Bike Racks... Tailgate Pad or Hitch Rack for frequent use.

[SeanBonham]

I'm trying to get out on the MTB 3-4 times a week this summer. After works rides / weekend adventures. Trying to decide which kinda bike rack solution to go with. Any frequent Mountain Bikers happy with their rack choice for the Maverick? 99% of the time will be 1 bike. Full Squish 29er. I do like the tailgate pad idea, cheap and easy, but long term damage to the tailgate paint seems inevitable with that route. Guess I could have the tailgate wrapped with PPF. Living with a hitch rack on all summer could be a pain as well. Any thoughts / reviews?
Bike photo for attention

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[skinnyboy]

I'm trying to get out on the MTB 3-4 times a week this summer. After works rides / weekend adventures. Trying to decide which kinda bike rack solution to go with. Any frequent Mountain Bikers happy with their rack choice for the Maverick? 99% of the time will be 1 bike. Full Squish 29er. I do like the tailgate pad idea, cheap and easy, but long term damage to the tailgate paint seems inevitable with that route. Guess I could have the tailgate wrapped with PPF. Living with a hitch rack on all summer could be a pain as well. Any thoughts / reviews?
Bike photo for attention

I have a 1 Up single with an add on with the mounting bar flipped as per dedMann (thanks dedMann!). It's the only rack I would buy, really robust and convenient. Bought a medium RaceFace pad, installed it once but doubt I will ever put it on again. Nice Ibis AF! I ride a Banshee Titan mostly.

Cheers.

 

[SeanBonham]

I have a 1 Up single with an add on with the mounting bar flipped as per dedMann (thanks dedMann!). It's the only rack I would buy, really robust and convenient. Bought a medium RaceFace pad, installed it once but doubt I will ever put it on again. Nice Ibis AF! I ride a Banshee Titan mostly.

Cheers.

I'm leaning that way. Those seem SO well made. Did you do the Quick Rack or the Super Duty sinlge? The Banshee frame design is killer! Cool bike!

 

[dalola]

Sweet bike!

I would think you'd have lots of good options for one bike. Maybe experiment where it fits best. On trips when you need the bed, maybe a hitch rack. Probably too big to fit in the back seat area.
Don't have my Mav yet, so I can't speak specifically.

Since I haul 4 bikes at once, I have a hitch rack for the Pilot that works well, and a in-bed rack for the F150 that also works well. I'll have to figure out what works best for the Mav if I ever get it....

Check back when you have it figured out.

 

[dedMann]

If you dont have a e-bike or anticipate shuttling; I'd do a single. You can always add a tray later. I'd like to mention, the silver one will never fade or show wear. One of my customers insisted on a black version (he got his less than a year ago) and it is already turning a multitude of colors. Could just be the luck of the draw for him. Did I mention that the rack is super light and folds to fit back into the really nice (lol) box it comes in for storage? I also really appreciate the secured pin and ability to throw a lock on it with out anything special.

I opened the factory hole ever so slightly to accommodate a hex shaft lock.They are way harder to cut that a round shank lock. It distributes the force across a flat set face as opposed to being focused into one point. Make sure if you use a chain it too is hardened flat link.

 

[skinnyboy]

I'm leaning that way. Those seem SO well made. Did you do the Quick Rack or the Super Duty sinlge? The Banshee frame design is killer! Cool bike!

I got the quick rack single, don't think you would regret either one. I must be getting (really) old, but I find the double heavy, but I'm sure dedMann has more racks to compare it to. Aluminum is the way, for bikes and racks .

Cheers.

 

[SeanBonham]

If you dont have a e-bike or anticipate shuttling; I'd do a single. You can always add a tray later. I'd like to mention, the silver one will never fade or show wear. One of my customers insisted on a black version (he got his less than a year ago) and it is already turning a multitude of colors. Could just be the luck of the draw for him. Did I mention that the rack is super light and folds to fit back into the really nice (lol) box it comes in for storage? I also really appreciate the secured pin and ability to through a lock on it with out anything special.

I opened the factory hole ever so slightly to accommodate a hex shaft lock.They are way harder to cut that a round shank lock. It distributes the force across a flat set face as opposed to being focused into one point. Make sure if you use a chain it too is hardened flat link.

