The PMKBVI rear bike basket combines the entire weather package (elastic cargo net and waterproof cover) along with the 20.4 l wire-basked cargo area, and has an overall 4.2-star average across 262+ buyer reviews. And the number of buyers is important here - 262 reviews represents a statistically significant sample, whereas if we had just 10 or 50 reviews, the rating could easily represent a "lucky" sample.
Capacity and Build
20 liters provides ample space to carry your daily essentials such as groceries, gym gear, etc. Or to pack up your commuter pile. While the build is made from typical steel-wire material used in the basket class, the addition of the included cargo-net and waterproof cover elevate this basket above bare-bone offerings in its class. The cargo-net will tightly wrap around the entirety of your load and the waterproof cover protects your load from the elements.
With an overall rating of 4.2 stars based upon 262+ customer reviews, the distribution of ratings among customers reflects the mid-tier performance of the basket class. Most customers were pleased with their purchases, some reported minor issues with either the finish or fitment, however structural issues were infrequent enough to qualify as statistical anomalies.
On the Bike
Installation involves attaching the basket using the same bolt-pattern as other value baskets, therefore installation should take no longer than 10 minutes and utilizing a wrench. Additionally, since this basket was designed to be mounted permanently to your ebike, there is little to worry about related to theft.
Since this basket mounts below your rear wheel, it keeps your center of gravity relatively high during transportation. On most utility ebikes with rear-mounted racks, the footprint of the basket is wide enough to accommodate your ebike without additional adapters.
As stated previously, Twenty-five pounds is considered the maximum safe amount of weight that should be placed within the basket.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
While the cargo-net is ideal for securing lightweight, bulky items inside of your basket, the waterproof cover allows you to protect those items from inclement weather. Between these two accessories, they allow you to handle almost every conceivable situation for daily commuting.
Who Is This For
Based upon the 262+ customer reviews and average rating of 4.2 stars, customers appreciate receiving the cargo-net and waterproof cover bundled with the basket. Commonly mentioned concerns regarding the basket include having to pull the cover taut to ensure it remains secure over a fully-loaded basket and normal wear-and-tear at contact areas. Fortunately for budget-conscious buyers, catastrophic failures are extremely rare within the review record, which aligns with a welded steel-wire design being nearly impossible to break.
Sizing It Against the Alternatives
Targeted towards riders seeking a complete bundle (basket, cargo-net, waterproof cover), at the least expensive possible price point. If you consistently transport wet items and want protection for them, purchasing this bundle will eliminate the necessity for buying additional products.
If you require to frequently remove the basket for entry into stores, consider spending a bit more money on a quick-release option.
Browse all options using our basket and cargo table.
Long-Term Ownership Notes
In terms of comparison to similar products (such as CXWXC), this product competes primarily based upon capacity, mounting method and price. Both offer a bundle including cargo-net and waterproof cover. Both are strong performers based upon reviews. This product carries slightly less volume than CXWXC and is mounted with a fixed bolt pattern as opposed to CXWXC's quick-release system. Overall, this product presents a coherent position relative to CXWXC as opposed to a compromised offering.
The Verdict
With 262+ customer reviews averaging 4.2-stars, this product enjoys an advantage over its cheaper competitors due to statistical credibility. With such a large group of customers providing feedback, the fact that structural failures occur rarely indicates that this is a meaningful indicator as opposed to merely good fortune based upon sampling limitations. Also worth noting is that customer reviews span several years indicating long-term durability testing capabilities that new products cannot claim.
Net and Cover Technique
The main difference between products is whether you receive accessories as part of the product or simply raw-cost savings. In other words, a bare-wire basket will likely be less costly, however once you add accessories (cargo-net + waterproof cover) you have closed the usability gap between products that otherwise create frustration for users in genuine weather conditions. Users living in arid environments can skip adding accessories and realize cost-savings. However users in actual weather conditions will find that paying for the accessories will pay for themselves after the first rainy commute.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, the fixed mounting configuration of this product mirrors common usage patterns associated with maintenance: bolts lose torque due to vibrations on an annual basis, applying thread-locker at installation eliminates that concern. Coatings normally wear away at contact locations because of rubber shims applied to avoid damage to coatings. None of these are brand-specific considerations - they are simply owner-usage physics of coated steel wire.
