While there are plenty of options for good quality hitch or trunk mounted bike racks out there, there are a few reasons why it’s nice to be able to transport your bike(s) inside your SUV or truck. External racks leave bikes vulnerable to the elements and, even worse, to vandals or thieves, so you’ll have to lock your bikes to your rack, and the rack to your vehicle to keep your beloved bikes safe.
If your vehicle has the space, tossing a bike in the trunk keeps it protected from poor weather and all your quick-release components safe from idle hands, with no extra locks required. Steepgrade has decided to make in-car (or truck bed) bike storage easy and highly protective with their simple base-and-strap rack system. Read on past the break to find out how to keep your (expensive!) junk safely in your trunk…
Steepgrade’s in-car racks are simply a weighted fork-mount base with a set of nylon compression straps attached to hold your bike upright and in position. The base is not a permanent mount unit, so no drilling or vehicle modifications are required. Each base is made of urethane coated steel, and weighs roughly 8lbs. to ensure stability. With their no-slip coating they sit securely in place once you’ve strapped down your steed.
The bases are available to accommodate QR’s or thru axles. Using the supplied adapters, the racks can fit 20x110mm, or 15mm axles at 100, 135, 142 and 150mm widths. Steepgrade’s double racks can be purchased with any combination of axle sizes.
The base’s angled shape prevents lateral sway or tipping, and fits into the corner of your trunk. To make the most efficient use of your vehicle’s rectangular cargo area the bikes sit diagonally. Steepgrade’s patented wheel holder, which straps around the top tube and stores your front wheel beside your front triangle, is included with every rack.
With your fork clamped to the base, route the straps up over your handlebars on both sides of the bike, and secure them to your vehicle’s cargo hooks. If you don’t have cargo hooks, you can strap into the child seat anchors on your back seats.
Single and double racks can be combined to hold any number of bikes depending on how much space you have- even cargo trailers can be efficiently stuffed to move larger fleets for teams or cycling clubs.
Steepgrade’s in-car racks are made in the USA, and are available in a wide variety of colors. Prices start at $109 USD for a single and $129 for a double QR style rack, thru axle options will add roughly $10-15. Three and four bike package deals are also available.
