Just got groceries for the first time on my e-bike

morph999

100 kW
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
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Boy, it was harder than I thought it would be. I didn't go prepared. I one-handed it the whole way. Groceries in one hand and handlebars in another. Not doing that again. It was 2.5 miles but still kind of hard because the bag would wave in the air and my bike would wobble a bit. 2.5 miles doesn't seem like a lot but if you are walking it, boy, that'd be a long walk. My e-bike really covered a lot of ground. The e-bike makes it almost as convenient as my car, though...probably roughly the same time to get there and back but next time I'm either putting on a handlebar basket or a backpack. I just wanted to see what it'd feel like. I was breathing a little hard in the store because I'm out of shape.
 
One of my favorites is a Wald folding metal side basket , hanging off a rear rack on the left side. Most of the time the basket is folded flat. But you never know when you are going to see a great sale on fresh oranges or maybe a good IPA, and the folding basket is always there for such opportunities.

(Unfolding the basket on the left side for some reason makes cars give a little more clearance when passing)

For super shopping duty -- throw a backpack in the basket. Then (between the pack on your back and the basket) you can safely carry oranges AND the IPA home.

Serious "Car-Less" folks have baskets both sides. Or a trailer.

I have tried several configs, but the folding basket seems to be my favorite one.

Breathing hard in the store; could be the prices you saw?

Best.

d
 
e-bikes are so much funner especially with really fast tires. If/when I get money, I'm going to get a better battery. I can't wait.
 
what I love about e-bikes, is something that would take me 3 hours walking, takes only about 25 min. I tried walking 2 miles to the store just to see what it was like and it basically killed the whole day because it took 2 hours or so to do the trip and then I was dead tired the rest of the day. I'm a really slow walker.
 
Today at the flea, I found the hoe I needed for the weeds at the house. Nice, forged one, not the chinese spot weld kind that breaks after 2 chops. Carried it home like a lance, too bad nobody to joust with on the way home. I have also carried home partial bikes from the flea on the bike, with a frame over the shoulder. It's 2 miles home from the flea market. Everywhere I go I have my messenger bag, that just about carries all I could need to make a good dinner. Not a real messenger bag, just a one buck satchel from goodwill. As I am setting up my bike for crosscountry, going to the store gets easier, I now have two small panniers on a new rear rack, and a rack bag that can strap on top of the battery box.

Do the folding racks rattle much, I like the look of em, but do they make noise when folded up? Nothing a bungee wouldn't fix I guess.
 
morph, that's awesome. I love getting groceries by bike.

I don't know about you, but I find living in a city makes me shop more often than I did when I lived in the burbs.

With a car, it's easy to get a lot of big, pre-made stuff. You stock up on things that have preservatives, that last. You shop maybe once a week.

With a bike, you can shop 2, 3, 4 times a week and get FRESH stuff. It's especially convenient if you bike to work. Parking is easy and free, and though you probably spend the same or more, I find I eat a lot better. :D
 
Yep I've been getting my most of my groceries with the ebike.The panniers on the rack hold a surprising amount and I also have a kinda big canvas type bag strapped to the handlebars.I end up going about 3 times a week just because it's fun.

Eric
 
nutsandvolts said:
Glad to see another parked car, mine hasn't moved since last august. For groceries, nothing beats xtracycle:

RideLoaded4.jpg


A few days ago I wanted to get a bunch of free/recycled wood to build some stuff, and people always put such things on the curb as trash. In one trip I carried six 63 x 11 x 5/8 inch boards and six 14 x 11 x 5/8 inch boards. Next trip I was carrying two 77 x 48 x 5/8 inch boards. Next trip I carried a 23 x 20 x 17 inch small dresser with four drawers! The looks on peoples faces is priceless. When I was loading up the dresser a woman walking by said "good luck!" but it was no problem at all. The 63 inch boards were a bit of a challenge but really no problem. This is the best bike accessory, I can even fit all my batteries in the inner pockets of the freeloaders. This bike with a trailer would be just as good if not better than a car for hauling.

that's what I need. Where did you get those side bags.
 
When I go the grocery store, I enlist the help of my bike's two back panniers, the front basket(For the light fragile stuff(bread-y stuff, basically) since mass affects the handle-bar's handling) and a humongous camping/hiking back pack. I don't actually use the back pack anywhere near full-capacity but let's say I never have trouble bringing the groceries home and I shop maybe once every 1 week to 1.5 weeks.
 
Here's my plan, not executed yet:
Go to the supermarket and ask if they have any broken hand-baskets. If they cough up, I'll wire/clip two baskets one to each side of the pannier rack. I'll probably need a prop from the bottom of the basket to the bottom of the pannier rack to make it level.
Plan 2:
Go to the supermarket and ask for a broken trolley (sort you push around the mart). If they cough up, convert same to trailer. Maybe use a front fork with wheel fixed to the back of the trolley salvaged from defunct bike.
Just to stimulate your thoughts! :)
 
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