do you recommend panniers over a basket? I don't like how my basket raises my center of gravity.

I like baskets but I find grocery shopping and the like easier with panniers than with a basket

Wald folding baskets for the win. Low like panniers, but you can just throw a backpack or your bags of groceries in, put a bungee cargo net on top and be off in seconds.

What do you need 4 panniers and a handlebar bag for?

My original optimization case was commuting, for which a basket is easiest. Just throw your backpack in the basket! The Basil Cento Aluminum is lightweight and far more durable than a mesh basket.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4e0d71b964.jpg

In the handlebar bag I put repair stuff and all the small things I need to carry

LR had my softball stuff, RR had work stuff in it, the fronts were for grocery's. I don't need/use 4 all the time but yesterday was going to be long and busy.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5a626f981.jpg

So I finished the Rival 1 and Paul brake upgrade I like it much better now

My commuter is more of a relic than most of the others posted here.(1994 GT Pantera)
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...309a23272.jpeg
Still, it serves me well!

I like your bottle cages. Mind sharing brand/name?

Those look like King Cage Iris, but I could be wrong. I always get those and the Delta Inox mixed up, but the tab is on the opposite side. I have both.

They’re King Iris

Ortlieb bags look so crisp!

I really like those. Move them around to whichever of my bikes is the primary rider.

I just buy them for every bike.

What lowrider rack and rando bag are you rockin'? The bag size looks just right

The lowrider is a Tubus Tara, and tha handle bar bag is an Ortlieb ulitimate 6 Classic in 5L. It’s not really a rando bag so much as a replacement for a seat bag that also carries my ID and the like. I do miss the rando bag on my BG because it could carry more and most days be the only bag I need.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c7d406bf4.jpeg

Thats a rando bag

I’ve had the rear rack for a while but got overwhelmed with bag options and just kept using my backpack. I finally bought myself a single Banjo Bros pannier which carries my work stuff great and I’m enjoying membership in the “non-sweaty back” club.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b047c79ca.jpeg

I was doing work from home until a month ago when I started a new job, and since then I’ve been bike commuting 2-3 days a week, planning to increase to more days. I’d already be doing more, but my neighborhood is on a hill and I’m still building up my strength for that ride home.

That is heavy, how does it ride?

Mine? Or something else?

Could you share which rack model and pannier system you use? I just got my next commuter bike and am considering trying out a front rack instead of a rear pannier/rack system. Ideally I'm looking to transport a MacBook Pro 13 inch, 2 cm of papers, and some loose items like a lock in some sort of waterproof bag in rain and snow.

great cages, incredibly tight grip, I've never had a bottle shake loose on my gravel or MTB.

great looking modern bike, comfortable chubby tires but sleek at the same time.

Oh yeah, I love them. I typically only have one bike working at a time (because I'm lazy, I have at least 2-3 more in parts), so I haven't bothered getting more than one set. I think I once did have an ejection when I hit a major bump/pothole (bad enough that I was concerned for my rim) 10 or so years ago. They're that rare that I remember it.

Hey y'all, I'm approaching EOL on my current CrossCheck tires, and I'm thinking it would look cool to replace with some gumwalls. What are all those tires?

Especially you Germany_chris , since you've got a CrossCheck too and I know they'll fit.

But ​​​​Aussie_Cyclist your WTBs look the best. What is that model/size, I can't read from the picture.

My CC is currently rockin Schwalbe Hurricane 700x2.0, and that clearance is really tight in the back. I might be able to get 700x2.1 in there, if a tire doesn't have side-knobs.

The Cross Check has Pirelli Cinturato H in 700x40, my Bruce Gordon has Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass in 700x44. I have a pair of Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge tires 700x42 on the way for this winter.