Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 25
From: Norwich, Norfolk. UK
Bikes: 2006 Falcon Explorer Hybrid, 2008 Landrover Visalia Crossover, 2010 Cargo Cycles Senton, 2010 Cargo Cycles Capability, and a 2001 AVD quad pedi-van, 1980 Peugeot Carbolite 10sp racer
The struts are not required unless you are placing stupidly heavy weights in the basket.
These types of porteur style rack baskets are very popular here in the UK, in Denmark, Holland and Germany and the vast majority of these after market basket racks are supplied and fitted without additional support struts and only a small percentage are actually supplied with them.
The rattle can repainted second-hand after market porteur rack basket fitted on a friend's bike, this is often loaded with 15kg (33lbs) of shopping and does not have additional struts.