Ultimate truck bed bike rack?

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Hi Lee,
I’m looking for the ultimate truck bed bike rack. I need something to haul 3 or 4 bikes in the bed of the truck (no bike bumpers!), and would like a model that does not require removal of the front wheel. Anything that does all this for under $300?

Thanks,
Mark

The more you click, the more I can post. Lee Likes Groceries dot com!

Hey Mark,

The Sierra Coast Cargo Rack is sweet. Here’s a review I wrote for the November 2006 Mountain Biking magazine.

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Here’s a clever way to carry multiple bikes — and even motorcycles — in your truck, van or trailer.

By Lee McCormack

Once upon a time, bike racks held front forks. Then came through-axle hubs, and bike racks went grabbing for frames and cranks. That was fine until frames got funky and freeride cranks got too fat. Nowadays, bike racks are all about wheels. Slide your complete bike into the rack, clamp down on the front wheel and rock.

The Sierra Coast Cargo Racks Fat Boy! takes this idea and clamps it in a huge quick release lever. Literally. Up to four “saddles” attach to a slotted base that can be bolted or clamped to your vehicle. The saddles are basically big, flexible forks. You slip your front wheel between the saddle legs, tighten the cam-clamp and you’re ready to rock. You can adjust the saddle spacing to fit any mountain bike tire, and even motorcycle tires.

Because you have to reach the clamp lever, the Fat Boy! works best in pickup trucks and trailers with side access. A large truck can easily fit four bikes or — and this is the cool part — two bikes and two motorcycles. Basically, if your front tire is wider than your rim, the Fat Boy! will handle it.


One bike: $180.95
Two bikes: $263.95
Three bikes: $346.95
Four bikes: $429.99
The Rack Clamp: $85.95; allows quick installation in a truck bed
Dirt bike conversion kit: $37.95; adds onto an existing saddle

Get more info or order a rack at www.scbikeracks.com

11 replies
  1. Nick says:

    Heininger holding sells also sells a bedrack (seen it in MBA or BIKE). It doesn’t have the clamping action that the scrack does, but it cost about $160 shipped. I use tie downs to keep help keep the bike from flopping around.
    http://www.heininger.biz/advantage.html click on the advantage bedrack.

  2. mb says:

    Thanks for the quick response Lee.

    Nick, is it just me, or does that Heininger rack put your derailleur and rear disc at risk?

    Mark

  4. Nick says:

    Response: It does put them at risk. I haven’t had problems with the disk but have with the deraileur. You mainly have to pay attention to which gear the raear deraileur is in when you put the bike in the rack. I have had times when the deraileur sits inside the rack posts (bad) and time when it sits right on top of it (awkward but no problem), and times when it sits outside of the post (good).

  5. cwegga says:

    I would recommend going with something like what Glen linked. I made something similar out of reclaimed 2x4s. You just make a bunch of wood L shapes, set them up about one tire width apart and then put a couple of boards across the bottom, back and lower end.

    Perfect truckbed rack for under $10 in hardware. Just put bikes every other slot or however works best for you.

  6. Tony says:

    Here’s my “rip off” Sierra rack. I thought the sierra rack was overpriced and misleading in the pricing. Too many add ons required to make it a funtional, multi-bike rack.

    My “rip off” is made from an old computer lab table (chopped apart and welded)…cost me a case of beer.

    Custom fit for my Ridgeline which won’t “accept” any other in bed rack system, only roof rack.

    /Domain/siprep.org/Users/acalvello/Desktop/Photo_062607_001.jpg
    /Domain/siprep.org/Users/acalvello/Desktop/Photo_062607_002.jpg

  8. Tony says:

    Here are pics. I spaced the supports at different widths to accomodate different sized tires. I use straps for tension at top of each pair of supports. also, a simple bungee for extra secure fit. The rack is padlocked at both sides to the inbed cargo hooks. Also have a 12′ cable to secure bike when needed. And yes, the inbed trunk is 100% operational with this custom fitted rack. My Blur LT with 2.5 Kenda DH fits snug with or without bungee….braap!

    /Domain/siprep.org/Users/acalvello/Desktop/MBA/pages/Photo_062607_001.htm

  9. baxter says:

    Don’t want to be the smart guy, but a $12 blanket hung over the tailgate is a very good way to carry up to 6-8 bikes in the back of your truck. It works alot better than you might think

  10. mb says:

    I’m trying to get info on a rack my LBS owner has. It uses a fixed rack w/a ratchet to hold the top of the wheel. Sounds like it’s in the $250 range for 4 bikes. I’l post more info if I get it.

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