If you’re heavy into biking, like going to the store, work, long rides along the beach or whatever floats your proverbial boat, a bike basket is a must-have accessory. Bike baskets are a convenient way to take along the stuff you need to enjoy your day, like a sweater, some snacks or even your pet Pekingese pooch. Also, if you’re picking something up from the store or bringing home some books from school, that basket will definitely come in handy.
So yes, bike baskets are an excellent accessory that will help you in many situations, no question. However, there is one choice you’ll need to make when you purchase your next bike basket, and that is whether to buy one that sits on the front of your bike or one that sits on the rear. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 5 Best Front and Rear Bike Baskets and also look at some of the pros and cons of both. Once you’re done, you’ll have a much better idea of which bike basket will suit your needs best!
Top 5 Best Front Bike Baskets Reviews
Sunlite Standard Mesh Bottom Lift-Off Basket w/ Bracket
If you do a lot of shopping using your bike then this is the best basket for you because of its unique feature. See, the Sunlite Basket lifts off of your bike with ease so that, when you go to the store, you can take it off your bike and use it with you when you shop! How’s that for convenience?!
With a durable mounting system, the Sunlite basket mounts easily to your handlebars and also has a support that rests on the head tube of your bike. What’s also great about this basket is that it’s easy to put back on when you’re done shopping and it’s full. When you do, it immediately locks into place for safety. The small metal mesh bottom is perfect for smaller items because they won’t fall out and topping off the list of great features this best bike basket offers is that you can get one for your bike in a wide range of beautiful colors.
Tagalong Wicker Bicycle Basket
Do you own a small-ish dog who loves to go along for bicycle rides with you? If yes, the Wicker Bicycle basket from Tagalong is the perfect way to take your precious pooch out for a day on the trails! In fact, this basket was designed with your pet in mind and comes with a comfy sherpa dining to keep them safe and snug while you’re out and about.
There’s also a safety leash that’s fully adjustable and, for those days when the sun is beating down hard, the tagalong bike basket comes with a sunshade too, although it’s easy to remove if the heat isn’t overwhelming.
Made to look like actual wicker the Tagalong bike basket is actually synthetic rattan so that’s super durable and will last for years of use. With handlebar straps and a head tube support bar, you’ll feel safe knowing your furry friend is secure while you’re riding. And of course, if they’re not with you, you can always put any other stuff you like in this best front bike basket!
Wald 139 Standard Large Front Handlebar Basket
Made to carry an awful lot of stuff with ease, the 139 Standard Large Bike Basket from Wald is the best choice for people who carry a lot of stuff with them when they go biking, like students, shoppers and daytrippers. To help it carry the load and distribute all that extra weight the Wald 139 has 2 support legs that attach to the axle of your bike’s front wheel.
One caveat however with the Wald 139 bike basket is that, with the included support legs, it won’t fit on all bikes, so if you want this big basket you’ll have to do some research first to find out if your bike can handle it. If yes, you’ll get a best bike rack that can hold all sorts of stuff when you’re out on the town on your bike! Plus, since it’s made from metal, the Wald 139 Standard Front Handlebar Basket is super-durable and should give you years of use.
Colorbasket Adult Front Handlebar Bike Basket
Made to look like a lovely wicker basket, the Colorbasket 01327 bike basket is deep, durable and looks beautiful when you’re out riding. Unlike real wicker which can crack and splinter over time (and look awful), the Colorbasket 01327 is made from a synthetic cord that’s extremely durable and strong, plus weather-resistant too for those unlucky days you get caught out in the rain.
No worries about your lovely wicker-like basket fading either since Colorbasket uses anti-fade materials that protect it from harsh UV rays, keeping this top front bike basket from fading and helping you to carry all sorts of stuff wherever you might be riding.
Nantucket Bike Basket Company Cisco Collection Classic
If real rattan is what you crave for your bike, the Cisco Collection Classic from Nantucket Bike Basket Company is going to rock your world! Made from beautiful lacak rattan that’s been woven thickly to improve its durability and strength over time. It comes with high-quality leather straps for attaching it to your bike so there’s no worry about it falling off and making a mess.
