Utility Cycling - Basket recommendations

My grocery-getter these days is a 3-speed Trek Pure, a criuser-like bike. When I'm doing a full shopping, I hook on the trailer, but I'll either grab a backpack or just carry a bag in one hand if I'm just getting milk and bread. It's time for a basket!

My preference would be a wicker basket I can mount on the handlebars, something with a handle that will hold about the amount of groceries you can fit in a supermarket handbasket. Does something like this exist? Would the weight of a couple gallons of milk be held by a handlebar mount, or am I better off going the rack-and-milkcrate route?

I'm not tied to wicker, but I'd rather avoid metal. I tried a Klickfix basket on this bike when it was new, and it rattled all the way down the street. (The mount also felt flimsy, but they've gotten much better; my handlebar bag on my folding bike attaches with a klickfix mount.)

Here's the bike:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3225644695_51b43377c4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/3225644695/)
IMG_0757.JPG by neilfein, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/3225644695/)

Thanks!

I just went to ebay and did a search for 'basket' (under 'cycling'), and a wicker one came up with a 'buy-it-now' price of $25 (not sure of ship charge). When I tried to link it, IE locked up!

You should be able to find something that will work for you there.:thumb:

Lots of options...

Do you want a removable basket or a fixed basket and how large?

Basil makes high quality stuff and they use a mount where the basket clicks out of it to carry. There are several others on the market.

I prefer a fixed basket for the most part and use a Wald 139 (medium sized) on the front of my Raleigh Sports with folding Walds on the rear.

Aaron :)

I'm inclined to think something where I can remove the basket, but I'm not wedded to that. In terms of size, think of the handbaskets you get in supermarkets.

I'm inclined to think something where I can remove the basket, but I'm not wedded to that. In terms of size, think of the handbaskets you get in supermarkets.

That helps some, most wicker baskets I have seen are about 1/2 the size of the standard grocery carry basket. A Wald 135 is about the same size, but not quite as deep, the 139 is larger, but is not the monster that the 159 Giant basket is.

Aaron :)

Has anyone used any of the Axiom "Faux Wicker baskets?

http://www.niagaracycle.com/index.php?cPath=90_176&sort=2a&filter_id=66&sort=2a

I got a fabric basket from Detours.us, it has a drawstring sleeve to keep stuf in, and a wire support ring
that uses a Klick Fix handlebar mount, supplied with,
so you can take the basket off and bring it in to put the shopping stuff in it.
Klickfix also has a similar product, if you are in the EU.

I finally decided on a Wald 139-WW. It should be coming in the mail this week.

http://www.chubbyscruisers.com/shop/images/Wald%20Wood%20Basket.jpg (http://www.chubbyscruisers.com/shop/wald-woodys-wood-slatted-bicycle-basket-p-470.html)

It's a permanent mount, not removable. I finally decided that I didn't need to carry the basket around -- supermarkets have hand baskets, and I usually wheel my bike through the farmers' market. (I may have to put on my double kickstand, though.)

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone; it helped me clarify what I'm looking for. I'll post how this works out.

I, myself , throw one of my Ortlieb back rollers, on the check out conveyor,
so they don't automatically start loading the stuff in an unnecessary bag,
and I get a nickel off as a bag re use credit .

take them shopping even when Im not riding my bike there.

fwiw.. Cetma used the Wald hardware, and made a 'anything you can tie a rope around and lash it down to carry it' rack.

If your grocery trip starts exceeding 5lbs, I think you're really going to notice how the front of your bike handles. And while you're cruising, it won't be a problem--rather, when you're going slowly, starting and parking the bike, it can often surprise you. For just this purpose, when I started using a handlebar bag, I also upgraded to a two-footed kick stand so I could better keep my bike from flipping sideways with a load in my front bag--or in my panniers. Most grocery runs now I use my xtracycle, with boxes in them to keep the bags from swishing the lettuce and what together. With panniers, it was easy to get a 1/2 gal of milk, 5lbs carrots and cellery and a few cans of stuff. I almost immediately wanted wide, boxy panniers.

