Maybe this is a dumb question, but I’m looking for ideas on how to approach using rear racks on bikes.
A little background: I used to have two panniers (saddle bags?) that I’d use for short trips to the grocery store. I’ve since moved somewhere where I can commute for really everything I need (Atlanta beltine) and got an ebike to make it easier (Ride1Up Portola).
Unfortunately the saddle backs don’t really fit the new bike and on top of that, I’d like some kind of basket to hold my work backpack and for bulkier groceries. The Ride1Up panniers x2 are $60 and the large rear basket is $75, but both are on back order until July/August.
Should I go for the branded options or are there better/more cost effective options that fit all kinds of racks? I’d also heard you can just zip tie any basket to the rack, but is that reliable? I’m open to any tips or ideas.
by ramsdawg
6 Comments
Milk crate and zip ties works pretty good for me
I got [these](https://a.co/d/1lOvIjW) ‘saddle bags’ for my fat-tire e-bike’s back rack and they work well for me!
1) They do straddle the rear rack just fine on my RadExpand 5.
2) The three pieces can be detached from each other, though I believe your carrying choices are only 1-side, 2-sides, and both sides+top (I don’t think there’s an *easy* way to use only the top part)
3) If decoupled intelligently, you can have a “very long backpack” (top plus one of the sides still clipped together, though I forget which) and the other side as a laptop/messenger-style bag with a shoulder-sling**
> **pro-tip, always make sure to remove/secure that shoulder strap from the side bag before riding away 😅
Not a dumb question. I use a cargo strap homemade from a used inner tube for securing small loads on my front rack (up to a full paper bag of groceries) and have an actual shopping basket I got from a thrift store that I can zip tie to the rack when I need to haul more (two full paper bags of groceries, cat litter, my dog, etc). Cargo straps and baskets are obviously commercially available but this setup has worked splendidly for me for a couple years now after several years of experimenting with various front and/or rear rack/basket combos, including panniers, which I hope to never use again.
Ortlieb pannier on one side and a u-lock on the other side.
Panniers is the best decision I made.
I have an urban bag and its nice enough to carry around and its waterproof.
Here are some names I have, some are kind of fru-fru, others are not:
* Restrap
* Carradice
* Dill Pickle Gear
* Lone Peak
* Waxwing
* Velo Orange
* North Street Bags (smaller “grocery” panniers)
* Acorn
* Jandd
* Green Guru (has a big pannier)
* Axiom
* Banjo Brothers
* Ortleib
* Topeak
* Blackburn
* Basil (inexpensive “designer” options)
[https://bicycletouringpro.com/bicycle-panniers/](https://bicycletouringpro.com/bicycle-panniers/)
I wouldn’t go super cheap, but you don’t have to spend insane amounts. Sometimes you can get the attached “saddle bag” ones cheaper than the individuals.
I have a pair of Axiom grocery panniers that are on their last legs. They’ve had a lot of use for 6+ years, but they don’t make them anymore. It’s better to have some kind of strap to keep it from sagging, rather than depending on inserts, and also that they fold completely flat. Blackburn has similar ones that are inexpensive and should be ok. I keep an insulated grocery bag in the one I keep stuff in all the time.
You can get an adapter to fit your current bags https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/steco-universele-opzetdrager-adapter-matzwart/9300000040216769/?Referrer=ADVNLGOO002036-S–9300000040216769-PMAX-C-22284245163&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22290931820