Living Car Free - Grocery Panniers

Hi there,

I've been trying to find some nice grocery panniers with either tote handles or a shoulder strap and its driving me nuts.

I've looked at the following:
Jandd Grocery Pannier
Trek Grocery Pannier
Sunlite Grocery Getter
Bontrager ( though I liked these I didn't like how they only had top hooks for mounting on a rear rack and nothing else)
Eleven81( saw these on amazon.com but no information or picture of the back mounting)


I had ordered some panniers that were Louis Garneau ones but I dont think they will work for what I will be using the panniers for which is shopping, food and otherwise. I have axiom ones now but they are hooked together if really overkill for minor trips to the store and the clasps on them aren't that great either.

I'd love some reviews on the ones I mentioned above before I order online.

I use a pair of Arkel T42 panniers, They hook on the sides of a shopping cart.

I use a pair of Arkel T42 panniers, They hook on the sides of a shopping cart.

Do they have tote handles or shoulder strap?? If so I will check them out:)

I use the open top ones (http://www.rei.com/product/780449)from Performance/Nashbar/REI. They come with a shoulder strap, but I seldom use it. I use the reusable grocery bags and they just drop right in. Somewhere I have some reusable grocery bags that are a bit taller than the brown paper bag and have a closure on top.

Aaron:)

Terraskye, have you looked at some of the Canadian products?

I only see this type of pannier at MEC,
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442622313&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1250992635781

but Axiom has these for $75 CAD
http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/shoppers/gatherer-shopper/

http://www.axiomgear.com/img/prod/gatherer-shopper-1-full.jpg

I have a pair of Axiom LaSalles, which I bought for touring, but now use only tour between the grocery store and my house :) They are pretty good quality.

Terraskye, have you looked at some of the Canadian products. I only see this type of pannier at MEC,
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442622313&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1250992635781

but Axiom has these for $75 CAD
http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/shoppers/gatherer-shopper/

http://www.axiomgear.com/img/prod/gatherer-shopper-1-full.jpg

I have a pair of Axiom LaSalles, which I bought for touring, but now use only tour between the grocery store and my house :) They are pretty good quality.

oh yea..those axioms you have pictured are the ones I have..I want single panniers though for smaller trips. Plus I dont like the clasp on the them and I have to use bungee cords to keep them close now:( Pretty but not as functional as I had hoped

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Full-Commute.jpg
I really like my Ortliebs.

oh yea..those axioms you have pictured are the ones I have..I want single panniers though for smaller trips. Plus I dont like the clasp on the them and I have to use bungee cords to keep them close now:( Pretty but not as functional as I had hoped

Don't throw them out. Send them to me.. :)

Couldn't you or your partner rig up a simple clasp that would work with these? They do seem awfully big though... I can't imagine filling them up with potatoes and flour. I'd never make it.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Full-Commute.jpg
I really like my Ortliebs.


I will check those out more..BTW I love your setup:) I may have to do something like that so I can carry home heavier things like jugs of water

Don't throw them out. Send them to me.. :)

Couldn't you or your partner rig up a simple clasp that would work with these? They do seem awfully big though... I can't imagine filling them up with potatoes and flour. I'd never make it.


LOL I will be keeping them:D but using them for bigger hauls..well at least until I find something better and then I'll re-evaluate. I was going to use velcro strips to try and work along with the clasps but I haven't tried yet.

they are HUGE too, I've put in 4 safeway bags full of grocerys in them and still had room to spare. Dont know if I'd try bags of flour or potatoes though lol

Thanks.

A trailer really makes a good grocery hauler too.
If you have a long trip you can always ice down your frozen goods and perishables.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Trailer.jpg

I have had grocery panniers since 1997. I don't think the brand is still available. I have hauled a gallon of milk and other items without problems. I did lean a bit more than I usually do on my bike due to the extra liquid weight.

AllenG: Where did you get the trailer??

Thanks.

A trailer really makes a good grocery hauler too.
If you have a long trip you can always ice down your frozen goods and perishables.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Trailer.jpg


Nice Trailer:) Eventually we'll do something with a Free Radical Xtracycle but I want a sofa first so panniers are way cheaper:) lol

I know that hey are not what you are asking about; but, I like using folding Wald baskets. They fold up nicely and when open they hold one large paper bag, or reusable grocery sack, each.

I know that hey are not what you are asking about; but, I like using folding Wald baskets. They fold up nicely and when open they hold one large paper bag, or reusable grocery sack, each.


oh yea...those are my "bags" of last resort as I really want to try and find something removable...I think I'm getting the Banjo Brothers Market Panniers if my LBS can order them in for me

http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01085.php#


The Arkel and Ortlieb ones were nice too and the Arkel will be my next choice to try and order if the BB one's fall through

I know that hey are not what you are asking about; but, I like using folding Wald baskets. They fold up nicely and when open they hold one large paper bag, or reusable grocery sack, each.

Don't they rattle?

I'm using the SunLite Grocery Getters. I got them a couple of months ago. I have no complaints, though I'm looking to replace the jandd rack that I have to hang them on. I have to slide them all the way back to get enough clearance for my feet.