So basically: if you really want to try a basket, I'd suggest a wire one, maybe like http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-66002001-Front-Bicycle-Basket/dp/B000FIAU3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1281929649&sr=8-1-spell -- that's not a very expensive basket. I would not recommend Mwave products, my handlebar bag is Mwave and it is cheap components and the bracket is...very cheap, I had to use a rasp to file out the bracket to fit my (not exotic) handlebars. The basket adapters for Topeak and Mwave are likely different, so if you find a different brand of basket you wish to upgrade to, you will likely have to switch out the handlebar bracket (good point on the Cetma/Wald btw).

Parking your bike with a loaded basket or handlebar bag and a one-footed kickstand often requires parking with your handlebars twisted all the way to the right so that the front end weight is centered closer to the kickstand. This and swing the front of your basket down or up, so if there's something you'd want to stay level (like a plate with a cake on it), be aware.

I finally decided on a Wald 139-WW. It should be coming in the mail this week.

http://www.chubbyscruisers.com/shop/images/Wald%20Wood%20Basket.jpg (http://www.chubbyscruisers.com/shop/wald-woodys-wood-slatted-bicycle-basket-p-470.html)

It's a permanent mount, not removable. I finally decided that I didn't need to carry the basket around -- supermarkets have hand baskets, and I usually wheel my bike through the farmers' market. (I may have to put on my double kickstand, though.)

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone; it helped me clarify what I'm looking for. I'll post how this works out.

Sadly, you may find that any extra weight out front on a bike has a marked pendulum effect that will tire your arms and wrist while riding and cause the bike to fall over when parked.

You may wish to reconsider rear mount baskets since that is the proper place for correct balance on a bike. Something like a folding rear basket set..........
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=folding+bike+basket&tag=googhydr-20&index=sporting&hvadid=4367808495&ref=pd_sl_55tgv7z9d5_b

You may wish to reconsider rear mount baskets since that is the proper place for correct balance on a bike.

If I were touring, or had a long ride to the store, I'd agree with you. I'll see how this basket works for my 1-mile trip to the store (and even less for the farmers' market.)

check this dude out, I thought this was pretty cool. Nantucket baskets (REI) are pretty nice too. I'm starting to get into wicker because it's light, doesn't rust, etc. I almost got a free picnic basket that might have done ok. The problem with cheaper baskets is they break . I think willow would be awesome
..

http://www.hembrow.eu/bicycle.html

long discussions on optimizing steering geometry for front loading, many think that lowering the trail number ,
by increasing the fork rake/offset, helps, when you have your load up front..

I put one of these on my wife's bike. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ATPBCG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00165Q4QW&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1VJJTM16HNJH48SPHYKF
Doubles very nicely as a shopping bag.

Sadly, you may find that any extra weight out front on a bike has a marked pendulum effect that will tire your arms and wrist while riding and cause the bike to fall over when parked. Pfffffffffffffffff...All bikes fall over when parked against something -- it's what they like to do. I ride a loaded 198 gb on the front of my Surly LHT and actually prefer the way the bike handles with about 10-15 pounds up front. Since most of your weight is over the rear of the bike, I actually find that the bike tracks nicely with some extra weight up front. I stuff my backpack in there on top of a light jacket (or change of pants) and bungee strap it down. Inelegant, but functional.

I wouldn't got the same one you did, but the 198 fits between my drop bars nicely ;).

I can't say enough about my Wald -- it was cheap and it works well, though it does rattle a little. Can't ask for more out of a basket.

I've been using the largest set of Wald Rear Baskets(536 model). I bought a pair of these at a yard sale for $15 each and they are bulletproof. Great value for the money.

http://waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald570-520-535rearcarriers.html

Wald is good stuff. I had them as a newspaper carrier back in the early 70's. I was amazed to find they are still cranking them out. Just outfitted an old bike with a set of Wald baskets for beer and grocery runs.

Aaron:)
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/10712/2827100840066886751S600x600Q85.jpg

Just ordered some of the folding rear baskets for my commute/shopping runs. Super stoked, but wondering if I need to look into a double kickstand.



Edit: Whoops, resurrected an old thread, my bad, was searching and not paying attention to dates.

just saw this, its old but if anyone is doing a wald it will come up. Love my wald, you will want some bungies. The bungies keep the rack from rattling when not in use.

