ummbnb

(cross-posted in Living Car Free)

I've got a bike I'm equiping to be my around the town bike. It's primary use will be to ride with the kids on the tag-a-long but I'll also use it for quick trips to the store, commuting to work (when possible), etc.
I thought this would be a good place to ask for opinions on your favorite all-purpose bags. Something that will carry milk and other groceries as easily and safely as it will carry my laptop and other things to the office.

Thanks in advance!

katmu

I use a pair of Banjo Brothers grocery bag panniers. They work well for holding a bag of groceries and for holding my laptop bag and change of clothes on the way to the office.

JeffB502

I really like my Topeak Pannier DryBags. They are just one very large compartment, no internal pouches or anything. I leave the top open for when I go grocery shopping...I'll put a loaf of bread or bag of chips on the top and the heavier stuff on the bottom. With the top open of course they're not waterproof, but they can hold more than if you roll them shut like in the picture. Here's a picture of the panniers in use for grocery hauling:


When I ride to work I usually just use one of the Topeak panniers to hold my puffy work jacket and other larger work items; I use a Nashbar front rack/bag combo for the small stuff (wallet, keys, spare tubes, garage door opener, etc.). You can see in the picture above I've added some DOT C2 reflective tape to the pannier. The tape has stayed on well since I stuck it on almost 6 months ago.

The attachment system on the panniers is simple to operate, and extremely difficult to screw up, just like with their trunk bags.

Lurker1999

Arkel Utility Basket with a laptop sleeve if you don't already have one.

Allen

I like my Ortlieb Shopper bags.

bipedfred

I'm kinda new to bike commuting but my Arkel Commuter has made it very easy to haul my laptop + shoes + change of clothes, all snug and secure. I have a Nashbar Townie grocery basket on the other side for the grocery shopping stops.

For weekend days or other "shopping only" trips I take off the Arkel and double up on the grocery baskets. I may switch from the Nashbar Townies to the Performance version which seems much more substantial.

zohar

These are made from cat litter containers, and they do all you ask for.

zohar

These are made from cat litter containers, and they do all you ask for.

mochapants

+1 Banjo Brothers

MnHillBilly

+1 Banjo Bros - I have the one-piece zip-top pannier set and it's amazingly versatile. I mostly commute with a change of clothes and papers and other goodies, my grocery needs are small. But this past weekend, for example, I fit all my bike gear, 2 1-liters of tea, assorted 20-oz glass jars of Pom tea (yah, I was thirsty , a small bottle of Cheer detergent, you get the idea. You have the option of leaving the top unzipped if you have larger items. I'm considering getting the grocery panniers as a switch-when-needed thing because I like the idea of just throwing the bag in there - but my pannier set gives me the ability to close things off if there's rain, and it all comes off the bike in one piece to rest under my desk at the office when not being used.

https://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01090.php

I use them on my Raleigh hybrid, I also can vouch for their seat packs - just got one to fit under the tiny seat on my folding bike and it's amazing what their medium bag can hold. Even has a slot to hold a tail light.

Very intuitive products chez Banjo! (and no, I don't own stock - if I had the ability to convert the buckets like the guy above, I'd have opted for that - genius idea!)

ummbnb

Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. Trips to the store are short and sweet - its 6 blocks away. Everytime I get in the car for a gallon of milk, bread and bananas it seems such a waste. Especially in my mega-kid-hauler-minivan-mobile.

Commuting will be a bit more involved as I'll first be riding to the sitters (apx 3.5 miles), with my 3yo on the tag-a-long and my 7yo on his bike, unhook the tag-a-long then 6 blocks to work. A short ride but "complicated" by having the kids along. I think it will be fun to do from time to time...they are totally into the idea. We'll see how the reality plays out.

The Banjo Bros bags really do look quite versitile!

Keep the input coming as I'm interested in everyone's favs!

Road Ferret

Ingenious, Zohar...love those buckets!

zohar

Thanks, and sorry about the double post. Cant see a way to edit it out, though.

I mostly followed this guy's instructions:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...oc_id=1841&v=v

adebrunner

I read that over and over thinking you said, "20-oz glass jars of Porn" which made no sense, but I was def. intrigued.

sean000

My Arkel Utility Bag (older model with an elastic top that flips closed and clips in) hardly ever leaves my bike. It has a rigid flat bottom that makes it easy to load, and compression webbing for keeps small loads from moving around. It was expensive, but it's also huge and extremely rugged (after four years it's as good as new). It has a shoulder strap for carrying off the bike, and the Arkel rack mounting system is my favorite in terms of ease and stability.