Mr Vagabond

Since I should be recieving my brand new rear rack today, I've been trying to decide on a pannier to get for it. Double would be nice, but the cost is usually double as well. Grocery bag panniers have caught my eye because I'd be able to just stuff my backpack in it when I need to be on campus and would give me plenty of space when I go shopping. My only concern is heel clearance. I haven't noticed any grocery bag panniers that mention heel clearance at all. I've eyed this one https://www.comcycle-usa.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=932003 Price-wise it seems fine for it's functions. Anybody have experience with heel clearance on these or something similar?

bigbenaugust 

Since they're box-shaped, the heel clearance is worse (less?) than a normal (trapezoidal-shaped) pannier. I have some of the Nashbar grocery bag panniers, they're kind of flimsy, but otherwise OK.

linux_author

- the soft bag is nice... if clearance is an issue, your achilles tendons will thank you...

(i use a medium-sized mess bag for my weekly farmer's market shopping - holds plenty o' produce!)

:-)

spider-man

Depending on your bike, you might just consider attaching a basket to the rack.

In my experience, the best way to carry a baguette is to rest it on the brake hoods. This works best with non-aero brake levers, since the cables help hold the baguette in place.

Mr York

I have a grocery bag pannier, on the back there is a hook on a bungie cord that can fit between three different tabs on the pannier to move the bottom of the bag closer are farther away from the foot. Mine is centrally attached and I have enough space to pedal without hitting it. The top can also be adjusted some front to back.

MIKEnDC

Rats! I was hoping this thread would give me a lead on a plastic baguette. I wanted one so I could have it and some fake fennel sticking jauntily out of my basket comme le chic gourmand without actually spraying my grains and produce with toxic road spray.

Maybe the next baguette thread...

HardyWeinberg

I don't know about a plastic baguette but what about a gummy haggis?

sean000

They actually call it a "utility basket," but it's a bag if you ask me. Kind of an expensive grocery getter at $100, but mine has seen heavy use over the last four years or so and is still in as good a shape as the day I bought it. I have owned other pannier bags that didn't hold up as well.
https://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/uti...asp?fl=1&site=

I have an older version that has webbing in the front for quickly tightening down a load. It holds a scary amount of groceries. The bottom is stiff so you can easily arrange/stack things. It almost swallows a baguette shoved in vertically, but the end of most baguettes will stick out a few inches (so you might want to get another baguette bag to go over the top). The construction is so solid, and the fabric so tough, that you won't think twice about carrying heavy items like gallons of milk or six packs of beer. It also expands pretty well if you need to stuff in a lot of items... just arrange it so the fragile stuff is on top.

This bag has the same great mounting system as all Arkel panniers: Totally secure and very quick and easy to mount/dismount. It's also fully adjustable so you can slide the bag back for more heal clearance if needed. When mine isn't carrying groceries it is sometimes packed with extra clothing or my camera tripod.

I've also carried quite a lot of groceries in my wife's canvas Baggins Hoss bag. It's a saddlebag that sits on top of her rear rack. Works well, but the pannier is more practical for most things. Depends on the load.
Sean

fender1

+100 ^^^^^. I too use this bag and while not terribly "fashionable", it is hands down the most versatile bag I have used. Also the top small pocket makes getting wallet/keys/cell phone etc. no hassle. No fishing around in a dark, large bag. I would highly recommend it.

squirtdad

I like the folding Wald baskets....out of the way when not needed sturdy when needed. I have had no rattle issues. I did mount it as far back on the rack as I could to avoid heel strike...so far no problem

rando

^^^ what he said. just mount 'em back as far as you can, and no worries.

spokenword

If your bike has a full rear fender, I've had pretty good success with sticking narrow, tall items (ie. bagged baguettes, bouquets of flowers, etc.) between my seat stays and wedged between fender and seat tube.

Also, my messenger bag has compression straps on the bottom and these have been generally excellent at holding poster tubes, baguettes and full size umbrellas.

ronzorini

^^^
ditto on the Wald baskets!

My wife loves them. The only minor gripes is that it's heavy and the supplied clamps are pretty cheap, but have stayed tight using locktite. The clamps barely fit around her large diameter rack tubing and was a pain to install. You can always use mini hose clamps instead, but you might crush the hollow rack tubing.

Hers makes a little rattling noise, but it's not annoying. You can use velcro ties to cinch it up.

The best part is...no worries about getting it stolen while you're out shopping and it'll never rip. It'll look nice with a couple of baguettes sticking out the back.

Bolo Grubb

I currently use the Wald folding wire baskets, but I am not really happy with them. My back pack is a bit too large for them when I have a heavy class load. Also the buckles sometimes catch on the wire, making it a pain to just grab and go.

Other then that, they are pretty useful, but I am looking for a larger utility basket style of pannier. I would buy the Arkel in a heartbaet if it were not so expensive.

Mr Vagabond

Well, I looked at the Arkel and the price is just too high for me right now. I went with my original choice from Comcycle. It seems pretty much the same as a Sunlite pannier, just without the logo. I prefer fewer logos.

bigbenaugust 

All the kids here at Stanford ride with the baskets. I don't know if I could do it with my bike, though... maybe someday when my two sets of panniers, two trunk bags, and front bag disintegrate.

n4zou

PVC plumbing pipe fabricated to attach to a backpack. Cheap, easy, and you can still use the backpack when your away from the bike.

TuckertonRR

nice setup! how do you attach it to the rack?

JanMM

They sell much of that? (the butterscotch-flavored product). A niche market. Yum.