I had the big old Wald chrome baskets on my 64 Huffy Sportsman. I just used it for a beater, but it could haul a case and a 40 in each side with plenty of room on top. The are heavy, but they are strong. I used to stack fire wood taller than my head on them; every week! I say go cheap (5$ flea martkert/25$ internet), because after 3 weeks of using them, you won't even notice they're there.

I was wondering has anybody seen any folding baskets that are made to be mounted on top of a rear rack? SO far all that I have found are side mounted racks that wouldn't really work well for me since I just have one bag (backpack) that's pretty heavy about 40-50lbs. I already have the rack that is rated to hold the weight, and I don't feel comfortable just strapping a cargo net over it since I'll be transporting my laptop in the backpack as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Not folding, but they make some quick release baskets for the tops of racks. Note, I've seen some home-made folding jobs for the top.

If you need baskets for grocery runs, the Wald folding baskets can't be beat.

That is pretty big....so I will repeat my recommendation for the wald folding......you can then lay that big backpack across the rack and support the ends with the baskets. I have done this with bags of potting soil. Also that much weight you want to keep as low as you can to keep the center of gravity low.

Sounds like if you don't want to use a rack with panniers or baskets, your only choice is a cargo trailer (holds tons of groceries!) or a bigger backpack. You could probably get an xtracycle kit to pimp your cannondale too :) What don't you like about rear racks?

If you're not into the wire-type folding walds, I ran across these the other day...

elven81 Folding Mesh Baskets

Those mesh baskets don't have as many places to hook bungee cords to compared to the Wald--something to consider.

Yeah, I wasn't claiming they were superior to the Walds. Just that they have a different look (if your into that kind of thing).

I use the Topeak system and every single day I load it up with at least 20 pounds of groceries, clothes, computer, all necessary tubes, tools, etc.

It rocks.

It's good to see more choices in folding baskets. I bought my Walds about 6 years ago and they were the only ones I could find. Now there's a few companies getting into the game.

Has anyone seen the faux wicker folding basket from Axiom? I was wondering if it could really looks like wicker.

If I had to carry 2 bags of groceries, I'd rather have low rider folding fabric panniers for simplicity, ease, and handling

Seems that few people offer this, unfortunately. Old Man Mountain (?) has the low rider front rack, perhaps the REI bags will fit.

The front quick release one or the rear QR? I think I saw the front one at Dick's Sporting goods the other day... if I recall correctly (wasn't looking for a front one) the faux wicker looked about as wickery as faux wicker gets. Maybe bit darker brown than I'm used to wicker looking.

Wait, there's a faux wicker FOLDING basket? Are you sure?

There's one on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Folding-...0099812&sr=1-1

But I don't see it on the Axiom website so it could be a discontinued model.

Wow... that's cool looking. You never know, it may be discontinued or it may be that Axiom has yet to put it on their site.

I remember the following rack showed up on some shopping sights before it showed up on Axiom's.

http://www.axiomgear.com/img/prod/ph...ont-1-full.jpg

Thanks both of you I've got some good ideas now and a direction to go in.

Once I get my bike completed I'll probably be posting picks of it.

Pics are always a good idea ;)