Bike Basket Essentials

A great alternative to cargo bike trailers

With the pervasiveness of the green movement, fight against obesity, and increase in gas prices, we're seeing a whole lot more bike riding going on. And with the advent of greater bike riding comes the issue of moving cargo. Be it groceries, electronics or pets, the bike basket solves these problems handily and affordably.

All this raises the question, "is the latest fad in cargo bike trailers going to last?" The answer is yes and no. It will last for people who need them, but many who buy cargo bike trailers would probably be served better by a good bicycle basket. Trailers are heavy, difficult to pull, and ultimately require more conservative, careful bike riding. You should always be careful when riding with a loaded basket, too, but the restrictions are generally less. Price and selection For as little as 20 dollars you can get a sturdy wire bike basket that weighs just three pounds and is quite expansive. Unless you've got a huge dinner party or a large family, you can easily get a trip's worth of groceries in one. The range of quality you can expect is quite great when it comes to wire or wicker bike baskets. And unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) simply going by price is not going to indicate higher quality. Some designs just aren't secured properly to the bike and may require you to improvise once you attach it according to the manufacturer's directions. The selection online is great enough that you don't have to take any chances. If it is not clear how the basket attaches to your bike, how many places it attaches, and by what mechanism, move on to another candidate.

Mounting to consider

Since people are beginning to use their bikes more often and expect more from them, the typical placement of a bike basket may not work. If you already have something attached to the handlebars, or if there simply isn't room, look for a stem or frame mounted basket. These are just as big and sturdy as the standard bike baskets, so you're sacrificing nothing. In fact, some people even prefer them because they don't weigh the steering mechanism as much.

A premium on nostalgia

As is expected with all things retro that aren't actually from the time period they are emulating, a basket that faithfully reproduces a classic wicker look will cost a bit more. Expect to pay almost 100 percent more for a quality wicker basket. Of course, at the prices that bike baskets are going for, this isn't a prohibitive amount of money. With bike riding, as with just about anything in life, style is paramount and should not be skimped on. But don't prioritize style over comfort and function. You should still demand that your classic wicker bike basket be fastened firmly - for the sake of your groceries or your dog.