Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)After getting a new "comfort" bike (the type you sit upright on, Novara Mia) for my wife we wanted to outfit it with a basket. We got the Topeak and while it was a great basket it had a lousy plastic mount that made it almost worthless. So I started shopping around for something with an all metal mount. Since the bike has front shocks attaching anything to the fork was not an option.
We tried the Wald 3133 for several reasons.
First it is an all metal assembly. You can torque it down without fear of breaking anything.
Second it has a quick release mount. That was important.
Third it had a bracing component and that component indexed off the upper handle bars vs the center tube. When you turned there was no rubbing on the frame.
I was a little unclear how it mounted to the bike and even more unclear about how the basket attached to the mount. Here is how it works.
The mount attaches to the bike at three points. Two points on the handle bars. You get metal clips and rubber pads that fasten around the tube of your handlebar. There is a slot/tab on the back that holds one side and a screw on the other. Getting it evenly spaced is the hardest part of assembly.
The mount has two wire tubes that make up the bulk of it. There is a metal wire strut that attaches to those two tubes that forms the support piece. This strut can slide up or down on the mount to account for different sizes of bikes and positions. However one way or another your probably going to end up with a slight tilt to your bracket. Under load the force is transferred through the strut to the handlebar.
So now that you've got it mounted my next question was how does the basket attach to the mount? It turned out to be very easy and simple. At the bottom of the mount are two hooks that clearly attach to the wire of the basket. At the top there is a metal loop (kind of like a compressed screw eye). If you look carefully at the handle on the bracket there is an extension on one side of the handle. To attach the basket to the mount you hook it up on the bottom and then with the handle upright you slide the extension into the loop and then turn the handle down. This rotates the extension down locking the basket to the loop and on the frame. Simple, efficient and all metal.
The carrying capacity of the basket seems pretty good. We made a run to the grocery store and got 3 quarts of milk/juice and a few other things. It held them without problem.
Being simple and all metal it can (and has) taken some abuse. Since hooking it up to my bike its taken a few falls while parked, of course the front tire ALWAYS rotates so that the basket takes the direct hit. The basket is a bit bent up but still 100% functional, the mount is fine. I don't think I would have said the same for one of those plastic mounted baskets.
UPDATE 9-12-10
years of service and its still going strong. Have one on my bike and one on my wifes. The only thing I have to add is that if you are going over rough terrain or hit a really nasty pothole the shock can cause handle to bounce up high enough to detach. I've had it come loose a few times, the bottom hooks have always held long enough for me to stop and fix it but it something to be aware of. The solution is as simple as a twist tie, rubber band or clip to keep the handle from flying up.
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Product Description:
Bicycle baskets are the definition of functionality. By simply clamping a bicycle basket to your handlebar or rack, you can easily carry more stuff to and from where ever you may be pedaling.
The Wald front handlebar bike basket is ideal for carrying groceries and other smaller items. The versatile Wald 3133 front basket is no exception, with a large basket area that makes it easy to carry groceries, picnic items, and other essentials while riding. The versatile basket bolts to your front handlebar via a Wald holder. The holder offers plenty of clearance between the bar and the basket--helping it accommodate your bike's shifters, cables, and brake levers--but still holds tight to your bike.
Bike baskets also offer a number of secondary benefits. They help prevent riders from carrying items in their hands, keeping their focus where it belongs. They also help balance the excess weight appropriately, so you won't feel off kilter each time you round a corner. They can even impact your wallet by saving you money on gas when running errands. And, of course, they can contribute to your physical and mental wellbeing, as bike riding is terrific exercise and helps clear the mind.
Available in powder-coated white or gloss black, the Wald 3133 basket measures 14.5 by 9.5 by 9 inches (W x H x D).
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