NathanLet’s face it: owning a truck is great. It’s an invigorating and satisfying feeling cruising the highway with all your gear strapped in the back. While trucks might be built to carry loads, they are not great for transporting your bike without using a rack. Sure, you can chuck your bike in the back, strap it down, and hope for the best. But I know from personal experience there’s a good chance you’ll end up with scratched paintwork. That’s where the INNO Velo Gripper comes in handy.
A roof rack is not an option when driving a truck, and you’ll probably not want to use a hitch-mounted rack, either. Not only will it stop you from using your hitch for anything else, but it is also a more expensive option than using the available space in the truck bed. That’s what’s so great about the INNO truck bed bike mount system: it’s cost-effective and takes up very little space. That means it’s always with you and ready to use.
INNO is a US-based company that has been in business for over 30 years. It specializes in car and truck carrying systems and strives to provide the most innovative systems possible, making it easy to shift anything. In short, you’re getting a top-notch reputation and quality-tested product.
INNO Truck Bed Bike Mount System
The first thing to note is that the INNO Velo Gripper has two variants – the standard version and the C-channel version. The mounts look slightly different, but the real difference is in which trucks they fit.
A C-channel truck mount is designed to fit into the tracks on the truck bed. You’ll find these on trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra. The clamp drops into the track and tightens against it, locking itself into position. In contrast, the standard INNO Velo Gripper slots over the lip of your truck bed. Once tightened, it’s as effective as the C-channel mount.
However, both types have the same basic specs:
- Clamps made of steel with silver powder-coated finish
- Built-in d-rings allow cable lock fastening
- No drilling required
- Length: 6 3/8”
- Ratcheting straps: 8 ¾”
- The clamp can accommodate weights up to 33 lbs
- D-rings weight capacity is 66 lbs
- Holds one bike
- Fits any size truck bed (although you’ll have to check that your bike actually fits inside the truck bed).
The Positives
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Multiple Bikes & Compatibility
The Velo Gripper clamps straight onto the frame or even your bike’s forks. This means it doesn’t matter what style of bike you have. These clamps will work. This is aided by the fact that the clamps can be moved along the side of your truck bed. In addition, you can add a second set of clamps to the other side of your truck to carry an extra bike.
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Size & Weight
It takes two clamps to hold a bike in position. Each clamp is very small, allowing you to leave them in position without affecting the loading room on your truck, or you can remove them and store them in your glove box. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing. You’ll always have a way to transport a convenient bike.
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D-Ring Strapping System
Each clamp has a D-ring built into it. This can slide a cable lock through, securing the bike to the clamp. However, it can also be used to put ratchet straps through, allowing you to secure a load in the back of your truck, whether your bike is being carried. That’s a pretty useful addition.
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Easy Fit
It’s hard to find an easier-to-fit bike rack system. The clamps either slot over the side of your truck bed or slide into the C-channel. You then tighten them and affix your bike into position using the attached ratchet mounts. Once tightened, it won’t move during transit. You don’t have to drill anything to secure your bike.
What’s good is that you don’t need to climb into your truck to fit these clamps. They can be done in minutes from the outside of the truck bed. All you need to do is loosen the clamp, put it in position over the edge of your truck bed (or in the C-channel), and then tighten the knob. That’s it! You can easily move the position to fit a different-sized bike, too.
Check out this video to see how simple fitting is:
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Padding
These clamps affix around your frame, ideally on the forks. Of course, this risks damage during transit, so the clamps have thick rubber padding on them. It is very effective at protecting your bike, ensuring it arrives in the same condition as when you left.
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Keeps Truck bed Free
The clamps are small, which means the only space used in your truck bed is that taken by the bike. In short, the INNO Velo Gripper will allow you to use the space in your truck or carry a bike even when carrying other gear. That makes it an effective companion for anyone who uses their truck bed.
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Impressive Warranty
It can be said that INNO has one of the best warranties in the industry. You’ll get a limited lifetime warranty when you purchase the INNO Velo Gripper. This is valid for as long as you own the rack. It covers any product defects due to manufacturing issues, not user wear and tear. If any issue is the fault of INNO, they’ll replace the bike clamp with another, a system of comparable value, or refund your money. Of course, you’ll need to hang onto your original receipt.
Negative Points
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Cost Difference
It’s fair to say the C-channel Velo Gripper is less likely to move in transit because part of the clamp is inside the channel on the back of your truck. However, it’s disappointing that the C-channel system is significantly more expensive than the standard option.
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Security
The clamps fasten to your truck bed. Although they have D-rings that allow you to add a cable lock, this isn’t supplied. The cable lock will only secure your bike to the clamps. The clamps are easy to remove, so your bike has minimal security. You may not think of this as an issue, but you’re almost certain to leave your bike on your truck at least once… and it only takes one time.
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2 Bike Limit
The INNO Velo Gripper is simple to use and an elegant solution for carrying bikes. This is especially true as your truck bed space is still largely available. However, the clamps are affixed to the side of your truck, and no extensions are available to allow you to add a second bike to the first. That means you’ll need two sets of clamps, one on each side of your truck, and you’ll still only be able to carry two bikes. It isn’t very pleasant when there is so much space available.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to carry just one or two bikes and you need your hitch, then the INNO Velo Gripper is one of the best choices you’ll make. It’s cost-effective, easy to use, and always with you. That means you can help out a friend in need. It will also allow you to carry things in your truck simultaneously with your bike.
However, before purchasing one, consider how many bikes you normally carry and how often you leave the truck unattended with the bikes attached. The sight of a cable lock may keep an opportunist away, but it won’t stop a professional bike thief. That means you’ll need to devise your way of locking the clamp to the truck, ensuring the safety of your bike.
The bottom line is that this is an exceptionally practical bike mount system. With a few small tweaks or a little caution, it could be the only bike rack you need, and at a cost significantly less than many other options on the market. If you’ve got a truck and need to move your bike, it’s worth investing in the INNO Velo Gripper.
