Baskets

Removable Bike Basket: Top 7 Easily Detachable Baskets

An illustration of detachable bike baskets

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There’s a lot to like about a removable bike basket. Although simple in design they enable us to carry items when riding a bike.

Backpacks are uncomfortable to ride in and pannier bags require special fitments, but baskets fit most bikes and suit most rider’s carrying requirements.

Sometimes you might want to ride to the shops and use the basket to gather your item or even not ride with a basket attached at all.

Therefore many brands now offer a detachable bike basket. These baskets are something you can whip off at a moment’s notice. Here are 7 of our favourites.

Best Removable Bike Baskets

  1. raymace bicycle basket

    Removeable and it Folds

    Raymace Bicycle Basket

    Based around an alloy frame this basket is packed with features. An internal zipper, external pocket, carry handles, a retractable closure system and foot pads.

  2. nantucket bicycle basket lightship basket

    Traditional Wicker Design

    Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. Lightship Basket

    Available in a variety of shapes this is a traditional wicker basket that removes quickly fit the simple straps.

  3. chanwei folding bike basket

    Great Folding Design

    Chanwei Folding Bike Basket

    Super simple to mount and then remove this basket is actually foldable making it easy to store when off the bike.

  4. himiway folding bike front basket

    Includes Bag

    Himiway Folding Bike Front Basket with Liner Bag

    Another folding metal design this basket comes with the bonus of a liner bag to keep smaller items safe.

  5. Ideal for Carrying Pets

    Selka Dog Bike Basket

    Secured and removed from a bike via a quick release system this basket has loads of features to light up the eyes of pet owners.

  6. public bikes front bike basket

    Traditional Basket with Thick Weave

    Public Bikes Front Bike Basket

    Handcrafted in America from materials of American origin, this is a simple, yet sophisticated front bike basket.

  7. apollo steel bike basket

    Different Colour Variants Available

    Apollo Steel Bike Basket

    With a durable steel frame and 15lbs weight limit this is an ideal shopping basket thanks to its built-in handle.

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Types of Detachable Bike Baskets

There are many different types of detachable bike baskets and perhaps the best way to further sub-categorize them is by their material.

Detachable bike baskets can be made from wicker, metal, canvas or even a combination of those. Wicker baskets are the most traditional, with metal offering a better weight limit. Canvas detachable bike baskets are usually designed for a fixed purpose like pet carrying or the ability to fold.

Most detachable baskets, including all of those on our list, are front-mounted, that is to say, they attach to the bike at the front rather than at the rear.

A front bike basket on a red bicycle
This beautiful, classically styled bicycle basket is handcrafted by the Peterboro Basket Company. (Photo: Public)

1. Raymace Bicycle Basket

raymace bicycle basket blue
raymace bicycle basket dimensions
raymace bicycle basket in use
  • UK Flag £22
  • US Flag $28
  • EU Flag €26

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: 1.96lbs
  • Weight Limit: 11lbs
  • Size: 13″ x 10″ x 10″

Super design

Variety of prints/fabrics

Easily removed and folds

The first item on our list is this detachable number from Raymace. It’s a neat basket made from material and an aluminium frame.

With the carry handles, two pockets, closure system and pet tether this is an under-capable basket. Use it to do the shopping, take a picnic, carry your dog or simply stow the essentials and because it’s detachable when you arrive at your destination it comes off in a trice.

Pros

  • Feature-packed
  • Good capacity and weight limit
  • Different colours
  • Sold mount

Cons

  • Mount is a tad bulky
  • Needs to have enough clearance between handlebar and tire

2. Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. Lightship Basket

nantucket bicycle lightship basket blue
nantucket bicycle lighsthip basket feature
  • UK Flag £41
  • US Flag $52
  • EU Flag €48

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: 0.2lbs
  • Weight Limit: 13lbs
  • Size: 12″ x 7.5″ x 9″

Uber-traditional

Light in weight

Decent load capacity

Wicker baskets are the most traditional form of bike basket and this option from Nantucket Bicycle Basket Co. fits most of the requirements of a removable basket.

It attaches via simple straps which unlike a bracket-type system won’t be instantaneous to remove but will be fairly quick nonetheless.

Because its woven from rattan the overall weight of the basket isn’t much and despite this, it has a more than acceptable 13lbs weight limit.

Pros

  • Different designs and finishes are available
  • Easy-to-access items
  • Simple to fit

Cons

  • Not super rigid when fitted
  • Removal isn’t rapid

3. Chanwei Folding Bike Basket

chanwei folding bike basket blue
chanwei folding bike basket in use
chanwei folding bike basket
  • UK Flag £16
  • US Flag $20
  • EU Flag €19

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: 2.8lbs
  • Weight Limit: 55lbs
  • Size: 13″ x 11.8″ x 1.97″

Folding metal basket

Excellent weight capacity

Secure handlebar attachment

Metal baskets tend to have better weight-bearing potential than those made from wicker or fabric. This is a basic option, but for the price, you can’t really argue about its utility.

