By
Gloria Bussey
Gloria Bussey
Product Research and Writer
Gloria is a talented writer based in Chattanooga, TN and enjoys kayaking and mountain biking. She graduated with a business degree in 2007 and is now working on a master's i read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Steven Martin
Steven Martin
Vehicle Fit Expert and Consultant
Steven is a skilled car mechanic based in Denver, CO. He's a passionate hiker, devoted backcountry camper and his mechanic expertise allows him to maximize space in any vehi read more
Last updated: August 19, 2023

Rockymounts Driveshaft Review: Your Bike is on Secure Mount (Fall 2023)

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By
Gloria Bussey
Gloria Bussey
Product Research and Writer
Gloria is a talented writer based in Chattanooga, TN and enjoys kayaking and mountain biking. She graduated with a business degree in 2007 and is now working on a master's i read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Steven Martin
Steven Martin
Vehicle Fit Expert and Consultant
Steven is a skilled car mechanic based in Denver, CO. He's a passionate hiker, devoted backcountry camper and his mechanic expertise allows him to maximize space in any vehi read more
Last updated: August 19, 2023
Rack Advisor is reader-supported. We earn commission on products purchased via the links on this page. Learn more
Ideal for
  • Bikes with thru-axle fork of 12 x 100mm, 15 x 100mm, 20 x 110mm, and Boost 15 x 110mm.
  • Trucks, SUVs, trailers, pickups, and vans
  • Bikes with weight limit of 35 pounds and traditional QR axles
  • Standalone mounted on a floor system
Key features
  • Weight capacity
  • Ease of installation and the level of security the mount provides
  • Compatible vehicles and bikes
  • Functionality and durability
Editor's Rating
9,6
out of 10
  • Functionality
    9.7
  • Weight capacity
    9.7
  • Security
    9.5
  • Ease of assembly
    9.6
Users’ Rating
4.2
out of 5
119 Users’ Rating
rating rating rating rating rating
rating
rating rating rating rating rating
4.2
out of
5
119 Users’ Rating
  • 5 stars
    31%
  • 4 stars
    61%
  • 3 stars
    7%
  • 2 stars
    2%
  • 1 stars
    0%
Add your rating:

An ideal bike carrier should be easy to mount and load the bike, effective in keeping your bike in position to prevent damage and a proper deterrent for thieves. You will find these features and more useful functions in RockyMounts DriveShaft. The design allows it to be used in various applications because it is a versatile mount that accommodates a variety of vehicles and bikes with diverse thru-axles. The product comes with interchangeable shims, an adjustable cam lever, and a wide mouth opening that makes it easy to mount and unmounts your bike.

No mounting hardware is included but assembling the bike is easy with the included instructions. Additionally, the mount features robust steel construction and it is covered by a lifetime warranty that should reassure buyers of a durable investment. We have explained all the essential features, capability and functionality to provide you with a comprehensive review of RockyMounts DriveShaft HM.

Specifications

Vehicle type
trucks, SUVs, and vans
Axle fit
12x100 mm, 15x100 mm
Material
rubber
Weight capacity
35 lbs
Dimensions
8.85 x 5.8 x 2.3 in
Weight
2 lbs

Review

According to CNN Trusted Source Amsterdam uses flower power to make streets safer Amsterdam is famed for being cycle friendly, but now authorities are harnessing flower power to make the city safer for pedestrians. edition.cnn.com , a large number of parked bicycles reduce the space available for pedestrians on sidewalks. RockyMounts Drive HM provides a great solution for this issue. Having a bike mount that allows you to transport your bike without inconveniencing other people keeps the road safe for pedestrians and also secures your bike to prevent damage and to deter theft. We will review the features that make this mount the ideal product.

Overall Performance

RockyMounts Driveshaft HM is versatile and flexible to accommodate a broad range of vehicles, variables and conditions. The product, therefore, provides great value for money.

Rockymounts Driveshaft Review: Your Bike is on Secure Mount (Fall 2023)
Rockymounts Driveshaft comes with stoppers and locks, and a pair of extra keys

The mount comes with a lock and two keys, and the rubber pads are high friction to prevent unscrewing the axle. It should ideally be hard-mounted into a truck bed or to a 2×4, and it is compatible with pre-existing track systems of GMC, Toyota, Chevy, and Nissan truck beds with the appropriate hardware.

