Hi, this is Pam and Gilbert of 2 bikes 4 Adventure.
It's convenient to run errands with our Bromptons and one of our favorite chores is shopping
for groceries. Of course, with the Brompton, we don't have to worry about leaving it outside.
We can either put the folded bike in a shopping cart or wheel it around the store.
Carrying our food home is simple too, with a basket that clicks onto the carrier block.
Basket bags, being both spacious and affordable have a great price per volume ratio compared
to other Brompton compatible bags. We're going to compare two basket style bags,
the Brompton basket, called the Borough basket bag, and the new Wotancraft pioneer basket bag.
Recently Brompton partnered with another British institution, Liberty Fabrics, to offer limited
editions of colorfully patterned versions of their traditional gray bags. The functionality remains
identical although the Gray Borough Basket is made of 1000D Cordura fabric as opposed to the Liberty
which is a mix of 600D Polyester for the pattern fabric and 1000D Cordura on the back of the bag.
The grey model is classic while the Liberty collection is more trendy as the fabric changes
frequently. This particular pattern came out in July 2020 and two other additions have
been released since then. The bag is 40 by 30 by 20 centimeters and has a capacity of 23 litres.
The structure is designed around a removable standard Brompton carrier frame,
compatible with all handlebar types, plus a forward brace.
The carry handle mechanism closes the top opening when carried off the bicycle.
Side straps that cinch with easy to use cam-locks provide further security. The basket interior is
lined with nylon. Within the main compartment, there is a glove friendly zippered pocket
that can be used to store items like phone, wallet or sunglasses. A webbing around the perimeter can
be used to attach small items (carabiner not supplied). There are no outside pockets.
The Pioneer Basket bag is part of a series released in 2021 in Wotancraft's distinctive
Vintage style. Its skeleton is the same standard frame and forward brace as the Borough basket bag,
and it has a similar internal volume as well as a zippered pocket. The Pioneer Basket's side
cinch straps are convenient but a little more fiddly than the Borough's cam-lock.
It has two large handles to conveniently carry it off the bike, and an optional padded shoulder strap.
Where the design diverges significantly from other baskets is its embedded roll-top cover.
This cover protects the contents from rain, and can also be used to extend the capacity. Side buckles
can be adjusted to accommodate the top cover depending on the volume required, a nice touch
compared to certain roll-top bags whose buckles are fixed in length. Another major discriminator
is the capability to add external accessories like water bottle holders and zippered pockets, which
can elevate a simple grocery bag into something more closely resembling a customized touring bag.
We'll compare these two bags according to the criteria we used in a previous video.
We'll score each feature with 0, 1/2 or 1 point.
Both bags offer ample capacity. The Borough's clever shoulder strap compression mechanism somewhat
adjusts the volume to the cargo being carried. It is no match however to the expandability offered
by the Wotancraft integrated roll-top feature. In all cases however, we have to be careful not
to exceed the 10 Kg front luggage block limit. Both bags weigh about 1 Kg empty.
When installed on the bike both, allow easy access to the contents, however the Borough's
integrated straps slightly restrict the top opening. When carried on the shoulder, the Borough
has a tendency to close which could make access more difficult. The Pioneer's sturdy handles and
no twist shoulder strap are more comfortable than the Borough. Both provide external attach points.
Both include an internal zippered pocket large enough for a mobile phone and wallet. The Pioneer
pocket can be accessed from outside the bag when the roll top is used. Its zipper pull is not as
glove friendly as the Borough. The Pioneer can accommodate a range of compatible external pockets
but at additional cost. Both are treated with a water resistant coating and do not come with a
rain cover. We give half point to the Pioneer for its roll-top that can help protect the contents.
The Polyester used on the Liberty and the 500D Cordura of the Pioneer model are less abrasion
resistant than the grey Borough's 1000D Cordura. The Pioneer's integrated cover provides superior
protection for the contents, but the bottom of the bag is a single layer of 500D Cordura fabric
while the Borough has an additional nylon lining. The base prices are similar for the grey Borough and
the Wotancraft Pioneer, but the Pioneer doesn't include the skeleton frame nor the shoulder strap.
Note that the Liberty print basket comes at a higher price than the gray.
Full point for the Borough gray. The difference can be alleviated somewhat:
Wotancraft accessories are compatible between bags, so we just use the ones we already own. Also,
we could use a Carrier Frame from another Brompton compatible bag (either an older S-frame or a newer
frame) to save on the initial purchase, and omit the forward brace without compromising functionality.
With a multitude of colors available, there's likely one to suit all tastes.
We prefer the Vintage adventure travel style, particularly the khaki version, but understand the
appeal of a more colorful option. We'll call this a draw. In our comparison, each factor is only worth
one point, but your decision matrix may weigh some features more highly such as appearance or price.
The Borough Basket Bag is one of the most cost efficient bags on the market, whereas the Pioneer
is pricier depending on options. The Pioneer's modular design allows reuse of various components
across multiple scenarios, from local grocery shopping to overseas trips, which can reduce cost
per use. While not a touring bag per se, it could easily be used as one if properly accessorized.
We hope that running errands is more fun for you when you do it on a folding bike.
We wish to thank Wotancraft in Taiwan and our favorite Montreal bike shop,
Dumoulin Bicyclettes for their assistance in the production of this honest evaluation.