The Beau has helped solve my grocery capacity issue with a new Wald front basket and matching rear rack. Holiday gifts. All shiny and matching. That's a man after my own heart!
The Takara with her new accessories. She likes to coordinate.
I've always had a rear basket, or just a bag over my shoulders. I'm adjusting to the new setup. I don't really deal well with change, so it will take a while for me to get comfortable this way. And of course, front baskets put weight over the front wheel, which makes it handle differently. So, I took her out for a test ride today with the front basket unladen, to get used to it.
We stopped in midtown to visit a friend and enjoy the chilly but beautiful day.
Several other cyclists passed by, including this girl with the faux fur trimmed jacket.
I ended up at the grocery store, where I got more than I meant to, as usual. I put a couple of heavier items on the rear, but others, including a bottle of wine, went in the front basket. Testing time! Honestly, it felt very unwieldy. I could hardly take a hand off the handlebars. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but the first trip was pretty awkward. In addition, items kept trying to bounce out of the basket. I rode for about a block with a can of tuna in my hand, before I had a chance to stash it. Extra bungee cords will be required. Or perhaps some more elegant restraint system. I may also experiment with pannier style bags for the rear, at least for grocery trips. I wrapped up the day by riding home with a friend.
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Most bike shops sell small cargo nets, about $6, which would work well to hold down the goods in your basket.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes see a young woman on Highland (always heading the opposite direction) riding a new yellow Schwinn Jenny. She has some pretty sweet panniers. What do you think of these or these?
I'm with Kyle, I picked up my bungie net at Intown bikes for about 6 bucks. Works great!
ReplyDeleteAhh, but these things require consideration. Is a cargo net the best option or just the most readily available one? Would something else work better?
ReplyDeleteAs for panniers, 'the beau' and I have been discussing this. The Basils are pretty but feel too much like luggage. I want something very lightweight that I can fold/roll up when not in use. There has been talk of nylon webbing. Or maybe leather straps. Perhaps I could crochet something?
Waxed canvas for the panniers, maybe? A basket liner would not only look snazzy, but may help absorb some of the shock traveling to your groceries, thereby inciting them less to leap.
ReplyDeleteA cargo net is both the best and the most readily available... Seriously -- don't give it another thought and just get it.
ReplyDeleteThat said, a very nice (but pricey) alternative would be this:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/sackville-shopsack/20-205
I've always used a single-sided rear pannier for just about everything. Pops on and off without a thought; folds when not in use (and you can throw in a wallet or U-lock even when folded); I've never had groceries jump out of them. Not elegant or artistic, but just super practical and functional. Don't leave home without one!
http://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Metro-2-0-Shopping-Pannier/dp/B00165Q8ZO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1262295833&sr=8-1
Well, I will have to try a cargo net - it seems to be highly recommended. Can I get a beaded one? That would be pretty.
ReplyDeleteI am coming up with a pretty specific list of requirements for a pannier. I like the mesh they use in the Avenir Metro and Hunter, but not sure about the size. I'll post my pannier "specs" sometime this week!