I thinking about getting the 532 folding rear basket, possibly a pair.

I've got a backpack for my school books. Was looking at panniers (either a single or double-sided) to put clothes/wet/cold weather gear in. I also have an old pair of Nashbar Townies that I don't trust my backpacks weight in. So, I'm now considering going with baskets. (I've also got a milk crate, but it won't carry enough.)

I know that they are on the heavy side, and that people consider them noisy. I'm not overly worried about the weight, and I think that I could live with any potential annoyance from the rattling. But they look like the solution to my problem. I've got a bunch of backpacks/duffels already...

Any glaring cons that I should be aware of? Besides the weight, noise, the need to 'modify' the mounting...

My dad is a fan. We bought them for his birthday this year and he loves them, despite making the bike weigh more than 50lbs once all was said and done (but the bike itself was quite substantial before we added the baskets being an older department store type bike). He's used them a few times now and loves having them!

We didn't really need to modify any of the mounting stuff, we just attached them with the pieces that came with it. And the noise really isn't all that bad, though I do plan on putting some rubber tubing over the rear supports as that's the only place you get a slight rattle.

I use them on my utility/commuting bike and like them a lot. Yes they are noisy and it takes a little work to get them on but they beat the heck out of panniers for sheer convenience. I can fold them up and clip them closed when I don't need them and they are always there. They bolt on so its harder to steal them. I got a couple of recyclable grocery bags for 99 cents each that I put in them to carry whatever. The bags are cheap and fit close to perfect. Put a couple of bungee cords across the top when they are folded up and it quiets them down nicely. I have loaded them up with groceries, beverages, camping firewood, picnics, and they handle it all. I would buy them again.

I have a set of 582s and I love them. They are only a couple of months old so they don't rattle except when I ride down a brick street. Or it could be that I don't notice them over noise of my 25 year old bike. Mounting them wasn't that hard and didn't require anything other than what came with them. They are a little heavy when lifting the bike but I don't notice the extra weight when riding. I also use the reusable grocery bags in them because they are the perfect size.

This is my grocery shopping setup (you can just see the corner of the bin that I bungee onto the trailer).

A new set of Wald rear baskets and a 25-year-old Wald front basket. I used wire shelving to make the lids for the rear. It makes them lockable and gives me nice, big, flat area to strap down a bag of dog food, cat litter or multi-pack of toilet paper.

I have a wald rear dual basket to set up.

Any changes needed to the QR skewers?

Well, according to Newton "a body in motion tends to stay in motion" so the only time weight is an issue is coming off the line so-to-speak. It's must be nice to have a means to carry items close at hand though!

I don't think the folding baskets are noisy. Okay, maybe if you hit a pot hole or something, then they will rattle a bit. But for the most part I don't notice any noise. I didn't use Wald's mounting hardware. Instead I used three zip ties (ones about a quarter inch wide), two on top to hold the weight, and one in the middle to stop it moving forward or backward.

A good basket is a damn useful tool. I love mine and it gets lots of attention. The main things to watch for are a front basket can make twitchy steering worse, and rear baskets can make it hard to manage the bike on stairs.

NOW that is innovative! I would patent the lid concept and sell it back to Wald

I like my Wald folding baskets, however it will depend on how you use them. I have them on a bike that is used pretty much for grocery runs and not much more, so the only time I hear them rattling is when I am on our rutted dirt road, on smooth pavement I don't hear them at all. I like the fixed baskets for most utility bikes, they are like a trunk on a car, just toss the stuff in and go.

Aaron

OP, get the folding baskets! They are very versatile, and you are already aware of any real drawbacks, except for one -- Beware of heel strike when the basket is deployed. Be careful when you install them and set them way back in the rack.

I second the warning about heel strike. I had them on my bike until I wrecked it and the were great. They survived the wreck while I broke the top tube of my LHT in two so they are very sturdy

I have a wald basket over the front wheel, a couple of REI grocery panniers on the back when I pick up supplies. I use the basket everyday and love it loads.

I have a couple of Walds just because

I love mine.

I went a different route and got their rather large single basket they produce for Workman trikes (find it at Grainger online). I mounted it in-line, rather than transverse, on top of my rack.

21 X 15 X 9"
https://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1VJX2


I tried the milk-crate deal, but they made close-quarter maneuvering a pain.

Very handy.

Mine makes noise when I do stuff like flop down of curb or nail a pothole.

Did I mention I love mine? After my rear dérailleur went tango uniform while in motion, I took off my rack & basket to make it easier for the bicycle mechanic to access the drivetrain. My bike looked naked and useless, almost embarrassed, to be without its load-bearing gear.

Good luck.

Wow! Come back from work/class, and look at all of the replies. Looks like they're all positive as well. One issue that was brought up (and I've got this w/EVERY thing currently in my arsenal) is heel strike. I'm probably going to get these baskets and a Wald rack and still spend less than on a single Arkel Utility Basket.

157 Giant Delivery Basket, just do it

What trailer is that? It is juuuuust what I'm looking for!

Similar to the Burley flatbed that I covet... but I hate the idea of paying $250 for a trailer.

It looks like a modified folding chair, but still I'm interested in it to.

LOL - Thanks.
I built it from an old double baby stroller. It was a front-to-back rather than side-by-side set up, so the main frame of the trailer is made from the extra long "handlebar." The wheels are from a couple of old toddler bikes and the tow-bar is from a golf bag dolly.

I did a little write-up on it, back when I built it.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/160351-i-built-trailer.html
I have since updated the hitch.
I used the metal portion from a caster, similar to this one:

With the caster mounted sideways and the wheel removed, a hitch-pin fits nicely through the hole where the axle used to be. It gives the trailer a full range of motion.
I attached the hitch to the bike using two U-bolts around the chainstay.

AND, surprisingly, made in USA and sold at a decent price.

"... unless acted on by another force."

which is gravity/friction

anyway, my gf had those wald baskets but sold them and bought a pannier, because of the rattling. but this is also because we only have one bike a piece right now, and its annoying to take them off and put them back on all the time, and most of the time they were empty.

As for rattling, pick up some 3mm, adhesive-backed craft foam, (with the kids' stuff at craft stores). Cut strips to wrap around the seat stays and basket supports, where the baskets make contact.

Zip ties, cinched tightly at the contact points also help reduce the rattling.

If you have time you should take a picture of that new mod, this is a tempting idea on how to make a trailer, there are always strollers at GoodWill.

I think the folding wald baskets are great!!!

I installed a pair on my daughter's bike. You are correct that they are a little heavy but I don't think my 13 year old notices the weight. That is mainly because she rides a Schwinn Continental II ladies bike. She has to watch the local road weight limits (that is one heavy bike...but it is absolutely bomb proof).

She used it for riding back and forth to summer camp here in NW Indiana hauling both her and her little sisters gear. It worked great.