Big panniers

[simon.r]

I'm filling my current, 34 litre, panniers to bursting point with grocery shopping fairly often. Any recommendations for bigger ones?

They need to be black, other than that anything considered. Current favourite is the Basil Kavan XL - http://www.dutchbikebits.com/basil-kavan-xl-65-panniers

It's not an area I have much experience of, so any tips or recommendations will be gratefully received.

 

[jonny jeez]

Would a trailer not be a better option?

 

[Glow worm]

I use Altura 56liter panniers and it's amazing how much stuff I can get in them. Had them a few years now and very reliable/ sturdy and crucially- waterproof. They also attach well to the rack so I dont need to worry about them dropping off (as has happened with cheaper ones in the past).

 

[simon.r]

Would a trailer not be a better option?

I've thought about it, but my regular 'shopping routes' involve fairly narrow alleyways, shared paths and so on. A trailer would, I think, be difficult to manoeuvre on some of these.

 

[growingvegetables]

Umm - more shopping trips? Sorry - I hate carrying overstuffed/overweighted panniers.

 

[vickster]

Delivery service for big stuff?

 

[simon.r]

Delivery service for big stuff?

I'll use the car when I need to, but I'd rather use the bike when possible.

Today was a good example - given 3 people with healthy appetites in the household, popping to the shop for a pint of milk quickly becomes popping to the shop for 6 pints of milk, a loaf, a dozen apples, 3 cartons of orange juice etc etc... I was on the capacity limit of my panniers. I could have driven, or made 2 trips, but the simplest solution seems to be larger panniers.

 

[mjr]

A Basil triple pannier and a basket with supports on the front is probably as good as you will get without a trailer or specialist bike.

 

[Spokesmann]

Thumbs up for Altura panniers...

 

[simon.r]

I went for the Basil Kavan XL in the end, which seem well suited to my needs. They're basic, but seem well put together. They easily swallowed a couple of large carrier bags: