Basket Support ideas

I installed some Topeak baskets on two bicycles. These are
quick-release, and the part on the bike just clamps to the handlebars.

The problem is that there isn't sufficient support for the basket. With
the clamps tight, any real weight in the basket causes it to rotate down.

On one bike I made a support that comes up from the mudguard hole in the
fork and that bolts to the bottom of the basket at the front center
(it's no longer quick-release as a result, though I could use a wing nut
to make it easier to take on and off).

See: "http://i37.tinypic.com/nmlyxv.jpg" and
"http://i34.tinypic.com/2zno9k9.jpg"

On the other bike, it's a suspension fork so it's a little more
difficult, and I can't use the mudguard hole. I was thinking of
installing a reflector bracket under the quill stem locknut, and somehow
running a support from the holes in the reflector bracket over to the
basket. I also thought about a piece of 2x4 mounted to the basket that
presses against the stem but that isn't attached. I also thought about
using a rectangle of steel like a Simpson StrongTie, punching a hole in
it, and using it under the stem locknut.

Has anyone else solved this problem?

On Oct 2, 7:09 am, SMS wrote:
I installed some Topeak baskets on two bicycles. These are
quick-release, and the part on the bike just clamps to the handlebars.

The problem is that there isn't sufficient support for the basket. With
the clamps tight, any real weight in the basket causes it to rotate down.

On one bike I made a support that comes up from the mudguard hole in the
fork and that bolts to the bottom of the basket at the front center
(it's no longer quick-release as a result, though I could use a wing nut
to make it easier to take on and off).

See: "http://i37.tinypic.com/nmlyxv.jpg" and
"http://i34.tinypic.com/2zno9k9.jpg"

On the other bike, it's a suspension fork so it's a little more
difficult, and I can't use the mudguard hole. I was thinking of
installing a reflector bracket under the quill stem locknut, and somehow
running a support from the holes in the reflector bracket over to the
basket. I also thought about a piece of 2x4 mounted to the basket that
presses against the stem but that isn't attached. I also thought about
using a rectangle of steel like a Simpson StrongTie, punching a hole in
it, and using it under the stem locknut.

Has anyone else solved this problem?

Try some grippy rubber material in the clamping area if the thing is
made of slippery plastic. A bit of innertoobe might work.

landotter wrote:

Has anyone else solved this problem?

Try some grippy rubber material in the clamping area if the thing is
made of slippery plastic. A bit of innertoobe might work.

It comes with some rubber pads that I used. The problem is that I'm
hesitant to really torque down the clamps since they're plastic.

I think I found something that will work today, and I'm in the process
of fabricating it. One more trip to Home Depot for some longer bolts.

SMS wrote:
landotter wrote:

Has anyone else solved this problem?

Try some grippy rubber material in the clamping area if the thing is
made of slippery plastic. A bit of innertoobe might work.

It comes with some rubber pads that I used. The problem is that I'm
hesitant to really torque down the clamps since they're plastic.

I think I found something that will work today, and I'm in the process
of fabricating it. One more trip to Home Depot for some longer bolts.

The Topeak basket usually includes an elegantly designed cable setup to
slip under the stem and obviate that 'sag'. Did yours have that?
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

The Topeak basket usually includes an elegantly designed cable setup
to slip under the stem and obviate that 'sag'. Did yours have that?
--
Andrew Muzi

I was wondering the same thing. I haven't used them on my own bikes,
since I keep the weight fairly low and would rather be able to quickly
remove the bracket, but that's exactly what that cable is used for.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"A Muzi" wrote in message
...
SMS wrote:
landotter wrote:

Has anyone else solved this problem?

Try some grippy rubber material in the clamping area if the thing is
made of slippery plastic. A bit of innertoobe might work.

It comes with some rubber pads that I used. The problem is that I'm
hesitant to really torque down the clamps since they're plastic.

I think I found something that will work today, and I'm in the
process of fabricating it. One more trip to Home Depot for some
longer bolts.

The Topeak basket usually includes an elegantly designed cable setup
to slip under the stem and obviate that 'sag'. Did yours have that?
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

A Muzi wrote:
SMS wrote:
landotter wrote:

Has anyone else solved this problem?

Try some grippy rubber material in the clamping area if the thing is
made of slippery plastic. A bit of innertoobe might work.

It comes with some rubber pads that I used. The problem is that I'm
hesitant to really torque down the clamps since they're plastic.

I think I found something that will work today, and I'm in the process
of fabricating it. One more trip to Home Depot for some longer bolts.

The Topeak basket usually includes an elegantly designed cable setup to
slip under the stem and obviate that 'sag'. Did yours have that?

Yes, I installed that.

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
The Topeak basket usually includes an elegantly designed cable setup
to slip under the stem and obviate that 'sag'. Did yours have that?
--
Andrew Muzi

I was wondering the same thing. I haven't used them on my own bikes,
since I keep the weight fairly low and would rather be able to quickly
remove the bracket, but that's exactly what that cable is used for.

