Hi all-

New to this forum and wondering what other commuters use to carry their groceries? I just got this porter crate from Bates Crates and I love it!

Besides looking sweet it's really sturdy, carries a couple bags of groceries or six packs, and it even has a cup holder and a bottle opener! The crate is a stained hardwood. I just set mine in my front rack and go. I should probably get some bungees for it just to be safe, but it stays put it this rack. the hardware is already there and came installed.

I get a months worth (80-120lbs) in a Bob trailer, two panniers, and the top of my front rack. Months I get flour tend to be the heaviest.

for years I used BOB's

for the last 2 years I've been using a Surly Big Dummy
cargo bike will haul

I prefer carrying my groceries in the rear. I just use a couple of large Ortlieb panniers. If absolutely needed, I'll add the small front Altura panniers. I shop groceries almost daily, I've got several good shops right along my commute.

I've used Basil D'Azur Double Bag panniers. They will hold a week's worth of groceries on both sides.

Wald Baskets, Panniers (variety of brands) and the shopper panniers are the ones I use most often. I have used a small back pack in a pinch.

Very nice looking crate.

Aaron

I use Ortleibs, if it's not raining i can leave them open and pack even more in. I can get everything I need in those, plus flowers. It wouldn't work for packs of soda or juice but I just stopped buying those.

That's a nice crate though, I've been thinking of something like that for one of our 3 speeds just to have something nice and easy I can run quick errands on and put stuff in without a big hassle. Actually I was wondering if anyone made a suspension mounted crate or flat surface, like the same thing but with a few stiff springs underneath.I thought of that once when I wanted to get a pie home from a farmer's market and wasn't sure how. Or is that just crazy?

I use a two wheel trailer. Three bags with kid or four without. I also have one rigged as a flatbed that I can strap a cooler and/or plastic containers to.

I use an InStep Turbo Trailer. Easily holds a week's groceries.

Paul

I have a pair of SunLite Grocery Getter panniers that work very well for my weekly needs.

I don't like adding to much weight to the front, the extra inertia makes steering more difficult.

Nice rack; nice crate. But this post smells spammy to me.

I use Wald folding baskets on my "Ford F150" bike -- holds two bags of groceries and does not block my lights or affect steering. For just a few items, I use a reusable grocery bag tied to my handlebars and resting in my front basket.

I'll probably switch to a couple of Arkels. They seem to be the lightest, highest capacity grocery panniers and would probably work for laundry, too.

Yes! People who commute don't give too much thought into things looking "sweet," they are into practicality. Besides, $150 is too much to pay for that crate. One can go to Home Depot and make his/her own for less than $20 with a cup holder and bottle opener.

Oh it's definitely an ad, but I appreciate they did not "spam" which would be posting a ton of messages, just one message that fools you for a few seconds and gets you to look. Much better job than the woman who cycles all year long in Vancouver.
edit: And of course by replying we are bumping it up, damn them and their sneaky viral ways!

Sorry, but you forgot the baguette. While cut flowers are optional, the rule states that every chichi picture of groceries must contain at least one baguette.

It is a nice innovation to make a porteur style rack usefull for everyday life though.

Where can I get one of those plastic milk crates that people strap down to their rear racks to use as trunks? I want something like that.

Welcome to the forums!

I have a milk crate on the rear rack that will hold a few things, but my wife typically does the shopping in a car.

Ride safe,

Jeff

Wald front basket.

I have a pair of Axiom grocery panniers that I ue from time to time, but more and more often I just empty out my Ortlieb Back Rollers and use those. About the same size as the grocery panniers, but way deeper, and they hold more.

Freeloaders on my Big Dummy...I keep meaning to mount some milk crates to the snap deck too, just haven't got a round to it.


Hey look, a round toit!

Correction: the woman from Vancouver cycles ALMOST all year long.

Dammit. I'm bumping this again. Bates Crates: pretty, but heavy and overpriced.

I usually strap the baguette to my helmet.

Those are actually all stolen. you can sometimes find them at thrift stores or lying about, but they are re-used by the dairy companies, and sometimes stolen out of the back by people or by grocery store employees.

hi,

my name is cole and i own www.batescrates and www.1lesscar. i followed this link from my web stats and its always fun to see people talking about my crates. i know the person whos crate this is and she was really exited to get it. as for you guys saying its spam i have been on this forum for years and respect it a lot and don't spam it. yes if someone is talking about my stuff i will add something. i wont try and promote here i know its not the place. as for the crates yes they are expensive i know but between the cost of the wood and the time i invest into making each one by hand im not getting rich by any means. weight it is under four pounds and they are not designed to be used on you carbon fiber racing bike,if your using a commuter the weight shouldn't bother you at all. these crates will also work on rear racks i have had a few people order them and use them on the rear. im working on building a new one with the same dimensions as milk crate because people seem to like the milk crates so much. while i know the crates are not for everyone and not for the hardcore commuter they are something i believe while help people ride more and drive less.

cole

I like your crates, and it's great to see small businesses succeed. But please...