R1T and Mountain Biking

[MReda]

Had the same debate over and over again myself. Ended up going with the R1S but it was tough. Huge fan of Kuat racks. I'm curious how a 2 inch to 1.25 inch adapter will work in terms of extension length, looks, and garage fit as I currently have the 1.25 inch rack with my Acura RDX. I'd rather have the Kuat 2 inch rack to work with the receiver on the Rivian but would hate having to sell and re-buy a new one!

I'm using an adapter like that on my SUV. I've got the 1.25" rack to fit my car and my wife's car, but the SUV has a 2" receiver. It's a 1up rack, not the Kuat, but works fine. No noticeable difference with the adapter vs on one of the cars without the adapter.

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[Fenwayfan77]

I'm using an adapter like that on my SUV. I've got the 1.25" rack to fit my car and my wife's car, but the SUV has a 2" receiver. It's a 1up rack, not the Kuat, but works fine. No noticeable difference with the adapter vs on one of the cars without the adapter.

Nice. Good to know. Thanks. I was assuming, incorrectly it appears, that there would be a few inches extension when using the adapter.

 

[MReda]

Nice. Good to know. Thanks. I was assuming, incorrectly it appears, that there would be a few inches extension when using the adapter.

Yeah, at least with the 1up rack adapter, because it is just a sleeve that goes over the 1.25" part. It's possible there is an impact to depth, but at least with my receiver, that sleeve is all the way in so it is flush with the front of the receiver. If that doesn't make sense, I can try to take a picture in the daylight tomorrow.

 

[Fenwayfan77]

Yeah, at least with the 1up rack adapter, because it is just a sleeve that goes over the 1.25" part. It's possible there is an impact to depth, but at least with my receiver, that sleeve is all the way in so it is flush with the front of the receiver. If that doesn't make sense, I can try to take a picture in the daylight tomorrow.

Got it. Thanks. I'm pretty sure I can picture that description. I like the 1UPs as well. Pretty bombproof.

 

[State11]

I pretty much ride every weekend during spring/summer here in CO. I'd rather spend my time working on my skills and endurance than concern myself with people riding e-bikes. Someone hurt you? You seem really upset. I'll echo the sentiment of the other poster about those that yell the loudest about them have typically not experienced them. I myself don't own one and haven't ridden them but i'm sure not going to get all huffy about something that doesn't affect me. I've personally neither seen nor heard of bad experiences about them on or off the trails. I've actually chatted with a bunch of them on the trails. All solid peeps. On the contrary, it's the younger kids choosing to go in the wrong direction or blasting around tight, blind turns on busy trails that I experience the most, not e-bike riders that tend to be part of the older crowd (in my experience). And who truly cares about Strava unless you're all about bragging and social media? Beat your own times and not a scoreboard I say. It's all about self improvement and those that might post on Strava will only affect you if you want to be affected by it.

Also, wasn't it you calling someone unnecessarily hostile previously? Now, I wouldn't call your post directly hostile towards someone specifically, but it was basically insulting to those that might enjoy e-bikes. Golden Rule bud.

I was semi trying in vain to be funny. I apologize if I offended e-bike dopers! I kid, I kid. Seriously, I shouldn't have replied at all because I distracted from a mtb conversation that is quite interesting. Sorry!

 

[Sully151]

Mountain Biking was one of the reasons I went from the R1S to the R1T.

I like the SUV look more. Reminds me of my Jeep. But the R1T seems more practical for bikes.

I am kind of tired of the hitch rack. It basically makes it impossible to get into the rear of the Jeep. I also have a 37” spare mounted to an aftermarket bumper, so I had to get an extension for the hitch to mount the rack. So, if I want to carry any gear in the back of the Jeep, it either has to go in via the seat or I have to take the rack off to open the back because even folding the rack down doesn’t work.

The R1S probably won’t have that problem, but it’s something I think about, that and the added length when bikes are in the back.

 

[MReda]

Mountain Biking was one of the reasons I went from the R1S to the R1T.

I like the SUV look more. Reminds me of my Jeep. But the R1T seems more practical for bikes.

I am kind of tired of the hitch rack. It basically makes it impossible to get into the rear of the Jeep. I also have a 37” spare mounted to an aftermarket bumper, so I had to get an extension for the hitch to mount the rack. So, if I want to carry any gear in the back of the Jeep, it either has to go in via the seat or I have to take the rack off to open the back because even folding the rack down doesn’t work.

The R1S probably won’t have that problem, but it’s something I think about, that and the added length when bikes are in the back.

I finished up a ride yesterday, loaded my bike onto the hitch rack, and then realized I needed to get into the back. I feel your pain.

 

[Rivian635]

Any other mountain bikers on here?

The R1T seems like the perfect vehicle for it:

• The bike in the bed, with the gear guard and bed camera for security
• The frunk for all of the gear I normally carry
• The gear tunnel for holding a slide out fridge (if it isn't an option, I'll make it myself)
• The other side of the gear tunnel for holding tools / spares / repair stand / etc
• An air compressor for keeping bike tires full
• Ground clearance for remote trailheads
• Plenty of torque for crossing 12,000 ft mountain passes
• Room for all of the above plus four adults and four bikes for weekends away or day trips far enough that we carpool

I typically use hitch racks (1up for the last couple of years), and while I won't throw that out, I'll probably switch over to a tailgate pad. It seems like the bed cam and gear guard are pushing in this direction.

The shuttle system mentioned for the camp kitchen seems like it would be useful for tools and the fridge. Like many others, I'm hoping this is sold as a standalone option, of course if Rivian decides to offer the accessories I want, that works for me.

