Can You Put a Basket on a Mountain Bike?
A basket on a bicycle looks good, sure, but it’s also functional, acting as a method of storage. You own a mountain bike, and you recognize it’s not the most conventional choice for a basket, but you’re still interested in one anyway. Can you put a basket on a mountain bike?
If your mountain bike doesn’t have an advanced suspension system, then yes, you can outfit it with a basket on either the front or the rear. If the basket were to interfere with the suspension system, then it could prevent the shocks or strut supports from properly working.
Ahead, I’ll talk further about the nuances of installing a basket on a mountain bike, as the type of bike you have and the type of basket do affect things significantly. Keep reading!
Can You Put a Basket on a Mountain Bike? All Your Mounting Options
Not all mountain bikes are the same style. If yours is a rigid mountain bike, then you don’t have a suspension system. This gives you the most options for adding a basket, be that at the front or rear of your bike.
If yours is a full-suspension bike, which is the polar opposite of a rigid mountain bike, then you can still install a basket, but you have fewer options.
What if you own a front-suspension mountain bike? Again, you don’t get as many options as with a rigid mountain bike, but you can still install a basket.
Now let’s go over the types of baskets you might choose for your mountain bike, including both front and rear mounting options.
Handlebar Basket
I’ll begin with what is to many the most traditional example of a bike basket, and that’s the classic handlebar basket.
As the name implies, a handlebar basket is designed to attach to a bicycle’s handlebars.
Since the handlebars don’t in any way involve your mountain bike’s suspension system, whether your mountain bike has some degree of suspension, no suspension, or full suspension, a handlebar basket is still a viable choice.
However, you will have to do a lot of research to find the right handlebar basket. The reason? The clamps of these baskets are traditionally made for normal bikes with handlebars measuring about 31.8 millimeters.
The basket clamps might be too narrow for your mountain bike, so ensure you buy clamps that are larger than 31.8 millimeters or you’re wasting your time.
Front Basket with Struts
Your next option for adding a basket to a mountain bike is a front basket with strut attachments. These attachments are designed to fit onto the front fork of the bike, and if not there, then the axle.
If your mountain bike doesn’t have fork eyelets, then installing this style of basket can be impossible.
I also wouldn’t recommend a front basket with struts for those mountain bikes with a front suspension system. The reason? The basket and suspension will surely interact with one another as you pedal.
You could end up with broken struts or even a broken suspension system for your troubles!
Seat-Post Rack
Who says all baskets have to go on the front of the bike?
A rear basket might be attached to a rack and then mounted that way. It’s best if your mountain bike has rear eyelets, as that will make for easier installation, but the eyelets aren’t a requirement like they are with a front basket with strut attachments.
Seat-post racks are a rear basket option that works especially well with full-suspension mountain bikes. However, your bike can end up bottom-heavy with one of these baskets, and seat-post racks aren’t very large, either.
Rear Wheel Axle Basket
Baskets that attach to the rear wheel axle are another option for your mountain bike.
The support legs of this style of rack can get in the way sometimes, especially when you have to detach the rear wheel for a tire change. Keep that in mind before you install this basket.
Seat-Stay Rack
The last rear basket option for a mountain bike is the seat-stay rack. This rack includes a series of clamps that hold onto your mountain bike’s seat stays.
Front Bike Rack
Lastly, you might consider a front bike rack. Not compatible with front-suspension mountain bikes, a front bike rack slots onto the bike’s front forks. That should grant your suspension system all the room it needs to move even with a basket mounted.
The Benefits of Having a Basket on a Mountain Bike
Is your appetite whetted and you’re thinking more seriously than ever about installing a basket on your mountain bike? Make sure you read this section and the next, as I’ll go over the pros and cons of your decision.
More Storage
Storage is a beautiful thing, isn’t it? Yet there’s not enough of it when riding a mountain bike.
Sure, you could strap a backpack over your shoulders, but that doesn’t make you as steady as you should be on your bike.
A basket affords you the storage you desire without the risk of making you topple off your bike. You’ll be able to store small essentials like a tire pressure gauge, a pair of earbuds, your smartphone, your keys, or your wallet.
Usually Easy to Install
If you buy a mountain bike basket that’s compatible with your bike based on the type of suspension you use, then the basket should slot onto the bike easily enough.
You might need some tools like a wrench or screwdriver, but you won’t be wrestling with the basket for hours trying to install it.
Some Options Have a Good Weight Capacity
Front rack attachments especially are known for their impressive weight capacity. One of these baskets might be able to hold up to 20 pounds of gear.
Even baskets that aren’t as storage-hardy can carry 11 pounds. If you’re just bringing the basics like I talked about before, then that’s more than enough weight.
The Downsides of Having a Basket on a Mountain Bike
It’s only fair to assess the issues with attaching a basket to a mountain bike, so let’s do that now.
You May Have Limited Options
To reiterate from before, your mountain bike lacks a suspension system, then you’re afforded the most bike basket options. Those mountain bikes with some or full suspension systems have the least options.
It’s not like you can try to finagle a solution with a basket if you have a full suspension system. Your mountain bike’s suspension simply will not work because the basket gets in the way.
You also risk other parts of the bike failing or snapping off, so it’s not worth trying to push something that very clearly will not work.
A Basket Makes Your Mountain Bike Heavier
Mountain bikes aren’t the lightest bike on the block, but they’re not overly heavy either. Well, until you add a basket to your bike, then that changes.
For however many pounds of storage capacity the basket grants you, you have to add that weight to your overall mountain bike total.
A heavier bike is not the most conducive to riding. Pedaling on level terrain will be a challenge, but ascending hills will be even more arduous.
If you like off-roading on your mountain bike, you could also find that crossing the various terrains is incredibly challenging due to the additional weight.
A Basket Can Also Throw Off Your Bike’s Weight Distribution
There’s one more issue with outfitting your mountain bike with a basket, even if the basket is suited to your mountain bike and its suspension system (or lack thereof). That’s weight distribution.
Whether you choose a front or rear basket, weight distribution issues can arise. If your bike is heavier in the front, then you might find that your steering and handling of the bike aren’t as good as they could be.
That’s a scary situation to be in, as you might not be able to turn or otherwise maneuver away from danger in time.
If you add a rear basket to your mountain bike, then your bike becomes bottom-heavy, which I touched on before. This can also negatively affect your handling, making it harder to control your bike.
Conclusion
Putting a basket on your mountain bike is a great way to increase your storage capacity and make riding your bike more enjoyable.
If your mountain bike has no suspension system, then any type of bike basket, rear or front-mounted baskets, is usually applicable.
For those mountain bikes with suspension systems, you’ll have to be a lot choosier so your basket and suspension don’t collide!
