long bike)... or you could build your own bike like my friend did:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/one-less-ute-26.jpg
or like the one I built, but haven't got around to finishing yet:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/xtracycle/xtra07.jpg

Its rideable, just have to weld up the cargo rack for the rear which is designed to carry 12 full shopping bags (4 per side, 4 on top). It's not an xtracycle type but a fully welded extended frame, much like a tandem frame.

I haven't finished it yet because my fleet of trailers is just so versatile...

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/trailer/DSCN4148.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/DSCN5906.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/tomarket.jpg

A benefit of the trailer is that you can keep it when you change bikes. Trailers are easy to build, and therefore you can design yours to suit your needs perfectly. Don't worry about traffic, in my experience when motorists 'think' you're towing a child their attitude completely changes.

I've had no luck with the Nashbar townie basket. Every time I put groceries in it, they fall out when I go over bumps. I don't know if there is some trick for attaching it to the rack, but after a bump it just becomes unclipped. I've tried two of them now, and in both cases my groceries end up on the street -- usually in the middle of an intersection.

My next set of panniers are going to be covered.

Front rack won't do me any good, since I have shocks on my Townie. I might get the rear rack for my Townie, after I get my LHT and have it fully outfitted.


Go to the Electra website for some of your questions. See link below
My LBS tell me that Townie requires a specific Electra rack. Look at the picture on their website and see how the rack front has a deep downward curve. Other racks may not fit or may require mod to fit.
I don't know the weight rating but prolly as good as any. The metal (alum I believe) is quite thick.
I believe most any pannier or metal basket can be attached to the Townie rack.
Electra also has a front rack.

Go to Electra
https://www.electrabike.com/index.cfm
Click on Townie
See mens "Euro" model for a rear rack
See mens "Holiday" model for a front rack
Good Luck

I've had no luck with the Nashbar townie basket. Every time I put groceries in it, they fall out when I go over bumps. I don't know if there is some trick for attaching it to the rack, but after a bump it just becomes unclipped. I've tried two of them now, and in both cases my groceries end up on the street -- usually in the middle of an intersection.

My next set of panniers are going to be covered.

I have the exact same problem with my Townie basket! I tried installing the Townie basket on my old mountain bike, and have the same problem with the Townie basket on the MB! Maybe you could use some zip ties to secure the Townie basket?