Rack advice
#1
Rack advice
I bought a new All City Spacehorse for my all around bike and would like to carry groceries home. I like the Portland Design racks and was thinking their rear rack and strapping a grocery bag to it. I like the way a small porteur rack looks and that may be perfect for groceries also. What do you guys use? pics?
#3
LBKA (formerly punkncat)

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,324
Likes: 1,016
From: Jawja
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
I also use the Topeak racks. The integrated rail/locking system that their bags use is super handy as compared to a bunch of straps and other methods I have seen to attach a bag. They have stood up well, even in a wreck. The only complaint I have is that of the three I have purchased, one of them makes a super loud metal bang noise over rough roads. More than a little irritating.
#4
Advanced Slacker

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,286
Likes: 2,602
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
I've got the Topeak Explorer rack on several bikes. I love the track system for use with a trunk bag.
However, for groceries I use panniers, so any rack would work for those. I tried a few different ones, and settled on a few of the Arkel bags. Very fast one-handed installation and removal (you literally just lift by the handle and it detaches) and you don't need to use any attachment at the bottom of the bag... they just attach at the top. Most models come with the usual hook for the bottom, but you don't need them, and I removed them from the bag that had them. Even without the bottom hooks, they are the most secure bags I've used, about the same as Ortlieb bags.
The Shopper is cavernous, and easy to fill at the store. It also carries around easily. I've had other panniers that were better for commuting or light touring, but for shopping, this one is the best by far that I've used.
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/shopper-foldable.html
However, for groceries I use panniers, so any rack would work for those. I tried a few different ones, and settled on a few of the Arkel bags. Very fast one-handed installation and removal (you literally just lift by the handle and it detaches) and you don't need to use any attachment at the bottom of the bag... they just attach at the top. Most models come with the usual hook for the bottom, but you don't need them, and I removed them from the bag that had them. Even without the bottom hooks, they are the most secure bags I've used, about the same as Ortlieb bags.
The Shopper is cavernous, and easy to fill at the store. It also carries around easily. I've had other panniers that were better for commuting or light touring, but for shopping, this one is the best by far that I've used.
https://www.arkel-od.com/en/shopper-foldable.html
#5
I have been doing a little research and the grocery bag panniers seem to be perfect for my needs. Something I can easily remove, carry into the store and hang back on the rack. That Arkel bag looks great. I have a smaller Transit rear bag I can use to carry my locks and smaller items. Now to pick out a rear rack. Thank you for the suggestions.
#6
I bought a new All City Spacehorse for my all around bike and would like to carry groceries home. I like the Portland Design racks and was thinking their rear rack and strapping a grocery bag to it. I like the way a small porteur rack looks and that may be perfect for groceries also. What do you guys use? pics?


I also have a Spacehorse. I don't use it for grocery runs, but have used it for credit card touring. I've been using a velo orange porteur rack for the past couple of seasons. Depending on the quantity you want to haul, it works fine. I used a couple of rolltop panniers and a rack top bag, plus the occasional cargo net to lash more loose stuff down. Total weight carried generally in the 15 pound range. The steering gets a little slow, but doable. I think if I were doing grocery panniers like Banjo Brothers, and the like, and I wanted a front load, I'd probably go with the pass and stow rack, as it offers a little lower mounting point for panniers, which keeps the load lower, and frees up all of the rack on top for odds and ends or larger sized items.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,598
Likes: 329
From: Fernandina Beach FL
Bikes: Vintage Japanese Bicycles, Tange, Ishiwata, Kuwahara
Love these removable baskets:
https://www.amazon.com/Bushwhacker-O...cycle+panniers
The bike can be difficult to handle with heavy weight on the back wheel though. I'm thinking about moving these over the front wheel soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Bushwhacker-O...cycle+panniers
The bike can be difficult to handle with heavy weight on the back wheel though. I'm thinking about moving these over the front wheel soon.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
I got the Banjo Brothers Market Panniers:
Market Pannier | Banjo Brothers
They were the only panniers I could find at the time that would fit a square 12" frozen pizza box. And I like that they are covered on the top, so going over a bump doesn't lead to something jumping out of the bag.
#12
Full Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 430
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
Bikes: Giant ATX Lite & Schwinn Mesa
I the the rack is a blackburn. The panier is from home depot (online) and been good so far. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ventura-...2315/205151153
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