MEversbergII

Alright so I'm picking accessories for the Linus Roadster Sport I'm ordering about a month from now. Stock, it has a rear rack that will suit me for most trips (commute 5 days a week!). However, for grocery runs, visiting w/ stuff or just out and out "adventuring" I think I'm going to want more cargo space.

The first no-brainier was the Linus "Lunch Rack".
LINUS LUNCH RACK - Linus Bike

It matches the rear rack the bike comes with well enough. The price tag doesn't appear too bad, either. If there's a better, equally "fitting" option I'm all ears.
LINUS ADJUSTABLE REAR RACK - Linus Bike

My thinking was that I could use a QR basket for larger trips, with the "lunch rack" cutting down on sagging, letting me carry more. When I don't need the basket, I can take it off and make use of the rack. They seem a little small though.
3133 Q-R Basket - Waldsports

Then I saw this:
THE DELANO BASKET - Linus Bike

Well, that's expensive. But big, and deep. I like that. Wald had a similar one here:
THE DELANO BASKET - Linus Bike

But that one has narrower wires, more closely spaced. I'd guess that would even out. Doesn't have a drink holder built in but that's not critical. That would be a real easy thing to rig up anyways.

Downside is if I had it, I'd have to remove it each time I didn't want to use it. I'm wondering if I wouldn't benefit more from large rear baskets such as this one:
582 Rear Folding Basket - Waldsports

A pair look like they could hold a bunch and, ostensibly, give me a "wider" rear rack to pile things on if the stuff in the baskets isn't too tall. However, I've been considering some swanky "classic" looking panniers; I'll make a topic on bags separately though.

The Wald stuff is significantly cheaper, which is attractive. They look less robust, but I don't have hands-on experience. Some of you guys DO, however.

So between the options presented, what are the better choices? Save a buck, or go all the way? I've a feeling that, because Linus isn't exactly a specialist in the "Accessories" category, better deals can be had elsewhere. The where and what, however is the question!

Thanks,

M.

amdoo

No experience with the Linus stuff but I will put in a good vote for the Wald. I've been using the Wald 582's for about 5 years and I have to say that they are fantastic. Sure they're heavy but they're always there ready to take on a load. Extremely well made and they can carry a lot of weight without issue.

MEversbergII

I am quite interested in the 582's and I might get them regardless of any soft panniers. I've never used panniers and I have a feeling that if I carried densely heavy things like jugs of water and the like, their sag would make them a little more hazardous. The wire baskets would support water jugs well. I carry them to work on occasion as I need them, as the tap doesn't make tea as well as jugged "spring" water, so they'd get use there at least. They're cubular, so they'd let the jugs sit upright and they can brace against each other...

How many gallon jugs can you fit side by side in one? I'd eyeball three?

M.

fietsbob

Wald is an old American Manufacturer, that is still running their business, in Kentucky.

wahoonc

I have beat the crap out of Wald baskets for years on end, they get pretty ugly after a while, but I don't recall EVER breaking one. I have no clue on the durability of the Linus ones.

Here is my current Wald set up, the back baskets are probably close to 10 years old and have been mounted on several bikes. I also have a Schwinn Signature Classic 3 Cruiser that has Wald saddle baskets on the rear.

Aaron

jdswitters

folding walds. they also fit a reusable grocery bag perfectly. Two very stuffed reusable grocery bags = 1 large load of laundry. Which is what I did just last night. Mine have been on about two years now, maybe more, still no rattles.

noglider 

These Walds look like they haven't changed for a very long time. They're still as ugly as ever, but they are cheap and durable and reliable. The Linus stuff looks gorgeous, and it would be awfully nice. I think you have to make the decision based on cost versus aesthetics.

kookaburra1701

I love my wald basket. Personally, I think having a front basket and rear rack is the best of both worlds. I can throw all my crap in the basket without much thought (like U lock, etc) and if I realize I need to stop at the grocery store for a gallon of milk or whatever, I'm not SOL if I didn't bring panniers or bungie cords. Then the rear rack can handle large items that would be awkward or might not fit in the front basket.

wahoonc

Nice!

I use a cargo net on my front basket to keep things in, it lives on the bike. I have also used one over the rear baskets to keep things from bouncing out too.

Aaron

MEversbergII

I've been MIA a couple weeks, busy with life. Haven't yet gotten to order my Linus! I'm going to closing on this so-called "Short Sale" house - which began September 1, if you can believe it - and the mortgage group wanted me to magic up a considerable amount of money in a very short amount of time. Fortunately, I'm still planning on getting it here soon, probably before the ink dries on the last page of the contract!