The heaviest load I've put in them so far is 6 two liter bottles of seltzer. I've also put all my groceries for a week in them.

Don't they rattle?

Not if you put them on with zip ties, and use a velcro strap when they are closed. I ride on some very rough roads with mine have never notice them rattling anymore than anything else does.

Aaron:)

i have never seen panniers without handles!

Sewing a tote handle onto a pannier would take about 10 minutes if you have a sewing machined. 30 if you sew by hand.


robi

I also use the open top ones from Performance, and have had them for several years. I use them a lot, and frequently carry 5 bags of groceries home on them. I think I paid around $30 for the pair, on a good sale of course, about 8 years ago.

I have never had them come off accidently, and they stay on all the time, because the fold almost perfectly flat.

I use "green bags" in them, which fit perfectly. One in each bag, one on top of each bag, bungeed across the top trunk, which expands to hold all my cold stuff (easily two gallons of milk plus other stuff on top of the milk.)

I also catch the leading bottom edge of them with the included shock cord hold down, to keep them closer to the bike frame, and tie them together with monkey balls when they are empty, as it keeps them flatter.

You can always throw a plastic bag over the top of the green bag, if you need them to be water resistant.

I always have 2-4 folded up green bags in them, neatly folded in the bottom.

They have a lot of miles on them, and have carried a lot of weight over the years. And, they have carried everything from car and lawnmower parts, to carry out chineese, to groceries, schoolbooks, extra clothes, picnic lunches and coolers.

The Ortliebs have a shoulder strap and you can hook them on the grocery cart. You fill the Ortliebs instead of the cart and then you don't buy much more than their capacity. You can strap the overbuy to the rack.

The Ortliebs have a shoulder strap and you can hook them on the grocery cart. You fill the Ortliebs instead of the cart and then you don't buy much more than their capacity. You can strap the overbuy to the rack.

+1
That's how I use mine.

I always have Axiom rear panniers on my bike for both their capacity and their great reflectivity (I leave for work 4:45 to 5am). The panniers are great for small trips to the store and carrying the things I need for work. I do have a set of Jandd grocery bags have handles and shoulder strap. They clip on the rear rack but I've had problems with them falling off on the trip home. I can't keep them on when there's weight in them, balanced or not.

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs185.snc1/6170_1145937101307_1613914350_396751_3529686_n.jpg

For more substantial shopping, I use an inexpensive child carrier. I reinforced the bottom with lightweight pegboard which allows me confidentally tow up to 175 lbs. An added benefit of using the child carrier is that cars tend to give me a wider berth than when I use a regular trailer.

I have the Louis Garneau panniers. They have top-carry handles, no shoulder strap, but I wouldn't use it if it did. Like another poster mentioned, they clip on the side of a grocery cart. My biggest haul included a gallon of milk, a bag of flour, and a 5lb bag of frozen vegetables, amongst smaller, lighter items. While shopping I plan to fill both panniers, and I have the LG trunk bag (does have a shoulder strap) in case I over-estimate. I have also just strapped a milkcrate to my rack and that accommodates gallons and other big, heavy items pretty well but messes with balance whenever you leave the saddle. It's a flat four mile ride from the store back home.

The Ortliebs have a shoulder strap and you can hook them on the grocery cart. You fill the Ortliebs instead of the cart and then you don't buy much more than their capacity. You can strap the overbuy to the rack.

Our Kroger is untrusting. I put my panniers on the bottom and then put all my groceries in the child seat. It has the same limiting effect on my shopping.

Our Kroger is untrusting. I put my panniers on the bottom and then put all my groceries in the child seat. It has the same limiting effect on my shopping.

I walk my bike into my local Hen House and use the Wald Folding Basket (and occasionally my Arkel Commuter) AS my shopping cart. The cashiers chuckle, because they've not seen someone other than me do it. However, they generally think it's pretty cool.

Never had anyone hassle me about "hiding" anything in my bags.

Thanks everyone...My LBS is ordering a set of the Banjo Brothers Market Panniers for me. I really wanted a shoulder strap and it came with a detachable one so I'm quite pleased...I have a bag obsession though so I'm sure I'd end up with more as time goes on:)

I have these and they work great, waterproof and very roomy, no shoulder strap though.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1023686_-1_50000_20000_50003#ReviewHeader

If you look here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=466035

someone came up with a way to sew together two reusable standard grocery bags to make a grocery pannier for a total cost of about 4$.

I saw some for a good price at LLBean.com. I'm planning to get the double rather than the single model

I saw some for a good price at LLBean.com. I'm planning to get the double rather than the single model

Yea i have nice and very large double panniers but its overkill sometimes for me..lol I cant wait to get my new ones in:)

My grocery panniers are Treks. I have had one since 1997 and it is still alive and well. I finally bought a new one after searching high and low. I found the Trek basic grocery bag to be almost the exact duplicate of my old one!! It has a simple hook system and holds a brown grocery bag size of groceries. I have actually put more in the bag. I currently use my bag for commuting. It holds my tools, extras, lunch, change of clothes.

Now that I have two, I can go out on short bike tours without buying "regualar" panniers. As for a rain cover, I use one that was for a different bag. Just find a rain cover for a backpack or other pannier and use it.