salcedo

I just moved to a new town which is flat and safe, but has more traffic congestion that I would like. So, I decided to buy a good commuter/utility bike instead of a car. My wife still has a car that I will be able to use occasionally, but I hope to rely on it as little as possible.

This morning I went to buy groceries on a bicycle for the first time, and it was a lot easier than I thought.

I could feel the weight, but I wasn't trying to go fast. Right now I only have one pannier bag (which I borrowed). So I was definitely lob-sided and I had to keep both my hands on the handlebar.

Also, I think one pannier bag is not enough. I will probably buy a pair of Ortlieb back-rollers (either plus or high vis), unless someone has a better suggestion. Even that won't be enough to buy as much as I usually buy. But, on the other hand, it is a lot easier (and fun!) to stop by the store when I don't have to worry about traffic and parking. I think one day I'll even get a cargo trailer.

Just wanted to share my story and ask for any advice from more experienced cyclists

travelinhobo

I've been car-free for 13 years or so. One of the best accessories I ever bought for my bike was foldable baskets for the rear. I highly recommend these!! The kind I had were black and easy to use and fold when I didn't need them extended out. You can fit a gallon of milk in them as well as a full 6 roll of toilet paper package. Look into them before you pay out for another expensive pannier.

52telecaster

go to the grocery store on the bike all the time. we use panniers front and rear if needed. i even sometimes take a trailer.

WMcCready

I have a Raleigh Sports with rear rack & folding basket on each side. Grocery store is about 4 city blocks from home, Use it always including winter if not to cold, or to windy or snow pack. My preferred method over Car use, I still have to go during low traffic times, School on nearby corner so can't go out during start & finish of school day, & non rush hour. Travel Safe

wipekitty

Nice work!

I've been getting groceries mostly by bike for about 18 years...for households ranging from 1 to 4 people.

My go-to luggage for the past decade has been a large messenger bag: my current one has a capacity of 40L (about the size of two regular panniers). Since I tend to ride in an "aggressive" position, a bit of creative packing makes it easy to carry delicate items (cakes, pies, bread, eggs) flat on my back without damaging them.

I got my cargo trailer in March 2014, and that has been a game-changer. I don't use it often, but it's helpful for getting larger and more cost-effective quantities of items that my household seems to use a lot of.

Roody

I don't know how many people you're shopping for, but a large backpack or messenger bag will add a lot of capacity for your shopping trips.

You'll probably find that weight is less of a factor than bulk. It can be easier to haul heavy stuff like canned goods and bottles, compared to bulky stuff like toilet paper.

B. Carfree

Awesome. The first time is the hardest.

As far as the details, you may find that just using a pair of panniers does the trick for you. I did that for decades. I now have very large metal baskets on the rear of my town bike and a mid-sized front basket. I rarely find that I can't fit everything in the baskets, on top of them or on bags that are bungeed on to them. When I go in for a big shopping expedition, I've got a very large flat-bed trailer that does the trick up to about 700 pounds, which is about my physical limit as well.

Walter S

Croozer cargo trailer. Less shopping trips.

brianmcg123

Get a basket in front also. That will carry anything of sized easy.

linberl

Been using panniers but recently got a burley travoy - so wish I had done it sooner. Roll to the store, one click disconnet the travoy and roll into store to use as shopping cart, roll out and reclick and off I go! None of the rebalancing of bags, etc. Holds a ridiculous amount of food (up to 60lbs). Cheap way to get one: sign up for REI master card and get the free $100 gift card, then wait for the 20% off members coupon. With tax mine was $117, cheaper than 2 ortlieb bags!

fourknees

I have found a front basket very useful as mine comes off like a shopping basket. (Wald 3133 q-r) I’ve had a lot of weight in this and the steering becomes more difficult, so keep it to lighter items.

Wald makes all types though: https://m.waldsports.com/index.cfm/store/
I’ve been intrigued by the large flat front rack - for pizza!

cooker

Most of my household shopping is done by other family members by car, but I sometimes do a bit on foot or by bike. I actually find going on foot can be easier if the store isn't too far, because you don't have to worry about parking and locking and loading and unloading and handling the bike. I have a wheeled fold-out wire basket for larger loads and a backpack and/or sturdy cotton shopping bags suffice for smaller loads. We have one partial grocery store 600m from home and a couple more 1.5-2 km away.

KD5NRH

Single Wheel Bicycle Trailer for Cargo BCT-8002 | Discount Ramps

Cheaper than a lot of panniers, and you're not limited to the 6 roll packs of toilet paper.

I still have and use front and rear panniers when appropriate, (use the rear ones pretty much every day for my laptop and any extra clothes) but for a grocery or laundry trip, the trailer is hard to beat.

indyfabz

Take a look at the Ortlieb Backpackers. They are easier to get in and out of since they have "lids." No need to roll to close. I have a set for loaded touring and also use them for grocery shopping when my messenger bag won't be enough.


thetouringstore.com is a great place to get Ortliebs. The owner, Wayne, is very knowledgeable and provides service after the sale. After he requested some photos we spoke on the phone personally when I was having trouble getting my panniers to fit well on my rear rack. And when I had a warranty issue, the shipped me out a new one before receiving the old one because I had a tour coming up. I have never read anything bad about him in the Touring forum. Only comments of praise.

reppans

10sec conversions: bike>shopping cart>bike

Dahon.Steve

Good idea! I might do just exactly that.

I keep dreaming about buying a Burley Travoy but the supermarket is just two blocks away. I would have bought one LONG AGO if I was living half a mile from the stores.

linberl

You can use it as a hand cart if you only have to go 2 blocks and then have it available for longer trips or camping or whatever.

Walter S

I use the Croozer cargo trailer. I like pulling the horizontal load - no "securing the load" on a trailer that stuff might otherwise just fall off of. You just literally lay stuff in the trailer and go.

tandempower

There is an art to packing and carrying the plastic bags given out for free by stores. You can double-bag if you're concerned about them breaking, but with lighter items I don't really worry. It can be tricky to turn them in a way that keeps the contents and corners from swinging into the spokes of your front wheel, but I've learned to either hang them on the very ends of the hand grips or wrap them around my hands in a way that keeps them from hanging too low and/or turning in the wrong direction relative to the front wheel.

I-Like-To-Bike

Do you really find the destitute junkie aesthetic all that appealing?
Bicycle baskets and/or a backpack really aren't that expensive.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Basket-Wa...x7x12/31984771


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BY6UCDS/

wphamilton

I used to use the panniers (home made works fine) for light stuff, bread and such that I don't want squished, and also tied a large duffel bag on the rack for more heavy duty. If needed I could strap another bag over that. Then a regular backpack for the overflow like eggs and miscellany.

Not for a while though. Being car-light instead of car-free, getting the groceries is one place where the car really is much more convenient. But it's nice to know you can do it on the bike if you need to, or just feel like it that day.

Machka 

Grocery stores don't give out free plastic bags anymore. You've got to buy the plastic bags, or buy cloth bags.

Machka 

That looks handy.

Roody

I hang fragile items on the bars--especially bananas and donuts.

ironwood

Unfortunately here in the USA, in many places, they still do give out plastic bags. I carry a cloth bag. But, occaisionally, if it is raining, I ask for a plastic bag to cover the saddle.

I like a long flap saddlebag for moderate loads.