At first I thought that was some sort of safety thing so the bracket
wouldn't fall off if a bolt came lose or something. I did install it,
when I put on the basket, but I didn't pull it as tight as I could have.

I went back and made it very tight, and the basket doesn't sag as much,
but it sure doesn't seem all the secure.

Now Mike, the question is where did you buy that Topeak basket? I called
your Los Altos store and they didn't have the Topeak basket so I ordered
it on-line.

Bottom line is that if you're going to put much in those baskets you
really want to support them from the bottom or the rear so they don't
sag. My daughter wants to put her messenger bag with all her books in
the basket, and without a bottom support this wouldn't be a good idea.
I'm going to put one of those baskets on my shopper bike, and will be
carrying heavy loads from TJ's, WF's or Maxim.

I did see a very similar basket to the Topeak at Wal-Mart, for $15 with
the Bell brand name. Rather than that cable, they have a plastic support
that goes under the stem to support the basket.

Now Mike, the question is where did you buy that Topeak basket? I
called your Los Altos store and they didn't have the Topeak basket so
I ordered it on-line.

We do have some in our Redwood City location, but we're in a state of
flux with the distributor who carries that product (they changed reps
and we're still not quite up to speed).

Bottom line is that if you're going to put much in those baskets you
really want to support them from the bottom or the rear so they don't
sag. My daughter wants to put her messenger bag with all her books in
the basket, and without a bottom support this wouldn't be a good idea.
I'm going to put one of those baskets on my shopper bike, and will be
carrying heavy loads from TJ's, WF's or Maxim.

It's not made for carrying much weight. You've discovered the
limitations of that style of bracket. You need something more like the
big ugly bracket that Jandd uses, or, the old style supports that attach
at the fork eyelet (fender mount). I think we'll begin to see more of
that sort of thing, but there remain issues regarding how much weight
it's safe to put in a front basket. Most modern bikes are designed for
quicker handling that is ideal with a loaded down front end.

Ultimately though, you're fighting a losing battle. Those baskets aren't
for messenger bags and laptops and groceries. They're for dogs!
Hopefully a tiny decorator dog on a diet. I think every shop has at
least one such customer, usually a woman somewhere between late-40s to
mid-60s, huge old-style wald basket on the front with her dog in it. The
bike is typically an older single-speed "cruiser" before the term
"cruiser" was widely used. These folk are usually carrying middle-sized
dogs though, well over the size that should be safely handled on the
front of the bike. The dogs are also quite old, leading one to believe
that there's a connection between the dog and the bike, probably where,
for the first 10 years or so of the dog's life, the dog accompanied the
bike on "foot."

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com




"SMS" wrote in message
...
Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
The Topeak basket usually includes an elegantly designed cable setup
to slip under the stem and obviate that 'sag'. Did yours have that?
--
Andrew Muzi

I was wondering the same thing. I haven't used them on my own bikes,
since I keep the weight fairly low and would rather be able to
quickly remove the bracket, but that's exactly what that cable is
used for.

At first I thought that was some sort of safety thing so the bracket
wouldn't fall off if a bolt came lose or something. I did install it,
when I put on the basket, but I didn't pull it as tight as I could
have.

I went back and made it very tight, and the basket doesn't sag as
much, but it sure doesn't seem all the secure.

Now Mike, the question is where did you buy that Topeak basket? I
called your Los Altos store and they didn't have the Topeak basket so
I ordered it on-line.

Bottom line is that if you're going to put much in those baskets you
really want to support them from the bottom or the rear so they don't
sag. My daughter wants to put her messenger bag with all her books in
the basket, and without a bottom support this wouldn't be a good idea.
I'm going to put one of those baskets on my shopper bike, and will be
carrying heavy loads from TJ's, WF's or Maxim.

I did see a very similar basket to the Topeak at Wal-Mart, for $15
with the Bell brand name. Rather than that cable, they have a plastic
support that goes under the stem to support the basket.

SMS wrote:

Bottom line is that if you're going to put much in those baskets you
really want to support them from the bottom or the rear so they don't
sag. My daughter wants to put her messenger bag with all her books in
the basket, and without a bottom support this wouldn't be a good idea.
I'm going to put one of those baskets on my shopper bike, and will be
carrying heavy loads from TJ's, WF's or Maxim.

Upon closer inspection, I find that the little cable over the bars and
under the stem does work quite well at preventing the handlebar bracket
from rotating. The sagging problem is on the basket side. The way the
quick-release bracket bolts to the basket isn't great. There's a small
plate welded to the mesh and to two of the vertical supports where the
quick-release attaches, but the whole basket bends at this plate. Either
a bottom support or a rear support is needed to keep the basket from
sagging.