Originally Posted by cyccommute
While I agree that 17+ pounds is too much to mount that high on a bike, that much weight on the front wheel, if carried lower and split between each side, is not detrimental to bicycle handling. Touring cyclist regularly carry that much weight and more on lowrider mounts. It actually improves the handling especially over carrying lots of extra weight on the rear wheel.
True, but the question is about a handlebar basket and here the weight is poorly distributed and in a bad place. Low rider front racks/panniers are an effective way to carry weight on a bike but that isn't an option in this case.