Bicycle basket

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sgtrecon212
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Bicycle basket

Post by sgtrecon212 »

My intent this summer is to be more fit, and that means I'm going to ride my bicycle more often. I would like to use it for various errands and such, and with that in mind, can you folks recommend a bicycle basket/carrier that won't look too ridiculous? I want it to fit on the back.
This is the bike.
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Last edited by sgtrecon212 on Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
Steve
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baldchin
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Post by baldchin »

Not sure about baskets but even smallish handle-bar bags tend to be a pain with drop handle bars.

I'd recommend a luggage-rack once that's fitted you can even fit on a lightweight plastic basbox with a lid, using velcro and a couple of bungees. You can get proper panniers or a big saddle-bag fitted on there too and a rack isn't hard to remove, and doesn't weigh much either.

There are bound to be other products available too, but I'm a bit out of touch with cycling these days.
Will

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Zach

Post by Zach »

That seat looks painful, Steve.
It's making me numb just looking at it! :lol:
Seriously, consider a $30 Sunlite Cloud 9 bicycle saddle
On the topic, I have seen 'saddle bags' for bicycles, sorta kinda like the ones I have for my motorcycle, but a lot thinner; they make you look a bit Pee Wee Herman, though. I have one with tools in it for the bicycle that hangs off the back of the seat by 2 hook and loop straps; does that job pretty well. If I needed to go to the store I would likely consider maybe a backpack for me to wear. Maybe it would add to the workout, too.
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wenestvedt
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Post by wenestvedt »

Why not a rack behind the seat? You can attach or remove boxes/bags/parcels as required, and it doesn't look dorky when it's empty. You could even attach a milk crate with zip ties or bungee cords.
Gone Troppo
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Post by Gone Troppo »

Take a look here:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/cat ... sories.cfm

I've ordered from the company before with no problems. You may also want to take a look at the commuters subforum at bikeforums.net. Last, sheldonbrown.net (Mr. Brown, RIP) has lots of great bike touring info.

I would avoid the backpack solution if at all possible. Beautiful bike BTW. I find it amazing that so few mfgs. today make a steel-frame traditional road bike.
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DEF
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Post by DEF »

Just put a rear rack on there; there are various options in rear saddlebags that you can choose from. Head to your local bike shop for ideas.

When I lived in Japan, my bike was my main form of transportation; I had a rear rack with a milk crate bungeed on; it looked tacky, but it let me haul my groceries, teaching props, etc.
Doug
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jww
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Post by jww »

I ride for fitness/leisure as well - and have a Specialized Sequoia road bike. If you absolutely need to be carrying stuff, than I would suggest a set of paniers. Another option is a good biker's backpack - but you won't get much in that as you would want something with a slim profile and that will remain close to your back. If I were you, I'd be definitely looking at paniers -- they are the best bet, imo, and based on my experience.

Remember that anything extra on a road bike can seriously throw off the balance of the bike - so whatever you get, you'd do well to be sure it's easily taken on and off so you don't have to keep it on the bike all the time.

I am a big Bike Nashbar fan -- have been for more than 15 years. Their prices, selection and quality of product are all excellent.
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jvan
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Post by jvan »

I ride my bike all of the time for exercise, recreation and errands. When running errands I just grab a light weight backpack that way I am not lugging around extra weight the rest of the time.
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Steve-o
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Post by Steve-o »

+1 on panniers. I dislike wearing a backpack because it makes it harder for me to stay cool -- even if I _look_ cooler. :lol:

My panniers were parachute nylon with closed-cell foam padding inside. Held an amazing amount of stuff but weren't heavy to carry around otherwise. Now I don't use the bike for more than recreation, so an under-saddle bag does the job.
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Reverend Jim
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Post by Reverend Jim »

I bought the Wald #582 baskets that will hold grocery bags (pair of baskets mounted behind seat) and I love them! I got them from Niagra through Amazon. They collapse flat and are are really great. I highly recommend them.
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ichabod
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Post by ichabod »

I can't quite tell from the photo - does the bike have rack braze-ons on the seatstays*?

If not, the line of least resistance is a rack like this one which attaches right to the seat post. It could then feasibly be combined with this bag for all your hauling needs (that fit in a grocery bag). It's also more easily removed than a rack with braze on attachments, but probably has a lower weight limit.

Oh, and I'd only recommend the sadlle Zach mentioned to people wishing to ride along feeling like they're wearing a soiled diaper... :P

[* - for those following at home - seatstays are the bits of the frame that go from the rear axle to the top of the frame where the seat post goes, and braze-ons are little threaded pieces welded (brazed, technically) at the bottom of the aforementioned stays near the axle.]
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wenestvedt
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Post by wenestvedt »

Dominic, that's exactly the kind of thing I was thinking of!
GollyMrScience
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Post by GollyMrScience »

This guy has a pretty good bike basket ....or two.
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fallingwickets
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Post by fallingwickets »

Tom, excellent post :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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jww
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Post by jww »

fallingwickets wrote:Tom, excellent post :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
+1 :shock: :lol:

Dominic has, I think, the correct solution here.
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