Baskets not needed to carry bags, just a 1 oz hook.

[Matt Gruber]

i've carried 4 bags(record 35#) on a kids kick scooter. NEVER saw anybody do that. VERY EASY with 1 HOOK.
Bikes don't need paniers or even a rack.
TIP: i took the hook off a bungee cord. once i found a place to mount it(the handlebar lock lever in my case) it was easy. for years i've used it to carry sla's out to my detached garage. easily holds 20#. per hook. For a 26" bike i recommend the sides of the rear tire area.

U might need a guard to keep bags from swinging into the large wheels. Maybe a velcro tie to stop the bag from swinging. I use that on a frozen turkey.
The hook is fantastic as it has no aero penalty and weighs an ounce.
Perhaps people don't carry bags because they just didn't realize how easy the plastic bags hook on? maybe they just need an excuse for using a car? Well, if u want to go green, just take a small load home on the bike now and then, even 1 in 4 would make u part of the solution, instead of the problem.

 

[TylerDurden]

Perhaps bags swinging about on a low rig are not as hard to manage as on a 26" wheel ride, as they lower the CG.

Ah-ha... the solution to CG issues: frozen turkey.

8)

 

[Reid Welch]

I've carried bags on my bike's handlebar.
Not aero--it costs some watts alright!
But that's not the big problem: on a 26" wheeled bike with wide cruiser bars,
heavy bags make too much inertial steering as they swing about; at low speeds the effect is miserable and dangerous.

I will someday use an outrigger to hang shopping bags of the rear of the bike like at behind the seatpost. I think that'd be OK for a half gallon of skim.

Scooters have it easier, yes.

 

[Matt Gruber]

yes, in the many years using my 26" bike, i like behind the seat best. just tie a knot in the bag, and hang it on the seat.
.
but a hook on each side of the rear wheel is the location i'm thinking. i'd be prepared to add a mount to shift it a few inches. that gives 2-3 bags in the rear.

lots of different bike styles, some like the extracycle extention

the front needs careful thought, but in a pinch it CAN work. i use 5# bags of flour for testing all possible locations.

anyone can carry bags on a bike, but i agree about the big wheels, i never hit 40# on my 26" bike LOL ~12-15 was max(back then it was without the hooks) I think 20-30# is possible; post your loads!

even bikes crammed full of batteries, like xyster, can carry 10-15#, a backpack does the trick.
where there is a will, there is a way.

 

[Matt Gruber]

i figured a way to carry 30# of cargo w/stealth e-bike:
2 hooks on each side of the frame triangle.
hang 4 bags on and EEK i can't pedal. Duh. i'll have to use motor.
i go slower w/bags anyway. and who want's to pedal a heavy load? well, not me.
even if my mbike is declared contraband, someday i'll be back!(after my prison sentence,of course) :wink:

 

[mvadventure]

It seems very simple to me. In addition to my bike, formerly Z.A.P. powered and now Crystalyte powered, I have two electric scooters we usually take with us on the boat. These are Chinese, three wheeled (two close together rear) with a seat. Two 12/20AH batteries in the deck provide about about eight or ten miles of 8 MPH power. Biggest problem is weight, 85 lbs each mean I'm fixing to get rid of them and get something lighter.
But, we use these for shopping and have no problem carrying groceries or anything else. Not counting the backpack I often wear, the use of Tijuana Samsonite (Wal Mart bags) balanced carefully hold LOTS of stuff. Since the scooters don't go fast to start with we're not battling hard turns where weight can shift and we tend not to go places that don't have sidewalks.
We do look a little silly with all the bags stacked on the handlebars but it's amazing how many people have asked us where we got the scooters and how much they cost. I bought these about five years ago and scooter design, range and speed has dramatically improved, plus the weight factor. 85# by itself isn't bad but lifting them onto and off the boat with the various height of docks can be a challenge.
Mike, Palm Coast, GL

 

[Eric G]

I've hung plastic shopping bags off the handlebars quite often,usually no more than 4 of them 2 on each side. The lip of the hand grips keeps them in place most of the time.I pack the heavier stuff in the panniers/saddlebags and the delicate stuff (eggs,potato chips, bread etc.) in bags off the handlebars.Gotta pay a bit more attention when riding as the bags can and do sway a bit.

Nothing worse than getting home with busted eggs,potato chip crumbs and squashed bread....

 

[Ypedal]

I"ve made potato chips using my spokes before !!! :?

Funny ? Yes.

Practicle ? no..