There are two considerations for front-mounting baskets like this: The quality of the basket itself and the quality of the mechanism which attaches the basket to the bike. As far as the former, the Topeak basket is great. It offers a fine mesh which is strong and will not snag the things you put in the basket.
However, the attachment is not very good. The attachment works in two ways. First it grips the handlebar. This holds the basket in place, but it does not keep it from tilting down when you put something somewhat heavy in it. To keep it from tilting down, the basket comes with a little wire that wraps around the handlebar stem. The problem is that it is JUST a little wire. It is not strong enough to secure the basket. If you're like me, you will sometimes carry books in your basket. If the bike is just stationary, the basket will hold the books. However, if you are riding, and you go over any kind of bump, the little wire won't be able to handle the jolt. The wire will break and the basket will tilt forward (which makes it unusable).
Even though the wire broke, I am still using this basket. I found a way to rig it with some nylon rope. It wasn't too hard, but it was a pain.
In short, I would not recommend this basket unless you will only carrying virtually weightless stuff or unless you want to spend some time figuring out a better way to attach the basket.
I know someone who has the "Cycle Force Quick Release" basket. It has a much stronger mechanism for attaching the basket. The basket is pretty nice, too (though not quite as nice as the Topeak one). Overall, it is probably a better bet.
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I don't know what they were thinking. The bracket attaches to the handle bars, but there is no third point of attachment, so it forms a pivot or hinge. Even if you screw it down tight it will still sag until it hits your front wheel or fender. I am going to put something between the stem and the back of the basket to keep this from happening, but you would think they could have figured this out themselves.
The basket itself is nice and the quick release is well engineered. But given the choice, I would not have bought it after watching it slowing sag away...
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After extensive research in the bicycle basket area, I chose this model and I'm very happy I did! This basket is a great value for the price. I had it installed at my local bicycle shop, because my computer had to be moved and I didn't want to fiddle with it, but it seemed to be an easy enough task. The best feature is that the basket comes off if needed. It's extremely easy to just slide this off and on. There's even a lift up handle so you can carry the basket around, which I do at garage sales and markets! When I originally opened the box, I thought the basket was huge, but once it was installed and used, I've decided that it's just right! This basket has a smaller mesh design, so you don't have to worry about smaller things falling through it. I think it's also a nicer shape, more rounded, than the standard square models. This model is both stylish and functional. I'd definitely recommend this!
Honest reviews on Topeak Front Bicycle Basket
i was totally excited for the large size & small mesh of the basket, but the thing was off of my bike within a week. it lost a screw, which made the basket slide down & hit my tire.
the assembly instructions were nonsensical (pictures only) & the unit as a whole is not sturdy enough to handle it's own size.
i am now sans-basket. again.
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I have owned this basket for two years. It is very stylish and has a powered epoxy finish to prevent corrosion. It attaches to the handlebars but I needed to provide additional support underneath to carry groceries without the basket wobbling precariously. Even with this additional support, the bracket containing the handlebar grips eventually separated from the basket. The metal mesh literally ripped apart from the mounting bracket. I do not use this basket for decoration or carrying light loads as I use my bike for much of my shopping. Anyone wanting a front basket for such utilitarian use should consider a basket that has, besides handlebar grips, strut supports attaching to the front wheel axle, such as some of the Wald models. Such baskets do not lift off, a feature not required in any case if you use a shopping bag, but they are much less likely to break when carrying a couple quarts of milk and a five pound bag of flour over the bumps and ruts.
