General Cycling Discussion - Bike rack advice for a truck

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brianb10
07-06-12, 04:35 PM
I just got a truck and was wondering if anyone had any advice/suggestions on a bike rack. I figure my options are hitch mount or something that attaches to the bed. Any pro's and con's to either of those that I should consider. I am leaning heavily to a hitch mount because they can be had on craig's list pretty easily. Anything I should specifically look for on a hitch mount that I might not be thinking of, especially if I am buying a used one off the internet? Thanks in advance.

ratdog
07-06-12, 05:56 PM
You will generally see two different types of hitch mounted bike racks. Ones that carry the bike across the top tube and those that carry the bike using a wheel tray. Here are some pros and cons.

Bike racks that carry bike across the top tube pros are less expensive than tray systems, can lift to get into trunk and can get the bike onto the rack fairly easily. Cons are some racks allow bikes to sway and damage each other, bikes have to be removed one at a time to get to the first bike, some bikes have no top tube and you will have to buy attachments for these and most of these racks typically only come with a cable lock.

Bike racks with a tray system improve on access to individual bikes, prevent swaying damage and some have better locking systems they are typically more expensive though.

You can go to etrailer.com to browse some options.
OKIE_55
07-07-12, 06:27 AM
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/827724-Truck-Rack

fietsbob
07-07-12, 09:07 AM
receiver hitch going to be installed anyhow?..

the rack, like fork tip mounts, on a sheet of plywood
and under the bed canopy will be more lockable.
by locking back
TJPII
07-07-12, 02:54 PM
I have one of these (http://www.discountramps.com/truck-bicycle-rack.htm). It's... okay. I needed to be able to transport four bikes in two different pickups with different bed widths and this was less expensive than buying four fork mounts and hardware to mount them, or a hitch-mounted rack. I use one ratcheting strap to tie everything down to the bed and four short bungee cords to secure each bike to the rack and keep them from swaying. No problems so far.