Bikes in Pickup Truck Bed

[Nanci]

What is the best way to carry a bike in the bed of a pickup? That fork-mount thingy? Can you lock the bike to it then?

Usually we take the bikes on a locking Yakima rack on the back of my Isuzu, but BF had to buy a new truck, and wants to sometimes take his bike to work with him, without damaging the bike.

Thanks,

Nanci

[tatormc]

We have 2 like this, http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=3702&subcategory_ID=4413, but they are Yakima brand that are screwed to a 2x4 or some piece of lumber as we didn't want to screw them to the truck bed. They each have a key lock.

[Nanci]

Cool! How do you keep the 2x4 secured?

Nanci

[tatormc]

It's not. Just stays in the truck all the time. So I guess it wouldn't be all that hard for someone to steal the bikes except they'd both be locked to the wood and wouldn't be able to get them off.

[madisongrrl]

I have the yakima bettyjo which is meant for truck beds - even if you have a topper. It costs about $120 and does a fine job. My brother has thule locks on a 2 x 4 and I like it much better than my bettyjo. It allows for a lot of vertical space which is nice if you have a topper and taller bikes. I think the set up cost my brother $50. My yakima isn't able to handle triathlon bikes very well because of the aerobars, but the 2 x 4 works wonderfully.

[Nanci]

Where does the 2x4 go? Right on the floor, or up on something? Both our bikes have aero bars.

Thanks,

Nanci

[tatormc]

Our 2x4 just lays on the floor of the truck bed up next to the cab. I'll try to take a pic when hubby gets home from work.

[CorsairMac]

Where does the 2x4 go? Right on the floor, or up on something? Both our bikes have aero bars.

Thanks,

Nanci

you can set the 2x4 towards the truck gate and that will allow the room for the aero bars.

[tatormc]

Here is the pic. Hope it gives you a general idea. There are 2 small pieces of wood that brace the 2x4 so that the handle bars don't touch the window. This is something you could do for the aerobars.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/tatormc/100_0312.jpg

[TrekJeni]

Jeni here to weigh in on the subject. If you angle the mounts on the 2x4, you can get more bikes in. If they are straight, you're limited by the amount of space your handlebars take up. Ours 2x4 isn't secured to anything but we have a locking truck cap.

Jeni

[madisongrrl]

We put the 2 x 4 closest to the back of the truck (opposite of your pic) because of the topper.



Here is the pic. Hope it gives you a general idea. There are 2 small pieces of wood that brace the 2x4 so that the handle bars don't touch the window. This is something you could do for the aerobars.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/tatormc/100_0312.jpg

[Nanci]

Cool, thanks for the picture!

Nanci