"Mike Kruger" <
[email protected]> wrote
>
> 1. A milk crate costs about $3 at a hardware store, and
> most people already have one. Panniers are more
> expensive.
I have a milk crate, my wife has a fold-out "grocery bag"
pannier. Hers cost $9, mine was free.
> 2. The dorky look of a milk crate serves as an effective
> anti-theft device for the entire bike. It marks the
> rider as somebody not worth mugging, because how much
> money could they possibly have? Certainly it's hard to
> imagine stealing the milk crate itself. Panniers make a
> bike look more attractive, and can be stolen easily if
> left on the bike.
Her pannier is much better looking, especially with its day-
glo rain cover.
> 3. The milk crate doesn't need any extra attention in
> rain.
She needs to put her cover on, which she usually uses
anyway.
> 4. You can stick a backpack in a milk crate more easily
> than in panniers, which is an advantage for students.
I like this feature the most. When I ride my bike downtown
for shopping or Dr. visit, etc., I can throw my backpack
into the crate, then grab it & put helmet, etc. away for
errands. The pannier easily detaches though, and has
handles, looks like a square, black, fabric shopping bag,
not too bad either.
> 5. No heel strike problems with a milk crate.
Also a big issue for me with size 52 shoes.
> 6. The back of the milk crate makes a nice surface for
> bumper stickers containing the irritating political
> slogan of your choice.
I've thought of that, but think a big reflector might be
more pragmatic. The pannier does have reflective material.
> I've used both, and prefer panniers. The humble milk crate
> is not without appeal, however.
I agree. Another drawback of the crate is that sitting
directly on the rack as it does, it subjects the contents to
a harsher ride. I keep a bit of foam in mine, helps when
delivering things like a 12-pack of bottles.
for some reason i thought it had been fairly local; i