MMach5,

You're a better man than I, Gunga Din. I tried baskets of the style you described, and experienced the scariest wobble of my life. I ran, did not walk, and certainly did not ride, back to my local bike shop to return the baskets.

I admire you for making them work. They seem much more useful for commuting and in-town errands than fussy panniers.

Sorry to hear about you three hour tour. Hope you get some rest, and that your repairs are successful.