mdilthey

Very funny. I asked one of the local riders how he's been lately and got an unexpected answer.

"Great, man. Just got a basket. Changed my life."


After interrogating him for info on something I had previously dismissed completely, it turns out he digs the basket because he can just throw a bunch of stuff in it (what a revelation). No fuss, no mounts, no straps or bells or whistles. I have to say, I was intrigued. I kind of thought baskets were cruiser bike territory, but it does make sense to me. I had to try it.

I picked up a Wald basket. I will install it this weekend.

So... anyone actually tour with one?

Hangtownmatt

Baskets are very popular and useful. Google "Rivendell basket" and you will get loads of info and pictures.

Matt

Hangtownmatt

For info more related to touring add the keyword "S240" to your search.

Matt

howeeee

I love baskets

BotSpanx

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Tourist in MSN

Not for touring but around town I often carry a shopping type pannier, one that also has shoulder straps to use like a backpack, it also has a structure to hold its shape when empty. It is no longer made, took me a minute to find a link to it with a google search. Easy to just throw my cable lock in it, or a jacket or raingear loosely. It is tall and narrow enough that nothing bounces out on the bumps. Detours Teeco.

Detours Teeco Single Pannier - REI.com

Mine is solid blue, not a flowery print.

Several years ago I saw one guy with wald type steel baskets on a tour instead of panniers. I think I paid more for tires than he did for his entire bike, but he was having a great time.

fietsbob

I have a Klick Fix basket that I can put on my handlebar bag mount on front, or the back of the seatpost.

the basket rim that also serves as the mount to the bar bag fitting .. the fact that the rod that forms the rim is aluminum, that limits the weight .


I do see a few people touring with pretty basic gear on any given summer ..

nickw

Yeah, I have used on while touring and they are very useful for tossing stuff in. They sit up high and I don't like them for loads over 5-6 lbs, lots of wheel flop. Perfect for commuting though. I've deviated away from it for touring and towards smaller panniers, but they are still useful.

shipwreck

[IMG]001 (2) by onedollarmiyata, on Flickr[/IMG]

I think that to truly use baskets for utility and even touring, you have to be willing to let go of the importance of what you are riding, and ride. My favorite basket bike is my Schwinn world tourist with FF system, big dorky rearview, and barely scraped off crackhead primer all over paint job. A truly sneerworthy bike that I simply love to ride.
I used this bike for an "urban tour" all around Chicago, sight seeing, shopping and staying at a couple of different hotels. I might use it for a rail trail trip with friends who want to do it but don't have high zoot bikes. Don't really want to show up on one of my truly nice machines to ride with people who are on department store bikes.

staehpj1

We had a guest stay with us who was touring with baskets front and rear. He was happy with them. He wasn't at all typical though as he was carrying at least 150 pounds and probably more.

MichaelW

Today I saw a dachshund going for a ride in a front basket.

gna

Jeff Teel on CGOAB uses baskets:

Following the Straight Path: finally, ready to go - Morton, IL
Tri-points on the Tri-speed: So far, so good - Tremont, IL

Redhatter

I have a basket on the front of mine. Used to have one on the rear too, but found that they were frequently falling apart on me and I wanted something lockable, so opted for the motorcycle top-box on the back.

I like being able to just throw random things in there that I need to access quickly. So when I'm commuting, it's my breakfast (for when I get to work), charger for the phone, some other cables, etc.

Before I got the top box that front basket would carry my tools too.

skimaxpower

I wouldn't want it for touring. But it's worth noting at a standard Wald basket is the exact size of a 24-pack of canned beer.

mdilthey

I was wondering... that's the exact basket I got. I'm pleased.

Rowan

I like the concept except for one thing -- anything that is small has to be contained in a bag or box that won't drop through the mesh. Which means, basically, that you have to carry around two containers, the basket and the bag or box.. Unless the basket has a liner of its own.

Vintage_Cyclist

I zip-tied an old wire letter tray to the top of the front rack on my LHT. Just the right size for a small bag of groceries or whatever. The bar across the open front of the tray is a plastic handle from an old boom box I was throwing out. Just the right size for mounting a light and some reflectors.

Tourist in MSN

I am glad the baskets work for you guys, but I am sticking with my shopping type pannier. Tall and narrow enough that nothing bounces out of it when I hit a bump, nothing falls thru the big square holes because there are no big square holes. Comes off the bike and continues to contain whatever I have in it when I bring it inside a store or restaurant or wherever I go.

But even though my pannier is tall and narrow, it was a bit short that day I went to the store to pick up my new kayak paddle.

bikemig 

This PDW basket is pretty sharp looking but not as practical as one that holds 24 pack of canned beer!

https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/cargo/takeout-basket