If you’re an avid cyclist then you’ll know that not all rear racks are the same. This means you need to make sure you install the right one for your bike. Bike rack accessories are also available to help you carry different loads. Are you wondering how to use a rear bike rack to get all the benefits of having one on your bicycle?
Would the one designed to carry cargo work well for carrying your child safely and comfortably? How about the bike rack for transporting your pet? Can you use any bike rack designed for the rear end of your bicycle?
To save you some confusion and to keep you safe on the road, we’re talking about how to use the best rear bike rack for your specific carrying needs. We’ll also take you through how to install the rack correctly and the type of accessories available.
Rear bike racks allow you to carry your backpack, pannier bags or even your toddler. You can transport your pets and carry your groceries, or even clothes when you decide to take a cycling trip. But, to ensure that you transport your cargo safely, you want to mount the rear bike rack correctly.
Most rear bike racks can be easily installed onto your bike. Before starting, make sure you have all the necessary hardware to do the job. This includes a screwdriver, Allen keys Trusted Source Hex key - Wikipedia A hex key or Allen key is a simple tool used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets in their heads. en.wikipedia.org and a wrench. Start by attaching the adjustable sliding arms to the underside of the rack. Ensure they’re not fastened too tightly as you want to be able to move them in and out when attaching to the saddle of your bike.
Now, attach the rack to your bike by aligning the rack’s mounting points with the rear dropout eyelets. You’ll locate these eyelets directly above your bike’s rear axle nut bolts. Once you’ve aligned the rack’s mounting holes to the bike’s eyelets, fix them into place with bolts. You can get these eyelet bolts from your local hardware or cycle store.
The next step is to level out the rack. You can do this by pivoting the rack at the eyelets until it’s level and parallel with the ground. Now, tighten the eyelet bolts further to prevent the rack from shifting.
Pull the adjustable arms to reach the seat’s stay mount. The holes on the end of the adjustable arms must align with the bolts of the seat stay. Tighten the seat stay bolts to securely fasten the rack to your bike. If there are no bolts on the seat stay, you can fasten the adjustable arms using clamps, also available from your local hardware.
Your rear bike rack is now ready to be used to transport whatever it is you want to take with you the next time you go cycling.
You can use a number of accessories that can be attached to your rear bike rack. This makes transporting cargo safer and easier without impacting your ride. Accessories include bungee cords for fastening your cargo to the rack or an actual basket in which you can load your groceries or other similar items.
A pannier bag designed to be attached to bicycle rack is a great accessory for carrying a range of items. You can also get accessories that can be attached your bicycle for safe riding with your child or pet.
Taillight or reflectors are other useful accessories to add to your rear bike rack especially if you’re riding under dim or dark conditions.
Another type of bike rack is the accessory used to transport your actual bicycle safely on the rear end of your car. Different bike racks can be used depending on the way you want to transport your bicycle:
Once your rear bike rack is correctly installed onto your bike, you can use it for a number of reasons. These racks have changed the way bike commuters travel, simplifying the process of transporting goods. But, how to use the rear bike racks safely is essential especially if you don’t want your goods damaged or your ride becomes unstable.
Rear bike racks such as the Ibera All Genders are designed to carry both heavier side and top loads. It’s adjustable to fit most bike frames and ideal for panniers, backpacks and other types of bags.
By getting the right accessories, your rack becomes versatile. It can easily transport loads of up to 110 pounds as long as you’re using it correctly. However, if you’re using the rack as it is, you’ll be limited to carrying only smaller items. Some racks come with a spring clamp which allows you to simply load up one or two small items.
If you don’t like to ride with your backpack on your back, you can attach it directly to your bike rack. The best accessory for converting the rack into a backpack carrier are bungee cords. These can be used to safely secure your backpack without it wobbling around during your ride.
To use bungee cords, you have two ways of transporting your backpack on your bike:
When carrying your backpack directly on the rack, always make sure there are no dangling parts that could get caught up in the wheel.
A pannier holder has to be one of the most convenient ways of transporting most items when you’re commuting on your bike. A pannier bag such as the WATERFLY Bike Pannier is designed to hold a range of goods including sensitive items such as a laptop or camera. With its water-resistant, durable materials, you can rest assured your goods are safe even when riding in the rain.
Pannier bags are nifty containers and can either come with one bag or two. They’re easy to use on a bike. A single pannier bag is normally attached directly to the bike rack. A double pannier bag is attached by looping them over and fastening to the bike rack. The design will allow you to ride safely without feeling off-balanced at any time.
Do you enjoy taking your young child riding with you? Children love to hitch a ride with their parents and with the right accessories you can take them along on your bike safely. Most child bike carriers are designed to attach directly to your bike. Always look out for safety features such as quick-release harness, leg restraints, and cross bars to ensure your toddler is safe when riding with you.
The Schwinn Deluxe Bicycle Mounted Child Carrier offers all these features and is easy to attach to the rear of your bike. It’s also made with lightweight materials which is essential if you don’t want to get tired too quickly from carrying a heavier load on your bike! It’s advisable to never take a child weighing more than 40 pounds and always ensure the carrier is securely fastened according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Here’s a quick seat installation video:
A rear bike rack designed to transport your pets is the best option when you want to take your four-legged friend with you on your next ride. This type of rack is designed to attach to your seat post securely with a solid base for attaching either a basket or bag in which your pet travels.
You wouldn’t go wrong using the Universal Bike Pet Carrier which is easily but safely fastened to your bike’s seat post. It fits most types of bicycles with its universal design and can hold both a basket or a backpack comfortably. It’s recommended to only transport pets weighing up to 20 pounds for safe riding.
One of the best ways to transport groceries on your bike is to use a basket that is attached to your bicycle’s rear rack. Baskets give you plenty of room to carry all types of items and you can also take heavier loads without worrying about being unstable on your bike.
Baskets come in all shapes and sizes and can be attached either directly to your bike’s rack or hanging over the side. You can get baskets specifically designed to fit bike racks and they come with all the necessary attachment features. Or, you can use any basket and attach with cable ties to the rack.
Both pannier bags and baskets are ideal for holding clothes when you’re planning a bicycle trip. Trunk bags can also be used and these are attached directly to the bike rack. Another option is the backpack but if you’re planning to take more than one night’s change of clothing, opt for a basket or box with a lid.
If you only want to take a jersey, your rain jacket, or another piece of clothing, a spring clamp on the rack is a useful accessory for holding clothes securely.
A rear bike rack is one of the most useful accessories to have on your bicycle. And, when it’s installed correctly, you can have peace of mind whenever transporting a load. Your cargo will remain secure on your bike while you’re riding, whether commuting or for leisurely purposes.
Make sure you know how to use a rear bike rack so you and your cargo are safe whenever you’re out on the road cycling. Use the right accessories to get the full benefit of your bike rack.
Your daily bike commute has just become a whole lot easier with rear bike racks. And, the next time you want to take your toddler or pet along on your Sunday morning ride, attach the right carrier and off you go!
