All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Has anyone modified a dirt bike hitch carrier to hold a mountain bike? Trying to find ideas. I may attempt a modification in the near future...

 

You should get a whole new valve stem with the rubber built into it. I have never seen just a small o-ring like that. You want something like this:

$16 Stans-No Tubes 35mm Presta Universal Valve Stem (Carded Pair for Mountain)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YIE294

 

After a month of research I finally ended up choosing the Fox Factory Tailgate Pad. This one had the most padding with straps for the downtube, and I get extra scene points because it matches both of my bikes suspension lol.

I quickly noticed after one day using the pad, the bike will still slide back and forth a tiny bit, even with the strap holding the downtube. You could see some scuffing on the downtube already. Coming from using a bike rack where the bikes didnt move at all, this was a little alarming. Not giving up on it quite yet though, I found some rubber tubing at work that I slit down the middle and stuck to the bottom of the downtube. I have not driven anywhere yet with it, but it seems like the rubber tubing helps grip the pad and should prevent it from sliding and protect the frame. I also plan on putting some clear protective film on the downtube as well to prevent this.
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that uses one. Even if the bikes seem like they are not moving, look at your downtube and make sure they arent getting scratched. I probably wont care about the downhill bike as much, but the fancy plastic bike needs to stay nice!

Also wanted to add that I'm liking having a truck so far, and I cant wait to actually take it on its first trip. Its pretty convenient to throw all the trail building tools in the bed instead of my car and hitting my elbow on them every shift haha. We just made the berm in the bottom pic the other night, thing is massive! All dirt, no filler!

 

Dakine makes a cool green/blue colored tailgate pad that has Velcro straps all over it. That's our go to pad for shuttling.

 

Yeah but the padding isnt as thick. The Fox Factory one has the straps in the same place as the Dakine one. You should check your downtubes because its the same design and they will slide a tiny bit.

 

Thanks for the link I think I'm going to buy them. I don't trust the o ring any more.

 

Interesting man, ours don't really slide much, granted it helps having more bikes together for less play. We pack our DH rides in there so rubbing is the least of our problems haha!

 

Yeah haha, maybe adding more bikes and more stuff in the back will help the bikes stay put. And the downhill bikes have much more mass to them to hold them in place, and they are downhill bikes they will get scratched anyways.

I'd just like to keep the carbon bike nice!

 

No problem and you should definitely buy them! They make different colored anodized ones if you were trying to match your bike too!

 

I hear you on that...I almost got a carbon M16, but damn any time a bike gets near my nomad I get nervous for a frame puncture from a pedal. I don't mind rubs and scratches though. Because of this, I think I will say aluminum for my dh bikes. Any shuttling place, you are bound to get a fresh ding whether or not you hit gardens.

 

Yeah sharp pedals and carbon bikes makes me cringe haha...Looking at all the scratches on my downhill bike, I dont think I could ever own a carbon one. I'm hoping to do some shuttling this weekend for the first time with the truck, cant wait!

 

Im not sure where you are located, but Im pretty pumped being on the east that they are slowly opening up faster than previous years to get the bikers there. Unfortunately my truck is in the shop or else I would be out riding. I live for the summer because of DH.

 

I'm in Rochester, NY so mountain creek is 4.5 hours away! Not sure I'll make it there this weekend but I'll be there soon. I have a bunch of places on my schedule this year!

 

Ah nice man, Im hoping to hit up the creek as well. I know shoe tries to milk their winter season, but Im always surprised at how long they take to open and then they are the first to close. I havnt been up to platty which I need to check out sometime.

 

I think Snowshoe opens the end of May. Plattekill is gnarly and I love that place! Here's a shot from a race I did last year. You gotta hit me up when you head up that way!

 

Ordered Stans, New Valves, Lizard Skin Chainstay Protector, and a spare tube to just have on hand.

Should be in Friday and then the fun job of making the tires tubeless!

 

Are your rims already taped with stans tape or equivalent? If not make sure you take your time taping them and clean them with alcohol really well and let dry before applying the tape. Also, overlap the valve stem area by at least 6".

 

Rims are Tubeless ready and already have the tape on them. I may go get some gorilla tape and put a layer of it on them just to be on the cautious side.

 

Nice, the gorilla tape is probably overkill if they are already taped. Just adds unnecessary weight and defeats one benefit of going tubeless.

 

Yea man I remember a lot of my buddies hitting up that spot. That looks like quite a blast to hit that drop. Cool thing about Platty is it seems to be one of the few that embraces the "old school" dh which is hard to find now a days. I def will man if I go up that way.