Detachable Baskets

I rolled this old step-through bike pretty frequently over the past year. With the addition of a simple Nashbar rack and some cheap baskets, it made a great grocery-getter.

Baskets on the old blue bike.

I attached the baskets to the rack with a battery of zip ties. Many ties along the top distributed the weight of the load. One or two ties at the bottom of the baskets kept their frames held snugly against the rack supports.

Baskets attached to bike rack with zip ties.

I gave the blue bike to my sister, but I kept the baskets. They’re handy, but admittedly a bit cumbersome to ride around with all the time (although at the rate I accessorize my bike, you wouldn’t think it’d matter). So, inspired by an Instructable about backpack panniers, I devised a simple 24″ bungee cord detachable basket mounting system.

Basket adapted to attach with bungee cord. Detachable!

The basket’s weight is supported by the base of the hooks. The bungee cord is kept taut by looping it under the tabs found at the base of most racks, and the basket is again stabilized by strategically placed zip ties. Hot swappable bicycle luggage!

Posted on Thursday, June 18th, 2009. Tags: bike.