For baskets, I've decided to go with WALD. I agree with noglider on both accounts - WALD is cheap and reliable, and the Linus stuff looks nice. I might get the Linus bags sometime in the future for fancy rides, but there are attractive alternatives. I found these a little while ago on the 'Zon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003M6VYSQ/...DV4WQTNY&psc=1

Amazon.com: Stansport Saddle Bag: Sports & Outdoors

Assuming they'd fit right they would make some rather attractive haulin' gear.

Now, I just have to decide which Wald front basket I want...oh the choices!

M.

okane

My dog (20 pounds) used to love riding in his Wald basket, but the driver has to pay attention, strict attention.
With the extra weight on the front wheel obviously handling is sluggish, but once you get rolling it's not so much of a problem. I've done numerous 20 and 30 mile rides without a problem (on a World Sport no less) but I am a defensive driver.

If you opt for the Wald remember it mounts on the axel so it won't work witha QR. I installed a long solid axel with suggicient room to mount the arm and double nut the axel so I could take the basket on/off quickly without disturbing the wheel alignment.

When I got my hybrid, we used a hollow rear axel, nutted it, and cut it so there was enough space so I could mount the arm and use a QR skewer to hold the basket.

The photo was of a fall ride. Little on the chilly side but not that bad. Never took the dog when tempts got below 50.

wahoonc

The newest walds apparently have a design change to allow mounting on fender eyelets. I haven't paid attention to it, because I have the old axle mount style.

Aaron

MEversbergII

Clever idea on the double nut axle! How do those things attach to the bars? Is it just a hook or is there some kind of securing bit? I don't care much for QR's (just toss a mini spanner in a seat bag) so if I can do the double nut, I'm good. How long was the axle and where'd you pick it up?

Aaron, is this universal to all their new non-QR baskets, or just that model? Wouldn't the axle mount be significantly stronger? Fender bolts are just M5's - significantly thinner than an axle!

Also, how's the "shimmy" under load on these?

Kukaburra: Nice Windsor! I was going for that originally but the smaller one doesn't have the nice flat top tube I want for vintage stylin'...

M.

okane

To determine the axel length you need, just add the thickness of the basket arm, nut, and lock washer x 2 to your already nutted axel. Finding one long enough was no problem, but I wanted one that would work with the cones I had. My LBS found one in a box of orphan axels he had laying around.

You should be aware of another potential problem, you need 6" (I think, basket not handy at the moment) of straight handlebar to use the factory mounts. I didn't so I installed a cross bar on the basket and moved the mounts closer together. The mounts are each 2 pieces which is a pain to hold everything together using supplied nuts and bolts, so I had the nut welded to the bottom piece. Now I just hold the two pieces together, insert and tighten bolt and I'm ready to go.

The whole mounting process takes about 5 minutes if I do it alone, about 3 minutes with a helper.

I should add that I never ride with dog in basket on the highways, just MUPs. You're a much better rider than me if you can execute the moves you need to make in traffic with that much weight on the front wheel.

Harhir

On my 80s Gazelle bike I am using these rear folding baskets from Walds. They work ok but can get easily bent if the bike tips over. This is why I would recommend a center bicycle stand. They are also easy to mount but they could be a little big bigger.
On my other commuting bike I use a pair of Ortlieb Backrollers. Especially when riding to the office I like to have the stuff (clothes, laptop, ...) to be protected from the environment. Plus they just clip on and I can take them into the office when leaving the bike in the bike stand. They are now about 20 years old and still work great. No tears or holes. And they are actually larger than the baskets.

MEversbergII

How do the folding baskets attach?

I might have run into a small problem! The double-nut axle is very appealing due to the ability to remove the basket when needed (it would be necessary a relative minority of the time). But, this bike has sealed bearings. This means, if I'm not mistaken, the axle can't be changed?

If it can be, I'm looking at this: 157 Giant Delivery Basket - Waldsports

If not, I'll probably go with a QR type. The "Multi-fit Front Basket and Rack Combo", probably - 3339 Multi-Fit Front Basket & Rack Combo - Waldsports

It looks like I could ditch the basket to keep it "out of the way" when needed, and just have a fairly sizable front rack if needed, which also having a QR type basket that can carry a good load (due to the rack holding it up). It's not as large, though. It certainly is cheaper than the Linus brand front rack I was considering: LINUS LUNCH RACK - Linus Bike

Both look suitably "old school" for my part.

