Fixpert

Wald Front Bicycle Basket - Sorry about the poor quality cell phone photo.

At long last, I have installed a front basket on my bike. It’s a black metal Wald front basket — haha “black metal.” I think it’s a Medium. If folks are interested, I can post the dimensions, just ask in the comments.

This is my first time riding with a basket, and it was a fun week noticing how riding with a loaded basket can change the nature of your riding experience. So I thought I’d post some observations — some pro’s and con’s.

Pros

• When rolling on flat-land or downhill, the bike’s momentum is carrying the load for you — whereas when you carry the load on your back, you’re doing the work of carrying that weight no matter what the terrain is.
• Not carrying a load on my back / shoulders is helping with an old shoulder injury that I have from getting hit by a car last year.
• Less sweaty when I arrive at my destination - backpacks and bags huggin’ up on you make you more sweaty.
• Basket does not restrict my view of the road at all, even when full.
• When the basket is empty, it hardly changes the feel of the ride, I don’t really notice it.

Cons

• Bike is front-heavy when basket is loaded. This makes for akward handling at first, but seems easy to get used to. Also it’s harder to carry the bike up stairs on my shoulder if the basket is full.
• Increased likelihood of getting doored - Doors! The cyclist’s enemy. Now with a big front basket poking out there, I have a higher chance of getting it snagged on a car door, and less time to respond to seeing an opening door. (friggin doors! *sigh*)
• When you go over bumps, if things aren’t secured with a cargo net or bungees, the stuff in your basket will bounce and unload the basket temporarily, then land back in it and reload it with weight, or just fly out of the basket completely.
• My Surly is set up as a fixed gear at the moment, and the extra momentum that a loaded basket creates on your bike can be a little scary at first, it takes longer to slow down the bike. I don’t do skids anymore (they were hurting my back) so a front brake is a nice backup method here, but I realize a front brake and a heavy front load is a recipe for ENDO! so I’ve been riding conservatively as I adjust.

Tips for Riding with a Front Bike Basket

• Get a cargo net or bungees to secure your stuff
• Ride conservatively as you adjust to the feel of having the basket on your ride
• As always, be aware of doors! Take a lane if you need to.

That’s that! Let me know if you have any questions.