Thule's Tailgate Solution and New MTB Backpacks - Interbike 2017

Sep 20, 2017 at 21:40
by Mike Levy  
Interbike 2017

Interbike 2017


Thule's tailgate pad, the GateMate Pro, sees a few updates for 2018 that are intended to make it play nice with more trucks. These include a new material and more flexible top that help it to better adapt to tailgates of different thicknesses, as well as a larger door handle opening that leaves plenty of room for backup cameras. The integrated bike separation pads also get new anchor straps, and just below those sit a few mesh pockets that can store things that you don't want rolling round in the bed of your truck.

The GateMate Pro is available in 53'' wide and 60'' wide models, and both will retail for $179.95 USD when they're available in March of 2108.


Interbike 2017
Interbike 2017


Interbike 2017


Thule has long had a big lineup of hiking backpacks in their catalog, but 2018 sees the introduction of biking-specific bags. The three model Vital series starts with the $89.95 USD 3-liter bag that's pictured above, a lightweight model that comes with a 1.75-liter Hydrapak bladder. There are already bags out there that use a magnet to hold the drink hose in place when it's not in use, but Thule has taken magnets to the next step with a whole line of them down the hose that means riders don't have to put it back where it belongs - let it go and it should pop into place.

Another notable feature is the massive mesh side pockets that Thule said are meant to mimic large jersey pockets. Both are big enough to fit the largest iPhone, and there's also a folded over band along the lip that tucks over your phone to keep it from bouncing out. The pockets are even large enough to fit a balled up thin raincoat.

The other two sizes are the $119.95 USD 6-liter (with a 2.5-liter Hydrapak bladder) and an $139.95 USD 8-liter bag (also with a 2.5-liter bladder), both of which also sport the same features as the smallest option. All three sizes will be available this coming February.
Interbike 2017




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87 Comments
  • 75 0
 We're going to be waiting a while for that tailgatepad March 2108! I'm sure it will be worth it.
  • 66 0
 Y'all living in 2017, but Thule already in 2108.
  • 2 2
 @NickyVanLier: their R&D is way too advanced mate Smile hardcore workers no doubt
  • 7 3
 Ironically, by that time, trucks will probably be outlawed (or way too expensive to license) and there will be ne no need for additional transportation since all bikes will be E-bikes.


And if you believe that, the end of the world is this weekend sometime. ????
  • 4 0
 @Myfianceemademedoit: well that has ruined my plans for this weekend. Damn apocalypse
  • 2 0
 @mikeyspaff: I just hope that I'm on my bike when it happens, lol.
  • 43 9
 Too bad we came up with this idea years ago but didn't have the money to push it.
m.pinkbike.com/buysell/1861917
  • 82 1
 Don't complain. I messaged you to buy two of these not too long ago. You ignored me.
  • 5 3
 Not complaining and sorry for never getting back to you, we abandoned the company a while back. We just didn't have the money to make more. @chrisingrassia:
  • 6 1
 To be honest, this is so niche... I don't think you were going to win the lottery with these. But, I do lift my hat up to you for the effort.
  • 3 0
 @JMslo: I want one. Still have any for sale?
  • 2 0
 I have had my bike stolen from my truck, but in my thiefs defence I did leave it in there over night, so totally my fault right? I always put a lock from tie down to tie down, but that's more of a keeping honest people honest while I get to my destination or after ride beers at the pub.
  • 2 0
 Yea, Sell me one too
  • 2 0
 Well raceface did it too (maybe after you guys no clue), so don't feel bad they probably would've pushed you out of the market anyway I'd say it was smart to not risk more money on it. And this thule is just a terrible looking version of what raceface does... Only way to improve on the RF would be a way to use your back up camera, but full time without having to drop the flap.
  • 3 0
 @tornateo: I have a nice thick chain wrapped in padding and electrical tape to keep my bike in the back of my truck while making short stops. Never leave for long periods of time, not that bike theft is a particularly serious problem around here but cant trust anyone. Would be too easy for someone to come along and be gone with your bike while doing something as simple as paying for fuel...

That thule pad is ugggggly, Ill keep my ripped and worn dakine one that I got from a guy on PB for 20 bucks years ago. Never had a complaint about how the bikes stay on mine, even while driving on the shittiest roads.
  • 1 0
 @VPS13: I had a super thick cable too, but for some reason I didn't put the bike in the shop that night and left it locked in the back of my truck parked in the driveway. Came out the next morning and found a cut cable, they worked on like 6 spots before getting though it. My sons run bike and stroller we're still in there though.
I live in an extremely safe area, just bad luck with the wrong person driving by that night.
  • 1 0
 @VPS13: Totally agree, my Dakine takes a hammering but its a thick tough pad and the bikes don't move,..
  • 1 0
 @tornateo: That sucks man, I cant stand theft its such a piss off. Especially when you work hard and spend thousands on a bike that you really like and then some jackass comes along and takes it in the middle of the night like a coward.

