Utility Cycling - Front basket — but which?

I'm setting up an older bicycle as a utility bike.

I've got some baskets on the back, but they are too small. So I am ordering some Wald folding baskets that allegedly can hold a full grocery bag. Putting a pair on, one on each side.

But what about the front? I think I need another basket up there, just in case the grocery run overflows.

Any recommendations?

Any cautions against certain models? I don't want the basket or its mount to get in the way of brake and shifting cables.

Regular wire, or mesh?

Let me know what you've learned from your experience.

Wald giant basket.

I love mine.

http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald157basket.html

See if you can find a dealer that stocks the Wald giant basket, run your bike in, and see how it would fit.

Be forewarned: It's heavy, and will make the fork swing sideways when on the kickstand. So loading your bike all up without you being on it could be a minor obstacle.

The best basket I've used it the one on my Father's Biria.

It mounts at the steerer and the fender eyelets. You can stack a ton of weight in it.

Any idea what kind of basket that might be?

Looks like a Wald.

http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald933meshbasket.html

Any idea what kind of basket that might be?

It's made by Kettler (http://www.kettlerusa.com/).

. So I am ordering some Wald folding baskets that allegedly can hold a full grocery bag. Putting a pair on, one on each side.

.

don't use a front basket but can state that put grocery bags in my wald baskets all the time

;)

I had a pair of Wald folding baskets on the back of my bike before converting to an X... They will hold a heavy bag of groceries no sweat... I was very happy with them..

I just took delivery of a black Wald 135 yesterday. I haven't installed it yet, but I like the size of it. I'll be mounting it on a 3spd bike. It does seem sturdy enough, and Wald claims it is sized for a single paper grocery bag.

I have the large Wald rear baskets on another bike, and they will hold a quite a bit.

I've got a Topeak front basket. It's a detachable wire mesh one, with the usual 10lb load limit. The stock mount uses a lightweight cable to hold it in place, and mine failed in less than a month with me staying below spec on the load. The LBS replaced it with regular brake or derailler cable, and that's held fine. The wire mesh tore in one spot within the first year. I would not recommend this basket.

When it eventually kicks the bucket, I'll replace it with one of Wald's detachable models. I'd probably go with a regular wire one, unless Wald's wire mesh is a lot heavier duty.

The detachable models are very handy if you're shopping for just a couple people... no need to grab a shopping basket in the store! It's the same size as a regular grocery store shopping basket, and designed more conveniently. I wouldn't mess around with the small fixed front basket. If you need serious cargo capacity, the large fixed basket seems to work very well. The wheel flop problem depends somewhat on the design of the bike, so a bike meant for porteur racks would be a better idea if you're after serious cargo capacity.

I've got a Topeak front basket. It's a detachable wire mesh one, with the usual 10lb load limit. The stock mount uses a lightweight cable to hold it in place, and mine failed in less than a month with me staying below spec on the load. The LBS replaced it with regular brake or derailler cable, and that's held fine. The wire mesh tore in one spot within the first year. I would not recommend this basket.

When it eventually kicks the bucket, I'll replace it with one of Wald's detachable models. I'd probably go with a regular wire one, unless Wald's wire mesh is a lot heavier duty.

The detachable models are very handy if you're shopping for just a couple people... no need to grab a shopping basket in the store! It's the same size as a regular grocery store shopping basket, and designed more conveniently. I wouldn't mess around with the small fixed front basket. If you need serious cargo capacity, the large fixed basket seems to work very well. The wheel flop problem depends somewhat on the design of the bike, so a bike meant for porteur racks would be a better idea if you're after serious cargo capacity.

I have Wald's 933 (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald933meshbasket.html) detachable wire mesh and is seems very durable so far. The bracket is kind of ugly and crude but does the job. They also make the mesh in the larger size but it is a fixed basket, I would consider one of those if I didn't want the detachable.

Aaron:)

For what it's worth, the wald mesh baskets are made in Asia while the other baskets are made in Mayfield, Kentucky.

For what it's worth, the wald mesh baskets are made in Asia while the other baskets are made in Mayfield, Kentucky.

I think most if not all mesh baskets I have seen are made over there. Dunno about the Basil ones, haven't seen one up close and personal...yet.

Aaron:)

The large Wald delivery basket will have an effect to your steering whether its loaded or not. It is heavy. Had one but sold it. I used it on an old cruiser. I now use somewhat smaller front baskets.

When I forage /great fun on a bike[mushrooms, fiddleheads, berries]I wear a pack basket Linda[wife ]built for me;//and a cooler on a back wheel carrier.Kenneth

For what it's worth, the wald mesh baskets are made in Asia while the other baskets are made in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Maysville.

A friend of mine works at Wald and has been there for 30+ years. Neat factory to visit.

Made in the USA? I wonder how they can keep doing that.

Good for Wald!

Made in the USA? I wonder how they can keep doing that.

Good for Wald!

They have been doing it for many, many years and the equipment to make them has been long paid for. They also make other things, from what I gather the cycle goods division pays it's way but isn't hugely profitable.

Aaron:)

Here's a not-very-good pic of my Wald 135 mounted on my old Schwinn.

That looks good ... and so do those shiny fenders!