The Best Truck Bed Bike Racks for Every Type of Rider

Picture this: It’s a sunny day, hovering right around 75 degrees. You’ve got no plans, a freshly-tuned bike and a pickup truck waiting to take you to your favorite trail. There’s just one, teensy-tiny hiccup: you haven’t invested in a bike rack yet. Maybe the myriad options on the market have caused analysis paralysis; or perhaps you’ve been so busy, that you haven’t had time to research. Either way, consider this your sign to stop laying your bike down in the truck bed and hoping for the best and to find the rack that’s best suited to your needs.

Why buy a truck bed bike rack?

A truck bed bike rack will keep your bikes secure

There are a plethora of bike types out there: gravel, mountain, road, electric, cargo, etc. Bikes will vary in both size and weight, and depending on how many you’re transporting at a time, sometimes a hitch mount just won’t cut it. Truck bed bike racks make use of the hauling capabilities already built into your vehicle, and keep bikes secured and safe. A truck bed bike rack is also an effective deterrent against thieves and curious passersby.

A truck bed bike rack will protect both your truck bed and your bike

A truck’s bed may be tough (especially if it has a liner) but just laying your bikes down in the back could potentially damage both your truck bed and your bikes. Whether you’re just going around the block or you’re heading out for a multi-week road trip, a truck bed bike rack will save your bikes from getting banged up, or in the case of extreme wind, from flying out of the truck entirely.

What to look for in a truck bed bike rack

There are three main types of truck bed bike racks: wheel mounted, fork mounted and tailgate pads. Each style has its own benefits and drawbacks: wheel-mounted racks are secure and reliable and you don’t have to remove the front tire, which saves time and hassle. Fork-mounted bike racks require the removal of the front tire, but provide extra stability during the drive. Tailgate pads feature padded cushions that prevent your bike frame from rubbing against the metal, or lining, of your truck bed.

You’ll want to think about bike capacity when purchasing the truck bed bike rack that’s going to be best for you — if you’re the only one of your friends that has a pickup, chances are you’ll be hauling multiple bikes on the regular. If you like to ride solo, you can opt for something more minimal. If you’re going to be away from your bikes for long stretches of time, you’ll want to consider a locking bike rack, which provides both security and peace of mind.

You’ll also want to consider your bike style when choosing a rack: the frame design needs to match the rack’s style for effective and easy loading and unloading, and the size of your tire should be compatible with the allotted space on the rack if you’re opting for a wheel-mounted style.

Backcountry

Best Upgrade Truck Bed Bike Rack

THULE XSporter Pro 500XT

• $800.00 at Backcountry

Built to haul a variety of gear, Thule’s truck bed rack can accommodate bikes, surfboards, kayaks and more, making it the ideal match for the multi-hyphenated outdoorsperson.

The XSporter can fit up to five bike racks (not included) and has a max load weight of 450 pounds. The bar height is adjustable, making it easier to access bikes. The no-drill assembly style makes setup quick and preserves the integrity of your truck bed. This rack may be pricey, and won’t haul your bikes without additional bike racks, but if you’re willing to invest upfront, you’ll be hauling a variety of outdoor gear for years to come.

Materials: Aluminum

Weight: 57 pounds

Bike capacity: 5

Rack Type: Wheel-mounted

REI

Best Overall Truck Bed Bike Rack

Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad

• $199.00 at REI

This simple yet durable tailgate pad from Yakima can accommodate up to five bikes and features integrated bike cradles and G-hook buckles for stability during travel.

Made with extra-tough vinyl-coated nylon, the GateKeeper has an extra-soft backing that protects your truck’s paint job, while the G-hook lock and tension system is easy on carbon fiber and other painted surfaces on your bike’s frame. The GateKeeper has a tuck-away cover that allows you to maintain use of your backup camera, and the built-in cable lock loop secures the pad, and your bikes, to the truck bed (bike lock sold separately).

Materials: Vinyl-coated nylon

Weight: 6.4 pounds

Bike capacity: 5

Rack type: Tailgate pad

Amazon

Most Unique Design

Let’s Go Aero Full Nelson

• $579.00 at Amazon

The Full Nelson has one of the most unique designs on this list: the truck bed mount attaches to the bed rails of your vehicle via an adjustable full cross bed bar, and can fit two bikes on top for comfortable and secure travel.

The Full Nelson is a wheel-mounted rack and supports all size and frame style bikes with its adjustable wheel cradles. The Zero-G 4-Point adjustable wheel grip protects the bike’s frame and provides motionless mounting, thanks to four upper wheel cradles with rubber straps and four lower sway stop cradles with rubber straps.