While I like the Linus Dilano basket ( THE DELANO BASKET - Linus Bike ) for it's heavy, workman-like look, the Wald has less gaps.

For the rear, I may well just go with a set of soft panniers, like I linked above. Spray on some water repellant and they'll be much better in various weathers than an open basket, and likely more sturdily attached.

M.

amdoo

I've found that pipe clamps work the best. Very sturdy and secure.

MEversbergII

I got lucky this weekend! I had dropped off my SO's Schwinn beach cruiser to have the shifter installed last weekend and saw that the LBS had some kind of "scrap room" going on. In there, I spotted what looked like a basket, but I was distracted and didn't get a good look. So this weekend when I picked it up with her, I asked about it. Turns out it is one of the deep WALD front baskets! Owner wanted $10 for it - SOLD. So I hooked it up to her bike and fiddled around with it until we could get running. Didn't have proper hardware to attach it to the handlebars so we used a rope that was woven into the bottom of the basket to tie it in place for the trip home.

Evidently installing it misaligned the wheel and I spent like half an hour messing with that and the brakes before we could get rolling. Don't wrench enough to stay in good practice, unfortunately. Certainly not a performance bike for sure, anyways.

One observation I have is that this basket is heavy. I'm far from a "weight weenie", but this puts considerable weight on the front of the bike even when unloaded. Not insurmountable, but it changes the handling enough that I'm not sure it would be a good selection on a "light roadster" or "mixte" type of frame - it makes good steerage a bit difficult. However, since we have it now, once I'm able to order my utility bike I'll give it a whirl. Just needs a bit of polish, but I got it for quite the discount so I can't complain. I'll be getting a steering stabalizer anyways, so that might compensate for it.

M.

Pedaling Around

A few days ago I got a Wald 157 n put it on a rigid forked mountain bike. I had the same issues with steering on my first day riding with the basket on. Then, the next day I lowered the handlebars as far as I could, leveling the basket and lowering the center of gravity. It now rides about half an inch above the front fender and the steering issues have improved. I'm not sure how your bike and basket is set up, but if there's any wiggle room to lower that basket, and the center of gravity, it might help with the steering.

MEversbergII

Well, I don't think it's staying on that bike but I see what you're saying. In this case, it was on the lowest setting already. Probably a confounder was the use of rope in a pinch to secure it in place; fairly sure it was causing some flex issues. It is 50% likely to live on my Linus, when I can actually go and order the thing!

M.

arbalest

I was going to ask about this in a separate post but this seems like a good place...

Do you have problems with steering? Any sense that the stem is actually twisting? What happens when you lean the bike to throw your leg over?

I recently put a Wald basket on a beater to carry a 10lb box to UPS for shipping. The ride was terrifying. Here you have MUCH more load. Maybe I could tighten things up, change stems and move the basket down to a front rack. But I want to be convinced that it is a solvable problem without a frame-mounted basket (apparently it is).

arbalest

Can you comment on your installation? The struts don't seem to be standard Wald. Then there is the conduit. It doesn't look like you have the standard hooks over the handlebars but I can't be sure from the photo (on my Wald 139, the hooks are on the top rail of the basket. Perhaps yours are on the cross support).

kookaburra1701

The Giant Delivery Basket comes with different hardware than the smaller Wald baskets. The mounting is much sturdier and more secure. The struts have holes all the way up, and so do the handlebar brackets, so you can get the height just right. This is necessary because it's assumed you're going to be carrying major loads in it. I was able to carry a 50# sack of grain in it, no problem.

I don't know what you mean when you say conduit? If you're talking about the piece of pipe at the front of the basket, that's just to give me a larger diameter place to mount a light. But now I use a helmet light, so there's no purpose for it. I just haven't bothered taking it off.

wahoonc

No real handling issues, it does handle different loaded than empty. Fork rake and trail along with the bike frame angles have a lot to do with how the bike will handle with a load. I rode a heavily loaded Schwinn Heavy Duty delivering papers for years. Perhaps I just quickly adapt to what I am riding? That Raleigh frame is pretty small for me, I usually don't tilt it to throw my leg over.

Aaron

arbalest

"Trail" is the main contributor to this particular problem. And, I am using a 1980's MTB, which has a lot of trail. In my case I thought something else is going on. The problem seems to be intensified because as I correct the steering (especially at slow speeds) the basket feels like it's swaying.

I can (and will) use a frame/fork combo with less trail but I didn't think this alone could be such a problem. With the weight shown in your photo (2 cases of glass bottles) my bike could not be ridden at all.