@Rembrandt: The padding on them is the best, I've had this one for probably 5 years now and who knows how long the previous owner had it. Still works as it did when I bought it. The more bikes you stack on then better.
  • 20 0
 Interbike....they're still doin that?
  • 16 0
 I know, weird.
  • 12 1
 Nothing says "I am an idiot" like fake carbon fiber pattern.
  • 5 0
 I love the idea of a pickup and taking my bike out for a ride like that but here in the UK (Not sure what its like elsewhere) if you leave a nice bike in the back for longer than two seconds it may be the last time you ever see it.

- I mean you literally couldnt leave it while paying for fuel, nipping into a shop for a drink etc - Trucktop would be the only way for me but I suppose these are for shuttling more than anything.
  • 1 0
 With you on that services are the worst bursting for loo with my bike on roof I have to pull in lorry park bit and find a bush. Getting a coffee no chance uk services need drive-throughs.
  • 3 0
 @powergavin: I suppose its why so many people use a van with no windows now in the UK - Someone had his bike stolen from a roof mounted rack when he went into the petrol station to get change for the jetwash - he was literally inside for a minute - You would have been able to see the car from the window but they followed him there.

I suppose he should have it locked and you could lock the bike in the back of a pickup but then its the worry about someone following you home, bit of a crap state of things really but what else can you steal in 30 seconds thats easy to get away with (not heavy / unwieldy) is worth upto £8k and you can easily shift on, especially if stripped :-(
  • 2 0
 Man that's rough. Fortunate where I am that a cable lock on the back of truck is fine. Often hit the grocery store on the way home or the pub for a few where I live and never have an issue.
  • 1 1
 @Racer951: what else can you steal in 30 seconds thats easy to get away with (not heavy / unwieldy) is worth upto £8k

Moped
  • 3 1
 Yeah and here I am not even locking my bike while it's sitting on my tailgate and Im having beers at the brewery. Gotta love Canada
  • 1 0
 @mollow: All depends on where your are (in most parts of the world). Whistler/Vancouver has a very nasty stolen bikes probloem. You are in BC so I am sure you are aware of it. Many places in the US, no issue at all. Some places in the US, gone in 60 seconds. Same with the UK according to friends I have there.
  • 2 1
 @bman33: downtown Vancouver is pretty bad but Whistler, Squamish and North Van are places where I do what I mentioned and I never had a problem
  • 1 0
 @mollow: I am sure you know better than I do since you live there. I have been coming up for the last 6 years, ridden all three of those locals. For Whistler specifically, I am going off of all the articles Pinkbike and other sources have posted about the large issue with stolen bikes in the area.
  • 2 0
 @bman33: I hear ya. I'll try and be more careful the next times then Wink
  • 1 0
 @powergavin: y'all ain't got drive-thrus?! Well I'll be damned.
  • 3 0
 @therealtylerdurden: generally they are on the outskirts of towns, not in motorway service stops.
Most have a height barrier too, so no good for roof rack bikes.
  • 1 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: gotcha. We have height barriers too.. But drive thrus are everywhere here lol. Some fast good joints are drive thru only!
  • 1 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: Happened once caught bars on height barrier luckily just scratched paint on brakes. When your bikes worth 3 times more than your vehicle makes you paranoid about taking eyes off it no matter where you are.
  • 1 0
 @therealtylerdurden: Yea coourse we have but a burger and coke isnt always what you want after (especially before) a ride and as we only have KFC / Mcdonalds etc thats about all your getting.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: okay? Wasn't talking about Canada, we were discussing the UK. And some of us have a stupidly fast metabolism and can be lazy, do nothing, and eat fast food every meal, every day, for a year and suffer no weight gain. f*ck it, have a burger, have a coke, ride longer. Live a little. Shit.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: usually I take food but I love mc d's Black filter coffee specially if had long day ride and journey.
  • 1 0
 @therealtylerdurden: I'm from the UK - we don't all want to eat pig crap before / after a ride.
  • 1 0
 @bman33: Glad I live in NZ, some thieves but not too many and generally stupid. Leaving a few bikes on the back of the truck while having lunch or a beer is fine, but I usually put a chain on them..
  • 4 1
 No, thanks. Built a stand/rack out of scrap pallets, cost me time and 8 or 12 screws Smile Bikes don't flop around and get scratched or dent the tailgate.

$90Usd for a 3l hydration bag, 1.75l fluid capacity, they're kidding right?
  • 1 0
 I use a 2x4 cut down with $15 amazon lockable quick release mounts. (I know, still rockin 26). We don't have as huge of a bike theft problem here in the PNW, but it lets me lock the bike and rest easy when having an after ride beer at the local brewery.

