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The Integrated Bike Rack and Features of the Hoodworks GearGate Will Make you Want a Truck!

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0 Hoodworks geargate-back-led_jpg_project-body

If you’ve ever teetered on whether or not you wanted a truck, this little doozie of a tailgate from Hoodworks may just knock you off that ledge. Loaded with some bike friendly features, the GearGate puts a lot of the things you need in one place and adds a few other handy items to boot. In total there are a lot of the very well thought out… as well as heart breaking features of the HoodWorks GearGate…..

Hodworks geargate-shaft_jpg_project-body
media c. of HoodWorks

You really need to watch the video to get a better perspective of how this loaded tailgate looks and works as the pictures don’t do it justice. They’ve launched a crowd funding campaign to get these produced and in your hands. The GearGate simply replaces your truck’s existing tailgate and installs in a hurry.

To start, there is the Universal Bike Mount that will accept open dropout and thru-axles alike, (no specifics were mentioned, but surely 15mm fits) and holds up to 3 bikes. The mounts will accept up to 150mm hub-spacing so it’s fat bike friendly as well. It’s hard to tell from the pics and the video of how exactly it works, but it seems allow you to clamp the bikes in place with the tailgate down for easy access, then the mount rotates as you shut the tailgate lifting the bike into place. My only beef is that it appears to only clamp down on one side of the dropouts leaving the potential for rattling and likely placing as lot of stress on a single dropout. Since this is the prototype, hopefully that may be addressed on production.

Hoodworks geargate-lock_jpg_project-body

Regardless of your setup, it’s important to have a way to secure your prized possessions. Like many, I quit using coffee shop locks, cable locks with my rack a long time ago and carry a decent chain lock with me that requires much more work to cut through. Hoodworks put some thought into this. Just about every rack on the market that includes a lock, includes a mediocre cable lock at best, so this feature is a home run in my book. Calling it the Mantis Passive Locking System, the setup uses two steel claws to hold the chain which are then hidden once the GearGate is closed.

Hoodworks geargate-toolbox_jpg_project-body

It comes with a sturdy, foam lined tool box that slips in the top of the tailgate. I can only assume it’s secured in there as that would get stolen quick otherwise. I have a mobile tool bag that I take everywhere, but having it integrated like this would be nice.

Hoodworks geargate-safe_jpg_project-body

There is also a lockable compartment built into the GearGate for to keep your valuables secure and easily accessible. This is nice as break-ins at trail heads are all too common so putting your goods, (including keys you don’t want to lose on the trail) here adds an extra level of security.

Hoodworks geargate-led_jpg_project-body

One super handy feature are the LED lights mounted in the back. Not having to fumble with your bike light to work on something in a parking lot before, after or during a night ride would be nice. Plus, it would create a nice ambiance when folded down while sitting on the tailgate post ride while having some brews. Speaking of which…..

Hoodworks geargate-opener_jpg_project-body

GAHHHH!!! Okay, not everything can be perfect, but if one thing should be, it’s this. Sure, just about anything you can put a bottle opener on should have one, but I am pretty sure this is one of the worst positioned bottle openers I’ve ever seen. The video almost makes me want to weep a little when beer pours all over the place. How about making it so you push the beer in the other direction, keeping it in the bottle?

Regardless, they have over 100 designs and are open to suggestions… so how about a better bottle opener? An integrated bike hanger/repair stand would be rad too! What do you all want to see?

Features Include:

  • Universal Bike (UB) Shaft for Open Dropout and Thru-Axle Bikes.
  • Custom American Internal and External LED Truck Bed Lighting
  • 18 Feet of Extreme Conditions Square Link Lock Chain from Pewag
  • Two Integrated Steel Bottle Openers
  • Nanuk 910 Medium Conditions-Proof Heavy Duty Toolbox
  • Dual Tactical-Grade Handles with OEM Latches
  • Handmade Steel and Aluminum Tube & Panel Construction
  • Made in Portland, Oregon, with All-American Components.

Hoodworks Availability

The GearGate Cycling Comp One (GGS-CC1), as seen in the video with lighting, lock chains, Nanuk case, combo locking NanoVault safe, three UB-Shafts for bike forks, and Hoodworks bottle opener goes for $1,790 (Early Bird Special on their crowd-funder is $1,590)

Add-ons and Extras, and Options from Hoodworks:

  • Integrated Backup Camera – If your pickup has a reverse camera, the GearGate retains it. (Contact for details and model availability.) Price: $300
  • Make mine a “B” – The GGS-CC1B – all of the features of the GGS-CC1 plus backlit GGS-CC1 lettering in a choice of colors. Price: $150
  • Custom Colors – they can offer a wide range of personalized powder coated external color options Price: $150

HoodWorks.com

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27 Comments
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Quickie
Quickie
8 years ago

This is undeniably cool, but I feel like a person could get most of the features by modifying a standard tailgate for a fraction of the price. That said, it looks like a well-made product.

JBikes
JBikes
8 years ago

Nice idea at keeping bed mounts from fouling an otherwise flat load floor. But if you don’t need that, this provides zero real value (too me – as jumping in a truck bed is easy).
Also, what prevents your bikes rear wheels from bouncing up and around, knocking into each other?
I wish them the best, but this is pricey for little gained utility.

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

“You put the bottle open in backwards”… “But the video guy is here now.”… “Just get it in the movie.”

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

@JBikes.. I thought that too, as a good wind could pick up a bike on the highway and lift it up. I can’t see it held in place by it’s attachment to the fork, the way the bike must move on that skewer to lower the gate, so I’m at a loss.

