Long has the tailgate pad been a mainstay in transporting mountain bikes in the bed of a pickup truck, and although there are other options out there, it has been the best way to get your bikes from A to B. Until now.
The Hoodworks Gear Gate Cycling Comp is an aftermarket tailgate that brings a near-Bear Grylls level of preparedness to transporting your ride.
The Gear Gate accepts both thru-axles and open dropout forks
First and foremost the Gear Gate utilizes what it's creator is calling the 'Universal Bike (UB) Shaft for Open Dropout and Thru-Axle Bikes.' Hoodworks says its UB mounting system can handle hub spacing up to 150mm, meaning it’s fat bike friendly, and can transport up to three bikes. There are no real specifics as to how it works, nor what thru-axle standards the UB system accepts, though it appears it only secures one dropout – which doesn't seem ideal.
Heavy duty
To deter hoodlums who’d like to steal your ride while you grab a breakfast burrito, the Gear Gait comes with a heavy duty chain, made in the Pewag facility in Pueblo, Colorado, which is anchored by a tactical grade U-bolt hidden inside the tailgate. As a testament to the chain’s durability and strength, according to Hoodworks, the US armed forces use these same chains as snow gear on their tactical vehicles.
What about those same ‘damn kids’ stealing the whole tailgate? When you lock your truck, the Gear Gate's 'passive locking system' secures the tailgate to the truck with three steel rods which slide into place automatically.
The Gear Gate utilizes an integrated safe – designed with handgun-securing expertise – to keep your valuables secure
Also integrated is a foam-lined Cannon Nanovault safe. Cannon is known for making high quality firearm safes, and the built-in combo safe is more than secure enough to keep your valuables safe at the trailhead.
Lights, camera, action
The Gear Gate also comes with three integrated LEDs to illuminate both the inside and outside of the truck bed, a Nanuk tool box that locks into the tailgate and the option for an integrated reverse camera.
Each Gear Gate is powder coated to combat corrosion and available in a range of colours, though a special ‘primed aluminium finish’ is available for those who want to paint their tailgate to match the rest of the truck.
No more using your spokes to uncap your beverages
And, most importantly the Gear Gate has not one, but two integrated bottle openers.
The Gear Gate is assembled at the Hoodworks facility in Portland, Oregon and is made entirely from parts manufactured in the USA.
For its initial release, the Gear Gate will be available for full size Chevy and GM trucks 2014 to present, Ford F-150s from 2009 to present, Ford Superdutys from 2015 to present and Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 from 2009 to present. Owners of 2005 and onward Toyota Tacomas aren't ignored either, and there are said to be more options still on the way.
If funded, the Gear Gate will cost US$1790 for full size trucks and US$1390 for compact trucks. UK and AU pricing and availability is to be announced. The Gear Gate’s Crowd Supply campaign ends February 17 2016 and still has a fair way to go to meet their goal of US$15,000. For more info or to donate click here.