Mountain Bike Carrier Ideas

I confirmed with 1Up a few weeks ago that a roof tray can be used as a hitch setup but you can't go the other way. Like mentioned before this is due to the hitch tray being two pieces vs the one piece of the roof tray.

You can build a hitch rack using a roof tray by buying the spare parts to build a hitch rack.

 

Yeah after looking I didn't think they were interchangeable both ways. I have the quik rack now. I was more curious more than anything, thanks for confirming!

 

Got the cheapest tailgate pad I could find knowing it could get jacked one day.

 

I researched the hell out of this and decided on a tailgate pad as it seems like the easiest and cheapest option. Raceface T2 was reviewed well and found a discount on a small black one (didn’t want any weird designs or colors). I think it was about $160 after coupon code.

 

Made by TW member @Nimble9 [Squareone Creations]


Need a third accessory rail on the 3rd gen though.
And yeah, the bungie cord was a one time use thing; was waiting for my Titan Straps to come in.

 

I bought this one. I have nothing to compare it to, but its worked exactly as I intended it to work. Plus its cheaper. 90 bucks.

MICTUNING Rear Tailgate Pad for Bike 53'' with Tool Pocket Bicycle Tailgate Protection Pad Universal for Mountain Bike Transport 5 Bikes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y1P4799/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_C8C5KAPFB94KJV9VCHDK

 

wow i was gonna say i prefer a dakine over anything, but the one you linked has pockets inside the tailgate... thats pretty nifty.

 

Yeah man. Other than the branding it checks all boxes for me. Soft fabric on the inside. Pockets for tools. Padded straps for the down tube. Flap for the tailgate handle. And it was less than 100 bucks.

The only thing I don't like is when the flap is open it isn't big enough, it blocks the rear view camera.

Other than that for 90 bucks it's hard to beat. I actually bought a 1up rack and I still don't want to give up the tailgate pad.

 

I think I finally found my nirvana. Had a 2017 with a trifold Tonneau
cover - and like to use a tailgate pad. The problem was that If I wanted to leave the cover on and put my bikes in the back, I had to fold up the cover using the struts and then I couldn't see out the rear window. Otherwise, I had to take the cover off.

And with the cover AND tailgate pad on, there was no way to secure anything in the bed because the top of the cover would rest against the tailgate pad and couldn't latch.

FYI: I also have a one-up that I can use if I need the bed (longer trips, etc), but much prefer the protection of the bikes in the back.

With my new 2021, I did a bunch of research on rolling covers, specifically to find one where the cannister didn't take up so much room a bike wouldn't fit into the back, as well as one that would lock in place anywhere along the rails. Wanted the Retrax, but the cannister stuck out too much. Enter the Gatortrax.... fits perfectly, although admittedly my bike is a medium, so a large might be a bit tougher.

I can easily fit 4-6 bikes in the back, although 99% of the time it's just two. When not in use or I'm out on the trail, I can roll the cover up to the tailgate pad and lock in place. May not be waterproof, but I never really put anything in the bed that I need to worry about.

Not a cheap setup, and YMMV, but this works gr eat for me.

 

Nice! Worked with @Nimble9 on a custom version of his SideRide for my Diamondback cover.

 

Raceface tailgate pads are the bomb. The only downside (and this is true for most if not all tailgate pads) is that you cant close/latch a tonneau or softopper with it installed (or maybe im just stupid). Only really an issue because I'm too lazy to take my tailgate pad on and off

 

Some pro-tips on tailgate pads that I discovered recently.
1. Noticed the padding on my RaceFace T2 was pretty flat in the channels meant for the bikes downtube. I was worried a big bump could cause the lip on the top back of the tailgate to crack a hole in my carbon. I bought foam insulation for piping from Lowes and contoured it around the lip and put the pad on top.
2. I loop a microfiber cloth around the downtube of my bike where it gets strapped in. There's still enough strap to secure it. I'm sure alot of people do this.
3. I loop a long cable bike lock through all the bike frames and through the D-rings in the bed. I still park it where I can see it, but it does make me feel better.

 

Totally agree, why I ditched the tri fold for a rolling covee

 

I find that the EVOC protects my bike really well. Seriously takes me 60 seconds to change my pad on and off too. Lifting the factory toneau on and off....well that's a different story. I can do it myself but it's not the most advisable thing to do with my back so sometimes I just leave it off on weeks where I know I'll be taking my MTB out a lot.

But back to the EVOC, no regrets and lots of protection IMO.

 

This is the Thule that is designed to "wedge" in the tailgate gap with the bike facing backwards. I welded a strip of flat bar to it and bolted it thru the bed. The bike faces frontwards and it puts the clamping arm on the drivers side where it should be. The tailgate just kisses the rear tire on my 275.

 

Shop Thule. I have a bike rack which hold 4 bikes and fits the receiver hitch. Everything is lockable and it swings out to load the bed of the truck. We just used it on a trip to Cincinnati Oh. It worked well.

 

Sure - I don't leave it unattended overnight in remote areas, just making it secure enough so the local tweekers who carry bolt cutters don't walk off with it. Generally park in active areas, but in Asheville your bike will disappear if "secured" with a cable or home depot chain that can be cut in 2 seconds. This setup is pretty secure for those situations.

 

I have a Thule receiver bike rack. I use this home made one more. Its made of 2x6's. Holds the bed mat down, easily removed, and I can add the thule for 4 bikes total.

 

Very nice, love the home do it versions!

 

cheap, simple and a bit of a theft deterrent (out of sight out of mind). Can haul two with another fork mount. Have several other forks mounts but depends on the bike and whether the forks have boost axle spacing or? I bungee the tire between the bed side and the bike fork using the topper hold down bolt or insert a OEM cleat for bungee attachment.