Front Basket + Drops?
04-22-11 | 10:13 PM
#1
Thread Starter
likes to ride an old bike
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: Madison
Front Basket + Drops?
So I'm looking for a way to haul a moderate amount of junk around with me when I ride my 1971 Atala Competizione beater... I'm sick of wearing a backpack.
Rear rack is right out because it's a moderately racey-looking bike and a rear rack would look horribly out-of-place. Plus then I'd have to get panniers and the whole idea sounds expensive.
An English-style fattie saddle bag is a consideration -- it would look right with the english-style paint job. But, it'd be hard to fit odd-shaped or crush-sensitive things into one.
So, a detachable front basket seems like the best idea; the tiniest one Wald offers measures out like it would (barely) fit into the hollow of my GB rando bars. Basket Holder (Bottom One)
Does anybody have any experience with a front basket (esp a detachable one) on a sport-touring/touring/racing/all-rounder road bike? Cheers or regrets?
Rear rack is right out because it's a moderately racey-looking bike and a rear rack would look horribly out-of-place. Plus then I'd have to get panniers and the whole idea sounds expensive.
An English-style fattie saddle bag is a consideration -- it would look right with the english-style paint job. But, it'd be hard to fit odd-shaped or crush-sensitive things into one.
So, a detachable front basket seems like the best idea; the tiniest one Wald offers measures out like it would (barely) fit into the hollow of my GB rando bars. Basket Holder (Bottom One)
Does anybody have any experience with a front basket (esp a detachable one) on a sport-touring/touring/racing/all-rounder road bike? Cheers or regrets?
Last edited by MrEss; 04-22-11 at 11:16 PM. Reason: clarify
04-22-11 | 10:18 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 472
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From: Washington
Bikes: Serotta Davis Phinney, 1992 Serotta T Max,1984 Specialized Allez, Olmo, 1974 Strawberry,Redline bmx, ect.,
Drop bars no, and mustache bars yes. If mustache bars look at Electra bikes as they have a few different ones.
04-23-11 | 03:53 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,564
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From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Good think you're passing on a rear rack, 'cause a front basket screams "racey".
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
04-23-11 | 06:27 AM
#6
(rhymes with spook)
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 749
From: Winslow, AR
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
I'm sure Lance has one on his mtn bike, though.
Personally, I think a rear rack w/ some small panniers looks rather fetching on a racer. I saw a late 90's Litespeed at the LBS (customer bike) set up with one. Pretty snazzy. But, then aren't all Litespeeds, anyway?
Oh, btw, were it me......and this is just my opinion......I'd prefer not to have the weight on the steering. Makes zooming around a bit more cumbersome.
Personally, I think a rear rack w/ some small panniers looks rather fetching on a racer. I saw a late 90's Litespeed at the LBS (customer bike) set up with one. Pretty snazzy. But, then aren't all Litespeeds, anyway?
Oh, btw, were it me......and this is just my opinion......I'd prefer not to have the weight on the steering. Makes zooming around a bit more cumbersome.
04-23-11 | 07:00 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,564
Likes: 2,739
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
I cannot even begin to imagine why anyone would think that a rear rack is not racey. Check out this top dog PX10, and tell me different. Coupled with a set of aerodynamic leather and metal panniers = racing all the way...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
04-23-11 | 07:49 AM
#8
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18,761
Likes: 11,487
The folks at Rivendell like putting Wald baskets on the front of drop-bar bikes:
https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...ts-wald/20-102
Neal
https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...ts-wald/20-102
Neal
04-23-11 | 10:26 AM
#10
vintage motor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 349
From: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
This goes along with the mixte/drop bars thread...
04-23-11 | 11:26 AM
#11
Get off my lawn!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,035
Likes: 118
From: The Garden State
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
I've been thinking about hanging two sets of Wald double-rear baskets; one front the other on the rear. Kinda like full-tour panniers but in chrome and wire. The front one would have to attach to the fork crown, so you'd have to work that out. Anyway, I think that would look good with drops and it would keep the load low.
04-16-18 | 05:17 AM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,564
Likes: 2,739
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Just in case and for those interested, the PX10, pictured with the blue panniers was intended to be a bit of a joke. Though that X10 lives in Japan, now, I did love the bike and now own another - sans rack, panniers and water bottle...
In truth, I have tried running panniers and front baskets. Did not like the looks of either, nor did I like the way that they function. Function might not be the correct word, but it as been my experience that I had to empty out the panniers, fearing theft of the contents if I parked the bike.
For me, the back pack it the way I go and I keep everything I need to survive - knife, lighter, rope, spare inner tube, few tools and, of course my cell phone and a Visa charge card. And, Mrs. Me was good enough to take the time to sew up the multitude of seam failures on my back pack, seen here at my favorite watering (draft beer) hole...
In truth, I have tried running panniers and front baskets. Did not like the looks of either, nor did I like the way that they function. Function might not be the correct word, but it as been my experience that I had to empty out the panniers, fearing theft of the contents if I parked the bike.
For me, the back pack it the way I go and I keep everything I need to survive - knife, lighter, rope, spare inner tube, few tools and, of course my cell phone and a Visa charge card. And, Mrs. Me was good enough to take the time to sew up the multitude of seam failures on my back pack, seen here at my favorite watering (draft beer) hole...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
04-16-18 | 05:53 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,765
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From: Louisville, KY
04-16-18 | 07:16 AM
#14
Overdoing projects
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 1,369
From: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
Depending on what you plan on putting on it a low Porteur rack could work.
(Side view)
Mine is a Basil Portland front carrier (Also available in black) and they used to have one without the rail so you can fit larger packages.
(Side view)
Mine is a Basil Portland front carrier (Also available in black) and they used to have one without the rail so you can fit larger packages.
Last edited by JaccoW; 04-16-18 at 07:20 AM.
04-16-18 | 08:58 AM
#15
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,397
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
How about front and rear panniers instead of a basket?
I have been delighted with the Pletscher "mousetrap" rack and Rudy Project panniers on my UO-8. I routinely haul 25-30 pound loads, no problem.
I have been delighted with the Pletscher "mousetrap" rack and Rudy Project panniers on my UO-8. I routinely haul 25-30 pound loads, no problem.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
04-16-18 | 09:37 AM
#16
Still learning
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,529
Likes: 87
From: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Bikes: Still a garage full
A vintage Cannondale handlebar bag is hard to beat.
Other low cost alternatives:
https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...ce:&pageSize:&
You can spend more for some very functional and stylish carriers, but you are equipping a beater.
Other low cost alternatives:
https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...ce:&pageSize:&
You can spend more for some very functional and stylish carriers, but you are equipping a beater.
