Originally Posted by
sm1960
attach a milk crate to your rack. I used one for a couple of years before my wife couldn't stand how it looked and bought me panniers. It was like having a pickup truck, you just toss thinks in the back. I put my backpack in it, and sometimes layers I'd peal off while riding, or some groceries. I hate wearing a backpack when I ride, feels restricting..also too hot in the summer.
The milk crate is the first thing I tried after getting my bike back in '08. Plenty of room to add lights/reflective material, but my main backpack at the time was just too big to fit. Then I tried some saddlebag type panniers, but had heel strike.
Then started using my beverage crate. It was perhaps the best solution going for me, but I stopped using it. I put it back on last night, strapped my backpack down, and realized one of the reasons why I stopped using it- the performance/handling characteristics of the bike suck. More than using the Townies or rack trunk. I think that may be due to the fact that crate extends the platform out to (if not just a little past) the back edge of the wheel.