Marci

I bought a used bike basket at a thrift store. It was white. But I found that the white reflected back into my eyes while using my light. So I spray painted it black. Started chipping within the first week. Ended up selling that bike and got a new one. I ended up buying some paint that was red and almost matched the bike. Looked good, but once again it started chipping-took a few months instead though. Fast forward to now a few years later after turning my eye from the now hideous basket that was red, black and white.
I thought why not make a cover for it? I looked on line and all I could find was ones that go inside the basket, not around the outside. Now I had a pair of leggings in red with black bike motif all over them at a thrift shop (do we see a pattern?) But alas one size fits all really meant only if you were a size 001-no way would it stretch over my fat rear or thunder thighs. Somehow they got into the same vicinity, thinking how cute would that be for a cover, but there just wasn't enough fabric...or wast there...? and a light bulb went on. So I started stretching it from the bottom and with MUCH grunting, pulling (reminding me of putting jeans on the 70's before stretchy jeans) I got it to stretch up and over the top. Now I had 2 legs hanging down.... bit they fit right thru the bottom so pulled them up and wove thru the bottom making the bottom soft and solider.... And it looked good. Now I did have to straighten out the seams but I really think I found a cute way to cover my really ugly basket. And I imagine old used up leggings that fit will be so much easier to pull over it when these are done.


ugly basket cover from leggings.

MikeyMK

That'll catch the wind. I just bought an oval wicker waste basket, looked great, was excellent until the wind caught it.
Best thing is to just buy a black wire basket. You can get non-bike ones cheap, and bolt them to a front-mounted pannier rack if you have a spare rack kicking about..

rollagain

Yeah, the great thing about wire baskets is that they're almost invisible to the wind when they're empty. But you've turned yours into a sail, or maybe more accurately, an air brake.

I have wire baskets on the back of one of my bikes, and I keep a cloth shopping bag tightly rolled up in the bottom for when I need it.

Nermal

More unique than ugly. Definitely creative. Would have been impractical to leave the legs hanging down, but would have been interesting.

BobbyG

Clever!
One rider's "sail" is another rider's "fairing".

Kedosto

bobwysiwyg

How about seasonal/holiday motifs. Could be a money maker for ya.

Marci

Oooo that is a good idea! Hoping it doesn't catch more wind than the fake wicker basket on the back for the dog. He is only 15 lbs Though he prefers running along side., and keeps it at only 15 lbs that way. 5 miles seems to be his max. Its his favorite thing to do. Nermal it was the basket before the leggings do over. LOL
To be honest I would love to get a wicker basket to match the back one, but not exactly like that one... We have our yearly parade as a group coming up and I wanted it to look as pretty a it can.

hotbike

livedarklions

I don't think aerodynamics is the op's main concern. With those handlebars, she'll catch so much wind herself, a little more probably won't be noticed. Not to mention the dog on the back she mentioned.

Looks like a fun slow ride. Hope she keeps us posted on how it works out.

MikeyMK

My basket was on an upright shopper bike, really caught the wind. I'm super skinny tho lol