While it is expected that the waterproof cover will experience the shortest service-life of any accessory exposed to UV radiation (usually lasting 1-2 seasons of heavy use), generic replacement covers continue to be inexpensive and readily available. Owners wishing to maximize longevity can store the cover dry until needed, thereby doubling the useful life expectancy of the cover.
While it is anticipated that the elastic cargo-net will survive far longer than the waterproof cover (with elasticity ultimately breaking down after thousands of repeated stretch cycles), replacement nets are essentially commodity-products. The design of this cargo-net features numerous attachment points allowing even after elasticity fails, it continues to function.
How tight is the waterproof cover?
Based upon its position in the table and its inclusion of all accessories (bundle), combined with a review history long-enough to establish credibility, this basket earns its place in this table.
The PMKBVI basket's ability to deliver on its promise of delivering what it advertises has been demonstrated by its 262+ buyer reviews (average = 4.2 stars). The included accessories (cargo-net and waterproof cover) provide solutions to two major pain-points experienced by consumers in this product-class. The fixed-mount of this basket is well-suited for permanent installations. Overall, this basket performs as promised in relation to budget-commuter riders requiring an all-weather solution.
Does the cargo net come with hooks?
There exist specific techniques for each included accessory that separate frictionless daily-use from unnecessary wrestling with your belongings. To make proper use of the cargo-net: hook two opposing corners first followed by subsequent hooks rotating around your load (which disperses tension equally throughout your load rather than concentrating pressure on the very first hooked item). There exists considerable disparity in how much stress is generated by a poorly-tensioned cargo-net vs. A properly-tensioned one. When using the waterproof-cover correctly: apply it from rearward edge to forward edge so that water runs off the rearward edge rather than accumulating against your load. The snug fit mentioned by reviewers requires practice for initial use only - loading your basket into its native shape as opposed to piling items above the basket rim prevents excess strain on both the seam(s) of your waterproof cover and on your items stored within your basket.
Between these two included accessories, they provide solutions for both scenarios: dry commutes necessitating rapid loading/unloading (cargo-net alone) wet commutes where safety trumps speed (waterproof cover alone) full-weather commutes where you wish to carry all essential items safely (both cargo-net and waterproof cover).
Purchasing a full suite of products from day #1 is exactly what this bundle's value-proposition provides - owning all products necessary for maximizing usability immediately.
Will it fit my ebike's rear rack?
What is the real weight capacity?
It will be quite snug by design - as snug as possible. You'll need to apply considerably more force to get it to install over a fully loaded basket - something that reviewers mentioned often.
Can I leave the cover on while riding?
Yes - the elastic nets include hooks that catch onto multiple points on your wire-frame basket.
How does it compare to the CXWXC?
On most utility ebikes equipped with rear-mounted racks, you'll find that the foot-print of this basket is sufficiently wide to accommodate your ebike's rack-spacing requirements without needing additional adapters. However certain unusual deck layouts might require shims.
maximum safe load?
25 lbs is generally accepted as the reasonable safe maximum weight capacity for this type of basket.
may i leave the waterproof-cover installed on my ebike during operation?
Yes - provided your load underneath fills out your basket, it will remain securely attached while traveling at speeds typical of ebikes.
how does this product compare to the CXWXC?
Both are identical bundles. This product has slightly less storage capacity. This product has a fixed mounting bracket as opposed to CXWXC's quick release bracket. And typically priced lower than CXWXC.
See how the rest of the category stacks up on the basket and cargo comparison table, and browse more reviews and guides.