Carrying bikes inside MH (1 Viewer)

[M-J]

Looking at out first motorhome which currently has no bike rack, obviously I know one can be added but I would rather not (extra length, aesthetics, weight)

We have two full size mountain bikes and was wondering how we could carry them inside the motorhome without damaging anything and being secure enough to travel.

It’s rear french bed layout with 2x side facing bench seats to the front.

Any ideas?

 

[nicholsong]

Why not look for a motorhome with a garage?

Geoff

 

[M-J]

Why not look for a motorhome with a garage?

Geoff

We did but it was either too long or didn’t like the raised bed layout.

 

[Lenny HB]

We have two full size mountain bikes and was wondering how we could carry them inside the motorhome without damaging anything and being secure enough to travel.

Don't even think about going there, no matter how careful you are you will do some damage. As said a van with a garage, quite a few short ones around, plenty of Hymer's under 7m with a garage.

 

[Nirvanauk]

It’s much easier just to go and fit a bike rack honestly.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Langtoftlad]

With many PVC layouts, it would be easy to transport the bikes whilst travelling but then you're faced with the issue of securely storing them outside when pitched... Garage or Bike Rack

 

[Stealaway]

I wouldn't be leaving £1000 bikes outside no matter how secure you think they might be.
Mountain bikes are so expensive and sought after, even removing the wheels wouldn't guarantee their safety.

 

[M-J]

They will have to be outside once at location, I assume most people lock them to the bike rack or MH in some way, or a decent size tree?

 

[M-J]

My only other option is bagged folding bikes under the lounge benches but my wife would prefer our normal bikes.

 

[LesW]

I wouldn't be leaving £1000 bikes outside no matter how secure you think they might be.
Mountain bikes are so expensive and sought after, even removing the wheels wouldn't guarantee their safety.

Wouldn't spend anything like that on a push bike, a decent hybrid type can be got for £200-£300.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Guigsy]

When I know I'm going to trail centres to do proper mountain biking, the bike goes on the carrier on the back. If I'm parking up anywhere, the bike is double d-locked to the carrier. I wouldn't want to leave it on there for long periods though.

I did try carrying the mountain bike in the isle down the middle of the van. I failed to find any way to secure it that didn't rub against something, get oil everywhere, or clatter about.

We're about to disappear around Europe for a few months. The rack is coming off. We've got a pair of Bromptons that we fold up and stash away inside the van. Bromptons are expensive, but no other bike would fit into the limited space in my van. And I've been commuting on the Brompton for the past 7 months, they are brilliant to ride.

 

[nicholsong]

You are specifying the impossible

Garage too high, too long

No folding

No bike rack

Storage inside is not practical - think going to toilet en-route.


Re-think is needed. Compromise.

Geoff

 

[NPlusM]

Any bike costing under £400 is called a BSO.

 

[Brucek]

We had this problem with our AT V line 540. We wanted the use of bikes while touring, but didn't want a bike rack due to our parking restrictions and the fact we like to open the back doors wide (weather permitting).

So we bought a pair of Viking 20" folding bikes



With carrying bags from Amazon to suit. The bikes were bigger folded than we expected but they fit fine between the bench seats while travelling.

While camping they will have to be stored outside, but chained to the rear towing eye (the bike frame has a closed triangular section perfect for the security chain) and protected by our Strikeback alarm external circuit.

I hope this helps

 

[Pekepal]

We did not want to carry bikes outside so garage was essential. Compromise is 2 20” wheel folding electric bikes. Our van is 7 metres and the garage takes these very comfortably. If you buy shorter van you add extra length straight away when adding a bike rack and, of course, bikes are on show and therefore more vulnerable. Motorhoming is all about compromise but, as little as possible!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LesW]

Any bike costing under £400 is called a BSO.

I've got (amongst others) a BSA is that similar?

Just looked this up, never read such pretentious nonsense in all my life..

 

[CazPaul]

We have a big garage on our van and its only 6.48 metres long.

 

[Stealaway]

Wouldn't spend anything like that on a push bike, a decent hybrid type can be got for £200-£300.

Neither would I. But you don't get much for a grand these days..

https://www.bikeexchange.co.uk/s/full-suspension-mountain-bikes

 

[captainscarlett]

A removable towbar mounted bike rack would be your best compromise i would imagine.

