Collapsible rear basket

I'm looking for a rear basket that sits on top of the rack, which can collapse down on to the rack (as opposed to on the side) when not in use.

I see one on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Folding-Rear-Mounted-Basket/dp/B004OZZBH... but it doesn't say if it is capable of this. In fact, I haven't seen any that can do what I have in mind other than a milk crate looking one by topeak, which is at least double the price. Yet, I've seen bikes locked up at different places that have one.

Any have experience with this? Are almost all collapsible baskets capable of doing this and I'm completely missing it or what? Does someone use one that they can recommend?

Thanks.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James BlackHeron on January 10, 2012 at 9:48pm

I have the side-collapsing ones on both sides of the rack. There is no way I can see that it could be adapted to be used on the top.

The side things work very well. They close and open when you need them. I'm not sure f there is a reason why you can't use them or don't want to use them but they are very handy and keep the weight lower. Weight higher up makes the bike more unstable and harder to ride in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 10, 2012 at 10:06pm

I like the minimalist 1 basket setup. Don't want to worry about clearance issues or my heel striking the basket or bags inside the basket. Just preference, I guess, as I'd like to have one rear and one front eventually.

Permalink Reply by notoriousDUG on January 10, 2012 at 11:35pm

Nobody makes a bike specific folding basket for the top of a rack but The Container Store used to sell some that would work but I have no idea if they still do. They all end up being pretty wide but do fold.

that said the side mount baskets should not be heel clippers provided you have a decent rack and they are installed properly. I have big feet and like to ride bikes sized a bit small for me and have no issues with my side mounted baskets.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 11, 2012 at 12:43am

I just found one online that can be hooked up on top or on the side. I'm still going to look into the two basket setup some more, though. My rack is rated at 55 lbs so I think it can handle a decent amount of stuff in 2 rear baskets.

Also considering just getting a cargo net or some bungee cords for the rear rack, and then picking up a front basket. Boom shackalacka

Permalink Reply by David on January 11, 2012 at 8:56am

Which one do you have? Are there any issues with rattle?

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a collapsible rack for one side of the bike, but I've been afraid that I'll have to bungee it down tightly or something to avoid rattle. I don't know if that's a valid concern or not. I realize those kinds of small noises don't bother a lot of people, but I think it would bug me quite a bit.

James BlackHeron said:

I have the side-collapsing ones on both sides of the rack. There is no way I can see that it could be adapted to be used on the top.

The side things work very well. They close and open when you need them. I'm not sure f there is a reason why you can't use them or don't want to use them but they are very handy and keep the weight lower. Weight higher up makes the bike more unstable and harder to ride in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams 6.6 mi on January 11, 2012 at 9:11am

I too find rattles (and squeaks) intolerable. But I also would love some kind of permanent yet flexible cargo solution. Ideally this thing would have some sort of lockable component where I could just leave a set of tools, patch kit, a pump and maps on the bike rather than schlepping them around.

I'm with James re keeping the center of gravity low, but for me, 90% of the time I'm not carrying enough stuff to justify two panniers or baskets. Most of the time, unless I'm shopping I just use one Ortlieb, and I'm not sure that having one bag hang off one side of my rack is much better than having the same amount of stuff piled up on top of the rack.

Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on January 11, 2012 at 9:16am

I have a Wald foldable basket. It never squeaks. Ever.

The only downside is that you will occassionally need to lubricate all the pivot points. They tend to get somewhat rusty/sticky.

Tony Adams said:

I too find rattles (and squeaks) intolerable. But I also would love some kind of permanent yet flexible cargo solution. Ideally this thing would have some sort of lockable component where I could just leave a set of tools, patch kit, a pump and maps on the bike rather than schlepping them around.

Permalink Reply by James BlackHeron on January 11, 2012 at 9:47am

I have the one you linked -the wald. I bought them at The Bike Lane for the cheap last year so I've had them on there for a while.

They aren't super-great but they do work. I've over-loaded them many times and you have to be careful to make sure that the little connecting pivot wrapped bent-metal thingies that hold and hinge the sections together don't get bent or misshapen or else it'll fall apart and rattle. They do rattle a very little bit when empty and open. When closed they don't rattle at all. They take a bit of maintenance if you overload them which I've done many times but it isn't that hard to put a pair of pliers on the little metal bent bits to make sure they are on well and don't open up.

The nice thing about them is that they hold a reusable grocery bag about perfectly. Or you can put a 6-pack box of wine in one from Aldi's (love that winking owl stuff for $2.62/bottle or something like that.

Just make sure when you mount them to put them far enough back that they don't hit your heels when you pedal. Every bike is a little bit different and depending on how large the bike is, how long your cranks are, how big your feet are and what kinds of pedals you use, and how the bike is fitted with relation to where the bottom-bracket and seat are it could make a difference as to how far back the racks need to be mounted. As an installer you need to play with this and test it.

The clamps that come with the racks sort of suck. I just tossed them and made my own clamps at the top using smaller hose clamps. They hold VERY well at the top and at the bottom I just used some zip-ties to hold the bottom tight against the back-rack downtubes. The zip-ties don't need to hold much weight, just hold the bottoms from flapping. The hose clamps hold all the weight at the top. This mounting method works MUCH better than the junky clamps that come with the racks.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 11, 2012 at 11:10am

I've decided to go basketless. I came to realize that baskets are downright un-manly. I mean cmon, I'm not planning on transporting Toto around town!

Instead I got a sweet little front rack off Amazon for 8.99. My minimalist hipster horse is really coming together.

Permalink Reply by Mollie on November 29, 2012 at 9:04pm

Is your basket secure, or do you have to take it on and off the bike each time you use it?

Duppie said:

I have a Wald foldable basket. It never squeaks. Ever.

The only downside is that you will occassionally need to lubricate all the pivot points. They tend to get somewhat rusty/sticky.

Tony Adams said:

I too find rattles (and squeaks) intolerable. But I also would love some kind of permanent yet flexible cargo solution. Ideally this thing would have some sort of lockable component where I could just leave a set of tools, patch kit, a pump and maps on the bike rather than schlepping them around.

Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on November 29, 2012 at 10:25pm

It is permanent in that in that is bolted on the side of the rack in at least 3 different places. To take it off you need tools.

Mollie said:

Is your basket secure, or do you have to take it on and off the bike each time you use it?

Duppie said:

I have a Wald foldable basket. It never squeaks. Ever.

The only downside is that you will occassionally need to lubricate all the pivot points. They tend to get somewhat rusty/sticky.

Tony Adams said:

I too find rattles (and squeaks) intolerable. But I also would love some kind of permanent yet flexible cargo solution. Ideally this thing would have some sort of lockable component where I could just leave a set of tools, patch kit, a pump and maps on the bike rather than schlepping them around.

Permalink Reply by Lou Kuhn on November 30, 2012 at 7:22am

We've had good luck with the Walds, but they do take some care in mounting and occasionally additional clamps to make them really stay put.

We've seen a lot of creative solutions for the top of racks, my favorite is probably a milk crate fastened with hose clamps, super simple and lasts forever...

Lou,

Pony Shop