[Closed] Do you use your bike for grocery shopping?

I did, then someone stole my saddle and seat post while I was grabbing 4 pints of milk. That kinda put me off.

Yes, always - either the free Waitrose bike trailers, or pop a couple of bags on the bars to go down the Farmers' market

I don't use a car at all, on the rare occasions feet, bike or public transport won't suffice I pay someone to drive me, far more civilised and cost effective 😀

This is where the Big Dummy / Xtracycle really comes in. 4 "Bags for Life" without too much bother - very easy to load and nice and stable. Garden centre here instead:

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3593/3376748942_203248d4f9_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3593/3376748942_203248d4f9_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

😀

I did, then someone stole my saddle and seat post while I was grabbing 4 pints of milk. That kinda put me off.

Sucks 🙁

I recommend extra cable-lock, securing saddle to frame. Wouldn't be beaten that easily. You'd soon recoup the lock cost by saving fuel.

I did for a while but the packing things into to lots of bag anoyed me. I was commuting a lot at the time so driving to tecoberry's didn't matter much. I think Iwould be mor inclide with a trailer of utility bike that I could just throw all of my shopping into with less thought.

Confession? I used to always cycle, these days I'm so close I usually walk. Only drive if I'm already out in the van for some reason (like today, taking garden rubbish to the tip).

used to. Then started using the car as I had kids to ferry around and subsequently a bigger shopping list. Now I usually shop on my own but still drive. Sticking everything into a big box, heave into boot, drive home heave into kitchen a lot more convenient than bagging up, debagging etc.

Wouldn't mind a cargo bike for school runs, if I did have one grocery shopping would be back to 2 wheels I reckon.

It's 9 miles each way for me, if I take the dirt route it's 8 but more hills. Add to the fact I'm not leaving my pride and joy outside a supermarket then carrying a tonne of shopping home with me.

Most of the time yes.

When I lived in a shared house and only shopped for myself, I always took a 65 litre rucksack and got about two weeks shopping in it. I refused to miss out on bulk buy offers just because I was on my bike. Every time I got to the checkout I'd think "I've overdone it this time" and that I'd have to leave something behind. I never did.

Then I built a bike trailer which carries 2 or even 3 green bale-arm crates (like you get shopping delivered in).

Now I live with my girlfriend and a big shop's too big for a rucksack and the trailer's out of action at the moment. Sometimes we'll both go with 65 litre rucksacks, but she's more inclined to use the car. She says it's quicker - it's not - the supermarket's 5 minutes away by bike or car (longer route) so any time difference is minimal. My sop to this is we go once a month or less and get loads of tinned/boxed/dried stuff - all the heavy bulky stuff that keeps forever - and then just top up more regularly on the bike(s).

One thing I have learnt is that taking crates to the supermarket is so much easier than messing around with bags (even the big reusable ones) even in the car. Stack 2 or 3 empty crates in trolley -> fill -> load onto checkout -> stack back into crates -> lift into car. Much more efficient than bags.

bigdummy - liking the Big Dummy! Looks like a weighty load on the back, but yr front rack is criminally unused, and possibly shrunken 😉

Justreminded me, I bought a full-on Xtracycyle kit some years back, with the intention of converting an old MTB (M-Trax) into a longtail load-carrier.

Spent ages arranging/awaiting a sunny day at a friend's house (including use of lawn) - laid all the parts out, assembled and offered up the Xtracycle frame, calculated/added links to make a longer chain, organised tools, read manuals x 3, disassembled rear of bike and then discovered that my dropouts were completely ***** useless for fitting the kit :x. I wanted to go full-on Hulk and throw the entire thing through the air, possibly the conservatory, but being English I simply had a cup of tea and grumbled while patiently putting everything away, tutting.

I very rarely go food shopping in/on any mode of transport. It is something I really dislike doing so I pay a few quid to have it delivered. It costs less than the fuel needed to drive to the supermarket and back and means I can spend the time doing something I enjoy.

