Carrying mountain bikes in a Defender

lightning · Mar 28, 2016

I need to carry two mountain bikes in our Defender 90.
It's possible to get them in the back if l take them apart, but it's a load of hassle.
What l need is a towbar mounted bike carrier.
There are plenty of those about but can l get one that will clear the spare wheel?
The only alternative would be to buy a trailer or remove the spare wheel. Neither of which l really want to do.

jem90 · Mar 28, 2016

Our 2 Specialized Hardrocks go in the back of our 90 without taking them apart.

lightning · Mar 28, 2016

I can get one bike in OK. The other is a bit of a nightmare but yes it's possible (we have a CSW with the seats in the back) But l also want to take the bikes on holiday when the back will be full of among other things our boat and outboard motor.

8619Simon · Mar 28, 2016

I use a Maxxraxx 5 bike carrier, works really well and fits with spare wheel on the back door. Carries 4 bikes easily.

http://www.maxxraxx.com/bike_racks_car_cycle_carriers_products/info_4x4_max5_flange.html

jem90 · Mar 28, 2016

A friend of ours uses a tow ball rack which clears his spare. Not sure what make it is though. If you're trailering the boat why not put the bikes in the boat?

lightning · Mar 28, 2016

The boat rolls up, and goes in the back.

Thanks for the link to that bike carrier!

lightning · Mar 28, 2016

Here's the boat, not much room for bikes with this in the back of the Defender!

adrianb1066 · Mar 28, 2016

No personal experience but saw an advert in LRO or LRM & £ looks good.
http://thundermandesign.com/product/4x4-bike-rack-boom/

Discokids · Mar 28, 2016

I have a simbars one, remove spare, fit boss onto studs, refit spare. The defender/disco one takes 4 bikes but if they're good bikes you don't want to squeeze more than two on.

jem90 · Mar 28, 2016

lightning said:
Here's the boat, not much room for bikes with this in the back of the Defender!

Okay, I guess if I had a similar conundrum, I'd put the boat on a roof rack (without engine) and the bikes in the back of the 90. Taking front wheels off bikes would give more room for outboard inside Defender....or swap 90 for a 110!

FlyingPete · Mar 28, 2016

I have a fairly generic bike carrier that I actually bought for my old car. It's the type that hinges in the middle to adapt to various shapes/sizes of car boot.
What I do is take the spare wheel off the back door, and stow it inside. The carrier can then be rested on the door-mounted spare wheel carrier, and the straps tensioned up. A couple of bikes can be hung on the carrier, and a lighting board fitted (as the bikes will obscure the lights/number plate.)

You do have to take the bikes off in order to open the rear door, but the carrier can stay attached.

I'm thinking of modifying it by welding a plate on, drilled so as to fit over the studs on the spare wheel carrier- this would be more secure.
If you have a swingaway spare wheel carrier, you should be fine leaving the spare on and hanging the bike carrier on the wheel itself.

Mcclegend · Mar 31, 2016

You can get cycle carriers that mount on to the spare wheel

lightning · Apr 1, 2016

Thanks for the replies, loads of good ideas there, l'll get onto it this weekend.

zeaphod · Apr 1, 2016

Here's a shot of two on a spare wheel mounted carrier. Worked fine, you do have to think about security obviously.

Paul D · Apr 1, 2016

I've got a Halfords spare wheel cycle carrier, all good, used twice, £25 collected from Doncaster, or delivered to Thirsk, we're going away tonight ..

goonarmy · Apr 1, 2016

Mcclegend said:
You can get cycle carriers that mount on to the spare wheel

Paul D said:
I've got a Halfords spare wheel cycle carrier, all good, used twice, £25 collected from Doncaster, or delivered to Thirsk, we're going away tonight ..

I had one for me dads disco, should work on a fender, sold it to some one on here years ago. I currently have a halfords universal carrier for me estate car. Not bad at all(no good for fenders but a good enough carrier). I couldn't get me trek in the back of a 90ht when I had it.

Carrying mountain bikes in a Defender

lightning

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jem90

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lightning

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8619Simon

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jem90

Active Member

lightning

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lightning

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adrianb1066

New Member

Discokids

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jem90

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FlyingPete

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Mcclegend

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lightning

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zeaphod

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Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

goonarmy

Beer tester

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