Coming up with a hot water system will also be ideal. I've carried water with 12V pumps in the past for cleaning myself and the bike off, and taking advantage of the battery pack to heat water for doing the same, maybe even with enough water capacity to double as a minimalist outdoor shower, would be worth the effort.

More to come as additional accessories become available over the next few months.

What do you think? Ideas on other accessories or customizations to support mountain biking? If you think the R1S would be better, I don't blame you - I have a large SUV now, and it does have it's advantages. I like being able to carry bikes inside the SUV on long trips and fit a full size air mattress for solo camping.

We are an avid cycling family - often taking road trips to the races (we race xc). Initially, I thought the R1T would be the ultimate MTB vehicle (I am expecting mine by May '22) but the bed is so small it really limits the options for transporting bikes. I too have several 1Up hitch racks, but I would like to avoid using them given I will have a pickup (bikes should be in the bed somehow) and it is a pain to have the rack in the way of accessing the bed. So really the only two options I think are tailgate pad or useing tie downs to secure the bikes upright (like you see Motocross bikes in pickups) but you would need to travel with the tailgate open. Sometimes I like to have a bike inside the vehicle out of the elements (snowy salt days,etc)... I don't think a MTB with the front wheel off will feet in the bed under the tonneau cover). Though WAY less cool and capable, vans are still the best vehicles for transporting several expensive bikes.
Otherside, the R1T with frunk filled with ice and some post ride beverages, camp chairs and ezup canopy tent in the gear tunnel, etc. will be an awesome MTB vehicle. For at least most of 2022 - will likely be a crowd around it in the trailhead parking lot as it seems to be attracting a lot of attention with the early owners.

 

[Sully151]

I was bummed when I found out the bed was too short to put my bikes on the rack over the bed and gear in the bed under the tonneau cover. I’m not the tall, I ride a large mountain bike and a 56cm gravel bike.

Using an tailgate pad kid of sucks because you lose the bed.

I might go back to the R1S and use a hitch rack.

Or keep the R1T and do some sort of motor cross rack. Still lose storage though.

 

[mtw777]

Is it going to be possible to use a traditional tailgate pad with the R1T? I ask because it has that different "flap"/"extender" on the interior side of the tailgate that would cover the seam where the pad straps would wrap about?

(If that makes sense?)

 

[crashmtb]

I was bummed when I found out the bed was too short to put my bikes on the rack over the bed and gear in the bed under the tonneau cover. I’m not the tall, I ride a large mountain bike and a 56cm gravel bike.

Using an tailgate pad kid of sucks because you lose the bed.

I might go back to the R1S and use a hitch rack.

Or keep the R1T and do some sort of motor cross rack. Still lose storage though.

My plan is 1upUSA racks on the crossbars over the bed, since they are one of the few wheel clamping racks that are not constrained by having the attachment points fixed to the wheel clamps. Should be able to slide them around enough.
plus the wheel clamping mechanism doesn’t have to swing as far as, say, the yakima ones rivian is selling.

tailgste pads are bad because they beat the crap out of your downtube/headtube junction.

 

[moosehead]

Mtb'r here as well. Have used roof racks, hitch racks, and full racks above a 3/4 ton pickup. The last one is easiest as front wheel stays on but R1T short bed would leave it cantilevered over the rear end quite a bit. Elected to go R1S for that reason and will use hitch rack. Favorite horse is a Ripley with a really crappy engine.

Couple Moab pics.

 

[Nermal]

I just read the "gripes" thread. I'm trying to get ahead of what I think could be a small gripe by understanding MTB mount options.

My suspicion is that modern, slack 29" (or even 27.5") will be a no-go on bed, period. My thinking is the Rivian recommended config for Yakima Highroad over bed is front wheel towards back. I believe that's because front wheel hoop of Highroad would hit back of cab if mounted other way. Now once mounted "backwards", rear wheel of long bike would hit cab. So not a matter of front wheel being cantilevered off back. It just won't fit. Can anyone confirm this?

Alternatively, Highroad goes on roof which we've seen in multiple pics and videos, including latest one from Rivian on storage options. That might be OK but more exposed, susceptible to scraping off roof and I'm not sure how one (or more to the point one's wife) gets bike on roof to begin with. Maybe gear tunnel doors help or load from bed.

 

[crashmtb]

I just read the "gripes" thread. I'm trying to get ahead of what I think could be a small gripe by understanding MTB mount options.

My suspicion is that modern, slack 29" (or even 27.5") will be a no-go on bed, period. My thinking is the Rivian recommended config for Yakima Highroad over bed is front wheel towards back. I believe that's because front wheel hoop of Highroad would hit back of cab if mounted other way. Now once mounted "backwards", rear wheel of long bike would hit cab. So not a matter of front wheel being cantilevered off back. It just won't fit. Can anyone confirm this?

Alternatively, Highroad goes on roof which we've seen in multiple pics and videos, including latest one from Rivian on storage options. That might be OK but more exposed, susceptible to scraping off roof and I'm not sure how one (or more to the point one's wife) gets bike on roof to begin with. Maybe gear tunnel doors help or load from bed.

I think a 1upUSA rack will work over the bed for longer bikes, since the bike hold downs are independent of the rack’s attachment to crossbars.

The constraint is most bike racks have the front mounting point integrated with whatever the front wheel holding mechanism is, wether it’s a clamping arm or fork mount. The rear attachment point to crossbars can move to accommodate crossbar spread. This is not a problem on a roof of course, because there’s nothing to get in the way.

 

[Northish]

I think a 1upUSA rack will work over the bed for longer bikes, since the bike hold downs are independent of the rack’s attachment to crossbars.

This is our plan. I'll try to remember to take a picture of this exact setup with my bike and post here. We have the 1up racks now and according to our guide should have the truck by end of the month.

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