Front bike rack: types, features, selection recommendations

Every bike lover knows that a ride on such a transport is a lot of fun. And it’s not necessary to be a cyclist and get out into the mountains somewhere. A normal 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 your shoulders is not so pleasant. In addition, the back of the load is very tired. The ideal solution is to buy a bike carrier, which provides an opportunity to increase the load capacity of a two-wheeled friend.

Among the bicycle products, finding this assortment is a great success. And often the front trunk is offered in the form of baskets for transporting small items for pleasure bikes, rather than long trips. Many motorists believe that a load placed in front will interfere with steering control. Although in some cases, this placement of the trunk becomes extremely profitable.

There are not many offers for these bike mounts. Consider the most common.

• Basket. This type of boot is ideal for city bikes. You can place purchased products or things in it that require constant attention (gadget, camera, etc.). With such a bike carrier it is much safer to ride. Packed purchases do not need to be hung on the steering wheel, which during movement can fall into the spoke of the front wheel and cause it to fall or simply burst during movement.The basket is widely used due to practicality and on ladies' bicycles.

• Baskets for pets. They began to gain special popularity among owners of dogs, cats and other small animals. Such a device is able to make an ordinary walk or a whole bike tour especially pleasant and interesting.

• Bicycle carrier with fork mount. Among other types of front bicycle racks, the most common. On it you can fix both a bag and a basket.

• For side bags. This type of trunk is widely used by cyclists, making quite long trips. Since such trips require a lot of groceries 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 when riding.

• Trunk type V-Brake. Suitable for those bikes that have holes for attaching the wing and rim (disc) brakes. Such a system is installed using bolts. The main thing is to take into account the size of the wheels.

The main feature of the front bike racks is type of mount. Namely, the load on the suspension fork increases. The fastener must be fixed so that the luggage is fastened securely and the fork is working. It so happens that very few holes are missing to secure the system. Experienced cyclists additionally use brackets or clamps, having previously placed a rubber gasket under the frame, in order to avoid damage to it.

Experienced cyclists know that maneuverability is greatly affected by this arrangement of the structure, and the view under the wheel is almost completely lost. Using such a bicycle accessory requires a certain amount of driving experience. If you are a beginner, do not load the front wheel heavily.

The use of the front bike carrier is ideal for those who intend to travel many kilometers on a flat road. Having fixed such a design on a mountain bike, you will be able to avoid falls if you have to climb a mountain.

These models are designed for maximum comfort and have the ability to carry bulk luggage. Such bikes are preferred by those who commits a multi-day trip over long distances.

Take seriously enough the choice of this bicycle accessory and focus on your personal preferences. Going on a trip, you must be 100% convinced of the reliability of the fastenings of structures. The selected luggage system must withstand the required load and not break the bike. Ahead of the trunk, as a rule, are attached to the fork with bolts or clamps. Ideal when the purchased bike already has a fixed boot. However, this pleasure is a rarity.

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

• Be sure to bring your "war horse" with you. This approach will allow you to choose the optimal trunk model for the bike.
• Which brake system: disc or rim.
• Estimated load.
• The trunk should be strong and light.
• The width of the structure should maximize the size of the bike bag.
• Reliability of fastenings, the presence of clamps for cargo are welcome.
• Prefer a collapsible device over a solid device
• Pay attention to the protection of the wheel spokes from bags falling into them.

Of particular importance is the material from which the trunks are made. The lightest are aluminum and titanium (weight not more than 500 g). Heavier steel (about 1 kg), there are more lightweight options. Knowledgeable cyclists are more likely to choose steel or titanium structures. The first are represented by affordable price and ease of repair.

You have to ride in various weather conditions, and if the steel trunk is made of low-quality raw materials, it will corrode over time. Titanium - the most expensive, however, 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, allowing you to solve the most pressing issues of strengthening or facilitating system elements.

When used properly, items such as bike racks serve faithfully for their owners for many years. Often the weak link is hidden in the mounts. Very often bolts are cut off. This breakdown occurs due to loosely tightened bolts. Another malfunction is due to improperly distributed cargo. Bursting rack or other structural elements.

With steel problems do not arise, you will need a conventional welding machine, which can not be said about aluminum. It’s much more difficult to break the titanium bicycle racks; your grandchildren can get them.

The following video provides a detailed overview of different models of bicycle baskets.