Bike racks are of great help under some circumstances. Of course, they add weight to our ride as a whole, but that is actually the main idea. They are quite handy when we need to transport something while cycling. Let’s ride along through this article to learn how to use them in a proper way.
When to Use a Rear Bike Rack
Bike racks are of great help when we need to transport things, and we either can’t take them in our backpacks, or they are too heavy to do so.
Imagine you are all set for a biking trip. You know you’ll be staying for at least a couple of nights, either at your destination or on your way to it.
Clothes, tools, food, and any other useful equipment, for example, a tent, need to be carried. You can use your bike rack, plus any other accessory, to do this in a comfortable, secure way.
If you have a baby, you can even fasten a baby seat to your bike rack. You would be able to ensure your little one’s safety even though he or she is constantly at your back.
Similarly, you could also attach a pet cage to your rear bike rack. Who doesn’t enjoy an outing with their pets?
What to Add to a Rear Bike Rack
There are quite a bunch of different customizations to add to your rear bike rack in order to maximize its function. Take into account that there are also different types of racks, so attaching these add-ons may require different methods, depending on the model.
One item that comes in quite handy is a pannier bag. There are two different styles, which include one or two bags.
The former is placed directly onto your bike rack and provides a lot of space for you to use and carry different items. The latter, although it is also attached directly to your bike rack, leaves two bags hanging on either side, thus doubling the space while maintaining balance.
If, on the other side, you need to carry food –because you work as a delivery person, or just because you need to do so-, a delivery box is also a useful feature to add to your bike rack. It is spacious, and its material helps the contents maintain a stable temperature for long periods of time.
How to Use a Rear Bike Rack
This video shows how to install a rear bike rack (Credits to velotique):
If you decide to get a rear bike rack for yourself, there’s something important for you to bear in mind, which is the correct installation. You certainly would not want the items you are carrying to be scattered all over the floor due to improper installation.
Most bikes allow racks to be attached to the rear axle. There are some holes for you to do so. They are located right above the rear axle nut. Make sure that both holes coincide on either side of the bike so that the rack is well balanced. Some racks can also be attached to the seat tube as well, so as to keep it correctly fastened.
Some bikes, on the contrary, do not have these holes. But don’t panic, though! There are some useful adapters or clamps that you can get in order to properly install your bike rack.