I've been working on a new bike rack. I wanted something that was easy to load. I got a few ideas and started welding. This is what I came up with. It can hold 4 bikes. I used 3/4" square tubing. If I remove these 2 bolts it becomes a 2 bike rack. I loaded it up with 4 bikes and drove it around a bit. Nothing fell off so far. The bikes don't wiggle much either. We will do further testing tomorrow.
Wheelbase is too short on the rack. Extend it out so even a short wheelbase bike or long wheelbase bike can sit inside instead of sitting on top like the Cannondale is right now. I made a rack similar to this. However, I finally broke down and bought the Performance 4 bike one because I could slide the wheel trays so when handlebars conflicted, I could adjust it. Nice home made rack though. Looks good.
I just use a cam strap. I put the strap on so it pulls down and forward. That pulls the front tire further into the hoop. I will probably put a strap on the front wheel as insurance on a long trip.
Jeff is it just me? Or does that rack kinda look like your fence? Are you going to paint the rack white? :steppie:
It is built with leftover fence material. Very observant Dean. I think I can make anything look like a fence. I guess I have to paint it but that will double the materials cost.
Looks good, nice work. Im curious as to why you would want a hitch mounted rack when you have a truck bed. :-k When I had my trucks, I would just strap my bikes down. Is it that much easier to just load it on that rack?
my buddy with a tacoma used to how-to guide to make his homemade bike rack http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/bikerack/makerack.htm made of pvc pipe kind of pricey. but his dad is a contractor so he got most of the pipe from his dad's leftover. it works well. and if the pipe ever breaks, which it hasnt yet, you just shove a pipe the diameter of the hole inside to hold the broken pieces together and put some glue. bam, stronger than before!
Good question. I do quite a bit of shuttling where we carry more bikes than I can fit in the back of the truck. Also, when you go on a trip it sure makes packing easier when you can hang the bikes off the back. They take up a ton of space in the bed. On this project I have spent $6. All of the steel is left over from another project. If I had to guess I would say $40-50.
That looks great Jeff. One thing I noticed. I would be carefull of the wheel trap hanging down below the rack on the back bike(s). Especially when going up/down steep driveways, etc. My Sportworks rack is nearing the end of it's life and I've been eyeing a welder. I think you mentioned you have a 110v wire feed. Is that what you welded this rack with?
That is something I am a little concerned about as well. The front tire does hang down a little but is not the lowest thing. The bottom of the hoop is lower so it will scrape well before the tire will. Also the back 2 bikes are 2 inches higher than the front bikes. This helps with dragging and with handlebar/seat conflicts. My driveway is pretty steep as you know and I was able to back up into the driveway with a few inches to spare. I welded this up with my 110v Miller 135. I use CO2 shielding gas. That little machine kicks butt.
Saw Jeff's rack today. It's pretty sweet- stiff from side to side with good clearance... :bang::bang:
is there anything that you can't make? sounds like dan'o really likes your new rack...what does melanie think of it? lol looks nice duder!!! :bang:
That is an interesting question. I don't know how a 29er would work on there. I didn't even consider it.
Looks good.Square tubing, not the usual. Is it heavy? I used to build racks for a landscape company and they weighed a ton for what they wanted. Oh and the bracing on the underside, do you think a good gusset would work to cut down on weight?