Bicycle Mechanics - Small Basket Idea -- Mounted to front reflector attachment

Sometimes I need to carry a few items that don't warrant wearing my backpack, but are too bulky or heavy for the pockets of my cotton exercise shorts (which are, for the moment, staying). To do so, I've tried a few methods like stuffing them in a water bottle cage that I had lying around but don't use regularly, jamming them under my saddle in a plastic bag, or clipping my work and home keys to the rails of my saddle with a carabiner. However, these methods have their downsides, so I was considering alternatives.

TO THE POINT: What are your thoughts about mounting a small (tiny) basket of sorts to the little arm that holds up my bike's front reflector. This 'arm' is just an elongated threaded headset spacer with a bend at the end and two holes for screws that go into the back side of the reflector (which I'm not attached to--I have lights).

I suppose I'd have to be sure any attachment doesn't hit the top tube when the handlebars are turned all the way (or do I?), but for the size I'm thinking of (say, the size of those mini cereal boxes you get at hotels), that doesn't seem impossible. I believe Paul Components has a fork- or axle-mounted basket that is balanced with a spacer attachment, so it doesn't seem like a crazy idea.

Thoughts, suggestions, concerns?

As long as you keep the size and weight reasonable this should work fine. BTW, there are commercial handlebar bags that fasten to the handlebars with either straps or a wire frame or bracket that are specifically designed for what you want. They come in various sizes from small to quite large. Here is Nashbar's selection but lots of suppliers carry them:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&langId=-1&categoryId=202599&facet=cas_f9_ntk_cs%253AHandlebar%2bBag&metaData=&pageSize=&orderBy=&searchTerm=

Thanks for the response, HillRider.

I'd like to see what I can whip up on my own, rather than buy, though.

This should work fine! I have done it many times in the past. Currently riding a bike with a wicker basket zip-tied to the handlebars and then supported at the middle by simply resting upon a plastic reflector bracket that is mounted on my stem. Eventually i'll zip-tie the two screw holes that used to hold the reflector around a strech of wicker to fully support the thing, but it has worked out well for the past few months of daily-driver-ing!

PS: I saw (on the internet somewhere) some dude bolted an old metal lunch box to the reflector bracket/headset spacer.... Seemed to be a great little cheap and effective way to carry a lunch pack sized set of items!

I have seen headset-mounted baskets on bikes before... usually little girls' bicycles.

Little girls are weak so you can steal their baskets easily. And you will get a cool Strawberry Shortcake or Hanna Montana emblem on it to boot!

Here is a link to a bike with such a basket:
http://www.ecvv.com/product/1999621.html

Little girls are weak so you can steal their baskets easily. And you will get a cool Strawberry Shortcake or Hanna Montana emblem on it to boot!
Little girls may be weak but they make up in scream volume what they lack in muscle. You really don't want to attract that kind of attention! :roflmao2:

Why not use a small saddle wedge?

A small metal lunch box is kind of the direction I'm leaning toward.

Saddle bags/wedges have always seemed oddly shaped and overbuilt to me. That's not to say they wouldn't work for me, but I don't care for them.

Waterbottle cage on the handle bars adapters are also useful..

A simple handlebar bag would do. You may find one at a thrift store for $1.

I’m fond of little camera bags zip tied to the bars for holding a few things. I save the reflector bracket for mounting the DIY lighting.

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/47764/2444836380037547136S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2444836380037547136Vqhjdl)