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

Sounds like an interesting project.

My only concern would be the stresses placed onto the axle point and being strong enough to hold up to being thumped around as the vehicle shudders and bounces.

If you can solve that equation you may have something suitable.

Should work ok if you use the same holding method ie top through axle and rear wheel support.
I see no difference in force distribution holding the wheel or wheel removed and just the through axle.

Lemo

Originally Posted by Tombie

My only concern would be the stresses placed onto the axle point and being strong enough to hold up to being thumped around as the vehicle shudders and bounces.

That's worth discussing. I will only be on paved roads at any reasonable clip and the forks are pretty strong in that they are subject to a lot of force when I hit the brakes. Brakes are 160mm discs and I weigh close to 100kg. That said the force is toward the bike.

Hanging the bike the force goes the other way. If I tie the rear wheel and possibly tie the frame to the rack the forces should be ok. I would also need to support the axle along its length.

I use a shingleback rack on my defender and it’s great particularly given I need to carry five bikes. Downside is cost and it’s big, very heavy and also awkward to store when you are not using it. Your idea sounds like a good option for infrequent use. I have been looking recently at sea sucker front wheel off mounts for another purpose. You could possibly use or adapt one of these at least the part for the rear wheel. Have a look at their accessories as you can buy the parts individually.

Depending on the forks you have, you should be ok with the sideways motion, but you want perfectly flat mounts so you don't ruin the forks.

It wouldn't be that hard to make in all honesty but would be as bulky as the shingleback one. You could always get a shingleback one and then pop one of the mounts onto it as well. Or ask Andrew to do it for you prior to shipping

Originally Posted by JoeFriend

Depending on the forks you have, you should be ok with the sideways motion, but you want perfectly flat mounts so you don't ruin the forks.

I have Fox 32's. From memory the axle is 12mm or so

Originally Posted by JoeFriend

It wouldn't be that hard to make in all honesty but would be as bulky as the shingleback one. You could always get a shingleback one and then pop one of the mounts onto it as well. Or ask Andrew to do it for you prior to shipping

This weekend I'll do bit of a test fit and strap a piece of flat, widish timber to the racks with a projection of about 100mm and see if I can 'hang' the bike vertically. I will also see where the BB and rear wheel end up.

As much as I like the Shingleback, it's just too much bike carrier for me. What I am thinking of is closer to the following but spun around thru 180 degrees and the bike hangs down the rear of the vehicle

43233-02_lrg.jpg

#43233 - Pioneer Thru Axle Bike Carrier | Rhino-Rack

I could just buy one but wheres the fun in that?

Originally Posted by 4xsama

I have Fox 32's. From memory the axle is 12mm or so



This weekend I'll do bit of a test fit and strap a piece of flat, widish timber to the racks with a projection of about 100mm and see if I can 'hang' the bike vertically. I will also see where the BB and rear wheel end up.

As much as I like the Shingleback, it's just too much bike carrier for me. What I am thinking of is closer to the following but spun around thru 180 degrees and the bike hangs down the rear of the vehicle

43233-02_lrg.jpg

#43233 - Pioneer Thru Axle Bike Carrier | Rhino-Rack

I could just buy one but wheres the fun in that?

Depending on if you have a ladder or not - could you not mount the axle holder on the far left of your rack (looking at it from the rear) and have the rear wheel hang against the ladder, or rear end around where the plate is?

You would need one of those aux plates that you get for bike racks (depending what state you're in) to chuck on the spare wheel but at least then you could probably open the rear door a lot easier by just unsecuring the rear wheel and pushing the bike out to the left? Also may avoid getting pinged by the constabulary potentially for not having the third brake light visible...

Just a thought

Originally Posted by carpdvl

Depending on if you have a ladder or not - could you not mount the axle holder on the far left of your rack (looking at it from the rear) and have the rear wheel hang against the ladder, or rear end around where the plate is?

You would need one of those aux plates that you get for bike racks (depending what state you're in) to chuck on the spare wheel but at least then you could probably open the rear door a lot easier by just unsecuring the rear wheel and pushing the bike out to the left? Also may avoid getting pinged by the constabulary potentially for not having the third brake light visible...

Just a thought

Good idea. I'll have a look at that on the weekend. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with access once the bike is on. If I can go to the side that would be good.

Cheers