Review on 🚴 MTX Rear Bike Basket: Optimize Your Search! by Tyler Owens

I've had this basket for about a month now and it's great for throwing away things I don't want (or can't) carry on my body. Instead of fiddling around with bags and belts, I just throw in my laptop bag and bike lock and leave the house. I was hoping it would be as comfortable as the back seat of my car and was not disappointed. I was concerned about the size and how proportional it would look on my Trek 7.2. But it looks great. The size is large enough to be convenient for small grocery shopping. Topeak's basket on and off system was one of the reasons I chose this basket and frame. It is very convenient that you can carry things on or off the bike. However, inserting it into the rail is easy only when the bike is attached to something. Some complaints: I did not understand from the photos that the height of the basket would not allow me to get on and off the bike, I just put my foot on the rear wheel as usual. So I had to learn a new technique (bring my knee over the bar near the stem, then move my leg near the seat). Potential problem for people with certain types of joint problems, I wonder? The word I would use to describe a wire handle is decorative. It seems you have to make an effort even if you are only supporting the basket's own weight. I took it off because I'm used to carrying the basket at the top. The basket is also too heavy to carry around, so don't take it to the grocery store or farmer's market. Because the basket is so tall and wide (and heavy), it wobbles a little when it has a non-trivial load. It still sits securely on its (plastic) mounting bracket. However, if I have something larger than my laptop bag, I tie it to the counter with a pair of bungees for insurance. Which I would do anyway just to keep things from falling out of the open roof. And because the basket is so big and heavy, especially if you have a liter milk jug, the bike is more capacity. to tip over. maybe with you on it! The handling and safety of my bike while riding were not affected in the slightest. But when the bike is stationary, I know I can roll if I carelessly lean it too far (like pulling it out of the trunk where I locked it, or trying to get on or off too quickly). Above. on the pavement... unharmed thanks to the helmet and gloves, but I hope no one sees that. After a month I just learned not to be careless when the bike stalls. I keep both hands on the brake and am very careful getting in and out. I don't see that as a problem anymore. I might think differently if I drove it on a crowded city street every morning and evening. Instead, I could think of baskets (that sit low to the ground). At first I found it odd that the basket and its mount were separate retail items (despite being sold together). I was also disappointed that the braces were plastic and not something that could withstand abuse. But now _I'm guessing_ the system is designed so that if something breaks or bends, it's a $15 thing that's easy for any consumer. replace, not a $45 cart or something on a $60 rack. I had to replace the bracket but the basket itself and frame were undamaged after multiple falls. To answer a complaint in other reviews, I don't think the basket's wire mesh is weak. general. Nothing bent or broken in the month I've had it, even after falling a few times. Actually, I like wire design more in general. It offers plenty of mounting points for lights and reflectors and is pretty bungee friendly. When I park my bike at a S-Bahn station, I can thread the lock cable through my helmet and basket to connect my U-lock, securing both the basket and helmet. Although I crashed with this thing on my bike I'm very happy with it. I wanted a "back seat" for my bike that I could just throw stuff in and go with. This basket makes my bike much more useful and fun.