The Full Nelson also features the brand’s proprietary Nelson V-Wing, which rotates 360 degrees for convenient bike loading and unloading.

Materials: Aluminum, plastic

Weight: 66 pounds

Bike capacity: 2 (35 pounds per bike)

Rack type: Wheel mounted

Amazon

Best for Compact Trucks

Pipeline Racks Truck Bed Rack

• $347.00 at Amazon

Rather than mounting on your bed rails, this rack integrates right into your truck bed and can hold up to three bikes with ease. Built for compact trucks, Pipeline’s truck bed bike rack works with bed widths from 49-59 inches and comes with everything you’ll need for installation.

The wheel-mount design is adjustable for 20-20 inch wheel diameters, and for .75 – 2.8-inch tire widths. The all-aluminum construction will prevent rusting, and the low-profile construction allows you to pull into low spaces without worrying about banging up your bikes.

Materials: Aluminum

Weight: 24 pounds

Bike capacity: 3

Rack type: Wheel mounted

Backcountry

Best Tailgate Pad

Thule GateMate Pro Tailgate Pad

• $250.00 at Backcountry

One of the top-rated tailgate pads on the market, Thule’s GateMate is beefy enough to protect your bikes in transit, without taking up precious room in your truck bed. Available in two sizes (for both compact and full-size trucks) the GateMate is constructed with ultra-durable polyester, EVA foam and a vinyl coating to prevent scratches and dings on both truck bed and bike.

The GateMate is made to be useful: it can hold up to seven bikes in compact trucks, and eight in full-size models. On top of its high load capacity, it also features two inside-facing mesh pockets for organizing small items like gloves and accessories and a large handle opening that allows for backup cam use. If you’re looking for a lightweight and highly useful bike rack, this one is it.

Materials: 600D PU polyester non-P PVC, [coating] EPE, [padding] EVA foam, PU leather on the blocks

Weight: 5.5 pounds

Bike capacity: 7 (compact); 8 (full-size)

Rack type: Tailgate pad

Amazon

Best Minimal Design

Swagman Patrol Pickup Truck Bike Rack

• $310.00 at Amazon

Swagman’s minimal and versatile fork-mount bike rack for pickup trucks is a well-built testament to simplicity. The rack can fit two bikes as is, or four if you decide to install additional fork mounts (sold separately). The Patrol Bike Rack fits truck beds from 45-68 inches wide and has a telescoping bar for easy installation and adjustment.

The Patrol has four locking points that secure your bikes to the rack, and the rack to your truck: the quick release skewer, cam lever, and micro dial, and fits 9mm quick release, 15×100 thru axles, and 12×100 mm thru axles. The fork blocks can be repositioned across the rack, depending on your spacing preferences.

Materials: Aluminum

Weight: 11 pounds

Bike capacity: 2 (35 pounds each)

Rack type: Fork mount

Amazon

Amazon Best Seller

Sklon Tailgate Bike Pad

• $160.00 at Amazon

Sklon’s tailgate pad is the number one “Best Seller” on Amazon, and it’s no surprise as to why: the tailgate pad is the only one on the market with an integrated lock, which includes a combination latch and backup key. On top of the included peace of mind, Sklon’s additional benefit is its capacity: it can fit six bikes, and cushioned support cradles with frame straps keep things in place.

The cut-resistant steel wire, weather-proof vinyl, extra-thick high-density foam padding and heavy-duty cam buckles, paired with the low price point, make this an easy “Add to Cart”.

Materials: Vinyl

Weight: 10.03 pounds

Bike capacity: 6

Rack type: Tailgate pad

Amazon

Best Budget Truck Bed Bike Rack

MBP Alloy Quick Release Fork Mount Bike Block

• $18.00 at Amazon
  $20.00 (10% off)

This small-but-mighty bike block can be mounted in your truck bed, garage, home, shed or anywhere else you can conceive of keeping your bike. At under 20 bucks, it’s affordable as well as convenient and takes up less space than any other rack on this list.

The alloy construction lends strength and durability to the mount, and the block can be mounted vertically or horizontally, depending on where you choose to place it. The quick-release lever means loading and unloading is a breeze, and the 9×100 mount fits most standard bicycles.

If you’re using this for your truck bed, you’ll need a 2×4 cut to the width of your vehicle; you’ll mount the MBP onto that, with your own mounting hardware. If you’re the DIY type that doesn’t mind getting your hands dirty and likes a low price point, this mount is for you.

Materials: Alloy

Weight: 0.62 pounds

Bike capacity: 1

Rack type: Fork mounted

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