Gettin' the Goods Home

Some cyclists are ultra-minimalist by nature, and can get by with not much more than the bike itself and possibly a small saddle bag. Others are of the load bearing variety, carrying a wee bit of freight around with them wherever they go. If you like or need to carry lots of stuff, don’t fret because there are a wide variety of solutions out there.

From specialty bike-specific bags like panniers or saddlebags, to trailers or cargo bikes for more weight intensive applications -- you’re sure to find a method to meet with your cargo-carrying needs.

Back Pack or Messenger Bags

For fairly light weight applications. You can’t beat a back pack or messenger bag for its simplicity and accessibility. You’re only limited by how much you can carry on your back, and/or the size of the bag.

Racks

Bicycle racks, both rear and front, enable you to carry panniers (bike bags) on your bike -- which allow you to carry quite a load. Most bike shops or even outdoor equipment stores will carry these. Just make sure that you have the proper braze-ons (A small fitting permanently attached to a frame) that will accept the rack mounting hardware. Check how much the rack can hold, some can only hadle 20lbs or less, others can carry up to 100lbs.

Panniers

If hauling a small bundle upon your back just isn’t your thing, then try panniers. These are bike specific bags that fit onto either a rear or front bicycle rack. Depending upon the strength of your rack and/or panniers, you can carry quite a heavy load with panniers, which make them ideal for bike touring. But they make equally fine grocery getters too. There are many styles being manufactured today. Check out our comprehensive pannier guide for more information.

Front Baskets

Another simple and elegant solution is the front basket. Just the right size for a grocery bag or a six pack a beer -- sometimes this is all you need. If you’re an inexperienced bike handler, don’t carry too heavy a load up front, as this can impact your steering. Check out this article on "Basket Bikes" along with a couple of links to some pretty sexy baskets.

The Crate

A very inexpensive and easy solution is to strap a milk crate onto the rear rack of your bike. The one shown here got the "Elmo treatment". Pretty self explanatory, but read this post to learn more.

Trailers

If you’re carrying big loads around, you might want to invest in a bike trailer. These hitch to your bike much like a car trailer hooks up to a car. Many trailer styles exist allowing you to carry children, pets, and more. Here is a link to a bicycle trailer guide.

Xtracycle (Sport Utility Bicycle)

In a class of its own, an Xtracycle is an attachment that extends the wheelbase of your existing bike by about 15 inches. Complete with a wide platform, large saddlebags, and a variety of available modular attachments, the XtraCycle can carry a wide variety of cargo (even a kayak!). We regularly carry 4 full bags of groceries very easily with the XtraCycle . For more info visit Xtracycle.

Specialty Cargo Bikes

Although difficult to come by within the U.S., there are many manufacturers abroad that are beginning to address the urban cyclist's cargo needs. Amazingly creative fabrications abound, and if you can afford to spring for the hefty freight charges, they can be yours to show off to your soon to be envious friends. Check out WorkBike.org for more examples.

Bikes that Carry Other People

Sometimes it's fun to carry someone else. The bike that is pictured here is a tandem bicycle, but there are other fun ways to cart people around too. There are side by side sociables that seat anywhere from 2 - 4 people, other cargo bikes, and of course you can always haul a friend on a rugged trailer or on the back of an Xtracycle too. Just be sure that you're comfortable handling the additional weight before you decide to carry a friend.

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