You will rarely find a bicycle basket in stores, although this accessory can be very useful. It is installed both on pleasure bikes and real rural "workhorses". It’s not difficult to choose a high-quality model, and many craftsmen even decide to make such an accessory with their own hands - due to the structural simplicity of the device, this does not pose any difficulties.
Features
The bicycle basket, as well as the trunk, cannot be attributed to accessories for sports two-wheeled vehicles. And even on tourist bikes, which often use all kinds of complex mechanisms for securing cargo, baskets are not a frequent visitor. Nonetheless, such a device is convenient for operational loading and unloading of luggage.
Most often it is used in several areas:
- with walking bikes, while the main cargo can be a package of products, a bottle of water, mobile gadgets;
- with tourist bikes, in most cases a rear basket is installed, as a rule, it performs the functions of a cargo body;
- with bicycles of any model for pet owners, such baskets require a special internal upholstery, as well as a lid and the presence of ventilation holes.
Bikes can be installed on bikes of various brands, even such budget ones as Stern and Stels.
Please note: road bikes, as well as mountain bikes and especially high-speed bikes, are not designed to secure the basket.
Installation
Bicycle baskets can be installed in front of the steering wheel or on the rear trunk.Products mounted on the steering wheel are good because everything that is needed for the bike user is always at hand: towels, a container of water, a small snack, as well as a camera and a phone. In order to take the necessary item, it is not necessary to stop - you can just get it and use it in the direction of movement.
The model for the trunk is selected taking into account the location of the trunk itself. So, accessories designed for placement on the rear wheel are slightly more voluminous, they can carry up to 10, 30 and even 40-50 kg of cargo, depending on the capabilities of the bike. But the options for the front luggage racks are considered more compact and much less spacious, but even in them you can carry a lot more items than in models that are fixed on the steering wheel.
Very often, items on the trunk are used by pet owners to move cats, small dogs, and other pets.
Volume
On sale you can find bike baskets of various capacities - the choice here depends only on personal preferences and features of the bike. For example, if one cyclist constantly rides his two-wheeled transport to the supermarket or to the market for shopping - he will need a large basket in which he can put all the products. Another cyclist prefers walking light through the city streets to maintain good fitness, he doesn’t need a large basket, he can buy a small elegant accessory that can hold a bottle of mineral water, a pack of wet wipes, a small towel and the necessary gadgets.
It should be noted that the bike basket is a great option to achieve savings. When you have such a roomy accessory on hand, you no longer have to buy a bag or backpack, going on a long bike ride.
Materials
When it comes to bike baskets, most consumers present wickerwork. However, if we talk about bikes, the raw materials for the production of this accessory can differ significantly. The materials that are most often used for the manufacture of bicycle baskets are presented below.
Natural vine
Very often on bicycles you can see transport made from a natural or artificial rod, for example, from rattan. Wicker material is highly environmentally friendly, it has a low weight, is reliable and practical. Of course, as the rods are used, they will lose their properties, although for the first 4-5 years the basket will serve faithfully to its owners and will become one of the most optimal choices.
Problems with such an accessory can arise only when it is attached. The fact is that it is very difficult to fix a wicker product to a light bracket, since a large number of rods impedes the reliability of the entire structure.
Metal grid
The most popular are metal mesh products. It is lightweight, reliable enough, practical and at the same time universal material. After special processing, the mesh becomes resistant to corrosion, moisture and temperature fluctuations. Over time, the mesh does not lose its properties and, unlike the vine, retains all the necessary operational characteristics for many years. On the other hand, the metal mesh has a tangible drawback - it is absolutely unsuitable for repair, despite the fact that damaging rather thin material, especially if the product is used actively, is not difficult. In the event of a product failure, you will have to purchase a new basket.
Given this fact, reliable brands are trying to pay special attention to the quality of products, so some models can withstand even several tens of kilograms of cargo.
Plastic
Baskets are most in demand, the design of which includes metal pipes, as well as plastic walls and an arm.Plastic is used to make a variety of models, so from different manufacturers you can find both elegant options for women's bikes, and more impressive products for a serious trip. As a rule, plastic accessories come with replaceable items. They can be repaired in parts if damaged. In addition, plastic walls allow the use of additional elements of the arrangement of the internal space, for example, soft sides for cats.
The list of materials that are used for the manufacture of bike baskets does not end there. There are a large number of models of one-piece accessories, which, rather, can be called metal boxes with fasteners, they allow you to turn the most ordinary bikes with a basket into a reliable cargo model. Homemade baskets stand separately - here you can see the weave of synthetic and natural rods, baskets with linen upholstery and boxes of wood, there are no restrictions for the implementation of ideas.
The colors of the baskets are no less varied, if you wish, you can always buy a women's basket of pink color, white models in retro style or brutal black options.
Design
Regardless of the design and materials used, any removable bicycle basket is a light and high-strength construction that is not afraid of falls, mechanical damage and shock. Such baskets are not afraid of adverse weather conditions, they withstand the same ease and prolonged downpours, and the hot sun. However, it is better to protect the models with a textile finish from the frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays, since in this case they can lose the brightness of the colors. And after a trip in the pouring rain, it is advisable to wipe the bike itself and all accessories with a soft cloth.
For greater user convenience, individual quick-detachable models are equipped with additional handles: when you reach your destination, you can easily remove such a basket and move on as if with the simplest bag.
Some bike baskets are additionally equipped with covers, most often they are used as transportation for animals. In some models, small hooks are provided, they allow you to quickly, but at the same time securely lock the basket and also just remove it. Cycling baskets designed for fixing on the steering wheel are made especially durable, because at a potential risk of collision with any moving or static objects, they take on a fairly powerful shock load.
An overview of bicycle basket models is provided below.
