Help with Wald folding baskets
 

Just a few days ago I picked up a pair of Wald folding baskets and have run into a problem I haven't found addressed on this forum. Twice I've arrived home to find my backpack dangling out of the bottom of a basket, the bottom having detached from its resting spot on the bottom wire of the cage and slipped through. Today, as a (very, apparently) temporary fix I attached a binder clip to secure the bottom panel to the cage only to have my backpack fall completely out of the bottom and into the road for the first time, fortunately in light enough traffic to recover it.

My backpack is a standard size and hasn't been loaded heavily enough to hold the bottom in place over rough terrain. I've been stuffing it into one basket then wrapping a bungee net tight over the top, securing it to the bottom of the baskets on either side.

Does anybody have a simple solution to this? Naturally, I appreciate that the baskets fold so I don't want to permanently ziptie them open. I could attach a small, keyed luggage lock but don't really care to deal with an extra key. I can come up with several things, but I wondered if anybody had an idea that's convenient and has been working for them.

I also wonder if anybody else has this problem as I'm surprised to not have found it mentioned here.

Other than this, I've liked the baskets. I find that they only rattle a little and it's certainly bearable. I did have the heel space problem and had an awkward ride home after first purchasing and installing them, but immediately repositioned them when I got home and it hasn't been an issue since. I've definitely noticed the difference in weight, but I've been riding for all of a week and a half so I don't really have my bike legs yet and I've probably lost more weight than my bike has gained in that time. The heaviest load I've carried is my light backpack and I've only noticed the slightest drag from the uneven weight occurring very occasionally on slow, sharp turns, and certainly nothing that can't be immediately compensated for.

I appreciate any suggestions.

I have the walds and like them. I havn't had this problem...but have noticed that when I don't have a heavy load in them and then run a bungee from one side to the other, that if the bungee is too tight it pulls the the baskets such that the bottom can be loose.

I would suggest less bungee tension with light loads. the bungee is just ther to keep it from bouncing out.

My twin Wald folding baskets are both pretty tight fits when the "bottom" grid clips down. If the bottom grid keeps popping up and open, then a cheap temporary fix would be to tie a twist-tie (like the kind for bread bags) to make sure it does not pop up from bumps. Or you could try using those small black binder paper clips.


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Haven't had that problem with mine either and I live on a god awful rough road. I think a twist tie would be the best bet. They do make zipties that can be released. You could also use a velcro strap that could be stuck around the rack when you didn't need it.

My choice would be the velcro or the reusable ziptie, neither one will rust and are pretty cheap.

Aaron:)

I appreciate the suggestions. Today I just went with the little luggage lock and that was fine; I'm not sure why I was opposed to it to begin with and it can serve the dual purpose of keeping the top secure when folded (yes, I did once have one of the sturdy upper clips come undone during a ride as well--what's up with my luck?).

I have two sets of the baskets and haven't had any problem as long as I get the bottom "Tab" in the right location... My top clip has come undone a couple of times but it was because I did not have it clipped right either... Wasn't completly on... No problems there now either.. I like them..

I just put a pair of these baskets on my utility bike.

No problems. Really nice baskets.

They are not very complicated. Just fiddle with the tab that holds the floor in place.

I would think that would do it.

Thought I'd add my 2cents as well

Been using my bike for commuting and running errands for about 1.5 year now.
I've experiemented with various panniers, trunk bags, backpacks, etc. The panniers were the best overall, but were a pain to deal with once I reached my destination (can't leave them behind due to possible theft, often unwieldly to carry, or very expensive for the well-designed ones)

About 2 weeks ago I decided to try out the (black) Wald folding baskets on my rear rack, and now I'm done experimenting. I've found my best solution. I wish I had tried these a LONG time ago.

They're always there whenever the need arises, and they sure hold more volume than I expected.
I just drop my messenger bag sideways into the basket and ride to work. If I need to pick up dinner or groceries on the way home, I just unfurl basket #2 and drop the bag in there.
And they're virtually silent unless my bike hits a good-sized rut or bump in the road.
I like the black version since they tend to disappear next to my black rack.

Definitely a thumbs-up :thumb:

Just watch your knee when you swing your leg over the bike...:innocent:

I have never had any rattling or noise from mine, but replaced the original hardware with zipties in about 5 places once I had them in the right position. No noise at all.

I had the exact same problem, lost some stuff too. I would go over a bump and the bottom would pop up and the contents in the basket would fall out.

My solution was to go to Walmart and get a screw type locking carabiner. When I have the basket open and anything is in it, I unscrew this carabiner and wrap it around the bottom of the floor and side panel and it prevents the bottom from flipping up and the contents from dropping out

also zip ties are your friend for the rattles

Great suggestion! That will be a little more versatile than the padlocks and I won't have to fumble with any keys. Thanks a lot!

I use a pair of the REI Novara folding shopping panniers. They have a metal frame inside cordura cloth open top panniers. The bottoms are sheet plastic with a drain hole. Each can hold a full paper grocery bag and no noise from them when either folded or unfolded. They do cost more than the Wald baskets but are quickly attachable and removable from my Topeak rack which I prefer.

sorry to hijack the thread. I recently bought these and even though they are folded up and away, can anyone make any recommendations to installing these guys temporarily. I would like to ride my bike on trails and throw them on when i'm getting groceries.
I was thinking some sort of modified j hook with a bungee cord to secure it down. However, im a bit concerned about the weight....

Zip ties -- easy and quick to use, secure and strong, and you can clip them off with a knife, snips or even nail clippers when you want to remove them.