I very rarely go food shopping in/on any mode of transport. It is something I really dislike doing so I pay a few quid to have it delivered. It costs less than the fuel needed to drive to the supermarket and back and means I can spend the time doing something I enjoy.

Ah, you see - that never occurred to me! I might also be weird for actually enjoying food shopping. So combining at least 4 enjoyments (cycling + shopping+bargain-hunting+pack-and-carrylympics) in one is a win-win. Nowt stranger than folk 8)

Every time I got to the checkout I'd think "I've overdone it this time" and that I'd have to leave something behind. I never did.

^+1. That's the sporting element. I swear I 'accidentally/can't resist a bargain' bag extra just to test mettle*

*Once met a couple with a jack russell that 'accidentally' nudged its ball downhill and so of course had to chase it. Same principle!

I'm lucky to have all the shops I need for day to day living within a mile of home so use my "Shopping Bike" all the time.

Last Saturday was the local farmers market & I love pootling round all the stalls on my bike.
I beat my record by coming home with 23kg of produce 😀

Every time I got to the checkout I'd think "I've overdone it this time"

I use the brompton to go and get bits and bobs, no more than two carrier bags fill though.

"I've overdone it this time"

The Dummy is horrendous for that. I once happily loaded the thing up with 6 bags of gravel while it was stood on its centre-line stand. Then tried to move it. After an entertaining struggle, a man gave me a push so that I could get moving and get my balance, and I managed to ride all the way home without having to stop...

🙂

I very rarely go food shopping in/on any mode of transport. It is something I really dislike doing....

Can't get the "orange sticker" bargains online though 😉

I do, I bought a Kona MinUte a while ago off the back of a PSA on here and that does the job perfectly. The panniers on that combined with a 40 ltr rucksack and a couple of bungy cords and I'm sorted.

There's a fair argument that that bike was a big driver in me selling my car, I get the train or cycle to work anyway so the car only ever got used on the weekends, with a cargo bike to use that weekend usage subsided as well and so I'm now car free.

I used a big rucksack

😯

Only recommended for those who hate their underparts/prefer a non-surgical vasectomy 😉

tbh the only downside I have with cargo-biking with panniers etc (as someone else mentioned) is the time spent packing/unpacking. Bakfiets for the win?

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There was a "scheme" thing a few years ago, when I started this thread:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/shopping-by-bike
([edit]the wiggle blog link is dead)
I still do it, up to the local Lidls, but not as often as I should, cos mostly it's easier to stop off on the way home in the car. Should get myself back in the "using the bike" routine again now summer's here.

Can't get the "orange sticker" bargains online though

True, but you also don't come home with a load of stuff you don't need because it looked good/was on offer.

[i]True, but you also don't come home with a load of stuff you don't need [/i]

You don't on a bike either cos you can't carry it all.

Yep, we do the weekly shop by bike with trailer, and then occasionally mid week top-ups when we need fresh veg/meat/fish on the way home from work.

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*Lorry bike since replaced with new one.

Have pondered a longtail or longnose cargo bike but the versatility of the trailer suits us better at the moment, can use panniers (2 each) on normal bikes for commuting and most duties, and then hook up the trailer when needed, we can share towing if required and overall capacity is greater, manoeuvrability is great too!

I hate shopping with the car now, we only do it if we are having a big group of friends over for a BBQ or something and need to carry more, it's quicker by bike for us too due to traffic and parking time 🙂

There's a lot of cyclists in the city and don't get many odd looks, but I do get some odd 'you weirdo' looks when I'm doing a dump run and hauling garden rubbish or big bike boxes to the recycling centre with it though 🙂

After a few days in Amsterdam I came to the conclusion I [i]need[/i] a Bakfiets, they looks bloody awesome. They're not cheap mind, they're the best part of £2k if you want one.

Amedias - is that a B.O.B Yak trailer or a clone? Need to get one for the pooch but wondering how good the clones are...?