Nice! So it looks like you have the quick rack single? Feels plenty secure? Thought about the 2" super version, but I don't think you can do the flip trick on the receiver that you cleverly figured out. Thanks for the info!

 

[SeanBonham]

I wonder if this one could be flipped https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-super-duty-single-bike-rack/ to lower it? Something about having a hitch pin makes me feel better, but I'm sure the quik is plenty good for my needs.

 

[Jmav2152]

I have a Kuat NV 2.0 and it's about the most badass rack I've ever seen. The one up is cool for sure but I don't think it is in the Same class as the kuat when it comes to fit and finish. It also has Integrated cable locks and a stand for trail side maintenance.


All that said.....tailgate pad FTW. I bought the fox one a few months back for half off.

 

[Jmav2152]

Some pics of the kuat on my old subaru

 

[SeanBonham]

Some pics of the kuat on my old subaru

Looks pretty dang nice.

 

[dedMann]

Nice! So it looks like you have the quick rack single? Feels plenty secure? Thought about the 2" super version, but I don't think you can do the flip trick on the receiver that you cleverly figured out. Thanks for the info!

It is absolutely secure! The pin tightens internally. The $15 dollar master lock to secure it; even if you have the 8mm security hex wrench, you can't get at it. The lock also provides a great place to add my flat link chain to lock bike properly. I have had lots of negative feed back from customers about their racks wobbling on dirt roads. The manufactures claim that is "engineered" wobble. lol! I am 99% SURE THE 2" hitch is symmetrical, so wont benefit from the flip.
As for the Kuat; I'm not a fan. I have sold dozens of the because of the fancy factor. I prefer to not touch the frame or fork at all. It will rub that sucker raw. When I see a bike on the trail and they have to two shiny spots next to the fork arch, discolored rims(strap), or a spot on the frame; I know which type of rack they have. Holding by the consumable parts (tire) is most secure and eats up a bunch of the vibrations. The bike rack part is kinda cool.....I have only used it once for pitcrew action at a race. As for the integrated locks: they are laughable. Nearly any cutter would breeze right through it. Not to mention the actual locks are poop (replaced numerous).
My second choice would probably be a Saris MH-1. I try to avoid plastic as much as possible and this is more metal than most, and I think it's Made In The USA. E-bike friendly! Not to mention they use a Gorrilla Gravity in their advertisement!! MHS-1 rack

 

[SeanBonham]

It is absolutely secure! The pin tightens internally. The $15 dollar master lock to secure it; even if you have the 8mm security hex wrench, you can't get at it. The lock also provides a great place to add my flat link chain to lock bike properly. I have had lots of negative feed back from customers about their racks wobbling on dirt roads. The manufactures claim that is "engineered" wobble. lol! I am 99% SURE THE 2" hitch is symmetrical, so wont benefit from the flip.
As for the Kuat; I'm not a fan. I have sold dozens of the because of the fancy factor. I prefer to not touch the frame or fork at all. It will rub that sucker raw. When I see a bike on the trail and they have to two shiny spots next to the fork arch, discolored rims(strap), or a spot on the frame; I know which type of rack they have. Holding by the consumable parts (tire) is most secure and eats up a bunch of the vibrations. The bike rack part is kinda cool.....I have only used it once for pitcrew action at a race. As for the integrated locks: they are laughable. Nearly any cutter would breeze right through it. Not to mention the actual locks are poop (replaced numerous).
My second choice would probably be a Saris MH-1. I try to avoid plastic as much as possible and this is more metal than most, and I think it's Made In The USA. E-bike friendly! Not to mention they use a Gorrilla Gravity in their advertisement!! MHS-1 rack

I'm definitely going 1up. All metal is amazing and rare these days. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jmav2152]

Looks pretty dang nice.

It has a built in stabilizer and if you look under the rear tire towards the end, you'll see little hole cutouts. That's where you pull out and stow the cable lock. It also comes with a locking hitch pin.

 

[dedMann]

As a Bicycle Tech(shop owner) I forgot to mention: Think about these big steel racks (4bike) and e-bikes; they apply quite a bit of load on the receiver. Tongue weight is a real factor. I have seen numerous unibody cars start to crack from the stress on receiver. The steel receiver is strong but the sheet metals it attaches may not have the same integrity

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