Are you planning a long-distance bike tour? Looking for the best rear bike rack to carry your travel luggage? Look no further! Rear bike racks are an essential accessory for any cyclist, and there are many different models available to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight and minimalist design or something more robust, there’s a bike rack that will fit your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the best rear bike racks for touring and discuss the features and advantages that each one offers. So, if you’re ready to hit the road, let’s get started!
Do you need a bike rack that is going to be strong and hold panniers, with all your gear? Or maybe you just want a rear rack to hold a backpack pannier for the daily commute to work.
In this article, we go through the most popular rear bike racks recommended by fellow bike adventurers from all over the world. These are the racks that they have used and personally recommend from experience.
Having that said these racks will also make great racks for a commuter looking to carry a pannier on their bike and extra gear to get to school or work.
Have in mind that not all racks will work with disc brakes and they can make it quite tricky to fit racks with disc brakes but make sure if you have disc brakes that the rack you are looking at is compatible.
It also depends on the type of bike you have to which type of rear rack would best suit you. Assuming you have a touring bike for commuting or using to tour the world. Most of these racks will be fine unless otherwise mentioned. If your bike lacks mounting eyelets but you are still looking for ways to mount a rack on your bike, this article will be of help.
Compatibility with racks and panniers is an important factor to consider before going out and buying. When getting both a rack and panniers, make sure that they both work together, panniers that rely on a lower hook pulling upward (usually with some elastic cord) need a Blackburn-style rack to catch the hook. Problems can come about when panniers fall off, rub the tires, or get jammed, which is something that you want to avoid totally.
Also, if you are wondering how to attach stuff to your rear rack, this article includes a list of bike rear rack straps. And finally, if you are looking for front rack options for your bike, here are some of the best options on the market.
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Old Man Mountain Elkhorn Rack
I just got my hands on their all-new Elkhorn rack featuring 3-pack mounts on the uprights on either side, allowing you to carry cargo or bottle cages and more tie-down points on the deck than you could ever need. Front or rear rack compatible. You can mount it to just about any bike. To suspension forks, full-suspension mountain bikes, gravel bikes, road bikes, fat bikes, and even tri-bikes if that’s what you’re into.
Old man mountain racks have been tested worldwide in some of the harshest conditions, from Alaska to Antarctica, and they are even trying to get NASA to take them to the moon! They are super reliable racks built to last with a proven track record. They pride themselves on giving you a product that will last.
With room to clear fenders and is available in two sizes. The Short fits up to 27.5 x 2.8″ or 700c x 50mm. and the Tall fits up to 29 x 3.25″ tires with room for mud.
Blackburn Outpost Rear World Touring Rack
Best Rear Rack When Heaps Of Clearance Is A Must
This rear rack is constructed with durable Easton Scandium and 6061 aluminum. It maintains stiffness without weighing your frame down, and it allows you to mount your panniers low or high. Blackburn included space to attach a light or reflector at the rear and designed the rack with a narrow width to keep the weight as close to the center as possible for a stable ride.
Once you’re packed up, the Outpost can carry up to 55 lbs of gear. It has compatibility with; 26″, 650b, 700c, 27.5″, and 29″ wheels, disc, and caliper brakes. Clearance for tires ranging from 23mm up to 3″ includes a lifetime warranty!
If you have a Hook & Bungee pannier setup this might not be the best rack option. The rack is great if you want something that offers heaps of clearance.
The sides of this rack bow outward so much that panniers hang at an angle, and the small securing bar at the bottom bumps out even further, making for a very small area for weight to rest on. It also sits very far back on the wheel, making centering weight with the rear axle impossible. It is a rack recommended by some tourers but I am not sure if it is the best option.
Axiom Journey Transit
Best Rear Rack For The Strength & Money
Axiom make some pretty great gear. If you are after something of better value compared to the previous Blackburn rack this might be a good option for you. Made from a Hand-welded, tubular 10.2mm 6061 T6 aluminum. The rack comes with a generous platform size that is optimised for top loading things like trunk bags and rear baskets. 280mm extension arms are long enough to fit even the smallest of bikes, and can be bent to shape without compromising strength, due to their bridged construction. Double welded for extra strength and long-term durability. Reflector/light mount, Frame bolts included. It has a load capacity of 50 kg / 110 lbs and 550g / 1.21 lbs which is including hardware. Priced at only $28.00 on Amazon
For the budget friendly price of this rack, it is surprisingly strong and light. This rack has a great weight capacity and is fairly light, the aluminum construction is nicely welded. Be aware that some users have mentioned that the stays or legs on this rack can be too short for some bikes.
