Favorite grocery panniers?
#1
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Thread Starter
Favorite grocery panniers?
I know there's older threads like this, but products change a lot and I'm curious about current recommendations. We just ordered a midtail cargo bike and it should fit double regular panniers on the back, and I'm wondering what people's favorites are, mainly for grocery hauling. Open to both semi-permanently installed ones and ones I take into the store, but leaning towards the former (and just keeping cloth folding grocery bags in them all the time). If permanent ones, they need to fold flat when not in use. Want them to resist heavy rain for ~5 miles but don't need them to be 100% waterproof. I have teeny feet and no heel clearance concerns, but a set with heel cuts for the front pair might be good because I won't be the only one riding it.
#2
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I won’t say they are the best or cheapest but I’ve used them for years. They have been terrific for my grocery and produce shopping.
https://www.rei.com/product/885305/o...pannier-single
https://www.rei.com/product/885305/o...pannier-single
#3
Senior Member
I have these Bushwhacker Omaha - Bicycle Grocery Pannier but they're open top so no waterproofing, I've been using them for about two years solid but starting to feel the need for an upgrade.
#4
Devil's Advocate
I’m partial to Kitty Litter panniers using hardware from Jandd Mountaineering. You can either keep the folding lids on or remove them and drop in waxed canvas shopping bags. I’ve never found the need for grocery carriers to be water-proof because groceries themselves tend to be water-resistant. (Also I avoid rain days when shopping.) Altogether much less expensive than prefabbed panniers and more capacious. Plus they can stand up by themselves, most others such as Ortliebs will fall over if you try standing them up off your bike — big fail! Of course they don’t have heel cuts but would be fine for the rear. Plus you can accessories them with blinkies, reflectors and/or 1-1/4” reflective tape.
The HOMZ Flexible Tubs with Rope Handles which I use as underseat caddies on my recumbent bikes might also work in the front of your dual rack, especially if it has sloped supports like on my second bike’s Ibera. They would also attach with hardware from Jandd (just make your own bungie retaining strap with 1” poly webbing, 1/4” x3/4” oval or flat head screws and finishing washers.)
Kitty Litter recumbent Bicycle Panniers by andyXchrist, on Flickr
RANS XP Ibera Disk Rack MTB Reflector Rear Planet Bike Grateful Red Tail Light by andyXchrist, on Flickr
RANS Stratus XP Ibera Disk Rack w/ Marine D-Clips JANDD Mountaineering Kitty Litter Panniers by andyXchrist, on Flickr
The HOMZ Flexible Tubs with Rope Handles which I use as underseat caddies on my recumbent bikes might also work in the front of your dual rack, especially if it has sloped supports like on my second bike’s Ibera. They would also attach with hardware from Jandd (just make your own bungie retaining strap with 1” poly webbing, 1/4” x3/4” oval or flat head screws and finishing washers.)
Kitty Litter recumbent Bicycle Panniers by andyXchrist, on Flickr
RANS XP Ibera Disk Rack MTB Reflector Rear Planet Bike Grateful Red Tail Light by andyXchrist, on Flickr
RANS Stratus XP Ibera Disk Rack w/ Marine D-Clips JANDD Mountaineering Kitty Litter Panniers by andyXchrist, on Flickr
Last edited by andychrist; 11-23-19 at 02:03 AM.
#5
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My 4x 25 litres capacity each, £19.99 per pair Brand X Pannier Bags have served me well on weekly shopping trips, several camping trips and many utility trips over the last 12 years. Alas they are beginning to show wear and tear commensurate with there lifespan and come the new year they will be replaced...………. with another set of 4 Brand X panniers!
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Easy answer - Ortleibs. Lift them off the bike, carry them into the store, toss them in the cart. Shop. Ask the clerk to put my groceries back in my cart. Load the bags myself so heavy and sturdy stuff goes into the front bags that go on a LowRider rack, lighter and bigger stuff in the rear bags. Get home and carry the bags into the kitchen. Any spills inside a pannier are as easy to clean as any pot. (Oh, and once the top is rolled shut, my food will stay fresh far longer if the weather turns hot and I take my time getting home.)
Ben
Ben
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I’m partial to Kitty Litter panniers using hardware from Jandd Mountaineering. You can either keep the folding lids on or remove them and drop in waxed canvas shopping bags. I’ve never found the need for grocery carriers to be water-proof because groceries themselves tend to be water-resistant. (Also I avoid rain days when shopping.) Altogether much less expensive than prefabbed panniers and more capacious. Plus they can stand up by themselves, most others such as Ortliebs will fall over if you try standing them up off your bike — big fail! Of course they don’t have heel cuts but would be fine for the rear. Plus you can accessories them with blinkies, reflectors and/or 1-1/4” reflective tape.
Ideally, though, it'd be nice to have something I don't have to pull off if I'm transporting a passenger on the back, because we've got it set up for that. The ones that the company that makes the cargo bike sells will do that, but I wasn't a huge fan of them.
#8
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Jandd. First set only lasted me 25 years. Fold flat when empty. Rain covers available. I use them for almost everything these days. They lift right off instantly, go on just as easily.
https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FGBP
https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FGBP
#9
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#10
Senior Member
I have a set of Ortliebs which are now about 25 years old and still hold up very well. I use them as my commuter bags for laptop and lunch, as shopping bag and as touring bag.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well, it turns out the panniers for the Tern GSD cargo bike will fit ours (Xtracycle RFA) pretty well -- we'll need to sew on some extra velcro for one of the attachments, but they're exactly the right overall size. So hooray! They're big and boxy and fold nearly completely flat and attach in a million places so they're not going anywhere and can stay on the bike.
#12
Senior Member
The stock bags that came with my Surly Big Dummy are fantastic for hauling groceries.
#14
Banned
Ortlieb.. Quick release locking hooks, I bring them in and fill them @ checkout..
Waterproof is good.. It rains Here..
Waterproof is good.. It rains Here..
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I've been using these Nashbar townie open-top panniers for maybe the last 25 years. They're perfect for my needs; a regular size grocery bag drops right in. Now that they are finally giving in to the elements I am desperately searching for something equivalent!
Last edited by mc510; 10-23-20 at 04:24 PM.
#16
Senior Member
I've been using these Nashbar townie open-top panniers for maybe the last 25 years. They're perfect for my needs; a regular size grocery bag drops right in. Now that they are finally giving in to the elements I am desperately searching for something equivalent!
Likes For Harhir:
#17
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#18
Senior Member
Green guru dutchy will fold flat, go in the store with a shoulder strap and have a rain flap but they are not water proof, just resistant. I've had mine for about 3 years.