Wood Bike Rack

This instructable will teach you how to build a bike rack to fit in a truck bed. This style of rack also allows it to be used as a bike rack on the ground for parking bikes.

Step 1: What You Will Need

These measurements are an approximate. What you will need will depend on the size of truck you build your rack for. It's best to take measurements and go off of those. It's always good to have a little mor lumbere than you need. What you will need for supplies: 14 feet 2x6 or 2x4 boards 24 feet 2x2 boards Have a bunch of screws that will be the length to hold together your lumber. Tools: You could do this all with hand tools if that's all you have but power tools make it so much easier. Saw- for cutting lumber. Drill- for putting in screws. Measuring tape- for finding out your measurements. Square or at least a ruler- for getting angled.

Step 2: The Base

Measure the narrowest point in the bed of your truck, probably between the wheel wells. This measurement will be used to cut the main two boards that will make up the base of your bike rack. Cut two lengths of 2x6 a half inch shorter then your measurement. To get your next measurement to complete the base and get your tire rails put your bike tire between the two boards so the the tire touches the ground and is held between the two boards. This is going act as a stop so your bike can't roll forward or backward while driving. Move your bike and measure the distance your 2x6s are away from each other measuring from outside to outside. Cut four lengths of 2x2 to this measurement. Before screwing anything in Mock assemble the base in your truck with your bike so you can see where you want your bike to sit. If you want it to hold more than one bike make sure there's is enough room for them side by side. When you see where you want the bikes to sit put a 2x2 beside the tire of your bike and mark it's location with a pencil. Lay your 2x6s on the ground placing them the correct distance apart and screw down your 2x2 using the lines you just marked. Measure how far this 2x2 is to the close end of your 2x6 and screw one in place on the other side. For your final two 2x2s place your bike next to one of the 2x2s you screwed down where you want your bike to sit and place down your next 2x2 against the other side of your tire, screw it in place and repeat this on the other side. Your now done your base.

Step 3: The Back Stop

Park your bike in your base between your tire rails you just made. Take a measurement from the ground to a few inches above the centre of your tire. Cut four lengths of 2x6 to this measurement. Screw these 2x6s to the back of your base lining up the inside if the 2x6 two the inside of your 2x2. Repeat this for all four 2x6s. Your bike tire should now be held in place on the bottom by your base and in the front by your back stop. To make these 2x6s nice and sturdy put two screws into the bottom of the back stop and into the 2x6 that makes up the front of your base, then add one more screw going into the end of your tire rails. Now it won't wiggle around.

Step 4: Cross Members

This is probably the most important part to give your bike support to minimize it from flopping around. Your side braces will sit against the side of your tires at an angle running across your spokes and under the centre of your tire where the tire connects to your front forks. Take a measurement where the 2x2s will site and cut 4 pieces to an inch longer than this measurement. Once your boards are cut to length hold one in place and hold the edge of your square against the 2x6 that makes up the back stop and the flat part of your square against your 2x2 your holding in place. Use a pencil and mark a line on your 2x2 where the square sits against it. You now have a line to cut the correct angle onto our 2x2. Repeat this for the all four pieces and also to the bottom of your cross braces. If you have a protractor you could take the angles for your first bored and just copy them to the rest. Screw these in place so they run along the tire. The bottom should be sitting on top of your base tire rails.

Step 5: Finished

Now you should be able to put this in and out of your truck with ease. The key to woodwork is to be patient, think steps through, measure twice and cut once. I use a ratchet strap and strap the back of my bike down so there is next to no play. This isn't really necessary but my bike cost me good money so I take no risks. Thanks and enjoy