Wald Basket Mod

[Bill Lindsay]

I was WOWED by Jenny's sweet Wald Basket chop-job featured on the BLUG.

Jenny's BLUG-mod

My own Large Wald Basket had one problem area.  The back corners of the basket were crowding my fingers when I rode in the drops.  Rather than copy Jenny, I decided to put my own twist on the idea.  Here's the BEFORE.  Here's the DURING.  And finally, here is the AFTER

It took about 20 minutes, and involved no cutting whatsoever.  I'm pretty pumped. 

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

[Tony DeFilippo]

Bill the finished product looks great! A unique accessory that is sure to draw eyes. Do you generally use a shop sack?

[Edwin W]

Tremendous.
What have you got On the top of the rack? Some kind of plastic? Tell us more.

[Bill Lindsay]

Tony

Thanks for the kind words.  

Yes, I'll keep a cargo-net zip tied to the basket, and typically a ShopSack Large is sitting in there.  

[Bill Lindsay]

Edwin

Yes, when I finished installing the finders, basket, etc, I decided there was still a chance for upspray from my tire onto the underside of my basket cargo and also onto the front dynamo headlamp.  

I've used heavy plastic film for a couple DIY projects and I have a stack of that material.  I've acquired this heavy plastic film in three ways:

1.  I bought a sheet at TAP plastics

2.  I've deconstructed file folder products from the Office Supply store (generally upcycled items discarded at my office)

3.  The Elfa brand shelving that I've run in several closets in my home came with plastic shelf liners.  I've decided not to line every shelf I installed, but kept the extras for future projects

I took one sheet of my stockpile material and made a little rack topper.  This augments the fender and protects everything that is on top of the rack from spray.  Here's another photo of that SPLASHGUARD with a caption describing it.  

[Brian Campbell]

Bill, nice mod! I was thinking about putting a basket on my Hilsen was wondering what the wheel flop was like when loaded?

 

[Nick Ybarra]

That's pretty brilliant.  Chapeau, sir!

[Bill Lindsay]

I don't quite know how to respond to you Brian.  I've never had any problem with a heavy front load on any high-trail bike.  I can ride my Atlantis No-handed, but I haven't tried that with the basket plus panniers.  I don't know why it works for me, when you see wailing handwringers all over this and similar forums that telling you that if you put a 2lb handlebar bag on a Rivendell it will randomly lurch you off the side of the road because the front end geometry is SOOO BAD.  That hasn't been the case for me.  Maybe the random 90-degree right turn will happen today?  I say try it and go with your gut.  Some people say a front load ruined their bike.  Some people claim their low trail bike is ruined WITHOUT a front load.  Some people expect their bikes to be slalom-quick, even when loaded, and have different expectations than I do.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Surlyprof]

TAP plastics often has leftover cutoffs that they sell for cheap.  Look for the cutoff bin where they'll probably have a variety of materials, shapes and sizes for $1-$5.  If you only need a little, it is a great way to go.

John

[twin]

I just disconnected all but three of the wires on my Wald basket to lower the height. I'm going to take it to school and have one of my high school guys/gals get the three that I guess are welded open. I look foward to this basket being shorter in height. Great idea!