Front Bike Rack Buying Guide – Front Mount Bicycle Rack

Avatar Tony on October 25, 2021

front bike rack

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The bicycle is one of the most invaluable modes of transportation to man. Not only does it improve your health but it can conveniently bring you from Point A to Point B without releasing toxic emissions. Of course, the bike is not perfect, it still has its own drawbacks, one of which is storage space.

Luckily, there is a way for you to transport items safely with your bicycle—adding a front bike rack. Now, it’s not as spacious as a trunk of a car but it can definitely get you to carry the smaller essentials. Here’s everything you need to know about front bike racks, some of the best ones in the market, plus a buying guide.

Contents

Advantages of a Front Bike Rack

There are a few ways you can carry cargo on a bicycle, and some might think that the rear is the perfect spot for that. However, you might be surprised to find out that the front bike rack is more ideal. Here are some of the advantages to using a front bike rack:

Stronger Wheel

Between the front and the rear wheel, the former is definitely the stronger one. It can also take up more weight as opposed to the back. So, it’s only logical to place your carriage in the front.

Better Stability

You won’t have trouble making turns even if you have quite a load on your bike, as long as it is on the front. You also have the option to have a lower rack or basket on the front.

Accessibility

Just imagine cruising through town only to find out half of your groceries have littered the streets. Having a basket on the front of your bike allows you to easily see your cargo. What’s more, you can rearrange things, add or take out items when with ease without having to get off of your seat.

The Best Front Bike Racks

If there’s a way to transport your bicycle from one point to another—the best bike rack for SUV—then, there’s also a way to transport groceries and other items with your bicycle. A front bike rack can be a vital part of your 2-wheeled vehicle. Check out our top front bike rack picks:

Origin8 Rush Messenger Front Basket Rack

Front Bike Racks Top 1
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One of the best things about the Origin8 Rush Messenger Front Basket Rack is that it comes with a U-lock. You can conveniently secure your bike on racks as you do your errands. This front rack can carry 55lbs, that’s a grocery haul that can probably last you for a week.

Whatever your bike may be, it will be easy to adjust the Origin8 Rush Messenger Front Basket Rack. This rack can be adjusted to fit 26” to 29” and even a 700cc. You just need to mount it onto the front axle and the caliper hole.

You can expect the Origin8 Rush Messenger Front Basket Rack to do its job. It is after all made from heavy-duty alloy. It also has a cargo net to keep goods intact.

  • Integrated U-lock
  • Comes with cargo net
  • Can handle up to 55lbs
  • Compatible with 700c, 26″, 27.5″, and 29″

Wald 135 Front Handlebar Bike Basket

Front Bike Racks Top 2
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Wald Sports is one of the most popular bike rack sellers in the US. Not only are their products reliable but they are quite affordable too. The Wald 135 Front Handlebar Bike Basket is no exception when it comes to its simplicity.

Just like the 133 basket model, this one is also easy to use and quite as easy to install as the 3133. The only difference with the Wald 135 Front Handlebar Bike Basket is that it has shorter mounts for the handlebars.

With a depth of 9 inches, it’ll be easy to use this basket for groceries, holding even a 6-pack canned drink. The Wald 135 Front Handlebar Bike Basket is made of alloy for durability and it comes in black, white, and silver finishes.

  • Made of alloy steel
  • Basket bottom measures 7″ x 12″
  • Easy to install
  • Same size as the Wald 133 and 3133

Thule Pack ‘n Pedal Tour Rack

Front Bike Racks Top 3
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Whether you have a mountain bike, a road bike, or a commuter, the Thule Pack ‘n Pedal Tour Rack will work on it. One of the best things about this rack is you can use it for the front or the back of your bike. What’s more, it has a patented mount attachment system for easy installation. You can remove the rack and mount without a hitch.

With the rubberized grips on the Thule Pack ‘n Pedal Tour Rack, you don’t have to worry about your bags falling off. The deck and rails of the rack can also be adjusted for ease of pedaling on the road.

The Thule Pack ‘n Pedal Tour Rack is made of strong aluminum and steel plus nylon. It can be used for bikes with tires up to 29″ x 2.5″.

  • Secured, patented attachment system
  • Can be used as either a front or rear rack
  • Has rubberized grips
  • Up to 29″ x 2.5″ tire clearance

Blackburn Local Basket Front/Rear Bike Rack

Front Bike Racks Top 4
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You don’t have to worry about where you should put your rack with the Blackburn Basket. This type of rack can be placed either on the front or rear of almost any bicycle, thanks to its swivel mounting hardware. The Blackburn brand has been in the industry since the 70s and continues to promise reliable and superior products.

The Blackburn Local Basket Front or Rear Bike Rack has an adjustable design and is also compatible with disk brakes, making it a good option no matter what type of bicycle you have. Installing Blackburn local racks is simple enough and should be the same with a basket.

