Rear baskets, anyone?
#2
I ride bikes!
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 268
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From: Chicago,IL (Uptown)
Bikes: 2011 Redline 925 (Commuter) 2004 Giant Sedona(Fiances)
Like this? https://www.topeak.com/products/baskets/MTXBasketRear
If you get a rear basket, or front for that matter, I would recommend some kind of net to go over it and some bungees to help hold certain items in place that may require a little assistance. Wouldn't want to put something in your basket with no added protection, hit a bump, and your special purchase go flying in the road and smashed. What I like about Topeak racks is you can get a bunch of different packs, bags, and baskets to go with it so you do not need to change the rack or get anything special. I really like the idea of making a universal rack for all packs, bags, panniers and baskets. Really convenient and a breeze to switch out your carrier for different situations.
If you get a rear basket, or front for that matter, I would recommend some kind of net to go over it and some bungees to help hold certain items in place that may require a little assistance. Wouldn't want to put something in your basket with no added protection, hit a bump, and your special purchase go flying in the road and smashed. What I like about Topeak racks is you can get a bunch of different packs, bags, and baskets to go with it so you do not need to change the rack or get anything special. I really like the idea of making a universal rack for all packs, bags, panniers and baskets. Really convenient and a breeze to switch out your carrier for different situations.
Last edited by UptownJoe60640; 05-14-11 at 09:20 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 175
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From: South Jersey
Bikes: Diamondback Response, Greenzone Folder, Huffy and Free Spirit
Dear Markmakarm:
I like rear baskets, but most adult cyclists in America do not use them. It looks too much like the baskets paperboys used on their route. I like mine becuase it has the weight in the rear of the bike, it holds lots of cargo and if I have a large load the top is flat and I can tie down a large box on top of the rack. I do not like the collapasable rear racks as they seem a bit flimsy. I also think that motorists give me more room becuase my bike is wider due to the rack. My rack was made by Wald an American manufacturer.
John
I like rear baskets, but most adult cyclists in America do not use them. It looks too much like the baskets paperboys used on their route. I like mine becuase it has the weight in the rear of the bike, it holds lots of cargo and if I have a large load the top is flat and I can tie down a large box on top of the rack. I do not like the collapasable rear racks as they seem a bit flimsy. I also think that motorists give me more room becuase my bike is wider due to the rack. My rack was made by Wald an American manufacturer.
John
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 438
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From: Arizona
Bikes: Raleigh Venture 3.0
I don't know if this qualifies, but I've got an old milk crate bolted to my rear rack and it works great. Like UptownJoe mentioned, I have a couple of bungee cords to hold some of the bigger stuff in. If you are going to be carrying anything big on a regular basis, I would suggest you get a solid rear axle. The QR axles tend to bend/break if you hit any bumps at speed 20 to 30# back there.
#5
I ride bikes!
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 268
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From: Chicago,IL (Uptown)
Bikes: 2011 Redline 925 (Commuter) 2004 Giant Sedona(Fiances)
I don't know if this qualifies, but I've got an old milk crate bolted to my rear rack and it works great. Like UptownJoe mentioned, I have a couple of bungee cords to hold some of the bigger stuff in. If you are going to be carrying anything big on a regular basis, I would suggest you get a solid rear axle. The QR axles tend to bend/break if you hit any bumps at speed 20 to 30# back there.
#8
I ride bikes!
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 268
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From: Chicago,IL (Uptown)
Bikes: 2011 Redline 925 (Commuter) 2004 Giant Sedona(Fiances)
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 129
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From: Aiea, Hawaii
I used to have the wald fold out baskets on my bike. I used to throw my work boots and lunch on one side and my backpack on the other. I would strap a small bungee across the top to prevent bounce-outs but i was not expecting the bottom to give out which it did. I lost my work boots when the bottom popped out after a pretty hard bump. I didn't know it happened till many miles later and when i went back my boots were already gone. From then on i put a small carabiner clip on the bottom to make sure it didn't pop out again. I stopped using them after i got some panns. I didn't like the weight and the noise they created. Even when unloaded they were pretty heavy.
#11
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I have a Wald folding basket on my bike. I don't use it a ton but it's nice in case I want to pick up some soda or something.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#12
I have a homebrew basket setup, using a basket we already had and some stout zip ties. The rack is a cheap Nashbar LDT rack. I just gave my commuter bike a sponge bath today, so here are some fresh pics I was planning to post today:




I've been using this basket setup for a couple of weeks, and find it ideal for grocery trips, as well as piling in bags from work (teacher). The basket itself is very lightweight, and doesn't make any rattling sounds when loaded or empty. I already had the cargo net. I think it is branded Bontrager.
Eventually, I want to get some panniers, but it will be quite some time before I have that kind of money saved up.




I've been using this basket setup for a couple of weeks, and find it ideal for grocery trips, as well as piling in bags from work (teacher). The basket itself is very lightweight, and doesn't make any rattling sounds when loaded or empty. I already had the cargo net. I think it is branded Bontrager.
Eventually, I want to get some panniers, but it will be quite some time before I have that kind of money saved up.
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
From: beantown
Bikes: '89 Specialized Hardrock Fixed Gear Commuter; 1984? Dawes Atlantis
I've used both a wire in-basket and a large Wald basket that I zip-tied to the rear rack.
I gave them up when I bought panniers - I can't use both at the same time on my rack.
I gave them up when I bought panniers - I can't use both at the same time on my rack.
#17
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
I've got the Topeak basket for my bikes with Topeak racks, and I have milk crates that I can bolt on to the ecodeck of my Big Dummy when I want extra basket capacity in addition to the freeloaders.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Chicago!
I have a medium sized Wald basket I bought from Rivendell zip tied to the top of my Tubus Cosmo rack - it has rails below the platform as well, so I'm able to both use panniers and the basket at the same time. I like the Wald basket because it's perfectly sized to hold a twelve pack of cans of...whatever you like that comes in a twelve pack. Along with a nicely six pack sized rack on the front, I am always prepared.
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