Tacomas and Mountain Bikes

[gpburdell]

I do have a hitch mount bike rack, if one of those models swings away or something though thats probably what I need. WIth a bed cover I need to open the tailgate to get riding gear, but then the bikes in the way. Im being overly picky, but life with a bike was easier in my Tundra.

What's not well publicized is that the 1UP racks also flip down to handle that exact situation.

Even with two bikes on the rack, I've been able to flip it down and open the tailgate on my 3rd gen Tacoma to then access stuff under the hard tonneau cover. That said, it's usually easier to open the tailgate just enough to unlatch the tonneau and open the rear third to access stuff.

They do also sell a swing-away accessory option, though that begins to get really pricey.

Example image from a YouTube video:

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[Zigity]

I’m new to trucks and mountain bikes. I have a long bed with an oem trifold tonneau cover. I will need to transport 2 mountain bikes come spring/summer. Will a tailgate pad be sufficient? Or should I think about other methods to stow and go?

 

[Drifte]

I’m new to trucks and mountain bikes. I have a long bed with an oem trifold tonneau cover. I will need to transport 2 mountain bikes come spring/summer. Will a tailgate pad be sufficient? Or should I think about other methods to stow and go?

Tailgate pads are quick and easy. But then cargo in the bed isnt secure/dry. Add to that the tailgate pads are likely to scuff the paint. Its purely preference.

 

[mikeymtbs]

You just can’t beat the 1Up rack for up to 4 bikes. More than that and you’ll need the vertical style racks that hang the bike from the front wheel.

 

[bsquaredMTB]

I have the Thule XTR Pro and I love it. Was it expensive? Yes. Is it heavy? Yes (but it has wheels). Is it bulletproof?! As far as I can tell pretty much. It's sturdy and I can take 2 bikes anywhere I go. If I'm taking more than that I'll just throw the other ones in the truck bed. That's VERY rare.

 

[jetengr19]

I’m running the Kuat Ibex and Piston SR. I really like the setup.

 

[Taco Ji]

No photo of my Santa Cruz 5010 mountain bike but I’m also a road bike rider too.
here is my specialized SL7 comp.

 

[PNWkip]

No photo of my Santa Cruz 5010 mountain bike but I’m also a road bike rider too.
here is my specialized SL7 comp.

View attachment 43915

Blackout Drunk Chamois Hagar if you like gravel!

 

[MNTBKR]

Good Stuff here, so my Son races BMX at a national level and before he was born I was trail riding here in FL at least once a week. That frequency dropped when he was born but I would still meet with my old group on a regular basis. I got him into BMX so he would be build his skills with the goal being that he would go riding with me. Well he got really good at BMX winning State championships, Gold Cups, making the main main @ The Grand Nationals and placing in the Top 10 in the nation in his age group. Meanwhile my bike sat in the garage and collected dust. It's been 12 great years of making friends and memories. When I got the Taco the mission was to get something cool to get me to and from, capable of tackling any reasonable situation I may get in to. The mission now is to reconnect with my bike and get into the best shape of my life by my 50th birthday.

 

[franx]

I see lots of Tacoma's in the parking lots at my local trails so I figured there would be other riders on this forum

Previously I had a 2019 Tacoma Sport extended cab with a 6 foot bed. My 2025 Limited Hybrid only came in 5 foot bed so it took some time adjusting to the shorter bed. I do make it fit and dont have to take off the front wheel by putting it in on an angle in the bed and strapping it down. Problem is only 1 bike fits this way.

 

[bitflogger]

You just can’t beat the 1Up rack for up to 4 bikes. More than that and you’ll need the vertical style racks that hang the bike from the front wheel.

That should be edited to be you just can't beat a 1Up. Friends only let friends get them. Mine is having its 14th winter exposed to road salt. There are parts when you need them. Unparalleled versatility.

Most racks are made of steel and plastic and do not have every single part replaceable. Another beauty is how I meet up with friends and on the spot we turn a 1 or 2 carrier rack into 2-4. If you use stuff a lot and keep things, in reality getting some steel and plastic contraption without those aspects is maybe a 17 on the 1-10 scale of being dumb.

 

[Un-Limited]

I've owned a 1UP previously, but now own a Kuat NV 2.0. Both tilt.

 

[bsquaredMTB]

How's that Kuat? It looks like it's less bulky than my Thule XTR Pro so I've been curious. Is it sturdy and how are the locking mechanisms?

 

[Un-Limited]

When I was in NH with a riding group of around ten, there were a couple of 1UP racks, a couple of Thule racks, and a couple of the Kuat NV 2.0 (this was after I sold my 1UP and got the Kuat). Some preferred the simplicity of the 1UP, but most of us preferred the Kuat. I've since moved to FL, and I've seen a few interesting new models appear in my inbox, but I'm very content. Having owned it for 10+ years, it rusted in a few spots and I reached out to them about getting replacement parts. They either called or asked me to call, and ended up replacing everything I wanted, plus new cables and locks. I think there was one part I had to pay for, and it was under $100. That was about 3 years back.

 

[gpburdell]

When I was in NH with a riding group of around ten, there were a couple of 1UP racks, a couple of Thule racks, and a couple of the Kuat NV 2.0 (this was after I sold my 1UP and got the Kuat). Some preferred the simplicity of the 1UP, but most of us preferred the Kuat. I've since moved to FL, and I've seen a few interesting new models appear in my inbox, but I'm very content. Having owned it for 10+ years, it rusted in a few spots and I reached out to them about getting replacement parts. They either called or asked me to call, and ended up replacing everything I wanted, plus new cables and locks. I think there was one part I had to pay for, and it was under $100. That was about 3 years back.

Funny how this is such a YMMV thing.

I'd bought a Kuat NV 2.0 without the trail doc bit and just didn't much care for it. Didn't really fit my wife's ebike well, plus it was tough for her to put on or take off of her SUV. Returned it an got her a 1UP single that's light enough to be easy for her to manage on her own. We have an Add On for anytime we're taking both bikes somewhere.

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