After a few days in Amsterdam I came to the conclusion I need a Bakfiets, they looks bloody awesome. They're not cheap mind, they're the best part of £2k if you want one.

Yeah that's the only thing that stopped me. I bagged a used Batavus Personal Bike (3spd Nexus, dynohub/roller brakes, lighting, sturdy sidestand 2 integrated locks) which carries a shedload, cost me under 200 all-in with hill sprocket, panniers and a front rack added. That left cash for a lot for groceries, and no debt. It's not perfect but as near as, and lots of fun as cruises loaded in a stable, relaxed fashion. I do find myself making excuses to use it, even after 3 years...so call that a lucky find 🙂

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It's a Yak, I had a clone to begin with to see if it worked for us, long story short, it did, but I bough a Yak in the end. Check out my previous threads and thoughts for more info!

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/bob-yak-style-trailer-or-cargo-bike ]http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/bob-yak-style-trailer-or-cargo-bike[/url]

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/anyone-use-a-trailer-for-grocery-shopping-recommend-one ]http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/anyone-use-a-trailer-for-grocery-shopping-recommend-one[/url]

We also use ours to transport the ageing (11 years old) pooch now, she can only manage about 30-45mins now before her legs get stiff and painful so we tow her to the parks and fields now, have a scamper and then tow her home 🙂

Mines a clone. Had to replace the QR as the original snapped, but it's been fine for a good few years now.
[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hHeOqjH7oS_pdEX9g5iGeOdJ9Cc-MS8Qu3y0GrFDYFQ=w1338-h1003-no [/img]

The clones are pretty good for the money, and some are better than others, I gave ours away to some chap on here when we got the Yak so hopefully it's still in use!

not committed enough to do main shop by bike but avoid using the car when I can cycle or walk - so I'll midweek shop at lunchtime at nearest supermarket 4km or so away or do a longer ride to a market that is just off a shared path, try to do other errands by bike as well - today I picked up youngest antigee's school uniform that had been left for alteration, a pleasant 20 mins each way, picked up some bread up as well
no cargo bike or trailer - big wire basket and a square shaped rucsac works for what I do

i ride to the gym as well now that seems to be considered very odd

when the youngest antigee was at primary I recall being handed a party invite - party at some industrial estate kids play place and as invite handed over i was told they would "sort me out a lift" - i looked blank and then the parent said "but how will you get there?" - the assumption was because I walked kids to school didn't have a car 🙄

the assumption was because I walked kids to school didn't have a car

I get that a fair bit, not with walking kids to school, but just because I so rarely use the car unless it's a longer out of town trip.

"oh, I thought you didn't have a car?!"

Always makes me chuckle 🙂

I started a thread about this a while back, as I often take my bike & fairly small rucksack if I just need to get some essentials, but would also like to manage larger shops with the bike.

Seems stupid to take the car 1.5 miles although I do try to so the shopping on the way home from work, rather than making a dedicated short journey.

Here is my original thread:

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/anyone-use-a-trailer-for-grocery-shopping-recommend-one

A surprising number of people came out of the wood work....
I put a trailer on my birthday list, but didn't get one and the money I had put aside thinking I would get a trailer with it ended up being spent on some SLX brakes to replace the Elixir's on my Inbred that were driving me to despair.
Hmmm, obviously need to re-visit the trailer idea & find some funds. I was looking at the DezB style trailers in the pic above....

All seems a lot of hassle just for food. Why not just get it delivered. Spend less time shopping and more time out cycling. Cant think of anything I would like to do less than go back to the weekly supermarket shop.

[i]I was looking at the DezB style trailers in the pic above....[/i]

As on your previous thread - this one is now [url= http://r.ebay.com/pGIqEC ]£30[/url]! I paid £90 and thought that was cheap.
Just make sure you get the sturdy QR (probably standard now) - Can do pics later of the type you need.
A Bob is 15X more expensive. Ok if you're going on an expedition, but half a mile to the shops..!