Just ordered some of the folding rear baskets for my commute/shopping runs. Super stoked, but wondering if I need to look into a double kickstand.



Edit: Whoops, resurrected an old thread, my bad, was searching and not paying attention to dates.

Double kickstand won't hurt. I have them on a couple of bikes. I usually park next to the wall at my local grocery store which stabilizes the bike for loading.

Aaron :)

That basket will do fine for your needs. Enjoy !

I ended up going with the seatstay kickstand that a lot of tourers recommend instead saying it's easier to keep the bike stable to load than a double stand that keeps the bike upright rather than slightly leaned. The kickstand that came on the bike (behind the bb) when I bought it from CL isn't cutting it and tends to rotate a bit. Time for that to go. Excited for the arrival of the new stand and baskets over the weekend.

I will be starting off with excusing for hijacking this thread, but I just have to get some good advice. I'm looking for a nice front basket for my bike. The bike is basically an all purpose one, mostly used for commuting and utility cycling. I would like a quite small basket that fills it's purpose well, but still keeps the bike looking well. I have been thinking of getting a Wald 137, what do you guys think?

I will be starting off with excusing for hijacking this thread, but I just have to get some good advice. I'm looking for a nice front basket for my bike. The bike is basically an all purpose one, mostly used for commuting and utility cycling. I would like a quite small basket that fills it's purpose well, but still keeps the bike looking well. I have been thinking of getting a Wald 137, what do you guys think?

Consider the Wald 933 (http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald933meshbasket.html), it can be popped off with just the bracket left on the bike. I have on on another bike and like the small mesh, it keeps small items from falling though. I also use it as a market basket.

Aaron :)

Just tried out my wald 582 folding baskets on my first grocery trip. worked like a charm, but I overshopped because I knew I had them and ended up with about 15-20 lbs in each (8 lbsof oranges and a gallon of milk as a starting point). Overloaded my rack but made it home fine. Need to make better choices/smaller trips in the future though.

When it comes to handlebar mounted baskets and bags the mount itself is important. I'd rather NOT have a front basket that attaches to the handlebar. I rode with a packed handlebar bag several times and it affects the steering IMHO. Anything heavier would be annoying. When it comes to a basket full of groceries I'd much rather have something that rest on a front rack, or attaches like a front rack. Just my 2c.

If I may jump in :) I ride around cranky potholed streets and sidewalks here doing simple grocery and library runs on my Townie. Last year used a front wire basket (not wald, but generic from the bike shop) whose support/connector broke after a month or so. I think the load of books combined with bumpy rides did it in so quickly. Will the Wald folding rear baskets hold up to multiple book weights/bumpage? The bike gets stored down some twisting narrow basement stairs, so I am leary of the permanently attached-to-the-spokes-baskets.

Also: pros and cons of a single basket mounted ontop of the rear rack vs the basket that goes on the side which would --I think--demand a basket on either side for balance.

I do have a pair of the folding baskets so that I have one on each side and with heavy grocery loads I try to make sure I load them evenly for symmetry. For commuting to work, I just throw my backpack in one (usually the left as I tend to lock to the right side) and go without the balanced load and it doesn't make a huge deal. I don't have a ton of weight in there when doing that though. I don't know how much weight it'll hold up to through multiple bumps, but mine seemed solid with 20 lbs for a couple of miles on grocery runs. I've leaned to love a good bungee cargo net.

If I may jump in :) I ride around cranky potholed streets and sidewalks here doing simple grocery and library runs on my Townie. Last year used a front wire basket (not wald, but generic from the bike shop) whose support/connector broke after a month or so. I think the load of books combined with bumpy rides did it in so quickly. Will the Wald folding rear baskets hold up to multiple book weights/bumpage? The bike gets stored down some twisting narrow basement stairs, so I am leary of the permanently attached-to-the-spokes-baskets.

The Walds are well built and should stand up well to abuse. I used them for several years as a newspaper carrier and they were still on the bike when I sold it after 4 years of daily service. I still use Wald baskets today and think they are the best value for my hard earned dollars.

Aaron :)