Thule Insta-Gater Pro Truck Bed Bike Rack
Sure, you could just toss your bike in the back, but with the Thule Insta-Gater Pro truck bed bike rack, you can carry your precious steed upright and stable, protecting it from jostling and damage.
- Quickly secures your bike without frame contact using the ratcheting arm
- Ideal for carbon frames, mountain bikes, downhill rigs, e-bikes and fat-tire bikes, this rack fits 20 to 29 in. wheels with tires up to 5 in. wide
- Holds 1 bike weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Integrated cable lock lets you secure your bike during quick stops; compatible with Thule's One-Key system which lets you purchase lock cores to match keys you already own
- Fits all pickup tailgates with no bolting or drilling required
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Cycling |
|---|---|
| Number of Bikes | 1-bike |
| Max Weight Per Bike (lbs) | 50 pounds |
| Bike Attachment Point | Wheel |
| Integrated Lock | Yes |
| Weight | 11 pounds |
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Very solid product -- but a crazy high price
I've purchased two of these previously. They are solid and work great. I did have a failure on one (the rivet attaching the tail gate plastic strap to the base pipe failed) more than 2 years after I bought it and Thule still replaced the whole unit for free. Big props to them for standing behind their product. That said, I really struggle with the pricing. It's a smart idea, but it's some steel tubes, some plastic, a little foam. I cannot imagine the margin on it per unit. So I feel like you are paying a premium for the brand name and because Thule is taking advantage of lifestyle of their typical customer.
Great concept but slightly unsturdy
I have a mountain bike. The tires are at 29x2.8, so the tires are slightly fat. They don’t fit well within the tire holder. Even with the tire pressed against the tailgate the bike wobbles in turns and along bumps. I don’t think the bike will will fall, but it stresses me out watching it wobble. I think it’s good for the short ride to the local trail but, having a hard time convincing myself to do it on longer drives. I wish the holder would be longer/higher with an extra strap higher up to provide more security. It probably also doesn’t help I have a shorter truck bed and am having to put in the rear tire and having front tire turned, as it’s easier for the bike to sway. Great concept I want to trust it but it hard to.
Easy to use
I have a Thule hitch rack for carrying multiple bikes, but I wanted a better way to carry a single bike in my truck bed. The spray on liner would tear up the finish on my bike, with even a small amount of movement. Also, I didn’t like the idea of hanging the frame over the tailgate. This is a simple and elegant solution. It takes only minutes to set up and adjust, and it holds my bike securely. Additionally, it uses the same arm and locking mechanism as my other rack, and has no contact with the frame. I would recommend this mount to anyone.
Updated design a step backwards
I have an Insta-Gator that I purchased about 4-5 years ago that still works fine. I can mount my bike in seconds. The newer model that I just purchased is a major redesign. I can’t swing the locking arm between the front tire and frame without forcing the rubberized hook as it rubs the frame and tire. It’s probably going to rub the paint off. I bought this newer model to carry my granddaughter’s bike so I hope it works. My bike is a Trek Domane with composite frame and 32mm tires. Will probably work okay with my other Domane with 25mm tires. I’d return it had I known. Too late now. I’ll most likely shave the rubber a little on the top of the hook to make it thinner. The rivets on the original are prone to rust and it looks like this newer model has similar fasteners.
hard to use
Just bought and have used only once. Not sure if its me or this bike rack but I find it extremely hard to use, problem is you have to put the bike rack in the truck and then put your bike wheel in the slot and then close your truck gate. Maybe if I was 20 this would be easy but as an older women its really hard. Bad purchase for an older person, wish I had purchased the bike rack that attaches to my trailer hitch.
Works as advertised!
Works great! Noticed better MPG having my bikes in the bed rather than on a hitch rack. Also better protection from road spray and getting rear ended. For this rack, I mount them using the rear wheel, facing forward. With my longer wheelbase XL mountain bike, I do need to turn the front wheel in order to make it fit.
Superior Bike Rack
Installed the Insta Water Pro on my truck bed and it works fantastic. The security and stability of the clamp is very stable. The bike are easily able to be moved in and out of truck with no issue. My Thule bike rack makes things a lot easier to transport mountain bikes. I highly recommend this purchase.
Solid Hold, Improvement on the First Version
I have a couple of the first version of this rack and they work great, except they are a little tricky to use with the back wheel, because it hits the derailleur cage. This new version fixes that issue and holds a wider tire as well. Very happy with it.
Don't purchase if your frame and tire are close.
This rack does not work well if your frame and wheel/tire are close together. There is not enough room for the rack to hold onto the tire. I had a very expensive bike slip out several times. This one rack has gone into the donation pile.
Great Product
Very high quality.. Heavy gauge metal and good coating..good design although the release mechanism is close to the derailleur on my two bikes, if it was higher up the arm it wouldn't hit anything. Other than that it's a great product