pannier baskets?
 

I'm looking for rear rack/basket setup for my gf. Preferably one piece. She's looking to haul groceries and it seems the only thing I can find are the Wald rack but even the largest seems kind of small. Any other manufacturers?

Wald makes the largest rear saddle baskets that I am aware of, perhaps add a front basket? I used to run a 85-90 paper route with The Wald 535 rear and the 157 in the front. I currently use the Wald Folding baskets on my grocery getter. They will hold a full sized grocery bag with no problems, I have a smaller basket on the front.

Aaron:)
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/41...500x500Q85.jpg

+1 on the wald. you can put a large bag in each one....and then uses bungees to put the large items on the rack. (a twelve pack of fat tire ale is very appropriate :) )

my wife is using these:

http://www.rei.com/product/780449

they are light, silent, quick release, and fold flat to the bike. I originally was looking at the folding baskets, but didn't want to deal with the rattling.

Nashbar's got a cheaper one of those, I believe- think I saw it for $25 or so.

They claim the hooks are lockable, what's your opinion of them?

I have a set of the Performance ones they do the job, but I like the Wald folding baskets better.

Aaron:)

I tried the Trek grocery panniers. It's a good product, but just wasn't for me.

I prefer a pannier that closes at top. That way I don't have to worry about anything bouncing out right when I'm crossing a busy intersection, the cold stuff is protected from the sun, and I've still got enough room for a couple of more stops along the way.

I've got a Cannondale Harvester, and I love it. It's the same as the other grocery panniers, except it's got a flap on top. I've had it for about a year now, and I haven't had any complaints.

The hooks, at least to my knowledge, do not lock. They are a plastic quick release clip, which just turn toward the rack to engage. I suppose you could permanently mount them, but I like the quick release.

I have the largest size of the one piece Wald rack/basket thing on my grocery store bike. They are very large. The bottom of the basket is just a little narrower than a gallon of milk, but it'll fit, and is long enough that you could probably put three gallons in there. They are tall enough that there is still space above a milk jug to put other stuff in.

I tried the Wald 535 rear baskets, but they wouldn't even come close to fitting on my Cannondale M500. It's frustrating, because this is my "utility bike", and it's gotten to be more than lame, making repeated trips to the supermarket with only my Jansport "Everyday" backpack to hold the groceries.

I don't want to go the "rear rack w/panniers or folding baskets" route, and prefer to not mount a front basket.

Any suggestions?

Maybe lockable hooks are the wrong term... If you compare the Arkel Locking Cam and a standard "Two Hooks + Bungie" system, the Novara appears to fall somewhere between. I've had issues with Two-Hook systems bouncing loose, so I'm curious about how well the Novara's hold onto the rack.

What was the fit issue, exactly? Was it just a size / heel strike issue? The 535 is the biggest of the lot, they make a 520 (Med) and 570 (small, eyelets only)... the 520 & 535 are supposed to be able to mount to either the axle or to eyelets.

I love my REI Novara grocery panniers, but I searched all over the site and couldn't find the model I have. They came as a pair, and will snap together so that you can carry them into the store with you.

Ah, gotcha. They seem to lock very securely. No movement once engaged.

Imagine two pieces in the shape of the letter "C" secured together in parallel, but only one is able to rotate. When the rotating "C" is open, the two are in line and just make a "C" with an open end to drop onto the rack bar. To close, rotate one of the "C"s around the rack bar such that it is now opposite the fixed "C," which now forms an "O" around the bar. For orientation reference, the "C"s point downward, as would a hook in your link above. Hope this makes sense.

Thanks, I think I understand. Is it the same as on these?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/...dc8a026c_b.jpg

I just setup my GF's bike as a utility/errand bike. I went with removable grocery panniers and a quick release front basket. The bags/basket are nice because they hold quite a lot [as much as she would want to cycle with], but they come off easily if she wants to take them into the store or ride a naked bike.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/...f434fb40_b.jpg

I realize it's not exactly what you were after, but thought it might provide some inspiration and/or help other folks looking for a functionally similar bike setup.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/...cf05b2bd_b.jpg

Them Wald baskets are simple and cheap. They're even not too ugly. They're good for what they are.

Avenir grocery panniers work well for me. No locking hooks, but they fit a 12 pack, so, well, they pass.
http://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive...iers%20001.jpg
Also some less important features, like reflective striping, key hook, zippered compartment, shoulder strap, and they fold flat.
Nice and rugged too. No rattling wire cages for me.

Very similar. The blue piece rotates downward to lock it on the rack bar.

I think the Wald folding baskets are great! I have a third, lift off basket, for the handlebars and each basket will carry a full grocery bag. I have carried as much as $300 worth of groceries home from the store on one trip. If you substitute zipties for the original hardware, they make no noise at all when they are empty.

I built a pair using marine battery boxes, some parts from the hardware store, and a little elbow grease. They ended up being a little on the heavy side but the bike weights almost 40lbs already so weight isn't much of an issue anymore.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...P1010044-2.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...P1010045-1.jpg

I am using the Novara shopping panniers attached to a Topeak Super Tourist DX rack. With the dopped side bars on the Topeak rack my older style Topeak MTX trunk bag also fits on even with the panniers folded. I like the quick release feature for the panniers which are very secure when installed. They are also large enough to hold a standard paper bag or one of the cloth reusable bags my local market has for 99 cents each.

IMO the only disadvantage is no top covers are provided.

Handsomeryan,
I remember when you were making that set, a couple years ago maybe?
Anyway, I had doubts, but after using many different things including touring panniers, grocery panniers, briefcase panniers, etc., that rack set up you have looks great.
It looks easy on/easy off, and pretty large. If I needed something for groceries these days, I'd probably make something like that but bigger.