Tailgate Bike Pad - any experience?

fj12ryder wrote:

Geo*Boy wrote:
Just install a 2X6 in the front of the bed of the truck, attach a couple of skewer mounts to the 2x.

That works great for road bikes, but you do have to store the wheels somewhere. But mountain bike tires are getting bigger, and removing the wheel isn't as straight forward as on a road bike. Something that allows you to carry without the hassle of front wheel removal is a real advantage.

Agree with this...I don’t use a pad since I’m not really worried about further damage to the truck beyond the desert pinstriping and also not worried about my low-end bike. Removing larger mtn bike wheels and tires has become a hassle. I have friends who use Dakine pads and are happy. I also have a PVC bike rack that I built to use in the garage...if the whole family is going I can put that in the bed of the truck to hold all 4 bikes nicely.

I've had one for 4 yrs now that I use to transport my mtn bike to and from trails and for longer trips. I love it, super easy to load your bike. bike stays secure with the velcro strap. I do run a cable lock thru the tie down hook if I'm going to leave the bike on there for an extended time. No damage to tailgates on either truck I've had it on.

fj12ryder wrote:

Geo*Boy wrote:
Just install a 2X6 in the front of the bed of the truck, attach a couple of skewer mounts to the 2x.

That works great for road bikes, but you do have to store the wheels somewhere. But mountain bike tires are getting bigger, and removing the wheel isn't as straight forward as on a road bike. Something that allows you to carry without the hassle of front wheel removal is a real advantage.

Both of our bikes are mountain bikes. Front wheels are bungee corded right next to the frames. We transported them this way may times, one trip was out west on a 7,500+ miles.

Don't own one and have looked at them out of curiosity

Won't use it with my plastic bicycles and only a receiver mounted carrier with foam pads to keep the plastic from touching anything else. I'd rather have my plastic bicycles on a carrier, rather then risking a $10K Madone and $5K Farley on a pad and the potential the bicycle might bounce out on a bump or gravel road...

Also, if you take off a wheel that has a disc brake on it...make sure to place a piece of plastic/etc material in place of where the disc would be on the caliper

If you bump the brake lever and move the caliper piston, it will NOT easily allow the disc to go back on...been there done that... Opening the bleed screw is nothing I'd like to do when just placing a spacer in there will do

An okay thing for my metal bicycles, but since have a receiver mounted carrier, not anything I'll need to do.

Edit...locking them up is also a concern with these cushions...

Don't have them, but had friend in TX who used them for years on their high-dollar new chevy to carry their high dollar fat tire mtn bikes as well as their real-high dollar road bikes....i.e. $1X,XXX. No complaints, but I did notice that they routinely would remove the pad and clean the tailgate, often in the middle of a trip if it was overnight or longer.

They’re fine if you keep everything clean. Expect scratches On tailgate if not.

I have to believe the there will be some scuffing Over time. It’s inevitable with anything that can rub on the paint.

Plenty of DIY posts on the internet on how to make your own in bed bike rack. Some even use 2X4’s and the tires slip in between those. Much more secure and you don’t have to worry about damaging anything.