Is the intention to fit a crate/basket approximately the size of a supermarket shopping basket to a pannier rack?
I've just measured the conventional pannier rack on one of my bikes. It's 30cm in length.
A shopping basket is 40 x 27.5 cm at it's widest; 32.5 x 20 cm at it's base. At least based on
this example.
If the basket is allowed to hang off the rear by around 10 cm, it seems a good fit for me. Just need a rack with a top plate that some mount holes can be drilled through, to securely bold the basket in place.
I don't think there will be any thigh/basket interfacing - but probably need to dry fit or get a volunteer to check.
My current pannier's (Altura something or other) were included with a bike I bought at least 10 years ago. They're still in excellent shape. I think I've had Altura panniers that have holed before, but I could be confusing them with another brand.
Advantages of conventional rear rack + panniers:
- Well placed retro reflective material for visibility and easy mounting of blinkies to them
- Tend to leave them on the bike when not in use; toolkit, locks and bike keys stay in them
- Lower centre of gravity
- Separation of stuff between the paniers sometimes advantageous
- Still space for strapping things to the top of the rack
Disadvantages of conventional rear rack + panniers:
- Cost
- Weight (ideally) needs to be distributed between the two panniers
- Attractive to people who rob things off bikes
Advantages of conventional rear pannier rack + basket/crate:
- Cost
- Easily "balanced"
- Can be used with a range of readily available cheap luggage
- Can be used with a ruck sack which is easy to carry off-the-bike
Disadvantages of conventional rear pannier rack + basket/crate:
- Raises centre of gravity
- May not work with conventional rack - may depend on wheel base/seat tube angle/saddle height