Hello,
I'm not sure if I should be posting in Classic & Vintage, Commuting, or here. I've been using a bike as my primary form of transportation for about two years, but I was just recently bitten by the bug that makes me want to buy things to make my bike nicer and easier to use (and makes me want to own more bikes, so now I have 2). I strongly prefer my bike carrying weight to my back and shoulders carrying it. Until recently, I was using a milk crate strapped onto my rear rack for carrying groceries and whatever else, but I want to upgrade and I need advice.
First of all I have an Raleigh Sprite mixte from the 70s or 80s and I would like it to have a non-removable front basket. I want to maintain a classic look and I don't want to worry about the basket being stolen. I bought a basic Wald front basket but it doesn't sit properly and interferes with the shifters. Any recommendations for another classic looking front basket?
Secondly, I plan on having rear racks on both my bikes (the second one is an older Terry road bike) and want removable baskets or panniers that will work for both. I have a Pletcher rack on my Raleigh but can buy something else if using the Pletcher would prevent me from using the bikes and baskets interchangeably. I don't have the second rack yet. For some reason I am more inclined to by grocery baskets than panniers, but I'm not sure that makes sense. I'd like to think that someday I will do some touring (maybe light) but right now I just need to carry groceries.
I've been looking at baskets by Basil such as this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Basil-Cardiff-...ef=cm_cmu_pg_t
There is also this seemingly new brand - Eleven81 - that is very inexpensive. Has anyone used their products?
http://www.amazon.com/Eleven81-Quick...751308&sr=1-30
http://www.amazon.com/Eleven81-Foldi...751178&sr=1-10
I want to make careful purchases so that I won't have to jerry-rig anything. I'd like to hear from people who have used different baskets (and can possibly recommend a rack that works well with them). I also want my bikes to look nice, but I'm not sure how much of a premium I'm willing to pay to make it happen (remember, I'm graduating from a milk crate!). Thanks!