Mountain Equipment Co-op Ratings and Reviews
Product Reviews
Swagman Phatt Folding Basket
A handy basket that rides on your pannier rack and unfolds to provide an extra 5L of carrying capacity when you need it.
Average Customer Rating:
3.3
out of 5
0 out of 1(0%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Phatt Folding Basket
Review 1 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
Effectiveness:
3
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
By:Travellingman
Location: Edmonton, AB
Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist
MEC MEMBER
Not Durable
Date: December 8, 2009
My wife likes these much more than panniers for general hauling because she can easily load grocery bags, purse, laptop bag, etc. I don't like them because they are not heavy duty enough...I have to fix/reinforce/replace them at a rate of about one every two years. Almost always it is the bottom floor that gives out. Don't know what weight they are rated for, but they should be improved to handle at least moderate amounts of weight (e.g. heavy-ish bag of groceries) carried over many trips under typical street conditions. I'd pay for a really good sturdy solution here. The other comment I'd have is that they do need some TLC when mounting them to ensure good heel clearance and relatively quiet operation (wrapping contact points with inner tube scraps works reasonably well). Finally, don't even bother with the closed position latch, just use a bungy - which has the side effect of holding things under tension for a quieter ride.
Pros: Simple, Convenient, theft proof
Cons: Flimsy, pricey for the quality level
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Review 2 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:BEERBIKER
Location: Ottawa ON
VERIFIED REVIEWER
Yeah it has drawbacks, but for [$]GREAT
Date: June 5, 2009
Yes your heal hits - move it back a bit, yes the top clip is in the wrong spot - just move it over - or use a bungee cord, yes the bottom clip needs reinforcement. Yes the hardware sucks, so use a hose clamp. But you can fold it out of the way, its always there. I had a similar thing 20 years ago and its quality was half as good as it was too narrow and this one carries a 12 PACK OF BEER! What more do you want! :) (I haven't tried a 24 standing up yet ... but it can't drink that much on one ride anyways :)
Pros: Easy to Use, Versatile, Lightweight
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Review 3 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:marc
Location: Montreal
MEC MEMBER
may not work for mountain bike
Date: May 26, 2009
I installed this on my mountain bike and found that my heels would come in contact with the basket. Make sure your rack allows this to be installed towards the back of the bike, away from the feet. Probably OK for most people wearing a shoe size of 9 or smaller. Installing permanently open on the top of the rack is another option that solves this problem.
A low tech product that is cheap enough to leave on bike without worrying about theft.
Pros: Durable, Versatile
Cons: A bit clumsy, Bulky, Tough to Install
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Paula the Cycle Commuter
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
MEC MEMBER
Good basket, not as sturdy as I'd like t
Date: April 30, 2009
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The basket is a great idea, but the durability on it isn't what I'd like it to be. Some parts just aren't engineered that well. For example, the bottom floor has the part holding it up welded on top instead of on bottom. Something that simple means that weight starts to push it apart when something presses on the floor. I wish the manufacturer would just change that and make some of the other hardware a bit heavier duty, and things would be great.
Pros: Lightweight, Versatile, Easy to Use
Cons: Weak
1 of 1 found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:bike guy
Location: toronto
pretty good
Date: January 23, 2009
I wouldn't put these on my sporty bike, but I have them on my city bike, and they're great. I would have bought a set years ago if I'd known how useful they are.
Others have mentioned their drawbacks and I agree, they could be better, but the problems are easy enough to work around: a bungee stops any rattle when they're closed, a little clip through the tab on the bottom piece keeps it from opening up on bumps when the basket's full, or I just tie the shopping bag handles through the rack (or together across the rack if I have one in each basket) for security. A bit of waxy chain lube on the hinges and the catch keeps the moving parts moving and fends off rust.
It sounds like a bad review but the practicality far outweighs the problems. I don't have to remove them every time I stop like I do with panniers, they're always there when I need them for unplanned shopping stops, and they carry 25 pounds of groceries a lot more comfortably than a messenger bag. 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.
Pros: Durable, Easy to Use, Versatile
Cons: Could be better made, Heavy-ish
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Review 6 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:ohmman
Location: Chambers Bay, WA
MEC MEMBER
I like it
Date: December 5, 2008
This basket is really nice for shopping and going to school. It easily holds two 12 packs or a backback full of books. The installation instructions are not that good and I did not like the mounting hardware that came with it, so I used some hose clamps to mount it and also the clip that is suppose to keep it folded up or keep it open "sucks" so when I go over bumps it has folded up and came open. Now I use a bungy cord to either keep it open or closed. It may sound like it isn't that good but I have a bad back and it is very nice to cycle around without a backpack. I haved had the nylon type and they are real easy to take on and off, but I prefer this basket because it is so easy to drop stuff into it and it stays there.
Pros: Easy to Use
Cons: Instructions not so good
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Review 7 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Louis Bento
Location: Toronto, ON
VERIFIED REVIEWER
I'd pay more for something better
Date: July 3, 2008
This thing works fine despite some obvious design flaws. I really love being able to throw my backpack or a bag of books into the basket. Makes much more sense than panniers IMHO. Still, it looks and feels like a cheap painted steel. The hinges and catch are primitive as are the brackets that attach to the rack. Rusts quickly. Heavy. How about something light and well designed?
Pros: Easy to Use, Versatile
Cons: Bulky
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Review 8 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:Hank
Location: Newcastle, On
VERIFIED REVIEWER
Love the convience
Date: June 15, 2008
I bike to do my shopping and this could not be any easier. I put my cloth bags in and have never had a problem. Easy to use and no rattle.
Pros: Versatile, Lightweight, Easy to Use
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Review 9 for Phatt Folding Basket
Overall Rating:
out of
5
By:RockingSuburbs
Location: Toronto
MEC MEMBER
Rattles like a baby's toy
Date: June 3, 2008
You will hear every bump with this installed on the back. It is also a bit of a pain to unfold it.
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: rattles too much, Tough to Install, Weak
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