The best part about the Cisco Collection Classic bike basket is that, over the years, it will become weathered and faded like all real rattan does and start to look amazing. This is the bike basket you want if you’re pairing it with a vintage bicycle or a cruiser. Plus, as with any good bike basket, it’s big enough to hold all the things you could want for your ride without looking too bulky. For fans of real rattan, the Cisco Collection Classic from Nantucket Bike Basket Company is definitely a best bike basket!
Top 5 Best Rear Bike Baskets Reviews
PUBLIC Bikes Metal Bike Basket
Manufactured using EXPO coated steel the Metal Bike Basket from PUBLIC Bikes is very easy to mount on the rear of your bike thanks to their unique (and impressive) quick-release basket mounting system. That system includes springs that let you put the basket on and take it off quickly and easily on any standard 5- inch rear bicycle rack, which is found on many bikes.
What’s great about this best bike basket is that, with the easy on and off system, taking it with you when you shop is a breeze and putting it back on when it’s loaded with goodies is just as easy! It’s about the same size as a standard grocery store basket so it will hold a bunch of things no problem, but be careful with smaller items because the bottom and sides aren’t exactly small-mesh and might fall out when you’re riding.
Nantucket Cisco Rear Bicycle Pannier Basket with Hooks
The 2nd time Nantucket has made our list, their Cisco rear bike basket is fantastic! Large, durable and made from 100% real lacak rattan, this is a big basket that will hold all your stuff in style and, over time, starts to fade and wear just like a rattan chair or sofa, to look classic and cool while you ride.
Like a couple of the other bike baskets on this list, the Cisco Rear Pannier basket is made to be lifted off your bike easily so that you can take it shopping, or use it to take your picnic and have lunch in the park. It attaches and detaches using 2 metal hooks and, although it is rated to hold 15 pounds (which is a LOT of stuff already), it feels strong enough to tackle even more weight.
Match the Nantucket Cisco Rear Bicycle Pannier Basket with Hooks to your cruiser or classic bike and you’ll be the toast of the town when you’re out and around on your bike!
Wald 520 Rear Medium Twin Basket
If you don’t have a rack on the back of your bike then this best bike basket is fro you! the Wald 520 is made to be mounted to the seat of your bike using sports that also attach to the axle of your rear wheel. In fact, this Wald model isn’t just one basket but 2, hanging on both the left and right side of your bike, so there’s room to take, pick up or deliver a bunch of items with relative ease.
What’s not so easy, truth be told, is mounting the Wald 520 to your bike and, since it doesn’t come with instructions, it can be a bit frustrating. However, on the Wald website, they DO have instructions so, when you’re ready to mount this best bike basket to the rear of your bike, head on over there first so that you (and your bike) don’t get bent out of shape.
One last note about the Wald 520 Rear Medium Twin Basket is that, since any load you put in it will be over the rear axle, you shouldn’t have any problems with bike performance while you’re riding, which is a big plus.
Sunlite Rack Top Wire Basket
Made to mount easily and quickly to the rear rack of most bikes, the Rack Top Wire Basket from Sunlite is large, strong and durable. It’s made from top-quality steel and comes with all the accessories and parts you need to mount it without any problems.
That being said, like many steel baskets the Sunlite Rack Top Wire Basket isn’t made with a small mesh so, if you’re talking things that are relatively small, you might want to put something down on the bottom of the basket first like a piece of cardboard so that nothing falls out when you’re riding.
For the money, however, this is an excellent and large best bike rack and, if you plan to take a lot of stuff back and forth on your bike, an economical and practical choice.
Bushwhacker Omaha Bicycle Grocery Basket
Going grocery shopping with a bicycle has never been an easy proposition, but with the Bushwhacker Omaha Bicycle Grocery Basket, it’s now been made much easier! A pannier/basket combo, the Bushwhacker comes with 2 large baskets that hang on either side of your bike and, even better, they fold in and out of the way when not in use!
