Basket wearing paint on head tube

I recently mounted a Wald Standard Bicycle Lift Off Basket
(http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-.../dp/B000AO3H2Y)
on my town bike.

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire mount rests
against the head tube. In only a few days of riding it's worn through the
paint, leaving a horizontal groove. Squeaks, too, when riding and turning.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the tube. I
tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire wore right through it.
Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum around the tube?

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"

On 10/1/2008 9:59 PM Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

[snip]

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire mount rests
against the head tube. In only a few days of riding it's worn through the
paint, leaving a horizontal groove.

But meant to write:

In only a few days of riding it (the wire) has worn through the paint (of
the head tube) ...

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"

On Oct 1, 11:59*pm, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
wrote:
I recently mounted a Wald Standard Bicycle Lift Off Basket
(http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-.../dp/B000AO3H2Y)
on my town bike.

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire mount rests
against the head tube. In only a few days of riding it's worn through the
paint, leaving a horizontal groove. Squeaks, too, when riding and turning..

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the tube. I
tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire wore right through it..
Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum around the tube?

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"

Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

I recently mounted a Wald Standard Bicycle Lift Off Basket
(http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-.../dp/B000AO3H2Y)
on my town bike.

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire mount rests
against the head tube. In only a few days of riding it's worn through the
paint, leaving a horizontal groove. Squeaks, too, when riding and turning.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the tube. I
tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire wore right through it.
Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum around the tube?

Brazing on an 1/8" thick raceway made of a bearing bronze alloy would
be more effective in the long term. Having the bottom portion of the
basket mount micropolished and hard chromed followed by a vapor
deposition coating of titanium nitride would also help.

Chalo

I recently mounted a Wald Standard Bicycle Lift Off Basket
(http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-.../dp/B000AO3H2Y)
on my town bike.

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire
mount rests against the head tube. In only a few days of
riding it's worn through the paint, leaving a horizontal
groove. Squeaks, too, when riding and turning.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the
tube. I tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire
wore right through it. Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum
around the tube?

The zip-tied aluminum sounds workable. Actually, a strategically
placed zip-tie might do the trick on its own, if it'll stay put.

For a slightly more elegant solution, what about one (or two)
of the little doo-dads meant to protect the sides of the
head tube from shifter cables, like these?
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Cable+Protector+Pair&ve ndorCode=GIOS&major=6&minor=8
or (shortened link):
http://preview.tinyurl.com/4lrry9

Also, I'm thinking that a piece of clear tubing slit long-ways,
slipped over the basket's wire mount might help.

Greg

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On 2008-10-02, Greg Evans wrote:
I recently mounted a Wald Standard Bicycle Lift Off Basket
(http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-.../dp/B000AO3H2Y)
on my town bike.

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire
mount rests against the head tube. In only a few days of
riding it's worn through the paint, leaving a horizontal
groove. Squeaks, too, when riding and turning.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the
tube. I tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire
wore right through it. Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum
around the tube?

The zip-tied aluminum sounds workable. Actually, a strategically
placed zip-tie might do the trick on its own, if it'll stay put.

The aluminium may wear away very quickly. Some kind of leather strap
around the head tube would do the trick.

Anyone who's been poor and tried to repair their shoes with steel cans,
glass fibre, etc. knows that leather is extraordinarily resistant to
wear.

I wrapped several thicknesses of a black cotton sock around the lower
portion of the wire mount (the part that rests against the top tube),
and sewed it in place. I then took another piece of the sock (elastic
part) and tied this around the top tube to keep it from bouncing forward
when hitting bumps.

I hit a pothole and the basket handle flew up, detaching the basket from
the wire mount, and the basket landed in the road.
Used a twist tie, the kind that comes with bread, to hold the basket
handle down against the basket.

This arrangement is very neat and hardly noticeable. I've been using it
for about a year with no problem.

Hope this helps.

Mike

P.S. I washed the sock first!

On 10/1/2008 10:47 PM Chalo wrote:

Mike Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
I recently mounted a Wald Standard Bicycle Lift Off Basket
(http://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-.../dp/B000AO3H2Y)
on my town bike.

As can be seen from the photo, the lower portion of the wire mount rests
against the head tube. In only a few days of riding it's worn through the
paint, leaving a horizontal groove. Squeaks, too, when riding and turning.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the tube. I
tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire wore right through it.
Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum around the tube?

Brazing on an 1/8" thick raceway made of a bearing bronze alloy would
be more effective in the long term. Having the bottom portion of the
basket mount micropolished and hard chromed followed by a vapor
deposition coating of titanium nitride would also help.

Of course. It's so obvious!

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"

On Oct 2, 12:59 pm, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
wrote:

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the tube. I
tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire wore right through it.
Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum around the tube?

It's just a crap basket design. Start over with something better. You
really want a basket that can fly loose when you hit a leaf?

On 10/2/2008 6:44 AM landotter wrote:

On Oct 2, 12:59 pm, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
wrote:

I'm looking for suggestions on how to prevent more wear to the tube. I
tried some clear tape on the head tube but the wire wore right through it.
Maybe zip-tie some soda can aluminum around the tube?

It's just a crap basket design. Start over with something better. You
really want a basket that can fly loose when you hit a leaf?

Hey -- don't be dissing the Wald basket. I've taken it over some nasty
bumps and it stays put. The handlebar clamps are mighty tenacious, with a
grip like an ex-wife wife holding onto ones assets.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"