Bike Baskets

There are a variety of ways to carry things on your bike, including bike baskets, panniers, top tube bags, rear racks, and bike cargo trailers. If you have an ebike, there are also ebike-specific baskets and rear racks. The “best” way depends on what you want to carry. A bike basket is the best choice for small, lightweight items like a phone, wallet, keys, purse, or water bottle.

Not all bike baskets fit all bikes, but with retrospec, it’s easy to find out which baskets work for your bike. Scroll down to each basket’s “Specifications” section to find all the models of bikes and ebikes with which it’s compatible.

It’s possible to DIY a bike basket from a metal or wicker picnic basket, a supermarket basket, or a milk crate, but purpose-made bike baskets aren’t expensive, either. You can purchase steel or handwoven bike baskets for around $25 to $40.

In the early 20th century, bakers, newsmen, milkmen, and other delivery workers often rode “butcher’s bikes.” These bikes have a basket mount built into the front frame (as opposed to the handlebars). Once common, especially in the United Kingdom, butcher’s bikes are extremely rare in the 21st century. Today, there is no specific name for bikes with baskets, but beach cruiser bikes and city bikes are often seen with baskets attached to the handlebars.

Bike baskets are best attached to the front handlebars of a bike. For rear storage, try a rear rack. Many of our city bikes are built with rear racks. If you ride an ebike, you can purchase purpose-built ebike baskets and ebike rear racks, too.

Yes, a bike basket can be very useful. It provides a convenient way to carry groceries, books, or other small items while riding your bike, freeing up your hands and making your ride more comfortable. A basket will also encourage you to bike more often, as it makes it easier to run errands or transport items without a car.

Bike baskets are best for storing small, lightweight items, however. If you need extra storage space, consider a bike with a rear rack, like the Beaumont City Bike or Kinney Mixte City Bike. You could also purchase a bike cargo trailer.

Basic bike baskets range from around $15 to $40. Purpose-built ebike baskets—which come with bar-end-plug accessory ports for drink and phone holders, mirrors, and lights, as well as a higher carrying capacity—are a bit more expensive (up to $80).

Yes, it’s extremely easy to attach a bike basket to a bike. With retrospec bike baskets, it takes just minutes, with most baskets able to be installed without any tools needed! Most of our steel baskets have integrated hooks that slip directly over your bike’s handlebars, and handwoven bike baskets come with brass-buckled leather straps.

Different bike basket materials have different pros and cons. Handwoven cane and wood baskets like Dreamcatcher and Toto have the benefit of being cheaper and lighter. Steel baskets like Apollo cost a bit more and are heavier, but are much more durable and have a higher weight capacity. From an aesthetic standpoint, opinions vary! Some people find the vintage style of woven baskets more appealing, while others prefer the industrial look of steel bike baskets.

Bike baskets are designed for carrying small, light essentials like books, a purse, phone, or water bottle. Handwoven wicker and wood baskets have lower weight capacities (5 lbs), while steel baskets like Apollo can hold up to 15 pounds. Ebike baskets like Tote Plus have an even higher weight capacity (22 lbs).

Every model of bike basket secures differently, but retrospec makes it extremely easy to attach a basket. Most of our steel baskets come with integrated hooks that slip over the handlebars, and our handwoven baskets come with twin leather straps, so you can buckle the basket to each handlebar. We also offer bike and ebike baskets that attach with bolt-on mounting, for the most secure installation.

It depends on your goals! For style and carrying small items, like a phone, water bottle, house keys, or purse, a handwoven basket is a great choice. For something with more durability and capacity for running errands—think trips to the grocery store, library, post office, school, work—choose a steel basket. If you ride an ebike, try our dedicated ebike baskets.

No, bike baskets are not waterproof. If you aim to carry items with you on your bike in inclement weather, such as wind, rain, and snow, consider a bike cargo trailer. While not completely waterproof, these trailers are built with weather-resistant fabric to stave off light precipitation, and can carry up to 80 pounds of cargo.

It’s never a good idea to leave valuables unattended in your bike basket when your bike is parked. As for the baskets themselves, we can’t make any promises, but it’s extremely uncommon for someone to steal an empty bike basket. A thief is much more likely to try to steal your entire bike, which is why you should always use a high-quality bike lock.

Bike baskets are not designed for carrying pets and we do not recommend putting them in your basket. If you want to ride around with your adventurous pet by your side, try looking into a pet bike trailer instead!