The basket is secured with simple bolts and should you want to, you can fold it up whilst it’s still fitted to your bike.

Unfortunately, the large holes aren’t good for smaller items but that could be easily solved with a liner or bag.

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Great weight limit
  • Folding design

Cons

  • Not quick to remove
  • Large holes not good for storing small items

4. Himiway Folding Bike Front Basket with Liner Bag

himiway folding bike front basket with liner
himiway folding bike front basket with liner dimensions
himiway folding bike front basket with liner installation
  • UK Flag £27
  • US Flag $34
  • EU Flag €31

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: 3.9bs
  • Weight Limit: 66lbs
  • Size: 13″ x 8.66″ x 7.87″

Foldable basket with bag

Bolts to handlebars

Excellent weight limit

Another folding basket that’s good for those riders looking for a basket with a decent weight limit. Incredibly Himiway state that this basket is rated up to an incredible 66lbs, that’s plenty for most basket-carrying requirements.

On the downside the basket itself isn’t quickly removed – you’ll need to carry some basic tools to do that on the fly. That said, the basket can fold and with the included liner bag you can ride your bag to the shop, buy your bits, and stow them back in the basket before you head home.

Pros

  • Excellent weight limit
  • Bag is a welcome addition
  • Folds

Cons

  • A bit on the heavy side
  • Utilitarian in design
  • Not quick to remove

5. Selka Dog Bike Basket

selka dog bike basket
selka dog bike basket used
selka dog bike basket details
  • UK Flag £32
  • US Flag $40
  • EU Flag €37

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: 3.9lbs
  • Weight Limit: 18lbs
  • Size: 14.96″ x 14.96″ x 2.76″

Easily removed

Includes extras

Handy backpack straps

Best suited to carrying pets, this removable basket from Selka converts from a bike basket to a pet carrier in seconds. It’d be ideal to take dogs down to the park or a cat to the vet.

On the downside there are no colour options, it’s a bit large (nearly 15″ square) and load it with a heavy dog and you’ll have to be careful it doesn’t rub on the bike’s front wheel.

Pros

  • Excellent pet-carrying potential
  • Detaches in an instant
  • Shoulder straps are useful

Cons

  • No colours
  • On the bulky side
  • Fabric design might create issues with tire clearance

6. Public Bikes Front Bike Basket

public front bikes basket blue
public front bikes basket back
public front bikes basket colours
public front bikes basket in use
  • UK Flag £56
  • US Flag $70
  • EU Flag €65

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: Not stated
  • Weight Limit: 10lbs
  • Size: 14″ x 10″ x 9.5″

Wicker basket

Simple attachment

Good storage

As looks go, this is our favourite detachable bike basket on our list. The woven look, in different colours, is great and it would top off a traditional city bike nicely.

Whilst it is a tad more expensive than others on our list, we’d heartily recommend it due to its sustainability credentials and the fact that it supports US based manufacturing.

Pros

  • American-made from American-origin materials
  • Different colours
  • Good weight capacity

Cons

  • On the pricer side
  • Straps are not quick to remove
  • No internal storage

7. Apollo Steel Bike Basket

apollo steel bike basket blue
apollo steel bike basket in front
apollo steel bike basket in use
apollo steel bike basket backview
  • UK Flag £20
  • US Flag $25
  • EU Flag €23

Prices are approximate

  • Weight: Not stated
  • Weight Limit: 15lbs
  • Size: 14.5″ x 9.5″ x 7.5″

Metal basket

Available in a variety of finishes

With handle

Another basic metal basket to finish our list off. This one doesn’t fold like some others on our list but it does have a handy carry handle and the attachment method, although a little crud, is simple to remove. This makes it great to use as a shopping basket at your local store.

The price is great but it’s not all bargain basement with this item, the Apollo basket has a finer mesh at the bottom, making it almost impossible for small items to drop out of the basket mistakenly.

Pros

  • Carry handle
  • The small mesh at the bottom is great for small items
  • Stabilising bracket
  • Good weight limit
  • Loads of colours

Cons

  • Velcro strap stabilisers perhaps not man enough

DIY Removable Bike Baskets

Given their relatively simple execution, it’s possible to make your own bike basket with a bit of know-how and a few simple tools.

We’re not suggesting you start weaving your own basket here, but you can easily modify an existing basket to fit. From there it’s a case of finding a way to attach the basket to your bike – zip ties are a commonly available item that should do the trick and withstand the rigours of daily use. You could also try using an old belt or even a wire coat hanger.

A popular way of making a removable bike basket is to make one out of material. Whilst it won’t hold heavy items it’s a great way at storing small items like a phone or wallet. Plus you can choose a fabric that you like!

For more rigid baskets (and if your bike has the right mounts) you can add some structured support with metal. That way you can carry heavier items without fearing that your DIY bike basket is groaning under the weight.

More Detachable Bike Basket Inspiration from Instagram:


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