Wire basket on touring bike
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Wire basket on touring bike
I'm looking at handlebar bags for a medium duty touring bike. I'd like something on the larger size but not too large and don't want to spend a lot of money. I'm thinking about putting a smaller wire basket on my bike, and have a dry sack for contents to keep them dry. One problem is its tough to secure(theft) although I'm pretty good with knots and can come up with a way to tie down. Another problem is its tough to find a wire basket thats on the smaller size. A lot are 12+x9x9 which makes the size almost 20liters. I'd like something about 6-8 liters, maybe 10x6x8 so it doesn't stick out so far. It would be nice to have it quick release so I could take it in supermakets while I'm on tour, fill it full of food, then continue riding again. anyone else gaining respect for the front mounted wire basket?
Last edited by preferdownhill; 05-07-18 at 08:07 AM.
#2
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Wald has been making bicycle accessories for over a century:
https://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/store/
https://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/store/
#3
Senior Member
Grant Petersen at Rivendell has been a fan of Wald Baskets for a long time
#4
Clark W. Griswold
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Wald baskets are old school and sometimes a little klunky and heavy but they are excellent quality made right here in 'Merica. I one day hope to build a bike with a basket and do basket things but probably only when my front rando bag wears out.
#5
Senior Member
I presume this will involve flowers, a cute little puppy and the odd well placed yet secure baguette?
#6
Clark W. Griswold
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#7
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Big baskets rule.
If you want a real small basket, you might have to look outside the bike world.
https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Dive...ll+wire+basket
One warning about baskets though: they can bruise produce. I try to keep produce protected from touching the bottom or the sides of the basket, but often I end up with an apple or banana with a grid-mark bruise.
Last edited by tyrion; 05-07-18 at 05:46 PM.
#8
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wire baskets!
I have been commuting w/ a Wald basket for years, using a Rivbike Shopsack in rain and like it. Zip tie the basket to a Nitto front rack with no problems.
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/b...ck-large-olive
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/b...ck-large-olive
#9
Senior Member
Big baskets rule.
If you want a real small basket, you might have to look outside the bike world.
https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Dive...ll+wire+basket
One warning about baskets though: they can bruise produce. I try to keep produce protected from touching the bottom or the sides of the basket, but often I end up with an apple or banana with a grid-mark bruise.
#10
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Used Wald basket for commuting for years w/o problems, Zip tied to Nitto front rack, I rode train, so had to be a narrow fit (not wider than the bars). Used it with Rivbike's Shopsack canvas bag in heavy rain n it worked.
#12
Senior Member
#13
Senior Member
As someone mentioned, look outside the bike world. A small metal basket with some sturdy wire(like a coat hanger) or zip ties attaching it to a small front rack might be nice. No ideas on the quick release aspect, though. Maybe just use velcro straps to attach it rather than wire or zip ties?
#14
Full Member
After doing tour #6 with a basket and not a handlebar bag, I'll never go back to the h.b.! So congratulations. We should begin a Basket Club. If you have time before your tour, go to your local thrift shops for finding a smaller basket. Sometimes I see ones in there or baskets that could be used for a bike. As for sticky fingers/hands, maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had anything disappear from my basket (I live on my bike now).
#15
Senior Member
I've always wanted to ask this of wire basket users and fans...
Doesn't the constant clinging and clanging of items inside the basket start to grate on you after a couple of miles? I know if there is something loose and making even the smallest racket in one of my panniers, I can stand it for about ten minutes at the most.
Doesn't the constant clinging and clanging of items inside the basket start to grate on you after a couple of miles? I know if there is something loose and making even the smallest racket in one of my panniers, I can stand it for about ten minutes at the most.
#16
Senior Member
I've always wanted to ask this of wire basket users and fans...
Doesn't the constant clinging and clanging of items inside the basket start to grate on you after a couple of miles? I know if there is something loose and making even the smallest racket in one of my panniers, I can stand it for about ten minutes at the most.
Doesn't the constant clinging and clanging of items inside the basket start to grate on you after a couple of miles? I know if there is something loose and making even the smallest racket in one of my panniers, I can stand it for about ten minutes at the most.
#18
Senior Member
want quick release? get a quick release handlebar bag, cut off the top flap. done.
or use the quick release hardware from your old handlebar bag (or can get spares online), and attach that to your basket. you could bolt a L-shaped metal bookend to the basket, then bolt the quick release clip to that.
you could check ebay for cheap motorcycle/scooter rack boxes. use the quick release doo-dads to mount your basket on a front rack.
Last edited by saddlesores; 05-09-18 at 05:31 AM.
#19
Senior Member
#20
Senior Member
'Not trying to bust your chops. I'm more in awe than anything else. I've done rides that last 8-10 hours, and I know that if there's the slightest rattle in my trunk bag, it will drive me crazy before I get around the block!
#21
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Basket on front with a SWIFT Sugarloaf bag
https://builtbyswift.com/shop/cascad...af-basket-bag/
https://builtbyswift.com/shop/cascad...af-basket-bag/
#22
Senior Member
But perhaps it is just understanding that certain conditions cause noise (going over bumps, etc) and accepting it...as opposed to creaking/groaning/clicking or other irregular noises with no immediately discernable cause.
Zen, if you will...
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Basket
I'm looking at handlebar bags for a medium duty touring bike. I'd like something on the larger size but not too large and don't want to spend a lot of money. I'm thinking about putting a smaller wire basket on my bike, and have a dry sack for contents to keep them dry. One problem is its tough to secure(theft) although I'm pretty good with knots and can come up with a way to tie down. Another problem is its tough to find a wire basket thats on the smaller size. A lot are 12+x9x9 which makes the size almost 20liters. I'd like something about 6-8 liters, maybe 10x6x8 so it doesn't stick out so far. It would be nice to have it quick release so I could take it in supermakets while I'm on tour, fill it full of food, then continue riding again. anyone else gaining respect for the front mounted wire basket?