If you are a cyclist, you must be aware that not all rear bike racks are similar. They are made in compatibility with the bikes. Although there is a difference in their construction, still, these different racks function almost the same way and can be used for multiple purposes.
If you are wondering and want to get the maximum benefit of your rear bike rack, read the following guide about uses of rear bike rack thoroughly.
How To Use a Rear Bike Rack? – Getting Started
To help you get the maximum out of your bike rack, here I am going to explain the advantages of a rear bike rack in detail to elaborate on how using a rear bike rack can increase the bike’s functionality and benefits.
1. Panniers and Backpack Rack
Pannier is the most common and basic way to use your rear bike rack. It makes it easy for you to carry your clothes, necessary items, camping gear, and much more with you from one place to another. Panniers increase the storage space of your rear rack and can hold a lot of essential things in it.
When you purchase panniers for your rear bike rack, you need to install them and installation of panniers is ultimately an effortless process.
This only includes attaching hooks, clips, or chords, whatever comes with your rack. These panniers are the most recommendable way to increase the storage of the bike rack because it not only organizes the things but also holds them securely.
Moreover, it keeps the balance of your bike, making it secure for you to ride even with lots of load and pressure.
2. Bike Rack as a Pet Carrier
While cycling, most of us want to carry our pet animals with us either to make our riding more enjoyable or giving our pets a pleasant visit outside. If you’re going to have fun with your pets outside your home, you can put your pet’s basket on the rear or front bike rack and can place your pet inside it.
Keep in mind to install it and tighten it properly before placing your pet in it. Now you can travel with your best friend without worrying about his safety and protection.
3. Bike Rack as a Child Seat
There are times when you have to take your child with you. In such scenarios having proper and safe transportation is essential. Nothing is better than your company for your child.
Keeping all of these in mind, the rear bike rack can also be used to keep your child with you. What you need to do is to install a child’s basket properly on your bike rack.
Make sure to recheck the safety concerns before putting your child in it. Now you can enjoy the most comfortable and safe riding with your child right at your back.
4. Baskets and Groceries Holders
Your rear bike rack can also provide you with the space to hold baskets and groceries. If you are planning to go on shopping and do not have enough space to accommodate lots of your shopping bags you can take your bike with you, that not only will provide you with the best transportation but also will be able to hold all of the shopping bags properly on its rear rack.
Moreover, you can also place the grocery basket on it and tighten it properly, which makes it possible for you to take lots of things with you from the market to home.
Frequently Asked Question
Are rear bike racks universal?
No, not all rear bike racks are compatible with all of the bikes. Make sure to select the one that is specifically made for the model of your bike. Otherwise, it is not worth purchasing. To make you clearer, consider an example of a bike with disc brakes. In such a case, your bike rack should also be compatible with the disc brakes. Always keep in mind to select the rack that is explicitly compatible with your bike.
Can a rear bike rack hold a person?
Most of the time, the rear bike racks can hold upto 40 lbs. of weight. It means a person under 20 kgs can sit on the rack if needed. You can carry a passenger if you want on your rear bike rack without any complications.
How to carry groceries on a bike without a rack?
You can buy metal baskets available in the market that are foldable and strong enough to carry a lot of weight from the grocery. Attach them on your bike and put your bag, handbag, shoppers, backpack, or other gears in it. Alternatively, you have the option to buy panniers. These panniers are slightly expensive but are more helpful than metal baskets. They are the saddlebags that clip to the rear bike rack.
Concluding Rear Bike Rack Uses
You can enhance the value of something by making it more beneficial than its general use. Bikes are generally used for transportation, but you can derive additional benefits by equipping them with a rear bike rack.
Rear bike rack not only helps you in carrying the passengers with you but also helps in the proper and safe placement of your backpack, handbags, grocery shoppers, pets, and your child’s seat. This means you can increase the worth of having a bike by making it more helpful in carrying all the essential daily gear with you from one place to another.
Hi, I’m Alexandra Betty, co-founder of OutdoorGearsHub.com! I am a cycling enthusiast and currently living in Waltham, Massachusetts. I love just about everything about the cycling industry, which is why I created this site! Combining my passion with my work has always been extremely important to me. Feel free to reach out, leave comments, or recommend improvements to the site and its content so we can help you improve your cycling experience!
I am on a mission to enable everyone to spend more time on a bike and outdoors. So whether it’s on the road, gravel, mountain, e-biking, or just cruising around – Outdoor Gears Hub is the place to come for trusted advice.