Utility Cycling - Rear Basket Suggestions?

I'm looking to buy a rear basket. Unfortunately there's not much selection in my local stores so I'm looking online. Some that I've been checking out don't have any reviews. Three that I've been checking into are the Basil Katu,
http://www.amazon.com/Basil-Catu-Bicycle-Basket-Titanium/dp/B000YO5RPK/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2A6S43JKT1G47&colid=4ZT336D5QUVW
Kettler
http://www.amazon.com/Kettler-8985-500-Rear-Bicycle-Basket/dp/B000BTEODY/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=IWHPOSFGZKWO8&colid=4ZT336D5QUVW
and the Axiom Urban Grocery Basket
http://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Urban-Rear-Grocery-Basket/dp/B0015D6H4O/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31HT1X99UAAAW&colid=4ZT336D5QUVW
Anybody have any advice on these or have others they'd suggest? Thanks

I'm looking to buy a rear basket. Unfortunately there's not much selection in my local stores so I'm looking online. Some that I've been checking out don't have any reviews. Three that I've been checking into are the Basil Katu,
http://www.amazon.com/Basil-Catu-Bicycle-Basket-Titanium/dp/B000YO5RPK/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2A6S43JKT1G47&colid=4ZT336D5QUVW
Kettler
http://www.amazon.com/Kettler-8985-500-Rear-Bicycle-Basket/dp/B000BTEODY/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=IWHPOSFGZKWO8&colid=4ZT336D5QUVW
and the Axiom Urban Grocery Basket
http://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Urban-Rear-Grocery-Basket/dp/B0015D6H4O/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31HT1X99UAAAW&colid=4ZT336D5QUVW
Anybody have any advice on these or have others they'd suggest? Thanks

The Basil and Kettler would be my first choices. Have you looked at the Wald Saddle (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald570-520-535rearcarriers.html) baskets? Only problem I have with a rack mounted basket is that it will put the weight up higher. Also you may have to purchase their rack to run the basket on. Wald also makes a rear rack mount (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald585rearbasket.html) basket too.

Aaron:)

I just use a basket designed for the front, and mount it with 'zip ties' to a regular rear rack. It holds two full grocery bags or 3 one gallon containers of water, or a sixteen pack of beer. Cheap and simple, easily removable.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/Stephanovich/IMG_0038.jpg

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'm looking to buy a rear basket. Unfortunately there's not much selection in my local stores so I'm looking online.

Give this mom & pop online site a look. I've bought many accessories from the with not a single
hitch 'cause all they sell is bike stuff.

http://www.bikeworldusa.us/category/1423019421/1/Baskets.htm

The Basil and Kettler would be my first choices. Have you looked at the Wald Saddle (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald570-520-535rearcarriers.html) baskets? Only problem I have with a rack mounted basket is that it will put the weight up higher. Also you may have to purchase their rack to run the basket on. Wald also makes a rear rack mount (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald585rearbasket.html) basket too.

Aaron:)

I agree that panniers or side baskets do better at keeping the weight lower and therefore keeping the bike more stable, but even so, I find it very handy to have a basket where I can just throw in my satchel and go. I use a Topeak MTX rack with a Topeak MTX basket. Basket clips in easy when I need it, and comes off when I want to use panniers.

Give this mom & pop online site a look. I've bought many accessories from the with not a single
hitch 'cause all they sell is bike stuff.

http://www.bikeworldusa.us/category/1423019421/1/Baskets.htm

Very good place to buy accessories. And they are more than willing to work with you on custom orders too.

I have a wald basket like wahoonc mentioned, the only difference is mine is the folding model. It comes with the mounting hardware to secure it to any rear rack, folds flat when not in use and is not noisy like I would have expected. It will carry something about the size of a paper grocery bag and you can mount them on both sides. With these side baskets I can strap something to the top of my rack for more storage if I need it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3483226582_d235163c28_b.jpg

I like the wald folding.....though mine are rarely folded.....easy fit for grocery bags, laptop, son's backpack and were helpful when carrying a 2 cu ft bag of potting soil

I hadn't really considered or thought about some of the baskets I was looking at and putting more weight up above the center of balance. I guess I hadn't really looked at something like the Wald baskets because I had thought about using the actual basket while grocery shopping and then just attaching it back to the rack when I was finished shopping. I live pretty close to a grocery store so I don't tend to buy a lot all at once and really stuff the basket full. I've noticed some people using bungee cords to help secure their basket to the rack. If I were to do that then that gets rid of the option of using the actual basket while grocery shopping. But anyway thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I hadn't really considered or thought about some of the baskets I was looking at and putting more weight up above the center of balance. I guess I hadn't really looked at something like the Wald baskets because I had thought about using the actual basket while grocery shopping and then just attaching it back to the rack when I was finished shopping. I live pretty close to a grocery store so I don't tend to buy a lot all at once and really stuff the basket full. I've noticed some people using bungee cords to help secure their basket to the rack. If I were to do that then that gets rid of the option of using the actual basket while grocery shopping. But anyway thanks for all the suggestions guys.

On my main grocery getter I use the Wald folding in the back and a removable basket in the front. I typically shop with the grocery stores carry baskets (if I can find one:notamused:) I use the reusable grocery bags and they drop right into the Walds.

Aaron:)

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

+1 on using the reusable bags with the wald baskets....works really well

I guess I hadn't really looked at something like the Wald baskets because I had thought about using the actual basket while grocery shopping and then just attaching it back to the rack when I was finished shopping.

That's pretty much what I do with my *front* basket. It's the same size as a regular grocery store basket, so I just take it into the store, do my shopping, and come back out to plonk it on the bike. For larger trips, I use my panniers too... this is more common when I hit the farmer's market.