This rear basket folds flat is the distinction between a grocery bike and a grocery basket on a bike.
Folding Is the Feature That Matters
That context matters, because capacity, construction, and what 20kg feels like is where the real tradeoff shows up for anyone deciding today.
Capacity, Construction, and What 20kg Feels Like
That context matters, because the cargo net and the tail light is where the real tradeoff shows up for anyone deciding today.
The Cargo Net and the Tail Light
The Aikolesa Rear Bike Basket measures 14.5 x 10.25 x 8.5 when unfolded, and collapses to a flat 16 x 10.5. Its rated carrying capacity is 20kg (about 45 lbs). And includes a bungee cargo net and a reflector tail-light.
That combination is difficult to beat for a commuter bike that also serves as a shopping bike.
Folding Is the One Important Detail
You can remove panniers. You cannot remove a fixed basket from a rack, and a fixed basket stuck to the back of your rack is likely to hit your leg whenever you step down from the bike, snag on doorframes, and make it difficult to hang the bike in a hall. Because of all these consequences, people either no longer use their baskets, or they no longer use the bikes they mounted those baskets to.
Folding flat eliminates that problem in a way that nothing else does. Ride to work with the basket folded over the rack, expand it when you arrive at the market, fill it with purchases, and then ride home. According to the listing, expanding this item happens quickly, and in addition to that warning the manufacturer advises caution, a euphemism for saying that the spring-loaded mechanisms involved can catch fingers if you are careless. Take the additional second.
In addition to folding flat, the basket can be removed completely, turning it into a carry basket for your walk from the bike rack to your door, a storage basket, or according to the listing, a pet carrier. If you were going to trust an animal you like inside a wire cage exposed to the elements and motion of a moving bike, I wouldn’t. This product’s usefulness as a shopper’s carrier is genuine however. Our comparison chart addresses other types of cargo products that we have reviewed.
Capacity, Construction and What 20kg Means To You
Twenty kilograms is roughly forty four pounds of weight that sits on the rear axle behind your handlebars. Once fully loaded, your bike will have softer-than-usual brakes, lighter-than-normal steering response in corners, and when you brake aggressively, the rear tire may lose contact with the road. Not one of these issues is a failure of this basket, it is simply how bicycles react to added weight on the rear wheels.
If you are an everyday touring type of cyclist with large bags full of gear in both front and rear panniers you will understand that you want to distribute your load equally across both sides of the bike, because when you add equal amounts of weight on each side you get much better balance through corners.
The practical advice here is to place heavier objects closer to the bottom of the basket and closer to the middle of the basket as well, and accept that once you reach half of the maximum weight limit listed for this basket, your handling characteristics will begin to deteriorate. Ride more slowly, brake harder earlier, take sharper corners with less lean, and if you learn how to ride that way within the first minute or two of loading this basket onto your bike, you have yourself a fantastic cargo system.
On the other hand, if you learn how to ride that way while trying to avoid damage in a crowded parking area, you’ll have a good story.
Steel wire is used for this basket for several reasons. First, it can withstand the shock of point loads applied by cans or bottles. Second, it will maintain its shape even when subjected to irregular loads. Finally, it remains firmly attached to itself regardless of what angle it has been twisted to. In terms of protecting the metal from corrosion, a rust-inhibiting coating was applied to protect it from salt, moisture and grime generated by chains. The quality of this coating will determine how long this coating lasts, therefore touch-up any scratches you notice in it with paint before storing your bike for the winter months, and you'll enjoy years of service from this basket.
Bungee Cargo Net And Reflective Tail-Light
The bungee net provided with this basket is constructed of rubber cords surrounded by abrasion-resistant nylon coverings, making it the best available solution for securing loose bags within an open-wire basket. Loose bags will become projectiles upon encountering any road imperfections, and when traveling fast enough in traffic, loose bags in baskets create unnecessary hazards for drivers behind you, which ultimately results in some form of sudden reaction from said driver.
The integrated tail-light is a reflective device rather than an active light source, and while the manufacturer lists this feature as providing enhanced visibility while commuting during night-time hours, this only holds true when lit by another vehicle's headlight(s). Therefore, do not rely solely on this feature as your primary safety device. Since any basket installed on a rack will inevitably obscure some portion of your rear light's illumination, consider relocating your rear light to either the rack or seat-stays.
Hardware necessary for attaching this basket to virtually any style of rear rack is included with purchase, along with simple instructions detailing how to attach this basket to your rack. The term "universal" in reference to this product refers to compatibility with almost all rear racks currently available, but as with all accessories of this nature, vibration caused by riding may loosen attachments at least temporarily.
You should inspect these connections after initial usage, check Amazon pricing now while evaluating whether you would benefit from purchasing an additional rear rack.
Who Should Buy It
Anybody that owns an existing rear rack and uses their bike to haul stuff somewhat regularly instead of every single day. That is the specific use-case that folding addresses.
Commuters who stop at a store en route home, shoppers using e-bikes for errands, and anybody whose bike fits in a narrow hallway where any stationary basket would present an obstruction.
Do not purchase it if you carry heavy cargo daily, because specialized panniers put the heaviest parts closest to ground level and spread them out laterally, resulting in vastly improved cornering performance compared to any basket. Do not buy it if you don't yet own a rear rack, because you'll need to go buy one first, and the overall price will alter your decision.
Our hands-on review articles cover many cargo systems that are worthwhile comparing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is what matters next.
Will this fit my bike rack?
As noted previously, it is marketed as having universal fitment capabilities for all styles of rear bicycle racks and includes attachment hardware, but since all racks are different sizes and shapes, measure yours prior to buying and expect potential difficulties on odd-shaped racks. It won't attach directly to your frame or seatpost.
Can it really carry 20kg?
While the structural integrity of the basket is capable of supporting it, your rack may not be able to support that kind of weight. Most rear racks are limited to approximately 25-55 pounds. Treat whichever value is smaller as your real limiting factor.
How does a loaded basket affect handling?
Quite noticeably. Adding 40+ pounds of weight immediately aft of your rear axle causes both reduced steering effort and vagueness in handling of your bike -- particularly in corners and when applying forceful braking inputs. Place your heaviest items near the bottom of the basket and as close as possible towards the center-line of the basket, and drive more cautiously than normal.
Is the tail light an actual light?
No, it is simply a reflector incorporated into the rear of the basket and requires headlight illumination from another vehicle in order to function. Use an active battery-powered light for your rear position lighting instead, and ensure that it is visible through openings created by your rack-mounted basket.
Does the folding mechanism hold up?
Although described as quickly unfolding in listings for this product, there is also explicit warning concerning carelessness during unfolding, indicating a certain degree of mechanical tension exists within this mechanism, i.e., sufficient mechanical energy such that it could potentially catch a careless user's fingers if they're not careful. Folded components on any accessory produced on an extremely low-budget basis tend to fail mechanically rapidly. Keep pivoting points lubricated and free-of-grit debris and it should continue functioning properly.
Can I use it off the bike?
You can check the Aikolesa price on Amazon if this matches your build.
Yes, this basket is removable from its mounts, allowing it to serve as either an independent storage container, or as a carry-basket for transporting items between your bike location and doorway. This ability-to-detach represents one aspect of this product that truly provides utility.
See how it stacks against the rest in the comparison table, or browse more hands-on reviews.