DavidLee

Along with my Bulldog Mini U-Lock all separately, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I went with the Novara 'Round Town Panniers from REI combined with 2 Earth-Tote grocery bags from reusablebags.com. The panniers are really roomy on their own but the Earth-Tote bags really boost the carrying capacity.

I had to reposition the lower hook on the Novara's, as the way it was made it almost impossible to mount them properly. My guess is that perhaps the person who mounted the hook & spring either wasn't paying attention or is not familiar with securing panniers? No big deal but thought I'd mention it. The Earth-Totes fold up just like paper grocery bags and the Novara panniers fold up and snap together when not in use making things real tidy.

Unfortunately I don't have to grocery shop for another week so I'll post back and give a more thorough review and yet another one in about a months time. Meanwhile enjoy some photos.

jaydubya

Looks great! You should be able to carry a lot of groceries in that. -Jerry

Eriol

I like it, I'm still new and havent attached panneirs yet. Do you find your balance to be off when there fully loaded?

Patrick A

That's a pretty good set up. I have a pair of older Trek panniers that I use for groceries that are about the same volume as a small paper grocery bag, but the other day I really had to cram - no where near the capacity you have. I *have* been saving up for Jandd grocery panniers, though.

Patrick A

Speaking for myself - no, not usually.

chicbicyclist

Oh, very pretty! You should be proud riding on that thing because if I see that on the street, I woiuld think its really cool.

Off topic but I hust had to nitpick. Wouldnt a disposeable paper bag make more sense than a plastic one made out of petroleum? They don't cut trees from virgin rainforests anymore(not that large of a scale anymore anyway, they have tree farms now and theres a good chance that the paper bag was recycled) and paper bags decompose!

bikerbear

Man, that is sweet... I love my panniers but your setup is fantastic! I bookmarked both the REI and resusablebags sites. Now I know what to save up for

yespatterns

+1

Bockman

They should come with the prerequisite enormous loaf of french bread sticking up.

gwd

I use an earlier version of those panniers from REI. They've lasted 8 or 9 years. I used them for a bike camping trips too. They are beginning to fray but have outlasted 4 bikes. I also have some Ortliebs for wetter weather.

kf5nd

oh, those panniers are kick-ass

DavidLee

Thanks everyone. gwd I hope they last as long as yours did. As stated I'll post a more thorough review once I get to use them for a month or two and see how they actually hold up in use.

On my first trip to the market with them I'll be sure to grab a loaf or 2.

I was looking at those Jandd panniers, they seem very similar to the Novara's. If you get them post some pics and let us know how they are?

Thanks chicbicyclist, I like your way of thinking. I can see your point to an extent but these grocery bags will last years and years. They have handles & a small pouch on the outside as well. I can use these bags for much more than grocery shopping. It also seems that some of my local grocers no longer carry paper bags so these will keep me from having to use a bunch of those little plastic bags.

Reusablebags.com has more info to help answer your question as well found here.

likeakidagain

hello david,
I am brand new to the car free way..
I have a few questions..how do you put these on..I guess a rear rack right?
I was thinking of using a rear rack that is clipless, hooks to the back seat post on/off..but only holds 25 pounds...obivous theses bags were ment to hold much more then that..
thanks for sharing..this may be a a better idea then a cargo trailer..of course my eyes are on xtracycle..but that only comes after a year or two of savings from gas/insurance etc.

FXjohn

offhandededly nitpicking, I'd say those panniers rock, and yer a t3rdburglar's t3rdburglar.

DavidLee

Thanks FXjohn


Hi likeakidagain, welcome to the forums. Yes, I have a rear rack that I bought from the same bike shop where I purchased my bike. The rack is rated to hold 50 lbs, most mounted racks I've seen are rated about the same + - 5-10 lbs. You're correct that most seat mounted racks are rated to hold about 20-25 lbs. I'd be careful if you choose that type not to over load your rack. As seen in the last photo they have 2 hooks up top and a dual spring/hook combo on the bottom to connect to my rack.

I've seen many post on this forum from people who use and love trailers. Some members have multiple trailers and haul all kinds of things with them. It all comes down to personal preference and needs I suppose. Someone here posted a great link to an extracycle slide-show, I had to bookmark it was so cool. I'd love to have one someday, they so rock!

I needed some bread and milk today along with a few other things so I actually used 1 pannier today minus the Earth-Tote as I didn't need it. The pannier stayed nice and steady & I had no heel clearance issues at all nor did I feel off balance with just 1 pannier. I can't wait until next week when I can put everything to the test.

Ricardo

Sweet setup. Enjoy it.

RR

burbankbiker

Can I ask, how easy are they to take off? I'd love to get something like this for the grocery store but don't want big paniers on my bike for the one hour a week I need them. I've never dealt with racks or panniers before so I don't know if they just lift off, or if it's more work than that. Any info would be cool, thanks.

bkrownd

I also have a couple brands of "grocery bag" panniers like that. I have two "issues" with them. The first is that the hooks have to be perfectly matched to your particular rack because they aren't adjustable. If they don't match well to your rack, you could have some serious heel strike issues. The second is that they're too floppy, and only get more floppy with age. When you're pedalling they tend to sway around a bit, which is quite annoying. Once I kicked one with my heel and it popped off the rack and fell into my rear wheel, breaking a spoke. They'll do in a pinch, but I'd like to switch to the rigid wire version soon.

DavidLee

I just clip the bottom hook in place to the rack & lift the top up and hook that in place, its very easy. Make sure you have a rack that can accept rear panniers, most racks do. You'll want something with a "hook" type bottom & open rails up top to secure your pannier with, such as the pic below.

heywood

"Unfortunately I don't have to grocery shop for another week"

That's really funny

When was the last time I actually heard someone say they they were actually looking forward to 'Grocery Shopping'.

They look great...gotta get me some, my bags are a bit on the small side now..

Cheers..

likeakidagain

great keeping up to the questions..I am thinking about doing it..How many gallon water jugs you think they hold?
Yes..the xtracycle is like the yukon of bikes! perhaps one day..

DavidLee

Yeah, I thought that was kind of an odd statement after I posted.


A gallon of water weighs about 8.34 lbs (ok, so I googled that ), both panniers are about 2 lbs together & my rack is rated at 50 lbs. Theoretically I could support five 1 gallon water jugs. But that's a lot of dead weight for just 5 items & wouldn't feel safe or comfortable placing those in my panniers. Hauling multiple gallon jugs sounds like a call for a trailer or the all mighty extra-cycle. Personally, I would buy one of those 2.5 gallon water dispensers with the spout that fit inside your refrigerator & bungee that to the rack itself. That would be the best solution IMO.

likeakidagain

thanks for the tips..keep it safe, and look foward to hear report on fully loaded groceries handling.
Also could you not bring the pannier in the store put in your cart,folded (good to keep from be stolen)and then load up at checkout..it does have a handle right.
anyhwho..I enjoy this thread as its helping make a choice..carrier or panniers.

kf5nd

I Got Mine On Sunday !!!

thomson

Those are beautiful. I have been grocery shopping using open panniers for a few years now. Absolutely wonderful. Just keep in mind what your bags can hold. I usually buy more than what will fit and string the lighter bags on my handlebars.

But the mention that paper bags are more ecology sound than plastic has me rethinking that strategy. Perhaps I better start doing two trips instead. And while I am thinking of it, I probably should just take the panniers into the market with me and when they say "paper or plastic" I will say "canvas" as I hand the bags over.