Bicycle transporting in truck bed

Ok so I looked some but haven't found anything specific to what I'm asking. Has anyone tried to bungee strap a bicycle to a cargo bar placed high in the bed to transport the bike? Like take the front wheel off, and maybe wrap a pool noodle around the cargo bar and simply place the bar between the forks and the frame then strap it down like that? It seems do-able but am not sure about it being secure enough and whether it will ride well without damaging the bike or the bar. I have a bar from harbor freight for 25 dollars and don't want to spend extra if I don't need to on extra things. I know some people will say just spend the extra money. Yeah yeah I know. Helpful answers or guidance is what I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

I put the bike in diagonally front wheel in corner of front and back wheel in corner opposite side( wheels still on) then ratchet strap it using one strap up front and two in back on both sides. She dont move at all.

 

If you are strapping an old or inexpensive bike down it's one thing. My bike gets a platform hitch mounted rack. Before that with my older bike, I took a board, mounted a fork mount to it and just left it in the bed.

 

I bought a rail for the front of the bed, then added a mount. My new bike has such a long wheelbase that I now have to leave the tailgate down. You'll need the proper mount for your forks.

$40 PIT66 Front Header Deck Rail Truck Bed Accessory, Compatible with 2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma, PT278-35100-BH Pickup 4-Door 2.7L 3.5L

https://www.amazon.com/Speedmotor-A...7317&sprefix=tacoma+front+rail,aps,174&sr=8-3

$60 Thule 821 Low Rider Bicycle Fork Mount

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-821-Ri...refix=bicycle+fork+mount+rail,aps,139&sr=8-10

5-Set T Slot Nuts/Rail Nuts Compatible with 05-18 Tacoma & Tundra Bed Deck Rail, Perfectly Fit and Made from Steel with Black Oxide Finish to Resist Rust

https://www.amazon.com/Tacoma-Tundr...prefix=truck+bed+rail+hardware,aps,117&sr=8-7

 

If you're already taking the wheel off, why not use a fork clamp fastened to the header rail?

$16 MBP Alloy Quick Release Fork Mount Bike Block (9x100mm) Truck Bed/Rack/Storage

https://www.amazon.com/MBP-Alloy-Release-9x100mm-Storage/dp/B07MDXZGMB


For me, I made this after seeing the Innova frame clamps:

 

I was just trying to avoid spending more money. I mean ultimately if I need to, then I will. Though I was just seeing if I could make work with what I already have. I would be transporting my kids bikes as well sometimes so I don't know if diagonal would be a good solution every time. I see I will probably end up getting at least a rail for the bed that is against the cab and probably end up getting a cheap mount. I'm probably going to test out my idea and if it works I'll probably post it for anyone in the future on here for a cheap temporary alternative for anyone looking for the same. Oh the reason I was talking about taking the front wheel off was due to the truck bed not being long enough but I will see. Maybe it will be fine with the wheel turned.

 

I hear you.

Regarding possible bike damage, I hated how bike racks chewed up my bike at school. That is much of the reason that I mount them the way that I do now. A person was borrowing one of our bikes. When I saw him transporting / securing it by hanging the handle bar over his bed rail, I asked for it back. Of course, a short while after that, the shifter fragged.


For your Taco and potentially other folks, please use a strap or high quality bungee for security. This is why I was recommending at least an inexpensive clamp.

 

This is helpful thank you

 

You're welcome!

 

I think a wood plank + fork mount solution already mentioned could be the cheapest while also being the most secure.

In a pinch I've laid my full suspension 29er down in my 5 foot bed while angling the handlebars and lowering the dropper post and it fit just fine. I don't recommend this for extended periods of time or for highway driving as it has a lot of contact points on the bike and will eventually cost you more money than a bike rack/actual solution (and you can only fit one bike if you do this).

Tailgate pads on a used marketplace can be super cheap as well.

 

All of the cool kids in SoCal do it like this. I'm not cool, I just throw it in the bed.

 

Tailgate pad for the win. Or just drape a blanket over the tailgate.

I ride a full suspension carbon bike. After 3 years of riding 2-3 times a week, there is zero damage to my truck or bike.

 

is that your bike tony? thats bad ass dude!

 

Thanks!



It is a cheap WallyWorld fatty that I modded. Mainly brakes and a couple more rear gears.

Nice and heavy to get a workout in quickly. Haha!

 

I took a scrap piece of 1x8 board and mounted one of those quick release fork mounts to it. I set that board in the front of the bed and hook my bike to it (minus the front wheel of course), then strap the bike down using some straps and the bed hooks. Rock solid way to transport my bike and dirt cheap too.