Worried you won’t have enough space? Don’t, because the Bushwhacker Omaha Bicycle Grocery Basket holds an entire, full grocery bag on each side! That’s 2 full grocery bags and, since this best bike basket is made from a durable mesh fabric, it has all the strength you need and no holes for small stuff to fall out. Plus, you can take the baskets off and put them back on with ease, making this a best rear bike basket for sure!
Why Purchase a Front Mounted Bike Basket?
A front-mounted bike basket attached to the handlebars of your bicycle and, for many people, is the most convenient and versatile way to carry things around on a bike. You can easily see what you’re carrying for safety (and to make sure it doesn’t fall out), as well as grab something on the go like a snack without having to stop or reach back behind you, which could be dangerous.
One of the drawbacks of a front bike basket includes the fact that it changes the way your bike handles, although in a short time you’ll get used to that. Since the front wheels on most bicycles are usually stronger than the rear however, carrying heavier loads in your basket is better if it’s upfront.
Front Bike Basket PROs
- Easy to access your stuff
- Stuff in the basket is visible for safety
- Heavy-ish loads aren’t a problem
- Easier to mount onto your bike
Front Bike Basket Cons
- Changes the way your bike handles
- Won’t work with suspension forks
- Can throw off your balance when parking in a bike rack
Why Purchase a Rear Mounted Bike Basket?
Since it’s not in front of you and won’t block your vision, it’s oftentimes possible to place a larger bike basket on the rear of your bike. That way you can take or pick-up larger loads of stuff much more easily and it won’t get in your way. (Although let’s be honest, you won’t be using your bike to haul big stuff or move to a new apartment.)
If you’re going on a very long bike trip a rear bike basket will be a better choice because you’ll be able to take along more of the things you’ll need, like clothes, food and gear. On the flip side, however, if your bike has rear suspension or disc brakes, the basket you buy might need an extra or specialized rack in order to mount it correctly.
Also, keep in mind that a very heavy load can impact the handling of your bike in a big, sometimes risky, way, so putting a lot of weight back there might not be the best idea.
Rear Bike Basket Pros
- Rear baskets can hold a lot more weight and stuff
- You can take more for long bike trips
- They won’t impede your vision
Rear Bike Basket Cons
- May need extra equipment to mount on bikes with rear suspension or disc brakes
- Can throw off your balance or handling if the load is too heavy
- Inability to easily access your stuff
- Can’t see your stuff if it falls off or out of the basket
Bike Basket Buyer’s Guide What You Need To Know
If you’re considering buying a basket for your bike there are a few things you should consider before you make your purchase, mostly related to the material that the basket has been made from including metal, fabric, wicker and plastic.
The type of material used to make the basket is very important. Metal tends to be the strongest but, honestly, the ugliest. Plastic is the cheapest and, as the cheapest, will likely fail the fastest. Wicker looks amazing but, over time, will crack and chip if not taken care of correctly. Fabric baskets look great but can sometimes sag with heavy loads.
Metal Bike Basket Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strongest of the baskets
- Lightweight for performance
- List Item
Cons
- Large gaps mean things can fall out
- Can rust over time
Fabric Bike Basket Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tops can sometimes close for extra safety
- Can hold small items no problem
- Usually coated to be water-resistant
- Easy to store
Cons
- Can sag with heavy items
- Won’t protect things in an accident
Wicker Bike Basket Pros & Cons
Pros
- Look really nice on a classic or cruiser bike
- Can be used to carry small pets
- Weather to look even better if take care of well
- Sometimes come with a convenient lid
Cons
- Will crack and splinter if not protected
- Can stain
- Won’t fight off wicked witches
Plastic Bike Basket Pros & Cons
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Super lightweight
- Easy to clean
- the most weather resistant
Cons
- Usually fail the fastest
- Usually not as durable
- Can bend if loaded
Conclusion
We hope you found this article on best bike baskets helpful and informative. If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment please do so in the space provided and best of luck with your new bike basket!
