April 21, 2015

An Ode to the Simple, Beautiful Bicycle Basket

In our experience, there is one accessory that can instantly add more function and style to any bicycle. The humble bike basket.

Written by: Momentum Staff

Photo courtesy of Nantucket Bike Baskets

In our experience, there is one accessory that can instantly add more function and style to any bicycle. The humble bike basket.

Need an extra set of hands to carry your bag, purse, or bike lock? The humble basket is at your service.

Need a place to carry home those fresh market flowers or tonight’s dinner? A basket will do.

How about vintage books you picked up at a garage sale? Just place them in your basket.

Do you have a basket for your bike?
Visit the Momentum Shop to pick up one today.

For lighter items, a basket gently draped from your handlebars will do. Hung with a slight tilt forward, a front basket evokes feelings of nostalgia and a little bit of whimsy. A simple woven basket instantly recalls romantic boardwalk rides or childhood neighborhood adventures.

Place a basket on top of or hanging from a rear rack and it becomes as useful as a personal valet. Those farmers’ market essentials will fit just fine. A sturdy basket with a carrying handle can serve double duty on shopping errands, coming with you wherever you go to save the need for plastic bags.

Now, we understand that the humble basket has its detractors. It’s too quaint they say. It’s not cool they say. We say, they simply haven’t experienced the simple joy a beautiful basket can bring.

What do you love about your bike basket? Share your reasons in the comments below.

Do you have a basket for your bike? Visit the Momentum Shop to pick up one today.

5 Comments

michelle
November 7, 2018
Live in a city return and find your basket full of trash. Have a basket, annoy other cyclists if you park at a crowded bike stand because you basket takes up too much space. #sayNotoBikeBaksets
Betty
June 3, 2015
I love my baskets! I have 2 Wald folders on the back and a big metal one with a reflector on the front of my Linus Dutchi named Sylvia. It’s great to just throw my bag in and still have plenty of room to pick something up on the ride. The baskets really complete the bike.
forestine
May 20, 2015
Any tips for keeping a front basket from interfering with brake cables?
- Duncan Hurd
  May 26, 2015
  I’d suggest going for a front basket that has a secure mount that keeps it from bouncing around. There are several great options. Wald’s wire baskets secure to the handlebars and forks. Cables can be routed around the basket without impacting braking. Basil also offers baskets with a variety of secure mounts that keep the basket secure and allow cables to route behind them. For baskets with handlebar straps that can move around, supporting the basket with a front rack, like the Linus Lunch Rack is also an option.
Chris Salvatore
May 14, 2015
I have a Nantucket basket in front, but have Wald baskets on the rear. They’re made of metal, so I know they’ll stand up to most anything I put in them. The best thing about them is that they fold to about 1″ wide when I’m not using them. No need to take them off because they don’t get in the way!