Carrying Mountain Bikes off the Back of a Defender (Vertically)

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Originally Posted by carpdvl

If you get fed up trying to make it work

Spare Wheel Bike Carrier | Rhino Rack Bike Carriers

Probably the easiest method to do anything without the major tow hitch etc

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I've looked at these but there are 3 issues;

1) I need a separate attachment which creates a carrying bar by connecting the steerer and seat tube but I have a dropper post and am not to keen on pulling up on the dropper hydraulics, (bike pic below)
2) I'm a tight arse, and,
3) I'm stubborn.

If it was my road bike the wheel carriers work well

Attachment 154686

If you only need to carry 1-2 bikes, then the Yakima Spareride is a good option.
I have that on my 2015 Defender.

But, you will need to do a modification to make it fit.

It comes with a plate that mounts on the wheel holder, but that plate doesnt match the the defender wheel studs.
So, what you need to do is cut a bit off with a grinder, and weld it to your spare wheel holder.

I know thats sounds like too much work and too complex, but its not hard.
After you have done that, there will be a bit that sticks outside your spare wheel as per pic.
Then the rack will mount easy.

I carry a Merida e160e full suspension with dropper.
No issues.
Attachment 154687

I used to have a spare wheel mounted 3 bike rack on my defender. I made it by cutting down a cheap towball rack and welding a plate on to the upright with holes to suit the defender spare wheel mount. With a heavy duty swing away spare wheel carrier it works great for bikes you are happy to hang off the top bar.

I reckon you could make really good vertical mount version of this for one or maybe two bikes. You would need to weld up or get shingle back to make a vertical rack that mounts on the spare wheel instead of the towbar. Would work like shingle back swing away rack but much simpler and cheaper.

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Originally Posted by Trout

I reckon you could make really good vertical mount version of this for one or maybe two bikes. You would need to weld up or get shingle back to make a vertical rack that mounts on the spare wheel instead of the towbar. Would work like shingle back swing away rack but much simpler and cheaper.

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That's a really good idea. As long as the bikes go on with the front wheel they should be ok. Andrew from Shingleback noted they prefer to keep the bikes intact as that's what their buyers want. Cant argue with fact.

Bikes weigh approx 20kg each. How much load can a spare carrier take?

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Originally Posted by 4xsama

That's a really good idea. As long as the bikes go on with the front wheel they should be ok. Andrew from Shingleback noted they prefer to keep the bikes intact as that's what their buyers want. Cant argue with fact.

Bikes weigh approx 20kg each. How much load can a spare carrier take?

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On a Defender about -20kg. They fail with just the tyre on the door if used offroad.

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Originally Posted by 4xsama

That's a really good idea. As long as the bikes go on with the front wheel they should be ok. Andrew from Shingleback noted they prefer to keep the bikes intact as that's what their buyers want. Cant argue with fact.

Bikes weigh approx 20kg each. How much load can a spare carrier take?

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My spare wheel is mounted on a kaymar swing away. It carried two bikes around Australia including cape cape York, kimberlies, etc. No problem. Others may not be as strong. I would not do it if your spare is just door mounted. They can crack without any extra weight. If you have alloy wheels though it’s worth rembering a wolf rim is much heavier and these get carried on most carriers without too much drama.