I’m basically trying to breathe life into the commuter (as that’s no longer a thing) by using that bike for small shopping trips.

Are pannier racks and bags much of a muchness, or are some easier to remove and refit (as they’ll be shopping bags)

Is it worth a front and rear set up to balance the weight, with half an eye on some easy touring?

Ortlieb ones have a nice mechanism for taking them off/putting them back on.
Generally quite robust too

Front rack very useful as you'll struggle for space on a shopping trip. The extra capacity will help with bulky things

Ortlieb is the general recommendation. Consider some form of basket too. I used to use the Topeak folding milk crate coupled with panniers. Have since got a proper cargo bike and shopping is a lot easier. Managed two children and a full shopping trolley with £100 of shopping the other day. That was a personal best, five big bags of food plus frozen food in a coolbag. Was a little wobbly though, used my front rack as well (which is better suited to bulky, light things as it affects the steering)

For context, the route involves a section of coastal path single track, probably 30min each way.

I think the shopping load will be limited to some degree.

The shop itself is also in an area where a good D Lock and cable are ‘essential’ addition to the weight before I’ve started.

I've got Ortlieb Back Roller's on a Tortec rack on the tandem. No complaints so far, very easy to fit/remove, keep the rain out and haven't jumped off yet!

Won’t go wrong with Ortlieb (from experience) although the Vaude and Altura versions do look good when I’ve seen them (no experience)

Maybe a basket up from? I’m sort of basket curious but yet to have the need to test such a system….

I have a Blackburn rear rack with large Crosso waterproof panniers and a Blackburn Outpost rack on the front with small Crosso panniers.

I deliver my bread with this setup and it works really well.

I bought the rear rack and panniers in 2010 to ride in Iceland, and they are still going strong.

Here is the Crosso website, although I didn't buy direct from them. Simple hook attachment has never failed and spares are available.

https://crossobags.com/product/dry-60-panniers/

Cheers,
Si

I like the Ortleibs, my old commute used to take in a section of trail center, I used the smaller size, I also picked up a second spare lower hook to help hold the bags in place, exactly what the newer Garvel versions do.

Will pm you re Tubus Logo rack !

Racks sorted courtesy of some Bezos vouchers.

Ortileb Back City Rollers are at SJS for £70

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/ort ... -40-litre/

Presumably that comes with everything I need?

And any reason not to?