It is easy to open the wide mouth with a clam shell design for convenient loading, and RockyMounts DriveShaft HM comes with interchangeable shims for a secure fit of the thru-axle. They fit various sizes of thru-axles and you can adjust the locking T-bolt for a secure hold that prevents the thru-axle from being removed when locked.

You can even purchase an insert that allows you to mount QR axles, use the same key on mounts with the same lock. We also like the durable and sturdy construction that prevents the bike from moving when mounted. Besides that, you don’t have to be in the truck bed to mount or unmount your bike if it is located near the outside of the bed.

The key lock could be better since a thief can unscrew the two mounting points. However, remember that this mount is only a deterrent since a determined thief can access your bike. Apart from securing the bike from theft, it also holds the bike properly during transport. We would recommend acquiring cable locks, too, to serve as secondary theft protection.

Overall, RockyMounts DriveShaft HM is a great carrier that is fairly effective in securing a bike. We would recommend it.

Mount

RockyMounts DriveShaft HM mount is designed to carry a single bike with maximum weight of 35 pounds. The bike should have thru-axle fork of 12 x 100mm, 15 x 100mm, 20 x 110mm, and Boost 15 x 110mm.

The thru-axle installed in the fork and removed from the wheel sits on top of the wide mouth opening of the mount, and a hinged door closes above it to secure it into place with a cam lever and an adjustable t-bolt. You can adjust it using a similar mechanism to a quick release.

The Driveshaft HM comes with two flanges at the base to accommodate 6mm and 0.25-inch bolts. These bolts secure the mount to any surface in a van, truck, trailer, or SUV.

Rockymounts Driveshaft Review: Your Bike is on Secure Mount (Fall 2023)
The mount is compact enough to be installed on any surface

No hardware is included when you purchase the mount but you can include snap-in nylon shims that are 15mm to secure the mount in a tight fit and to prevent the axle from loosening up. The Company also has 12mm shims for separate purchase.

You can match the core and keys to other RockyMounts hitch racks and roofs since they come with two keys. You could even opt for a four-digit code with your product. According to the Company, you cannot remove the thru-axle when it is locked.

The size of the mounting hole is 6mm, the spacing of the mounting hole center to center is 4.375 inches, and the height of the mount is 4.5inches.

RockyMounts Driveshaft fork mount has a maximum limit that does not accommodate e-bikes and fat bikes. Otherwise, it fits well in the slotted beds of GMC, Nissan, Toyota, and Chevy. The bike mount works well as a standalone equipment mounted to a floor system or attached to a truck railing. It is sturdy and it clamps the thru-axle to secure your bike through tight friction that prevents the thru-axle from rotating.

Design

RockyMounts DriveShaft HM is designed to accommodate a quick-release fork or a single thru-axle. It features an adjustable cam lever and a wide mouth opening, unlike other brands with a closed loop design that takes more time and effort to load and lock the bike in place.

It features snap in nylon shims and you can adjust the T-bolt to be tighter to prevent someone from unscrewing the axle. It is also possible to switch between thru-axles that are 12mm, 15 mm and 20mm by using the provided snap in nylon shims.

The bike mount is made of durable materials that can withstand natural elements, the ability to mount it in the back of trailer, SUV, or pickup, or on top of the roof of your car.

The high weight capacity also accommodates most bikes, including fat bikes that have a relatively low weight.

Functionality

Rockymounts Driveshaft Review: Your Bike is on Secure Mount (Fall 2023)
RockyMounts Driveshaft not only secures your bike in one place, but also protects its tires

The RockyMounts Driveshaft protects your bike against theft with keyed locks that provide an extra layer of security. You only need to remove your bike’s front wheel, place the thru-axle into the fork and put the thru-axle into the mouth opening of the mount. After that, close the hinged door, install the T-bolt in position and pull down the lever. The RockyMounts Driveshaft HM is user friendly and the process is actually pretty straightforward. The shins also allow you to switch between various axle width diameter and standards instead of requiring spare mounts.

This is a versatile fork mount that provides a great bike carrier solution by fitting on a truck bed as well as any flat surface, and by including a locking mechanism to secure your bike.

It has wide applications because it does not require costly adapters to mount it on any surface of vans and trucks. All it requires is m6 or ¼ inch bolts which we will discuss more under installation.

Bike compatibility

RockyMounts DriveShaft HM fits QR bikes, and is compatible with thru-axles of 12x100mm, 15x100mm, Boost 15x110mm, 20x110mm with their respective adapter shims which are included in the package. This allows you to easily switch between varied thru-axle standards. Some shims are already pre-installed in the mount.

