So I'm looking for a way to haul a moderate amount of junk around with me when I ride my 1971 Atala Competizione beater... I'm sick of wearing a backpack.

Rear rack is right out because it's a moderately racey-looking bike and a rear rack would look horribly out-of-place. Plus then I'd have to get panniers and the whole idea sounds expensive.

An English-style fattie saddle bag is a consideration -- it would look right with the english-style paint job. But, it'd be hard to fit odd-shaped or crush-sensitive things into one.

So, a detachable front basket seems like the best idea; the tiniest one Wald offers measures out like it would (barely) fit into the hollow of my GB rando bars. Basket Holder (Bottom One)

Does anybody have any experience with a front basket (esp a detachable one) on a sport-touring/touring/racing/all-rounder road bike? Cheers or regrets?