Price is steep on the bag, but at least its something new...
  • 3 0
 Osprey Raptor. The 10L pack is the same price as the Thule 6L. and the Osprey holds 3L of water, has a tool pouch and all the pockets you'll ever nee. can't go wrong.
  • 2 0
 So well built too. I use mine to carry my work stuff and lift it 200ft up in the air everyday + use it on rides since 2 years and still going strong! Can't recommend Osprey enough
  • 2 0
 @mollow: Its honestly one of my favourite and most used things i own. I have the 14L version, but when i just need it as a bladder i can cinch it up and it becomes super compact and low profile on my back.
  • 1 0
 i bet its gunna suck just like all the other tailgate pads. only one that ive found that actually stops bikes from boucing into eachother on shuttle roads is the dirty old foam pad on the back of my truck.
  • 4 0
 It's like a race face tailgate pad
  • 2 0
 My first thought exactly.
  • 4 2
 why do I have to keep looking at those god awful welds on that orange bike in the interbike banner?
  • 2 0
 $180usd can buy a HELLUVA lot of chunks of scrap cardboard to throw over the tailgate.
  • 1 0
 Or just lookup the EVOC tailgate pad. Good looking product, although 180$ USD is pretty steep.
  • 2 0
 Will it act like sand paper on your bikes downtube?
  • 2 0
 This is exactly why I don't use shuttle pads anymore.
  • 7 0
 3M tape on the downtube solves that.
  • 2 0
 @Will1848: my buddies old thule pad wore through my 3m. now i use a 4inch thick foam pad on my tailgate its not abrasive and it holds the bikes in place better than any shuttle pad ive ever used.
  • 1 0
 I have a backcountry skiing pack from Thule that I use for splitboarding, it is sweet!
  • 1 0
 I want one of these for my trailer, but my guess is they won't fit properly.
  • 2 0
 throwing a towel over the tailgate has always worked for me
  • 2 0
 Moving Blanket here.
  • 2 0
 Old raggedy comforter here.
  • 2 0
 yeah but you are from Vermont, were bag balm is a remedy for everything.
  • 1 0
 Yup moving blanket is all ya need and don't tie the bike down with anything. Years of trouble free service.
  • 1 0
 Dudes, the FUTON mattress is the ultimate shuttle pad. Bikes don't move a cm
  • 1 0
 I like the low COG hydration pack. Looks similar to the CamelBak versions but without the fluorescent ridiculous color ways.
  • 2 0
 My bike rides in the passenger seat.
  • 2 0
 Stellar proofreading as always Pinkbike...
  • 1 0
 That tail gate pad looks good! I like it a lot more then what Yakima just rolled out
  • 1 0
 BRING BACK CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY!
  • 5 5
 Are there really enough people with pickup trucks carrying bikes around to justify a market segment?
  • 3 0
 Oh yeah, the Western and Southeast US have plenty of pickups. Easiest way to carry you and 2-3 friends, gear, and bikes to the trailhead.
  • 1 0
 Most people in Southern California use pads. Oregon and Washington is a mix of pads, racks on the hitch or vans
  • 1 0
 Loads here in BC.
  • 1 0
 Lot's of tailgate pads around here, yet we're still paying allot of money to drive around with an advertising banner that fits poorly on newer model wide and curved tailgates. There's plenty of room for improvement.
  • 2 0
 I have a RaceFace one and it's not perfect but does the trick. Biggest advantage to the pad is it keeps the hitch free to tow a trailer. I have a little camper I take on mtb trips and the only way to carry it and 2-4 bikes would be a roof rack (which is a hassle on a truck) or just piling the bikes in the back. Also, I live in the Southeast US and trucks are very common around here.
  • 1 0
 Seems like almost every pickup around here has one.
  • 1 0
 We have locally made ones that go for around 80 dollars. Very decent quality. I just use extra foam for the down tubes "just in case". No major problems yet. I see dozens of pickups using them. Very useful for going out to far away trail heads with buddies.
  • 3 1
 Never been to north america, have you?
  • 1 0
 Tacoma with tailgate pad is all you ever see here in BC
  • 3 0
 Funny how people will neg prop you for asking a question...
  • 1 0
 Not carrying bikes, but there are more than enough people putting tailgate protectors on, and then driving around without any bikes to more than justify. All about the image, bro.
  • 1 0
 In western Canada there are tons of these. In fact, of the 10 friends I have that ride. Only 1 of us doesn't have a pickup with a pad.
  • 1 1
 Hate these pads...ruin bikes and your truck. This might help but I doubt it.
  • 1 0
 Both of those look janky.
  • 1 0
 Race face pad is decent and does what the thule
  • 1 0
 The packs look like Wingnut packs, and that's not a bad thing.
  • 1 0
 That pack looks like it will sit nice and low on back...hopefully.
  • 1 0
 ...Does







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