Living Car Free - Bike Baskets and such

Hello there, this is my first post on this forum. Sorry in advance if this should be in the Utility forum, but I figured since this effects my car free "lifestyle", it would be better to ask here. I don't need to haul refrigerates or anything :). So to give a bit of background, I lost my car about 2 months ago. I bought a bike a week after I lost it (some 89 dollar thing from target) and have been biking to work since, bout a 20 mile ride, but i'm sure most of you do the same if not more on a regular basis. but it's showing its problems the longer i'm without a car.

I need to get some bike baskets, since my bike is my only means of transportation for now, and i'm sick of lugging groceries around in my backpack. What kind are best? What placement?

I'm probably gonna get a light for the front too, so I can ride at night and actually see ****. Any other mods or equipment I should consider buying? particularly ones that aid a car free lifestyle? I'm partial to the kind of baskets in this picture http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/229296932_94b9ee8e30.jpg?v=0, the ones with baskets by the handle bars are a bit girly for my tastes.

The best: http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/baskets.html

I have a Wald basket on the handlebars and it's made a world of difference bringing home stuff. It holds a grocery bag's worth of groceries, or a small bag with jacket, snacks, and tools, or my camera in a camera bag. I love that I can ride without a backpack, but if I have a few too many things I can put the lighter stuff in the backpack.

The rear rack baskets are also handy, but I have REI 'Round Town panniers. Similar since they fold flat but they are made from nylon and can be removed easily when I don't need them.

If you carry your bike up and down stairs often, it helps to be able to take your baskets (or bags) off the bike. As you get more practice, you might find you're carrying 30lbs or more on your bike, and the bike probably weighs at least 30lbs... so unless you're quite strong, it's a helluva load on stairs.

Since I have stairs, I have my bike set up with a pair of panniers, a rack, and a detachable front basket. This means even when I hit loads of 55lbs, I can get the bike up and down my building's stairs safely.

If you don't have stairs, I'd start out with a pair of Wald's pannier baskets. They come in small (holds a bag of groceries each), medium (a tall bag each) and large (about 2 bags each). They work best if they stay on the bike permanently, they're cheap, and they let you use bags you already own if you need to waterproof something you're carrying. If your bike is pretty stable, a handlebar basket works well, and Wald makes several sizes of those too.

What cyclokitty said, the REI removables are a good start. I like generator lights and fenders. You used to be able to get cheap generator sets at Target or Sports Authority. You can mod them up too. Some bike shops don't understand fenders and will screw up the installation so you might as well install them yourself.

Front basket might be "girly" but they are handy as a pocket knife. :thumb:

I seen one bell makes that is quick detach, pretty sexy for under $20... ;)

For any bike accessory you can think of , and some you can't, visit this honest online seller.
http://www.bikeworldusa.us/

I've equipped 4 bikes with goods from this seller I couldn't find anywhere else. A wide choice of
baskets from this seller can be found here......
http://www.bikeworldusa.us/category/1423019421/1/Baskets.htm

Give'm a try. You won't be sorry. :thumb:

I have a basket made by wald (but not available on their own site) that kicks ass. It's sold through Swobo, who manufactures it with Swobo. It's the perfect dimensions for me.

They have them in stock (http://swobo.com/catalog/product_info_h.php?cPath=1384&products_id=793) right now but they often sell out.

A lot of choices for baskets, but it is hard to beat the Wald. I also like some of the offerings from Basil (http://www.basil.nl/gb/assortment/) But they can be hard to find in the US. For lights you have several choices. Planet Bike (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/headlights.html) has some pretty decent LED battery powered ones. I use generators every chance I get with my first choice being generator hubs powering an LED headlight. Pretty pricey, but I consider my utility bikes to be my second car so the extra money isn't really an issue to me.

Aaron:)

This is one of my utility bikes...

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/41899/2683444210066886751S500x500Q85.jpg

Can't go wrong with a good butt rack and some panniers/saddlebags. I just got some for my bike, and I'm surprised at the amount they hold. I have a basket on the front of my handlebars and I really don't give a **** if it looks "girly". It's the removable kind so I can take it right into the store and fill it up. I know exactly how much I can carry. (I have this one: http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald114basket.html ) Between that and my back rack/panniers (If I'm carrying more, I'll put a used milk crate on my rack) I can carry at least 4 backpacks worth of things.

I am also interested in getting some bike baskets. If you had to choose from these options, which would you say is the better setup?

A single removable basket mounted on the handlebars
A rear rack with a folding basket(s)
or both combined

I am also interested in getting some bike baskets. If you had to choose from these options, which would you say is the better setup?

A single removable basket mounted on the handlebars
A rear rack with a folding basket(s)
or both combined

Depends on your use and personal preferences. I use the combination (see post above) Some people prefer fixed saddle baskets on the back, others the soft sided grocery panniers and yet others a milk crate strapped to the rear rack is fine. I like the removable front basket for quick shopping trips. I currently have two of them on two different bikes. One is steel mesh the other wicker.

Aaron:)