Gerocery Shopping + Bicycle

Reckless

Hey all,

I'm gonna be living in my college town over the summer. I won't have a car full-time, and even though some of my roommates will, I'd still like to explore the possibility of using my bicycle for grocery runs. It's a really bike-friendly town, so that's not a concern. I need a little help picking out a decent method of hauling cargo.

I've got a semi-cheapo hybrid bike. Is there any decent universal cargo attachment I could buy out there? I'm thinking along the lines of the baskets I see below the seat area, rather than in front of the handlebars.

Thanks for any help.

japan

You're looking for a pannier rack and panniers.

Any bike shop can fit the rack and set you up with panniers.

You can also zip tie or otherwise attach a basket to the top of the rack.

VeritasVR

I did this for two years: one with a bicycle like you described and one with a 150cc scooter.

Get a simple duffel bag that you can sling over your back. Make sure you can fit enough groceries in there without off-balancing your bike (which shouldn't be a problem). Heavier items like water and milk might need a second run, but I was able to stuff mine to the top and rest the heavy part on the back end of the bicycle seat. The scooter make it much easier because I just rested the bag on the passenger seat.

Delzhand

I once biked a mile with a grocery bag containing a 2 gallon jug of milk. It was so much more challenging than I anticipated.

Loathing

I live in a city that has two Universities and a military collage, so I usually see the same situation that your describing. I think the best thing I've seen is people using one of those big hiker packs to carry all their groceries when they go shopping.

You've pretty much got a tonne of room in it, plus you can strap it all up nice and tight so nothing starts moving around or flying out.

Corvus

japan wrote: »

You're looking for a pannier rack and panniers.

Any bike shop can fit the rack and set you up with panniers.

You can also zip tie or otherwise attach a basket to the top of the rack.

Panniers are definitely the way to go, unless you want to go full on cargo mode and get a trailer.

Forbe!

http://www.cobbworks.com/

One of the simplest, high capacity storage units for a bike I've seen. Can be easily assembled out of found buckets/fittings if are particularly handy/have access to a shop.

Barrakketh

Corvus wrote: »

japan wrote: »

You're looking for a pannier rack and panniers.

Any bike shop can fit the rack and set you up with panniers.

You can also zip tie or otherwise attach a basket to the top of the rack.

unless you want to go full on cargo mode and get a trailer.

That's probably not a good option. You're certainly warned against using a trailer with a motorcycle and I don't think there's anything special about bicycles that would make them any safer pulling a trailer.

Midshipman

Barrakketh wrote: »

Corvus wrote: »

unless you want to go full on cargo mode and get a trailer.

That's probably not a good option. You're certainly warned against using a trailer with a motorcycle and I don't think there's anything special about bicycles that would make them any safer pulling a trailer.

Lower speed and less mass involved tend to spring to mind. People frequently use trailers with bicycles, they even drag around little kids in them.

Pojaco

You can get yourself a courier bag in a range of sizes for around 100 bucks used (Craigslist/eBay) or buy one new for not much more. I carry all my groceries on my back several miles and have no problems fitting them into a medium-sized Baileyworks super pro, which I paid $60 for (Craigslist). If you're in semi-decent shape just carry them on your back rather than install a rack or pay more for panniers.

You've got tons of options, but I'll just recommend my favorite: Baileyworks bags.

http://www.baileyworks.com/Messenger+Bags/Super+Pro/sizes/#
http://www.baileyworks.com/Messenger+Bags/253+Courier/options/

DeathPrawn

I have a front basket on my bike, as well as a fairly large and sturdy messenger bag. Between the two of them, I usually have no trouble taking home a decent-sized load of groceries.

ihmmy

I used to use my backpack and occasionally hang a bag on each side of the handlebars. Probably not the smartest idea, but using a regular (but decently large) backpack is fine so long as you don't mind going regularly (my grocery was like 10-15min away by bike, nice and close)

Corvus

Barrakketh wrote: »

Corvus wrote: »

japan wrote: »

You're looking for a pannier rack and panniers.

Any bike shop can fit the rack and set you up with panniers.

You can also zip tie or otherwise attach a basket to the top of the rack.

unless you want to go full on cargo mode and get a trailer.

That's probably not a good option. You're certainly warned against using a trailer with a motorcycle and I don't think there's anything special about bicycles that would make them any safer pulling a trailer.

Uh, have you never seen a parent on a bike pulling a kid in a trailer before? These things are all over the place and aren't particularly dangerous. Not that a baby-trailer is what you should use for cargo. Though I have seen homeless bottle collectors with one stuffed with bottles.



You could get a BOB trailer for larger cargo, like heavy groceries.

LavaKnight

The best option is to use a rack with panniers, and strap a basket to it. You'll be able to hold a couple of bags in a moderate sized basket pretty easily, and it's the best way to keep your balance.

Alternatively, a messenger bag will do, but it's more work for you and would be more smushy for your groceries.

So!

Option 1: Rack & Panniers

Option 2: Messenger bag

Option 3: Hold them over your handlebars (you'll probably end up off the road in a ditch-it's a pretty imbalanced ride)

Loathing

I've even seen a couple of times bikes with those little flat things over the back wheel, with a milk crate bungee strapped onto it. Cheap and simple, and gets the job done. Doesn't hold as much, but would be good for heavier items that you don't want to carry on your back if you use a backpack.

BlindZenDriver

Barrakketh wrote: »

That's probably not a good option. You're certainly warned against using a trailer with a motorcycle and I don't think there's anything special about bicycles that would make them any safer pulling a trailer.

A trailer works just fine with bicycles. Here people do it all the time and you can even get special ones for mountain biking.

Just for groceries I'd say a trailer is more than needed. I have been doing my shopping for years with just a school size backpack and sometimes a bag or two in the one hand. The later is not recommended safety wise but if you drive accordingly it's possible - heck I've driven with a person sitting on the handle bars and another standing on the pegs :P

japan

Barrakketh wrote: »

That's probably not a good option. You're certainly warned against using a trailer with a motorcycle and I don't think there's anything special about bicycles that would make them any safer pulling a trailer.

I've never heard of anyone having problems with bicycle trailers.

Waitrose (supermarket chain in the UK) lend them to people for free, I can't see them doing that if they were regarded as dangerous.

Barrakketh

Corvus wrote: »

Barrakketh wrote: »

That's probably not a good option. You're certainly warned against using a trailer with a motorcycle and I don't think there's anything special about bicycles that would make them any safer pulling a trailer.

Uh, have you never seen a parent on a bike pulling a kid in a trailer before? These things are all over the place and aren't particularly dangerous.

I have never seen anyone on a bike pulling anything in a trailer in the 25 years I've been alive. Bikes certainly aren't all over the place where I live and I can't recall seeing a single bike lane here, either.