Front rack for a bicycle: types, features, recommendations for choosing

Every bicycle lover knows that a ride on this type of transport is a lot of pleasure. And you don't have to be a bike tourist and get out somewhere in the mountains. An ordinary walk around the city and its environs will bring no less positive emotions. However, over time, we begin to realize that riding with a heavy backpack over our shoulders is not so pleasant. In addition, the back gets very tired from the load. The ideal solution is to buy a bike rack, which provides an opportunity to increase the carrying capacity of a two-wheeled friend.

It is a great success to find this assortment among cycling goods. And often the front rack is offered in the form of baskets for transporting small items for touring bikes, rather than long trips. Many cycling enthusiasts find that a load placed in the front will interfere with steering. Although in some cases, such placement of the trunk becomes extremely beneficial.

There are not many offers for these bike mounts. Let's consider the most popular ones.

• Basket. This type of rack is ideal for city bikes. It can accommodate purchased products or things that require constant attention (gadget, camera, etc.). It is much safer to ride with such a bike rack. Packaged purchases do not need to be hung on the steering wheel, which, when driving, can fall into the spoke of the front wheel and lead to a fall or simply burst during movement.Due to its practicality, the basket is widely used on ladies' bicycles.

• Pet baskets. They began to gain particular popularity among owners of dogs, cats and other medium-sized animals. Such a device can make an ordinary walk or a whole bike tour especially enjoyable and interesting.

• Fork-mounted bike rack... Among other types of front racks for bicycles, the most common. Both a bag and a basket can be fixed on it.

• For side bags. This type of rack is widely used by cyclists who make long journeys. Since these hikes require a lot of food and provisions, such front racks are appropriate. However, you can place no more than 7 kg. Also, this placement of the load allows you to reduce the overall center of mass of the bike, improving its handling and stability while riding.

• V-Brake type trunk. Suitable for those bicycles that have holes for mounting a fender and rim (disc) brakes. Such a system is installed using bolts. The main thing is to consider the size of the wheels.

The main feature of the front bike racks is type of attachment. Namely, the load on the suspension fork is increased. The fastening must be secured so that both the luggage is securely fastened and the fork works. It so happens that very few holes are missing to securely fix the system. Experienced cyclists use additional brackets or clamps, having previously placed a rubber gasket under the frame to avoid damaging it.

Experienced cyclists know that from such an arrangement of the structure, maneuverability suffers greatly, and the view under the wheel is almost completely lost. The use of such a bicycle accessory requires a certain amount of experience in driving. If you are a beginner, do not overload the front wheel with a load.

The front bike rack is ideal for those looking to travel miles on a flat road. By fixing this on a mountain bike, you can avoid falls if you have to climb a mountain.

These models are designed for maximum comfort and have the ability to carry bulky luggage. These bikes are preferred by those who is making a multi-day long-distance trip.

Take this bike accessory seriously enough and be guided by your personal preference. Going on a trip, you must be 100% convinced of the reliability of the fastenings of the structures. The selected luggage system must withstand the required load and not break the bike. At the front, roof racks are usually bolted or strapped to the fork. Ideal when the purchased bike already has a fixed trunk. However, this pleasure is very rare.

When choosing a design, take into account several important points.

• Be sure to take your "war horse" with you. This approach will allow you to choose the optimal model of the trunk for the bike.
• What kind of brake system: disc or rim.
• Estimated load.
• The trunk must be strong and lightweight.
• The width of the structure should be as close as possible to the size of the bike bag.
• Reliability of fasteners, the presence of clamps for the load is welcome.
• Prefer a collapsible device over a one-piece
• Pay attention to protecting the wheel spokes from bags.

Of particular importance is the material from which the roof racks are made. The lightest are aluminum and titanium (weight no more than 500 g). Steel is heavier (about 1 kg), there are also lighter options. Knowledgeable cyclists are more likely to choose steel or titanium structures. The first ones are presented by an affordable price and ease of repair.

You have to ride in different weather conditions, and if the steel trunk is made of low-quality raw materials, it will corrode over time. Titanium ones are the most expensive, however, they cannot be repaired or restored.

Today, there are a sufficient number of bicycle workshops offering services for the manufacture of individual luggage racks for a specific bicycle model. This option is the most correct one, allowing to solve the most pressing issues of strengthening or lightening the elements of the system.

When used correctly, items such as bike racks serve their owners faithfully for many years. Oftentimes, the weak link is hidden in the bindings. Bolts are often sheared off. Such a breakdown occurs due to loose bolts. Another malfunction is due to an incorrectly distributed load. The rack or other structural elements are bursting.

There are no problems with steel, you need a conventional welding machine, which cannot be said about aluminum ones. Titanium bike racks are much more difficult to break, and your grandchildren can get them.

The following video provides a detailed overview of the different bike basket models.