Bicycles are great for commuting because they require no gas, don’t get stuck in traffic, and help you stay in shape too. The main downside to riding a bike is the limited storage space. As a matter of fact, most bikes don’t have any storage at all. If you are commuting to class or work, you probably have at least one bag or backpack with you. A bike rack is a great accessory to install on your bike if you seek additional storage space. Here at JensonUSA, we have a wide selection of bike racks for you to choose from.

There are many types of bags and baskets that can attach to a rear bike rack. Panniers are one of the most popular accessories to attach to a rack. A pannier attaches to the top edge of the rack and hangs down over the side. A pannier can be installed on both sides of the rack to provide you with twice the amount of storage. Some bicycle rear racks feature two rods that run parallel and slightly below the top of the rack. These rods exist so you can attach panniers to them and still have full use of the top of the rack if you want to install a basket or top bag. Panniers are arguably better than a top bag or basket because they lay lower on either side of the rear wheel which provides a low center of gravity for the bike. This gives the bike better handling characteristics. This is only true though if you have panniers on both sides of the rack. If you only have one pannier on one side of the bike, the bike becomes unbalanced if you are carrying heavy items.

Sometimes a rear rack isn’t enough when you’re commuting or touring. A front bike rack can easily double the storage capacity of any commuter or touring bike and mounts over the front wheel. While they are not great for mountain bikes due to their suspension forks, a front bike rack is easy to install on just about any bike that has a compatible rigid fork. If you’re carrying heavier or larger items, a front rack for your bicycle is a much better option than a handlebar bag.

Before you purchase a front and rear rack for your bike, there are some things to take into consideration such as your bike frame size, wheel size, and whether or not your bike uses disc brakes. Most cargo racks tend to be size specific, meaning a rack that fits a small frame size will not fit well on a larger bike frame. Similarly, a rack that mounts on a 29” frame will most likely not fit on a 26” frame and since most racks, unfortunately, don’t have height adjustable legs, you’ll have to make sure you find a rack that is compatible with your particular frame size and wheel size.

Whether you’re commuting to work a few miles away, riding to your local grocery store to pick up some small items, or riding across the country, JensonUSA has some of the best bike racks for sale. If you have any questions about bike racks, hop on a call or chat with one of our expert Gear Advisors today at 888-880-3811. They are always happy to help you with any questions you may have. Keep Pedaling!