irwin7638

That looks like a simple solution. I've also heard of people tying the
Bags together and draping them over the rack.

https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2011/...nforeseen.html

Marc

old's'cool

I've been doing pretty well with the Performance Bike shopping bag pannier. I also have the PB Metro pannier on the other side that I used to use for commuting. I have a front rack and can add two front panniers for bigger shopping trips, as well as a trunk bag that goes on top of the front rack. With that combo, space is never an issue. The payload mass can become quite high however, and I have to ride very carefully home on those liquor store trips where everything seems to be on sale.

wphamilton

Sure. Take two of the canvas zippered bags, stand them next to each other and lace the inside handles together with wire or cord. Sling them over the rack and pull a bungee cord over the interlaced handles. I put a velcro strap on to hold the bags to the bike rack struts but it works fine without.

beat me to it LOL.

friendlybunny

I use my kid trailer when going to the grocery store. Hook it up and just put my grocery bags back there. You can really haul a huge load, and I'm not a big fan of heavy panniers.

Sancycles

What I have here is a mamachari (Japanese bicycle) which used to have a baby carrier in front and a child carrier at the back. I replaced the carriers with a basket and an expandable steel carrier at the rear. The rear carrier is capable of carrying a case of beer and cooler.



This the original setup prior to the removal of the carriers. Japanese mothers would be carrying their children on this mamachari.

sudo bike

I seriously dig that bike, from the stand, to the chainguard, to the light. Way cool.

Atavar

I went the other way and got baskets instead of panniers. I got the folding baskets to hang off the rear rack and a topeak front basket. The rear folding baskets are nice and narrow when folded, and when open have plenty of room for a large paper grocery bag or a full plastic grocery bag or two. These are incredibly versatile and let me carry bike parts, tools, computers, whatever I need.

My riding is primarily commuting though, t'were I touring I would probably want weatherproof panniers.

sudo bike

What baskets did you get? Do they seem pretty durable? I've been thinking about something a little better for groceries than the 3 piece set I have now (that 2 piece set I posted earlier was stolen)...

azesty

Like most people in urban China, I dont need to get on a bike to go to a supermarket, the population density means that there is one closeby. However if I want any western goods I need to ride to one of a few shops. I can often get by with a backpack, or at times one of my rear panniers.

z

Atavar

The rear baskets I got were what they had at Wally World when my LBS didn't have any baskets. The baskets themselves are very durable.. what is not to be durable about a welded wire frame? They are powder coated and so far are holding up well.
Like most bicycling accessories, the cheap ones biggest downfall is the attachment system. I believe the real deal Wald baskets have a much sturdier bracket arrangement. To counter that the Wally baskets were $20 for the pair.

newkie

I had a friend bring one of these over from ebay:




It's a folding type and the best thing is it stuffs into the 15" laptop section of my work pannier. So when I know I'm shopping in advance I can fit an entire shopping bag in this with the top of the rack still free.

For the top of the rack I found these to rock...

xtrajack

The whole grocery thing is one of the reasons that I have an Xtracycle.
I don't need to watch what I buy, there is a real good chance that I can fit whatever I buy in the freeloaders, with out a lot of prior planning (kinda like tossing something in the back seat of a car).
It is also good for those " Honey, Would you stop and pick up ______, on your way home?" calls. Doesn't matter what you fill in the blank with, the chances are good that I can get it home.

I also realize my choices wouldn't work for everyone.

marmot

I have a set of 4 cheap Louis Garneau (Alpha Stream and Beta Stream) panniers that work fine for me. Each has a single compartment, expandable top, and a very quick and secure mounting system. Don't know about their long-term durability yet, but they haul a hefty load. I usually line one or both of the larger, rear bags with a zip-top insulated shopping bag for hauling meat, cheese and frozen stuff. I can haul several days' worth of groceries in a single trip, but I usually shop by bike every one or two days, just for the enjoyment of it. Luckily for me, I'm in easy bike range of supermarkets, delis, produce markets, wine and beer stores, a great bakery and a weekend farmers' market.
My pet peeve is the clueless placement and design of the typical store bike rack. I usually lock up to a light post or handrail in plain sight near the entrance, rather than invite theft or damage my bike on the terrible racks provided by most stores.

Ipedaltahoe

Do you plan on doing all your shopping by bike now? If so it might be time to switch to an Xtracycle. When I first started I used a rack and on Pannier, which after 18 years is now on my beach cruiser, then I switched to wald metal folding baskets attached to rack they held grocery sacks and I didnt have to worry about them getting stolen and folded flat when not in use. When I gave up my car I went to the Xtracycle, a little more expensive but better handling, I can carry passengers, groceries and just about anything else. Here is a pic of my mom's weekly shopping trip. She seriously buys more than I do for herself and her dog then I do for my family of 3 humans, one dog and one cat.

gerv 

Panniers work good for most grocery expeditions. I have 2 smaller axiom panniers that I use to carry up to 30 pounds. Almost any pannier will work, but it is nice to have something that keeps the groceries secure and prevents them from getting into the wheel or falling out entirely.

After a while, I decided to invest in a trailer. That gives me much more capacity.

smasha

that's two problems....

first: pack cans/bottles in the bottom and fruits/veg on top . when you put the items on the belt at the checkout, cans/bottles go first, fruits/veg goes last - otherwise the cashier will squish everything as it's being bagged & loaded into the cart. i thought everyone knew that, but i just talked to a friend who only learned that recently, and he was very excited about it.

second: i've got a pair of ortlieb back-rollers and recommend them highly. i can fill them beyond reasonable capacity and not have any problems. sometimes i use the shoulder-straps as an extender for the other strap, and sometimes i cross them over my rack for extra stability. i pack/organize my groceries into a bunch of canvas tote-bags, and then drop the tote bags into the panniers.

Sancycles

Another of my (Bridgestone) utility bike suitable for groceries. You just have to boxed your purchases. An umbrella holder is installed for sunny or rainy condition.



Heavy duty carrier folded.


Carrier extended.


Dual purpose stand.

Sancycles

For biking to and from a grocery store with a kid along this Bridgestone Picnica Wagon is suitable. In Japan, the bike is usually used by elderly women. The bike comes along with a basket in front. I just installed the todler's carrier just in case someone wants to ride along.

FlatSix911

This ...

nutcase

I use the Axiom shopper bags. They work pretty good with a standard grocery bag. Just don't try and fill it full of really heavy stuff. I use one of these bags, and one Pannier on the other side,because thats what I have. I got a deal at the LBS for one pannier. Someone stole the other one from his shop so he gave me a good deal. This combo gets me a few days worth of groceries. The Axiom bag is cool, because when your not hauling with it, it folds down flat, or you just take it off. Simple. Backpack with all this stuff adds to amount you can carry also. 8 miles round trip to the store also helps. Not to far to travel.

thebigbiker

What is the brand and name of that rack you have pictured here that extends and collapses?

thebigbiker

What is the brand and name of that rack?

Doohickie

I just use the old school Wald baskets on my old school Schwinn. It also has a large touring saddle bag.1

DogBoy

I use our kid trailer. 3 kids plus me and the wife = lots of groceries.