You can carry up to 45lbs of groceries and goods with the Blackburn Local Basket Front or Rear Bike Rack. It also comes with a convenient cargo net.

  • Swivel mounting hardware
  • For front or back of bike
  • Disk brake-compatible
  • Up to 45lbs

Nitto M18 Front Rack

Front Bike Racks Top 5
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Japanese brand Nitto offers the M18 Front Rack. This Asian manufacturer is known for making bicycle parts, so you should expect the same level of quality from their racks. The rack is made from chromoly, also known as chrome alloy steel, which is actually stronger than the usual carbon steel and yet quite a light material.

The Nitto M18 Front Rack is quite impressive if you take into account its light weight—only 350g—and minimalist design. You can put bags and other stuff up to 5kg on this rack. Or you might as well put a regular basket on top of it.

You can easily attach the Nitto M18 Front Rack to your bike. It has a clamp that can be used for a 22mm oval or 20mm round fork blade.

  • Made of Chromoly
  • Up to 5kg capacity
  • Weighs only 350g
  • Sleek, minimalist design

Rambo Bikes Front Luggage Gear Rack

Front Bike Racks Top 6
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Rambo Bikes, established in 2015, is known for its hunting ebikes. Of course, they also make the parts that go with their bicycles, including the Rambo Bikes Front Luggage Gear Rack. This luggage rack is extra sturdy and is reinforced with aluminum alloy.

You can use the Rambo Bikes Front Luggage Gear Rack with bike models with rigid front forks. This includes bikes with 24” to 26” tires. Even with a large design, this rack is only 2.4lbs. You can definitely take it with you on rough roads and not have to worry about your cargo.

The Rambo Bikes Front Luggage Gear Rack is a tie-down storage. You can place a basket on it or make sure to have bungee cords or cargo nets with it.

  • Made with aluminum alloy
  • Designed for Rambo Bikes
  • Lightweight
  • Extra-large design

Tubus Duo Lowrider Pannier Rack

Front Bike Racks Top 7
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The Tubus Duo is a specific rack that is designed especially for bicycles that have inside and outside eyelets. It can be used for bicycles that don’t have eyelets and only have carbon forks or springs. This rack is from German Brand Tubus, which has been in the bicycle industry since the 80s.

The exceptional design of the Tubus Duo Lowrider Pannier Rack promises increased flexibility and an optimal fit, thanks to its longitudinal hole. Despite its small appearance and unique shape, you’ll be surprised that this rack can carry up to 15kg of weight.

The Tubus Duo weighs less than a kilogram, so it won’t add up to your bike’s weight. It can fit on bikes with 26” or 28” wheels.

  • Designed for bikes with inside/outside eyelets
  • For 26” & 28”
  • Can handle up to 15kg
  • Comes with a longitudinal hole

Front Bike Rack Buying Guide

When it comes to finding the right front bike rack, there are several things you need to consider. After all, not all bike racks and bicycles are built the same. Some are compatible with one type while others are not. Here are some of the factors you need to think about when picking a front bike rack:

Bike Type

What kind of bike do you own? Will you just be buying one or already have one at home? It’s important to find out the frame as well as the tire size of your bike as these are essential in picking out a rack.

Front Rack Type

There are actually several rack types for the front of the bike that is available in the market. There are low riders and panniers. You might also be interested in dual-racks, which can be used for both the front and the back. Find out the type of rack that you will be most comfortable using as you ride your bike

Weight

As you know, weight distribution in bikes is very important, and adding cargo will definitely change this up. The heavier the load, the harder it may be to ride your bike. Of course, there is a way to make things easier, by simply picking out the right bike rack.

If you plan on using your bike for getting the groceries, then it’s best to invest in heavy-duty racks. However, if you just plan on using your bike rack for your phone or water bottle, then a cheaper one might do.

Installation and Removal

This is a point of confusion for a lot of bike owners. Make sure that the front bike rack that you will buy has clear instructions on how to install and remove it. Even better if there are videos or customer support available as not all manuals can be as helpful, especially for first-time bike rack buyers.

There are some bike racks that come with a mount so you can easily place your rack whenever. Some bike racks become more of a permanent fixture, so you need to be sure of the rack before installing.

Aesthetics

When it comes to functionality, aesthetics isn’t really a priority for bike racks. However, if you want to keep a certain look for your bike, then consider the aesthetics, too. Imagine having a rad-looking, black bike with huge wheels and then installing a dainty, white wire basket to the front.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to understand that not all front bike racks have a universal fit. Most of the time, bike racks will only be compatible with a certain type of bicycle or a tire size. When you purchase a front bike rack, you need to make sure that it’s user-friendly. Unless of course, you know someone who can properly install and remove it for you.

Front bike racks are a valuable addition to any bicycle. You can carry more groceries, unload your back from your bag during long rides, and more.