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

Thoughts on the Rocky Mounts swing-out hitch rack? Has anyone used one or similar?

https://rockymounts.com/backstage/

 

I really don't understand how you guys are not damaging bikes with tailgate pads. I've tried five different pads, and all of them cut into the finish on the bikes downtube, the fork leg, or cut into the finish on the tailgate. Some less/more than others, (the least destructive seems to be the EVOC) but if things get at all dusty, then the damage is magnified.

I keep my bikes meticulously clean, so maybe I'm picky because i see the damage right away. But I basically only use the pad for short hops, and always put microfiber rags between the bike and the pad.

 

I have some beefy frame protection on the downtube. Hasn't bugged my bike since.

 

Same, and they also sent him down with the straps on the tailgate pad so they don't move much.

 

Assuming your transporting a modern mountain bike...you will almost definitely need an extension or swing out to keep the handlebars from hitting the rear of the camper. You're going to want a swing out for accessing the camper anyway.

I have a vagabond drifter and a 1up with rakattach. That combo fits perfectly.

 

As mentioned, DT protection. Lots of options, easy to apply, no issues from tailgate pad rub. I'm still not a fan of pads though, and prefer the 1Up to most anything I've used.

 

So I'm building a thing to hold my wheels to the bed rails when the bike is mounted into my custom rack. This mitigates the wheels just bouncing in the bed.

Here's a rapid prototype 3D print. Whaddya think?





Bonus Prerunner aesthetic.

 

That's awesome.

Is it threaded so you can use the axle to secure it? because most wheel end caps are just snap in place so without an axle to secure it I wouldn't trust it driving down the road.
And I would maybe make the middle wider to give more strength, it would suck to hit a bump, crack the plastic, and have your wheel bounce out of the bed.

I think if you perfect the design you could easily sell them, I know I'd buy a couple of them.

 

I went with a Yakima pad because they have nice neoprene pads for the downtube to rest on. But then again I have helicopter tape on all my bike downtubes to protect from rock chips, so I don't worry too much about the tailgate pad.

 

That’s rad! I would definitely buy a pair. Only issue I see is if it is in fact using the axle, I would have to have a second spare because my axle is what I use to hold the bike to my rocky mounts.

 

You could use a dummy axle like Park Tool uses for their wheel holder and have a cotter pin to secure it.

 

Def needs a prerunner bed cage and ratchet strap!

 

A fun day riding around the hills in Pacifica.

 

Very cool indeed. I was looking for somthing like this, but only found the delta wheel hitch which would have worked. Decided to keep it simple with 1 & 3/4" velcro strap, to secure the wheel to each bike. (I usually transport 3 bikes)

 

So we made one out of aluminum. The plastic was just a proof of concept.

We're building a special axle that would thread into the aluminum plate. I have a couple knobs on order that would attach to the other end of the axle. We're building a 15x100, 15x110 boost and 15x150 fat bike threaded rods since I have bikes with all three front hubs.

My buddy building them said building extras isn't hard after the prototype.

Here's more photos.

 

That looks awesome!

May be interested in one after I double check if it would work for my setup.

 

When we can complete the axles, probably next week, I'll take more photos. And do some test drives on some bumpy roads. It should work for anything with a 15mm axle, in 27.5" and 29".

 

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/rakattach/

so you work with a CNC mill?

 

Just got mine back from the powder coater, winter project color change from white to Miami Vice. I pedal, rarely.

 

My buddy is a prototype machinist. He mostly works with motorcycle/dirt bike stuff but MTB isn't an apple falling too far from the tree.