catinmybasket

I got my hands on a rusty basket I want to put in my own bike. (after un-rusty-ing it)

Problem is, I realized that my bike doesn't have that pair of small holes in the center of the front wheel to support the basket.

All I can come up with is drilling those holes myself (there's enough metal space to do so), BUT I don't know if that may affect the bike negatively, you know like producing a small crack and that building up over time.

I would make a crappy wire+tape support but the cargo is priceless.


I want to add pictures but my pc won't recognize my phone rn so I'll try tomorrow morning

Reynolds 

You can attach the basket support to the fork using clamps, also there are some that can be attached directly to the axle/quick release. Google "front rack no eyelets" or "front rack p-clamps" for some ideas.

catinmybasket

Sounds like a great idea, I'll try to get my hands on those.

I just hope they can resist a decent amount of weight

Litespud

Most baskets are good for maybe 10 kilos/20 lb - any metal P-clamp should be good for that. When you say the cargo is "priceless", what are you talking about? You're not putting a kid in this, are you? Unless you're transporting Rembrandts, I can't think of any other "priceless" cargo.

Koyote

You may want to check out the OP’s username.

Litespud

ha! Never even noticed😟 p-clamps will be fine so

Pop N Wood

this is one of the more genius ideas I have learned from this site.

My cat weighs 16 pounds so think I would need to make mine out of heavy gauge cromoly. But for a normal sized cat in a wicker basket this could be the ticket.

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...e-support.html

Leisesturm

I cannot reconcile "de-rusted old basket, crappy wire + tape support" and "priceless cargo". Show us what you're working with. At a minimum you need some kind of front rack to support your basket OR you can buy (cheap!) a basket with built in supports from WALD. They make good stuff and it is reasonable in price because it is steel (heavy) and the market for steel is mainly non-performance (i.e. utility) oriented consumers. Both of my recent kitties HATE travel of any kind. I literally have to sedate them for vet visits. Just getting the carrier out made (both have gone on) them vanish, never to be seen until the threat was past.

tyrion

If you can fit one of these racks on the front of your bike (bike needs v-brake or cantilever brake studs and a hole in the fork crown), I'd use this rack and zip tie the basket to it. You can get these racks for less than $20, and I think it will be stronger than using the stamped steel struts that come with Wald baskets.



https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Gold-...40&sr=8-2&th=1

veganbikes

Does your basket interfere with the cables of your bike? If it does the basket is a good no go already as it will negatively effect your shifting and more importantly braking which you don't want to do with precious cargo. Also do you want to put "precious cargo" in a rusty old basket? Do you truly trust it? If you are looking to put a front rack on the bike I would look at a fork that can handle a proper rack and is designed for a front load. P clamps can work or something like these would work potentially but again wouldn't you rather have proper mounts for "precious cargo". Plus I would want a proper rack and better basket or maybe even a well secured bag.

If I personally was to carry a cat, dog or other animal on my bike I would probably put them in the rear, so they don't effect steering. That way I can use something like the Racktime racks and modify and use one of their BaskIts or BoxIts with a small animal bed and maybe some sort of mesh cover. When not carrying an animal I can use panniers or other Racktime accessories and remove quite easily. I can use the TopIt rack in the front with some of the BaskIts but honestly I don't want that extra weight effecting steering with living cargo especially.

dedhed

Personally I'd want them in the front to keep an eye on them.

tyrion

+1. If they're in the back you'd be looking back a lot that could be dangerous.

veganbikes

Possibly if I didn't have a secure set up. Honestly I could easily get a mirror and a properly enclosed basket and be OK. Granted I wouldn't have taken my cat riding, I just don't think she was going to be down for that. She liked to explore but didn't care for moving vehicles so much.