Sporty Bike Basket Color: Red
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Great quality product with a couple minor safety issues that can be fixed with bungee cords
I was surprised to find the basket so well made. It is a heavy duty bike basket that is made to last. It has multiple pockets as pictured. The front has 2 pockets, and although it is not depicted in the product picture, the rain cover is stored in the lower and larger of the 2 pockets, and it is attached to a strap that is sewed into the interior of the top smaller pocket. This way, you won't misplaced it, and in situation where the rain cover is in used, it will remain attached to the bike basket if it was to come loose. It also has a cardboard insert that helps make the base of the basket hard providing support for the puppy, and helping to keep the shape of the basket. At the top of the basket, the 2 straps sits across the top taking up a couple of inches of the opening of the basket on each side. Inside the basket, there is an adjustable strap that is used to secure the dog into the basket.
There is a metal bar that is inserted into the bottom of the basket that serves several purposes: 1- it keeps the basket in its form when expanded, 2- it provides some support when the dog is in the basket, and 3- it leans against the bike to stablize the basket. One of the saftely flaws is that this metal bar doesn't really support the dog's weight (#2) because it is "leaned against" the bike rather than installed onto the bike frame to provide permanent stablity. It can slightly swing to the right and left when weights are added to the basket and the bike is moving. This could be fixed by adding a couple of bungee cords. I also used the bungee cords for another important safety reason (mentioned below).
The basket is held onto the bike by 2 straps with plastic clips. With my puppy being only 11 lbs, the straps and clips SHOULD hold the basket in place with my dog is in it. Unfortunately, when the straps are not wrapped around the handle in a certain angle, even when adjusted, it could slip from the clip which loosen up the strap from the bike handle with just a light push down on the basket. That was scary, fortunately, my dog wasn't in the basket at the time. With the bike cables being in the way, I couldn't get the straps to stay in place when weights are added to the basket. So, I added the bungee cords to provide security.
I added photos to this product but not sure where they went. If you can find them, it will help you with the basket and bungee cord installation. Let me try to explain it - do this when the basket is installed onto the bike: At the top of the basket where the 2 straps are on both sides, there is a silver metal ring, hook one bungee cord onto each ring. Then look at where the metal bar at the base of the basket where it leans onto the bike. Take one of the bungee cord and stretch it under and around the part of the frame where this metal bar is leaned onto the bike, and hook the other end of the bungee cord onto the other side of the metal bar. Do the same with the other bungee cord. The 2 bungee cords should for somewhat like an X, crossing each other on the bike frame near the base of the basket. I am going to see if I can find another product page that will allow me to upload pictures. With the correct installation and right length of bungee cords - about a foot long, the bike basket will be secured.
If all the pet bike baskets that I looked at, this is by far the best in terms of construction and quality. It's not perfect and fortunately, nothing a couple of bungee cords cannot fix :-).
My bike has flat handle bars and brake cables sticking out. From many reviews I read, this basket works with flat handle bars and not other types. Make sure the brakes work before going for a ride.
I have a terrier mix that is 11 lbs. She fits perfectly in the basket.
May 6, 2013
 "Sporty Bike Basket")
