aralessi

Hello,

I'm not sure if I should be posting in Classic & Vintage, Commuting, or here. I've been using a bike as my primary form of transportation for about two years, but I was just recently bitten by the bug that makes me want to buy things to make my bike nicer and easier to use (and makes me want to own more bikes, so now I have 2). I strongly prefer my bike carrying weight to my back and shoulders carrying it. Until recently, I was using a milk crate strapped onto my rear rack for carrying groceries and whatever else, but I want to upgrade and I need advice.

First of all I have an Raleigh Sprite mixte from the 70s or 80s and I would like it to have a non-removable front basket. I want to maintain a classic look and I don't want to worry about the basket being stolen. I bought a basic Wald front basket but it doesn't sit properly and interferes with the shifters. Any recommendations for another classic looking front basket?

Secondly, I plan on having rear racks on both my bikes (the second one is an older Terry road bike) and want removable baskets or panniers that will work for both. I have a Pletcher rack on my Raleigh but can buy something else if using the Pletcher would prevent me from using the bikes and baskets interchangeably. I don't have the second rack yet. For some reason I am more inclined to by grocery baskets than panniers, but I'm not sure that makes sense. I'd like to think that someday I will do some touring (maybe light) but right now I just need to carry groceries.

I've been looking at baskets by Basil such as this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Basil-Cardiff-...ef=cm_cmu_pg_t

There is also this seemingly new brand - Eleven81 - that is very inexpensive. Has anyone used their products?
https://www.amazon.com/Eleven81-Quick...751308&sr=1-30
https://www.amazon.com/Eleven81-Foldi...751178&sr=1-10

I want to make careful purchases so that I won't have to jerry-rig anything. I'd like to hear from people who have used different baskets (and can possibly recommend a rack that works well with them). I also want my bikes to look nice, but I'm not sure how much of a premium I'm willing to pay to make it happen (remember, I'm graduating from a milk crate!). Thanks!

wahoonc

Basil makes a whole line of baskets. Some use a locking quick release system. Somebody makes a whole rack and basket system, but I think it is too heavy and bulky. You might come out ahead buying a basket for each bike.


Aaron

aralessi

Have you used any of the Basil baskets? A lot of them seem to just lift off (including the one I linked to). That would be lovely if it worked, but I imagine they bounce/move around a lot.

When I first started search it seemed like the majority of baskets have quick releases. I've read reviews suggesting that a lot of them aren't so easy to take on and off, or that the hardware provided doesn't work for a particular rack or bike, or that people have had to come up with some ingenious way of making them work. That is the sort of thing I want to avoid. If I have to use zip ties, for example, to get something to stay in place, then it is no longer quick release but it IS easily stolen off my bike. I live in the city so I have no intention of leaving anything easily removable on my bike. Also, a lot of the baskets aren't reviewed at all (those with reviews have just 2) - which is why I decided to post here.

So, I suppose I would like to hear if anyone has rave reviews about a particular quick release basket or grocery pannier.

bluegoatwoods

I have a suggestion. In some ways it doesn't fit your criteria, but it might be worth considering.

And it's a good chance for me to practice linking to another thread. I don't really know how, but I think I've figured it out. Wish me luck.

https://www.bikeforums.net/utility-cycling/566657-mostly-diy-saddlebag-set-cargo-platform.html

Vatn

They sure do, and that wears down both the basket and the rack. I have a Basil basket like the one you linked. After four years, it still does the job, but it doesn't look pretty. As I can't trust it to stay on the bike over nasty bumps, I've secured it with a rope at the bottom and left it on permanently.

Esteban32696

You can usually bend, or adapt, the Wald front basket to fit better. Rear fold up Wald baskets & just use removeable shopping bags. Keep a couple of small plastic garbage bags to cover cargo in rain.