[i]All seems a lot of hassle just for food. Why not just get it delivered[/i]
So you can place the order while out on your bike yeah?

£30! Blimey, I think it was around £60 a while back.

Do you find that one has enough space?
I was considering the Skidii one that has a larger load area, or the Qeridoo one, but they are £60-80.

Looking at your photo, I guess you can get a couple of full carrier bags in there? Is that about right, or can you get more in?

Much more than a few carrier bags. I stuff the big red bag in the shopping trolley. Fill that up and you know it'll fit back in, prob 4-5 carrier bags full.

I need to find one of those mini kit-stands. Great idea to stop it tipping when parked.

DezB - Member

Much more than a few carrier bags. I stuff the big red bag in the shopping trolley. Fill that up and you know it'll fit back in, prob 4-5 carrier bags full.

Blimey! Probably gonna be big enough, then! 😆

Stuffed after a Tesco visit 🙂
[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G1XVbyjkl3Okducxh45XOP0VzB1cNL3DyJCZ4X6yRj0=w1396-h1047-no [/img]

living in that london village i barely use my car except for going to sainsbury once a fortnight. thinking about ditching it and doing home delivery for the main shop and popping down on my commuter or walking to do the top-up shops...
having to carry home can help keep me to buying the essentials and buying fewer packs of biscuits too 🙂

All seems a lot of hassle just for food. Why not just get it delivered. Spend less time shopping and more time out cycling. Cant think of anything I would like to do less than go back to the weekly supermarket shop.

I thought this because I hate doing the shopping, then I tried online shopping and realised the bits I don't like, that take the longest, are writing the shopping list and putting the stuff away, both things you still have to do. Then it takes longer to find everything on the website. And you don't get to choose things like fruit and veg. Or reduced stuff. Or stuff you didn't think you wanted, but realised you do (which might be a bad thing for some people).

Also, I get to ride my bike more and look at a screen less.

All seems a lot of hassle just for food. Why not just get it delivered. Spend less time shopping and more time out cycling. Cant think of anything I would like to do less than go back to the weekly supermarket shop.

Well here's a few issues I have with online shopping

> Having to buy everything from the one place, we use multiple local shops for different things
> Not being able to choose items myself
> Not being able to take advantage of reduced items
> Browsing items online is more annoying than in store
> Doesn't fit in with impromptu shopping trips
> Having to plan in advance can be annoying
> Having to be in when it gets delivered

Also

> It's not just for food shopping, pretty much all load lugging duties covered

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And double also, riding to the shops [i]is [/i]time out cycling!

Dez, is your first pic taken in South Central Cowplain?

Nice trailer. We have a Thule Chariot Chinook 2 which has a decent bag on the back of it for shopping. Sucks a bit having to cycle back with a load of shopping AND twins in it!

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It really is the Rolls Royce of bike trailers though. The kids wouldn't be seen travelling in anything less!

[i]Dez, is your first pic taken in South Central Cowplain?[/i]

Yes! Well spotted that man 🙂

If I had a garage, not two over-stuffed sheds (one at the top of the hill that is our garden, with multiple steps to it), then I would soooo have a cargo bike with panniers on permanently or a trailer.

Even finding enough space for PaperRoundBike was a faff.

^ Sweet. I grew up in Clanfield and now live in Widley. Know the area well. Nice and flat round there for getting about by bike. We're now fine if we head north, but getting up Portsdown Hill towing 40kg of trailer and babies isn't too much fun!

Whereever you go from Widley it's uphill back!
(Brother lives in Churchill Gdns)
I'm just the other side of the Queens Inclosure woods, so it's a nice offroad to Lidl (unless its muddy) 🙂

Do you use your bike for grocery shopping?

Dont be daft, someone delivers it in to my kitchen for me, why would you need to go out ? 🙄

someone delivers it in to my kitchen for me

do they deliver it by bike ? 😛

Yay... I'm not the only one.
[img] https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/8962070141_784eb20937_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/8962070141_784eb20937_b.jp g"/> [/img]

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^ link fixed for alpin

So, these single wheel trailers... their hitch doesn't seem to be articulated. How does this work in practise? I see that they are free to move up and down, but do they become a bit draggy around corners with the fixed hitch?

