Hauling Groceries with a Trek 950 Mountain Bike

[aj_yooper]

I have an older Trek 950 which I would like to use for hauling groceries.  I'm thinking I need to install a rack and get panniers for the job.  Probably a fender too.  What would be the best way to get this done?  I am liking the Opa bikes too, but I don't want to spend too much.  Thank you for your thoughts.

[Crunchy Squirrel]

That depends a bit on the size of the load you're planning to carry. How many bags do you normally haul per trip? A rear rack and panniers will carry 2-3 bags per trip, so if you want to haul more than that a trailer is a better bet. I can fit 6-8 bags in one of them suckers, plus a sack of potatoes or onions.

This here is a good DIY pannier tutorial: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=1841&v=2O Believe it or not my hardest task is finding the buckets. Square things don't seem very common in Oz. :-/

I can't really help with the rack, as I bought mine new in my pre-Mustachian days. It was only $20 from the local bike shop, though, and rated to a 25kg load, so the damage is actually pretty reasonable. I doubt you'd have much luck trying to find one second-hand (though I'm happy to be proven wrong!)

[aj_yooper]

Crunchy Squirrel,
Thank you for the suggestions and the kitty litter pannier link.  That cyclist really gets around!  I am thinking of doing the DIY panniers.  I agree a trailer would really move some stuff, but I'm going to try the panniers and see how it goes.  Thanks again.

[frompa]

I regularly haul stuff both using panniers and at other times, my BOB trailer.  The panniers are handy, enclose stuff well, but add a fair amount of side to side dynamic along with the weight.  The BOB trailer is the weight, but a clean and easy pull; however, it does lengthen your profile, considerably and you have to accommodate that additional length in your riding.  Either one will get you there!  Isn't it great when there are no bad choices?