by Front bike racks are a couriers dream. They’re an efficient way to carry huge loads and make great use of the space on your bicycle frame.
Their light and centralised weight help keep the bike nicely balanced.
With easy access to your packages and bags, luggage can be easily strapped and unstrapped to the front rack.
Front racks are the most ideal way to mount baskets to bicycles. Baskets being a great way to add simple but versatile load carrying capacity for numerous occasions.
For the best rear racks see our list: Best Pannier Rear Rack for Mountain Bikes
Benefits of using Pannier Front Racks
- No back sweat from riding while wearing large overloaded backpacks
- Gives you freedom of movement and extra range of motion
- Stops awkward loads from moving around uncomfortably
- Allows you to carry more weight & more bags
- Front baskets can be mounted for convenient transport of objects
Front racks should fit your frame in such a way to cause the least disruption to your bars and wheels as possible. They should also have well designed easily mountable platform to attach luggage to.
For this reason the proportions of your front bike rack can either make or break your riding experience.
A front rack should be extremely strong in order to be capable of carrying weighty loads.
Therefore strong materials such as quality aluminium alloys and steel are often used as the preferred material for front bike racks.
We’ve listed 15 of our favourite front pannier racks, compatible with mountain bikes that you should consider.
Our Favourite Front Rack for Mountain Bikes
1.Topeak TetraRack M1
Topeak Tertarack is one of our favourites on the list. The racks stability is its highlight. The clever adjustable top plate allows you to keep platform mount flat regardless of the fork angle.
It makes for versatile rack with universal fit to many fork types. Topeaks quicktrack system allows you to mount Topeak trunk bags with just a push of a button.
2.Axiom Journey DLX Low Rider Front Rack Black
Axiom’s lightweight aluminium rack weight just 1.7 pounds. However they are a surprisingly strong rack for this weight and a bargain at their current listed price.
A good pickup if touring on a budget.
3.Sunlite Gold Tec Front Rack, 26″/700c
While this rack isn’t made to carry pannier bags, it is still capable of carrying up to 40lbs. Not meant for heavy loaded use but a solid pickup at this price point for light use.
Perfect for city errands when a basket is mounted.
4.Origin8 Rush Messenger Front Basket Rack, 26-29″, Black
Origin8 rush rack makes good use of all the space available on the rack with a basket platform. The seamless integrated U-Lock holder is a highlight feature.
The 55lbs limit is an added bonus that points to the strong materials used to construct this rack.
5.SUNLITE QR-Tec Front Rack, 26″/700c
Sunlite’s QR-Tec rack allows you to mount directly into the QR skewer of your bicycle for an extra stable feeling rack.
You are able to load up to 45lbs and is built stronger and to a higher standard than the Sunlite Gold rack if you are able to stretch the budget.
6.Basil large Front Luggage Holder
The Basil front luggage holder is a handlebar mounted rack with a large front carrier to accommodate wider fittings.
Maximum weight is only 22lbs, however the shape of the rack is highly useable, the fitting is simple and thus makes for a good cruiser or commute option.
7.wan Qin Bike Front Rack, Aluminum Bicycle Front Carrier Mountain Bike Accessories
Made from high strength aluminum alloy weighting just 450g, it makes for a rack that you can fix to your bike and forget.
Its a strong but non intrusive rack, able to fit most mountain bike tire sizes as well as road bicycles.
8.Origin8 Rush Messenger Front Flat Rack, 26-29″, Black
The flat wide platform of the Origin rush frack makes for high usability of the space. Perfect for wide cargo requirements.
Fits to a wide variety of wheel sizes means it is almost certain to fit to your bike, including sizes 26″, 27.5″, 29″, and 700c.
9.Bicycle Hang On Front Rack – Easily mounts Bags and Baskets
The hang on front rack is for those who need a simple and quick tool free removal rack solution. It uses just a strap to secure itself to the frame.
Once on it can carry baskets and bags for a total loading weight of up to 10lbs.
10.R RATTAN Ebike Cargo Rack Front and Rear Adjustable Iron Bike Basket
The iron frame on the RATTAN cargo rack is made for pure strength and high durability. The choice of metal give the racks a premium look and feel that aluminum racks can’t match.
The two in one pair can take 10kg and 25kg of load in the front and rear respectively.
11.Blackburn Outpost Front and Rear World Touring Bike Rack
The rack uses a universal fitting system to allow for fast mounting of the rack. The strong aluminum used ensures for a strong and lightweight rack.
The height adjustments gives you leeway on fitting based on tire size, able to fit to mountain bike tire widths with no additional intervention required.
12.Soma Fabrications Demi Porteur front cargo rack – silver
Somas piece is a minimalist yet stylish design finished in a nice satin polish that will look great on the right bike. However not just great looking, the deck also provides ample space to mount your luggage, baskets and bags to.
13.YQWY Rack Front Pannier – Mountain Bikes – Steel Material
YGWY rack is a steel frame capable of carrying up to 15kg load. It uses stiff bolts to hold the rack in position under load. You’ll find it is likely to fit to your bike model as it is compatible with both v-brakes and disc brakes.
The fittings allow for a good fit to mountain bike forks.
14.DYEY Bicycle Front Rack, Aluminum Alloy Bike Bicycle Front Cargo Rack
DYEY bicycle rack is another simple design that allows you to fit to your bike and leave it on indefinitely as it has a very non intrusive design.
It is easy to install and live with everyday. Another great option for those on a budget who don’t need to carry heavy loads.
15.Awakingdemi Bike Bicycle Front Rack ,Aluminum Bike Carrier Rack
This offering is another cheap rack that won’t break the bank. Fits to smaller wheel sizes of 24” to 28”. The rack is small profile and again non intrusive part of your ride or overall visuals of the bike.
Perfect for carrying only small items with a light basket.