They are articulated, they pivot at the axle (up and down) and they pivot (side to side) at the vertical attachment between the trailer fork and the tub.

They handle brilliantly, much less noticeable than a two wheeled trailer and very manoeuvrable, the only downside is needing either a kick stand or something to lean against when you get off the bike.

Threads like this make me miss my Yuba Mundo 🙁

[i]So, these single wheel trailers... their hitch doesn't seem to be articulated[/i]

As amedias says, they handle really well, best with a bit of weight in to keep it on the ground. I ride off-road to the shop with the empty thing banging and rattling around it scares a few dogs on the way 🙂 Silent on the return journey.

Sweet. I might have to get one. I like it a lot!

Well on my on bike shopping trip in town this morning I was pleasantly surprised on my last stop @ Aldi to find at least 10 bikes in the cycle racks. They varied from a monster of an e-bike to a Scott Scale 700 (the rider wasn't hard to spot in his race whippet kit)

If any more people use bikes while shopping they are going to need more racks/rails 😀

I've been doing the shopping by bike for about 3 years, the last 18 months I haven't had a car so it became a necessity..

I've been using a Chariot (now Thule) Cabriolet 2..

I gave up doing a weekly shop when I moved into town, but previous to that I would often grab the shopping as part of the school run..
A sturdy 3 year old, and a lanky 5 year old plus 6-8 bags of shopping was a good workout..
When I moved back into town I generally just grabbed a few bits on a daily basis instead, but I've had a car again for the last coupla months and with a knackered shoulder it means I've pretty much forgotten what my legs are for 🙁

another successful trip today!

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Next question... what is your tow bike in that pic? Looks excellent.

I have found recently that the brakes on my road bike are now insufficient for stopping me as the nippers are getting that much heavier. This means that all towing has to be done using the hardtail. How do you get on with disc braked gnarmac bike?

It's a Specialized AWOL, recently bought to do touring/camping/commuting/lorry bike duties and it is excellent, if a little 'sturdy' in stock spec.

I was using an old converted Kona with 26in slicks and guards and racks bodged on which was ace, and in some ways better as it was more nimble, but it was far too flexy when towing, and with heavier loads I was starting to burn through brake pads and rims at an alarming rate.

The AWOL is hands down the most stable bike I've ridden, it's great for towing as most of the annoying waggle has just disappeared, but it is still comfy, and with decent tyres on it is a lovely ride. Having drops is a lot nicer too as I get the variety of hand position and can get out of the wind a bit when needs be. On the Kona I had to run big wide bars to keep a check on it when towing as it would get a bit of a shimmy and waggle on at times and needed wrestling to keep it on line.

It's a bit heavy due to all the Sora and OEM bits on it but 9sp Sora is cheap as chips and very reliable so will be staying on for now. The BB7s are great and it comes with Jagwire compression-less housing as standard so haven't even needed to deal with that mild issue, no problems stopping a 75kg me + 12kg bike + 10kg in the panniers + 6kg trailer + 30kg in the trailer from 25+ mph down Devon hills (even from the hoods) 🙂

I might treat it to some upgrades as and when things wear out but it's actually very sensible spec'd off the peg. It's also suprisingly capable off road, managed a Dartmoor camping trip with 90% offroad with no issues whatsoever, well apart form the over-enthusiasm induced pinch flat, but that would have happened on any bike 😳

Basically I think a decently sturdy disc braked tourer is the ideal bike for general duties if you're going to be carrying loads regularly, and especially if towing.

Some of the lighter Gnarmac bikes would probably have the braking you want, but not the stability and stiffness you need for heavier loads.

I don't have a car and am so going to get one of those trailers! Excellent idea, I'd never seen one before.