Weight capacity

The maximum weight limit of the bike should not exceed 35 pounds. This means that heavier bikes such as e-bikes are not compatible.

Durability and warranty

Rockymounts Driveshaft Review: Your Bike is on Secure Mount (Fall 2023)
RockyMounts DriveShaft is a durable product – it will outlive most of your bikes

RockyMounts DriveShaft HM is entirely made of steel components for durability, with the two legs welded securely to a horizontal clamp bar. The rugged and robust construction of this bolt on bike carrier is powder coated in black and of superior quality that is made to last.

The product comes with an attractive lifetime warranty that covers unforeseen defects that are not caused by not following the installation guidelines and the instructions on the user manual.

In case of any issues, the Company recommends sending a photo with a brief description of the issue and your purchase receipt to provide their technicians with more details for a quick response. Otherwise, RockyMounts DriveShaft locks only serve as a deterrent for thieves and the Company cannot be held liable for stolen bikes.

Vehicle compatibility

RockyMounts Driveshaft HM supports a wide range of vehicles which we have already listed earlier in this article.

Adjustable hooks

You can adjust the hooks to tighten it enough for a proper hold that prevents the thru-axle from being removed when locked.

Assembly

Rockymounts Driveshaft Review: Your Bike is on Secure Mount (Fall 2023)
Assembling your RockyMounts DriveShaft is pretty easy – you simply secure it on your car with the chosen hardware

RockyMounts DriveShaft HM does not include mounting hardware. You can bolt it to any surface with the appropriate washers and fasteners.

Using the body as a template, start the installation process by marking locations and drilling holes on the surface you are mounting on. The drill holes are spaced 110mm and they fit m6 or ¼ inch bolts.

The next step is axle selection. The pre-installed shims are designed for 15mm axles. Switch to the blue shims for axles that are 12mm and remove the shims for axles that are 20mm.

Unlock the handle and lift it, and then pull back the T-bolt to open the top cap.

Next, rotate the T-bolt into position and close the top cap when you are not using it.

The third step is loading your bike. You do this process by removing the front wheel and reinstalling the axle. After that, open the top cap and load the axle into the wide mouth opening and close the top cap. Rotate the T-bolt into position and close the handle with sufficient tension. The clamping force locks the bike to prevent someone from removing the thru-axle. If the handle closes too tightly or loosely, open it and adjust the T-bolt. Shake the fork side to side to confirm that the bike is mounted properly and securely, and then insert the key to lock the handle.

Other extra information you should know before installing RockyMounts DriveShaft HM:

  • It is a carrier designed for thru-axles that are 12mm, 15mm and 20mm only with maximum width of 110mm. You should not use it for tandem bicycles. The dummy 9mm axle is available for standard forks. It is bought separately.
  • The components included in the package are the body of the mount with pre-installed 15 mm shims, 12mm plastic shim and a key.
  • Always check the nuts, bolts, QR skewers, straps and other fastening prior to each use.
  • Remove detachable items such as U-locks, panniers and baby seats.
  • Avoid using bicycle bras and covers.
  • Lubricate the threads on T-bolt periodically and replace it if it is rusting or damaged.
  • The exclusion of mounting hardware should not be considered a drawback since mounting is mostly customized to the mounting plate or vehicle.
PROS CONS
  • You can switch shims to accommodate various thru-axles
  • Durable and easy to install
  • Compatible with diverse bikes and vehicles
  • Great price-performance ratio
  • Adjustable T-bolt
  • Wide mouth opening for easy loading and unloading
  • Includes lock and keys
  • Core and keys can be matched to other RockyMounts products
  • Does not support bikes heavier than 35 pounds
  • The key lock could be more secure
  • Mounting hardware not included

 

Conclusion

With RockyMounts DriveShaft HM, you get multiple options that do not limit your movement. For instance, you can mount your bike securely in your vehicle and unmount it to ride it when you get to a street Trusted Source £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Alternative ways to travel, such as walking and cycling, could relieve the pressure on public transport. www.gov.uk limited to cyclists. The unique design of the mount allows it to be mounted on any surface on a variety of bikes and vehicles, and the sturdy construction and lockable mechanism keeps your bike safe in transit.

References

1.
Amsterdam uses flower power to make streets safer
Amsterdam is famed for being cycle friendly, but now authorities are harnessing flower power to make the city safer for pedestrians.
2.
£2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking
Alternative ways to travel, such as walking and cycling, could relieve the pressure on public transport.
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