Best Front Bike Racks: Top 6 For Commuting - Discerning Cyclist October 2023

If you’re commuting to work by bicycle, chances are you’ll need some kind of bike rack to help you carry your belongings to and from the office.

There are lots of different kinds of bike racks on the market, suitable for a range of needs, but one of the most common kinds is the front bike rack, which sits over or next to the bike’s front wheel.

Front bike racks and baskets are great for commuters, because they’re best suited to lighter loads (your laptop and lunch box will be fine) and are great for carrying small items around the city.

On this page, we’ll tell you about the different kinds of front bike racks available so you can decide which type is best for your needs, and show you the top six front bike racks for commuting.

Types of Front Racks for Bicycles

There are several different kinds of front bike racks available, each catering to a particular type of rider and load. The most common are flat racks, low rider racks and, of course, bike baskets.

Flat front bike racks sit over the front wheel and offer a kind of shelf for your bags. You can secure your bag or basket with straps to keep it in place on your journey, and it’s easy to grab your bag and go when you get to your destination.

Low rider racks are common on touring bikes, but are useful for commuters who need to carry a heavier load, too. As the name suggests, they sit low on the front wheel keeping the weight low to the ground which helps with stability.

Baskets are great if you carry smaller items, or if you want to make sure your work bag is kept secure in an enclosed carrier, rather than just strapped to a flat rack. They can be attached to the handlebars or sit on top of a flat rack, and come in a range of styles and materials.

Front Bike Rack [PROS + CONS]

How to Attach a Front Bike Rack

The way that you attach a front bike rack to your bike varies on the type, style and model of bike rack you choose. It’s always best to consult the instruction manual that comes with your particular bike rack, as different racks are attached in different ways.

Front bike baskets tend to be very easy to attach, as you can often simply secure them with zip ties, bungee cords, belts or rope to your bike’s handlebars, or use attachments that come with your basket.

Some bike racks require you to replace the wheel axle, so that your rack can be secured to it, and others are fixed to the frame or forks.

Generally, front bike racks are simple to install, and only require regular household tools, so you’ll be back on the road in no time.

Are Front Bike Racks Universal?

No, front bike racks are not universal. The type of front bike rack that is suitable for your bike depends on the model (and size) of the bicycle, as differences in the bike’s components can affect the way the rack fits.

For example, forks and brakes can affect the fit of a bike rack, as their configuration can vary from bike to bike, and wheel size can also have an impact. You should, of course, make sure to do your research when shopping for your bike rack to make sure it will properly fit your model and size of bicycle.

That said, there are plenty of bike racks on the market that can be attached to most bikes, particularly baskets which often are simply strapped to the handlebars, so it is possible to find relatively universal bike racks.