If you can find anyone locally to let you have a go on some try and get a ride on both a single wheeled and two wheeled type to see what you prefer and think about what would work for you best.

They both have their positives and negatives, I'm sold on the single for my personal use but horses for courses and all that...

Bang for buck/least hassle in adapting existing bike - I have to agree the Yak or clone (with kick-stand mod) seems to be the most sensible option.

Better still - they (B.O.B) are designed for offroad expedition so (as long as gear is strapped/zipped tight and the eggs are maybe left for another day) no reason why shopping day can't also be a good training run for adventure touring? Just choose a store that is, say, 40 miles away and preferably via some interesting trails 🙂

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^^^ are they Uggs? - never get in a supermarket round here in those

Nothing strange about using the bike for shopping; common sense if you're commuting past the shops anyway.

I agree that online shopping makes sense for a big order of staples every few weeks. Paying a few quid to get someone else to pick and deliver makes sense, but it's not perfect. It can still take a bit of time to do an online order; even with saved favourites, I still find I have to go through the items individually to take out things I don't need and add other stuff. Sometimes it's almost as easy to take the bike to the supermarket.

If you are using a bike, don't neglect the simple option. You can get a [b]lot [/b]of stuff in a couple of unrolled panniers and the bike will still handle fine.

I used to have a Bakfiets when the kids were small, which was great for carrying a big shop. I could just fill up a couple of plastic crates and strap them in the front. I now have a Carry Freedom trailer, which I can thoroughly recommend. It's just a simple two wheeled flat platform, but it has an excellent hitch system, is very adaptable, and flat packs in seconds. I can easily haul one of those 130 litre IKEA storage boxes filled with shopping, and I used it to carry an adult bike and two kids bikes last week (I've seen pictures of someone towing a fridge with a Carry Freedom).

Carry Freedom with two bikes:

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Seeing as this has turned into a "show me your trailer" thread, this is my homemade trailer made mainly from angle iron loaded up for a camping trip a couple of years ago. Reckon it was about 40kg including load and trailer (but not bike).

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This is at the top of a climb, some of which is 16%.

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Although it looks like it, my mate is not pissing on it.

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+1 for the Carry Freedom, I used to use the large version for shopping, just strapped our puppy cage on it (was slmost the same size as base) knotted the shopping bags and bunged em in.

The lollipop hitch is a great redesign*, I managed to bend/break two of the old metal ones.

*Worth checking for sharp metal/swarf in the end of the box section where the elastomer is fitted, I filed some off/rounded the inside edge off as it seemed likely to cut into the hitch over time...

Me and my bf both have cheap second hand hybrids with racks, mudguards and top boxes fitted to the racks, we can get a week's shop on both bikes but we're happy to potter down every other day for stuff we fancy if needs be, and it's a nice walk sometimes too. We only drive to the shop if we're out and about in the car anyway. I used to use my nice bike for popping to the shops but it kind of took the shine off riding it and I was always paranoid about leaving it out of my sight! Cheap (sub £30) and no QR is the rule for me for utility bikes 😀 Mine's a Giant something-or-other, replete with rust, V brakes and a five speed shifter 'working' on a six speed block- I love it! 😆

Just make sure you get the sturdy QR (probably standard now)

Is this QR the one that is fitted to the rear wheel of the bike or the one in the trailer wheel?

I'm severely tempted by the Foxhunter trailer for shopping locally but don't want to risk a poor QR on the back end of my tourer

The rear wheel of the bike. The trailer clamps to it.

It was hilarious when I was taking my son on a trip and I overloaded the trailer slightly - the original QR snapped as we were about to get on the ferry... disastrous 🙁

Thanks DezB, are the new ones improved enough to be a permanent replacement for the existing QR?

Mine is. No problems with it in a few years.

Be interesting to know if the BOB ones do fit, if I ever needed another replacement.

Dezb do you think your trailer would work with 700c 35mm tyres and guards . Just clearance looks tight on your mtb