Ck
Ck
8 years ago

The idea is very cool, but the execution is a little off IMO. That “safe” is a blatant target that I would never stash something in and as mentioned, the fork mounts need some work.

Jonnie
Jonnie
8 years ago

Of course it’s from PDX

Dsand
Dsand
8 years ago

And cops won’t profile anyone with hoodworks on their tailgate.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
8 years ago

A+ for creativity, B for clever details, D- for integration and detail design. Student should redo assignment paying closer attention to real world issues. Also what precautions does this have against tailgate theft (yes this is a real and statically significant problem)

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

This is quite cool, but I feel well served by Thule’s GateMate for casual carry, or the many fork carriers that mate with industry standard bed rail systems for more serious carry. OR, you know, just tossing the bikes in and tying them up with some rope.

Bob
Bob
8 years ago

Yes, lets promote drinking & driving.

Newt
Newt
5 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Maybe that’s why the bottle opener is installed upside down according to the video. This ensures you only consume half the available alcohol in your truck.

chasejj
chasejj
8 years ago

This is what happens when products are developed in the vacuum of crowdfunding.
This is a novel idea that needs serious development. They are targeting a very niche market. I drive a full size truck and use the easiest method ever devised for securing MTB’s in it (RecRac) . Without needing to remove a front wheel either.
Removing a thru axle wheel like my 36Fox 20mm with no less than 5 fasteners to work to remove is simply not an option on a daily basis.
Not to mention this thing only accommodates 3 bikes. I guess my 4th family member just gets left at home?
There is no answer for every situation, I get that. But this is very expensive and clearly not IT.
With a shell my lone bike will get secured in the covered shell with a RockyMount in the bed and when the whole crew goes a Northshore Bikes 6 bike rack on the hitch. It’s the only way. Which is my point. How do you justify the expense of this and have so many limitations?

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
8 years ago

Pretty sweet opener…gotta dump half your beer on the ground when you use it.

Allan
Allan
8 years ago

@Joe Blow, that kills it! Also agree with Bob, I’m surprised an accessory for your vehicle is legally allowed to have something to open beer bottles. Now, I know, everyone has one on their keyring, and it’s not hard to open a beer bottle, but then why not just have one integrated into a vehicle’s dashboard? If people are gonna make bad choices about alcohol and driving, that’s their choice, but I’m not sure things should be integrated into the vehicle accessories themselves…

David Lewis
8 years ago

I hear you about the bottle opener being upside down. We wanted it to look like the logo, and use the W as the tab, and I still think it looks pretty good. About spilling the beer, I had to shake the bottle to get the suds to spray a little, for effect. I shook it too much!

You might be surprised how much non-bike product development and production happens in bicycle manufacturing companies. This project is a collaboration between some established companies and engineers and I’m proud to say is made in Portland!

Speshy
Speshy
8 years ago

I like how you can store your lunchbox in the tailgate.

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

Looks beautifully made. At $1,000 a home run (remember guys, this is still the pre-production stage — details will be improved).

But at $1,800 I’m not so sure.

jiw71
jiw71
8 years ago

just a tad elaborate…………..and the front wheel has to come off! I’ll stick to racking the bikes in the pickup bed (both wheels attached) with a couple of sturdy bungee cords to secure the bikes. (up to 3 bikes)

Allan Hunt
Allan Hunt
8 years ago

Beer wasters in Portland!

aarl
aarl
8 years ago

Leave the wheels on the bikes. No way would I take a wheel off to transport. My tailgate pad does me fine and I can lock my crap in the cab.
But I really like the concept, just keep refining!

a*
a*
8 years ago

Why would this not be made for a Tacoma?

Johnny
Johnny
8 years ago

I like the idea a lot but there are some issues that others have brought up.

One other issue is that a lot of new trucks have the backup camera integrated into the handle of the tailgate (such as the 2016 Colorado and Tacoma I’m looking at). A replacement camera is very cheap but it would be nice to see one integrated into the design.

Mike D
8 years ago

If you’re drinking Ninkasi IPAs, that bottle opener is perfectly designed 😀 Pour it to the ground..

But seriously folks… not every person with the ability to open a bottle is going to drink and drive. Ice cold Mexican Coke? You bet! As for my riding friends, we take turns driving, and that dictates who is drinking what post-ride. Not a big deal.

I’ll echo what others have already stated: pulling wheels for transport is a deal breaker for me. If I have a rotor lined up perfectly, I will do almost ANYTHING to avoid pulling a wheel and chancing a rub for an entire ride. All the other details look pretty good and/or worth refining. Keep at it Mr. Lewis and good luck!

Waterman
Waterman
8 years ago

Call that bottle opener the “Drainpour”.

Prolapsed from use
Prolapsed from use
8 years ago

Really nothing for a Ford Ranger?

Callie Marie
8 years ago

This is such a great idea for a truck body design. It would be so useful to have a bike rack built right in. My husband and I like to go camping and ride our bikes on the trails, so the more room we have for gear, the better. I would be interested in seeing some other unique designs for trucks.

Newt
Newt
5 years ago

Fashion over function is a big turn off for the mountain bike crowd, especially where beer is wasted. The “w” is not obvious at all, so sorry no style points will be given to justify an upside down opener. Who ever suggested you spray beer for dramatic effect should re-think that as it has turned your video into evidence as a crime against beer. I’m still so traumatized I don’t recall why your product is any good. Just kidding, I hope you guys do well with this!

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