Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bag or basket?

I'm thinking about adding a handlebar bag or a basket for my mtb.This will be a carry all everything form store items to possibly small dog. I saw some pet carrying handle bar bags on a website and it looks pretty cool,light weight and easy to remove. The wire basket on the other hand looks sturdy but bulky. Any of you ride with one? The pet bag is what I'm leaning towards,a backpack will do for groceries.

Go with the bag, unless the Dog says otherwise.

I have a basket from Nantucket Bike Basket that has a cage on top to make sure the pooch doesn't take a header after something interesting. It has 'old fashioned' straps and buckles, but is easy to mount and remove. I have a handlebar bag for my purse and run of the mill items when I'm not carrying a pet (my bag is also flexible enough to mount towards me on the handlebars, so it's generally on my bike all the time.) my bag wouldn't really hold groceries, and my basket can hold ~ 1 plastic sack of groceries (I have panniers, so I didn't buy a handlebar bag that could carry much more than the bare essentials to run an errand.) I keep my flat/minor repair kit in a saddle bag. I think it is a bit of personal preference. I prefer the rigidity of a basket with live cargo simply because any active movements don't change the shape of the carrier, and I personally feel like it's easier to adjust to puppy stupidity.

watch for a soft bag dragging into your front tire. The more supported the better. I use a front bag with a support and line it fine, but I dont know if I'd put a dog in it. A basket with support would work better :D

Though small..... I -LOVE- my handlebar bag! It may front me off (among other things) as a newbie/wannabe/unfollower of "The Rules", but it's VERY handy. (The dog would hafta be mighty small to fit in THIS bag!)

It's a quick-detach bag that can easily be converted into a fanny-pack (if you choose to carry the belt extension). It'll hold my cell phone, civilian wallet, and my cop wallet with documents needed to carry my 2" S&W (also fitting inside the bag). On the sides of the bag are small pouches in which I carry my large (by today's standards) MP3 player, a little Zoon amplifier, extra batteries for the speakers, and a Gatorade cube electrolyte/protien/carb quick snack. Fitted to the hand hold on top, I have a 3"x1"x6" JBL stereo speaker unit.... not too large, not too conspicuous, and sounds absolutely amazing with that Zoon powering it!

If I had a Hybrid.... I wouldn't hesitate to add a (quick detach?) quality wire basket. And I'm such a wannabe rebel, I'd likely mount an old plastic milk crate to a luggage rack on the back too....... just to get rise outa the designer gear elitists.

lol.... I've done the milk crate. I love them.

I don't care about the "rules" either... but then again I live car free in the Netherlands. My bikes have to carry stuff and most of my long distant trips are to the next city or village over for something. My favorite excuse for a 20 or 30 km trip is to go to the thrift stores.

Spandex with panniers. Always a winning combo!

I've got panniers on the back and a basket in the front. I might be breaking the rules, but I can haul two bottles of wine, a six-pack of beer, and the makings of a delicious dinner while I do it!