Simple Bike Mount

ThunderStruck1 · 02-04-2006, 09:51 PM

Hey Guys,

My first post here. Great forum. Lots of useful info for Tacoma owners.

I hope this helps people looking for an alternative bike mount setup w/o the cleats (edit). I had this setup for about a year now.

I bolted a universal blockhead on the rail by following how the bed cleats work. Stainless steel roundhead bolts, washers and wing nut (1/4"). Roundhead so it can easily slide in the rail. It's rock solid. I've driven +10K miles w/ a bike or two on the bed w/o any problem. Strap the bike's rear tire(s) to the D-rings so it won't jump when hitting road bumps. Takes only minutes to install. Cost per set is about $11. You can buy blockheads from PerformanceBike.com. They can go on sale for about $9 in a local PB store.

If you want a more secure setup, use the Yakima locking blockhead. Lock it to the rail w/ something similar to those wheel locks. Anybody know where to find those special locks?? I'd like to upgrade my setup and make it more secure. I'm currently using a combi cable lock (Kryptonite) to secure the bikes.

Here is my setup ...very easy.

ponq · 02-05-2006, 12:34 AM

Pics please.

I want to do this, and I'm having trouble visualizing(sp).

Welcome to the board.

ThunderStruck1 · 02-05-2006, 12:49 AM

Sorry about the pic. I have to find a different image host. I hope this works.

turbos17 · 02-05-2006, 12:55 AM

Very innovative!

Put this in the D.I.Y.

rpmspeedyBlue · 02-05-2006, 04:20 AM

I like it!!

novataco · 02-09-2006, 05:36 PM

Nice...too bad I bought the Toyota fork mounts at $40.00 each...

Heres a link for the Performance block mount with skewer for anyone else who wants to save themselves some coin...

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

Matt R · 02-09-2006, 09:28 PM

Here is another option that may even work with yours ThunderStruck.
Click on the following link to the Delta bikemount:
http://www.rei.com/product/11663952.htm

There is a hole in the skewer handle that allows you to put a padlock through and lock it to the base. Does the Performance bikemount have enough "meat" on the handle to allow you to drill a hole in it???

rifle · 02-09-2006, 09:32 PM

Muy cool

novataco · 02-09-2006, 09:56 PM

That would only lock the mount to whatever you bolt it to, right? I dont think that would lock the skewer down or keep the bike secure... I guess you could use a lock and chain and lock the frame to the fork mount if that is secured to the cleat channel with screws rather than something like wingnuts...

I guess I am rarely in a situation where my bike needs to be locked. I take the bike, I ride, I go home. If I stop for food or whatever I eat within eyesight and if I go in a store Ill even park illegally in the lot, like right at the front door...

Matt R · 02-09-2006, 09:57 PM

Rocky Mounts also make a lockable bike mount. The price is more than Performance but less than the Yakima locking blockhead.

Here is the link for more information:
http://www.rockymounts.com/bedmount....&page=bedmount

What I like about this one is that it is also a two bolt design. This makes it easy to bolt into the Tacoma's bed rail.

novataco · 02-09-2006, 11:42 PM

bookmarking this thread...thanks all of you...man this makes me itching to load up my bike and go ride the Blue Ridge Parkway...

Tried2Live · 02-11-2006, 12:41 AM

Thanks for the idea man. I just went and picked up the stuff for mine today. Only 26 bucks total for the mounts and hardware, and it's really slick.

Only things I did differently were I used 1/2" Carriage bolts instead of the round head bolts like you, and I used a regular nut and lockwasher instead of the wing nut. I had to drill out the mounts so a 1/2" bolt would slide through, but it wasn't a big deal.

The only reason I used the big carriage bolt was because it fit perfectly in the rail's channel, and the little square piece under the head holds the bolt still when you tighten down the nut.

Awesome creation though, and I didn't even have to waste my cleats.

ThunderStruck1 · 02-12-2006, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt R

Here is another option that may even work with yours ThunderStruck.
Click on the following link to the Delta bikemount:
http://www.rei.com/product/11663952.htm

There is a hole in the skewer handle that allows you to put a padlock through and lock it to the base. Does the Performance bikemount have enough "meat" on the handle to allow you to drill a hole in it???

hey thanks for the tip. both delta and rocky mount are good options. i'm leaning towards replacing the skewer or the block. yakima now has these ..
http://www.rackwarehouse.com/y2080.html or http://www.rackwarehouse.com/y1118.html

http://www.yakima.com/tech_manual/vi....asp?part=2447

that should help secure the fork to the mount. as for securing the mount to the rail, it's another thing. i guess i will have to stick w/ the combi cable for now.

ThunderStruck1 · 02-12-2006, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tried2Live

Thanks for the idea man. I just went and picked up the stuff for mine today. Only 26 bucks total for the mounts and hardware, and it's really slick.

Only things I did differently were I used 1/2" Carriage bolts instead of the round head bolts like you, and I used a regular nut and lockwasher instead of the wing nut. I had to drill out the mounts so a 1/2" bolt would slide through, but it wasn't a big deal.

The only reason I used the big carriage bolt was because it fit perfectly in the rail's channel, and the little square piece under the head holds the bolt still when you tighten down the nut.

Awesome creation though, and I didn't even have to waste my cleats.

You're welcome. It looks really neat on the rail. The wing nuts are for easy disassembly - bike frames are locked w/ cables anyway. I've been tinkering w/ the same bolt-type at the hardware store. It looks perfect w/ the wheel lock so I will try to change my setup using the larger bolts. If you have a spare locking lug nut, see if it works. Thanks!

Tried2Live · 02-12-2006, 08:32 PM

Locking lug nut? Like a nylon locknut? I wanted to, but since the square part under the head isn't the exact right size for the channel, (the head of the bolt fits great, but the square part is just a little small) the bolt would be able to turn while I was tightening it down. With the regular nut and lock washer, I could snug them down by hand a little bit, then torque them down with a 3/4" wrench to lock them in. Somebody could still take them off I guess, but they'd have to be carrying a wrench around with them to do it.

I also thought about the wingnut like you, but since I used such a big bolt, the wings hit the bracket. Not a big deal though, cause I'd rather leave the mounts on all the time and not have to worry about them much.