Old Man Mountain Rear Racks
Most Versatile Rear Rack
Old Man Mountain have some of the strongest and most durable racks on the market and the great thing about them is that they work well will pretty much any bike. As they use a thru axles fastening design. This rack above is the Sherpa Classic Frame which is able to carry loads up to 70 lbs. If you invest in a Sherpa Rack Frame and multiple Fit Kits will allow you to mount it to the Front or Rear of your bike.
The tubing of this rack is made from a 6063 welded aluminum. The beauty of Old Man Mountain is the modular design of the rack frame and Fit Kit. The Fit Kit contains all the parts and pieces that you need to install the rack frame on to your bike. Fit Kits include: a thru axle, pair of extenders, pair of dropouts, OMM Pucks and all the hardware necessary for installation. Priced from $210.00
Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX (DISC)
Best Rear Rack For Disc Brake Touring Bikes
This is one of those racks that is popular with a lot of bike tourers. And the reviews don’t seem too lie either. This one-size-fits-all aluminum tubular rear rack is equipped with adjustable legs to fit most touring bikes with disc brakes. Best suited for bikes that have 24”-29” & 700C Wheels with Disc Brakes. Designed with heavy-duty, long distance touring in mind. This rack has a integrated side bar which provides a lower pannier attachment point allowing more space for cargo on top of the rack. Priced at $64.99
Topeak Super Tourist DX Rear Pannier Rack
This is a similar rack to the previously mentioned but suited to a normal rim brake setup. It has been highly recommended for price and ability. With the double horizontal bars they can accommodate Ortlieb panniers on the bottom, and Topeak DX MTX Trunkbag on the top. If you just have a touring bike with rim brakes this would be one of the best options for you. It is Topeaks toughest tubular aluminum rear rack designed for heavy-duty, long distance touring. Integrated side bar provides a lower pannier attachment point-allowing more space for cargo on the rack top. QuickTrack™ compatible for use with any MTX TrunkBag, rear basket and pannier bag. Priced at $50.03 on Amazon.
Ibera Bike Rack
This bike rack is another budget friendly rear bike rack that is also quiet sturdy and works well overall as a decent rack should. For only $31.86 on Amazon it is a steal. If you don’t believe me, head over and give the reviews a read. Although if price is a big factor for you it is not the cheapest in this article.
Tailfin Pannier Racks
If you are after a lightweight bike rack made from carbon that is strong and robust look no further. The guys at Tailfin have created truely unique rack systems that are nothing like what I am sure you have seen before. They even offer a laptop case which can be mounted where a pannier would sit at the rear, if you are doing bikepakcing. Prices start from about $105 and these are some of the best rear racks for bikepacking!
Tubus Rear Racks
These are one of the best in the business! Tubus make some of the best racks out there. Acclaimed to be about the strongest in its price range and has the option of hanging your bags a little lower for better handling, whilst more clearance to strap things on top. Also some say that these racks can be a pain in the neck to install.
The Tubus Cargo Classic Rear Rack is their most popular option when it comes to bike touring racks. It has been a favourite since 1988. This model is the basis for all of the Tubus carrier models. Cargo is their all around carrier. It has a maximum admissible load of 57lbs although the racks are test far beyond that. And a maximum tire width clearance of 50mm or 1.95in. Priced at $104.49 on Amazon
Fairdale Skaterack
Best Rear Rack Accessory For Commuting With A Skate Board
Not a complete rear rack setup, however this contraption is designed to fit onto a rear rack like a pannier would. If you are commuting and want to cart your skateboard around this is perfect. Priced from $48.50 on Amazon.
Velo Orange Campeur Rear Rack
If you are after a heavy duty rear rack that is purpose build for hardcore bicycle touring, then this is one of the best options to choose from. Made by Velo Orange these guys produce some quality products. Features a wrap-around lower rail for keeping the weight low to the ground and for easy pannier removal even when top is loaded. Made from a Stainless steel tubing and polished finish offers strong rust and fatigue resistance. Fits most bikes with 26″, 650b, 700c, and 27″ wheels. Priced at $165.00 on Amazon
Nitto Rear Racks
Nitto make a variety of strong and very much capable bike racks, even some for rando bags. However, this Nitto Big Back Rack, is one of the best, strongest, and most beautiful pannier-capable rack we’ve seen. Nitto makes it just for us out of 9mm tubular CrMo which is then nickel-plated so it’ll look good forever. Priced from $220
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