 

[Lenny HB]

Wouldn't spend anything like that on a push bike, a decent hybrid type can be got for £200-£300.

Cheap bikes are not very pleasant to ride, I found that out the hard way, well worth spending more and getting something you enjoy riding.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LesW]

Cheap bikes are not very pleasant to ride, I found that out the hard way, well worth spending more and getting something you enjoy riding.

Bought two of these a year or so ago, (a women's one for the Mrs).. super comfy, though I do get a sore ar** after about twenty miles, 250 quid each, what's wrong with them?

Not going to take part in the Tour de France, or cycle up Ben Nevis, just a bit of gentle riding around the French countryside, or wherever we happen to be.

 

[Peskyrabbitt]

Compromise is definitely needed I have a bike carrier fitted on my MH but certainly would not put my new bike on it, and it only cost £500 which is nothing in the bike world. Any bike thieves eyes will light up if they see expensive bikes fitted to MH and I certainly dont want that attention, so either its a garage or a cheap bike on the back, ( one you want miss if stolen ) in my opinion. Off subject you are paying for lightness as in materials used ie carbon fibre , different grades of steel etc , so unless you want to spend £1000s on carbon fibre bikes to save drastic weight there are cheaper lightweight bikes out there.

 

[Guigsy]

I was heavily into mountain biking in the 90s. I've still got some of my old steeds in the garage. I've recently come back to it and things have moved on a hell of a lot. Modern bikes are massively more capable with larger wheels, huge tyres, massive plush suspension and really odd slack steering. And purpose built mountain bike trails at mountain bike centres use that capability. Large drop-offs, rock gardens and burmed corners. My old bikes wouldn't last one lap before they killed me or snapped.

 

[nicholsong]

Bought two of these a year or so ago, (a women's one for the Mrs).. super comfy, though I do get a sore ar** after about twenty miles, 250 quid each, what's wrong with them?View attachment 279258
Not going to take part in the Tour de France, or cycle up Ben Nevis, just a bit of gentle riding around the French countryside, or wherever we happen to be.

No mudguards - not easy to wash kit in a MH

 

[Lenny HB]

Bought two of these a year or so ago, (a women's one for the Mrs).. super comfy, though I do get a sore ar** after about twenty miles, 250 quid each, what's wrong with them?View attachment 279258
Not going to take part in the Tour de France, or cycle up Ben Nevis, just a bit of gentle riding around the French countryside, or wherever we happen to be.

Last time we bought bikes tried out £400 ones they weren't bad but then tried £650 ones they were so much better no way we're we going to buy the £400 ones. Longest ride we have done on them is the London to Brighton, did have to spend another £60 a bike on more suitable tyres for that.
Since then bought e- bikes at a £2k a pop.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lanerboy]

I would not like to put any type of bike inside my MH I would think that both wheels would need to be removed to get them into the vehicle then trying to lean them against furniture without causing damage would be a nightmare

My plan would be a bike rack on the back or even better if you have a towbar then a towbar mounted rack I have just bought a thule one of these and it is remarkably sturdy

 

[busby]

I was heavily into mountain biking in the 90s. I've still got some of my old steeds in the garage. I've recently come back to it and things have moved on a hell of a lot. Modern bikes are massively more capable with larger wheels, huge tyres, massive plush suspension and really odd slack steering. And purpose built mountain bike trails at mountain bike centres use that capability. Large drop-offs, rock gardens and burmed corners. My old bikes wouldn't last one lap before they killed me or snapped.

At my age i would not last one lap..Will stick to cycle paths and roads and my old touring bike. BUSBY,,

 

[busby]

I would not like to put any type of bike inside my MH I would think that both wheels would need to be removed to get them into the vehicle then trying to lean them against furniture without causing damage would be a nightmare

My plan would be a bike rack on the back or even better if you have a towbar then a towbar mounted rack I have just bought a thule one of these and it is remarkably sturdy

Fully agree and you have to look at the safety issue..Emergency stop at 60 mph with a couple of unsecured cycles in the van,,potential suicide,,BUSBY

 

[Minxy]

Having carried bikes inside the hab area of a MH it's not something I would willingly do again! It is a hell of a faff getting them in and out, not to mention trying to secure them for transit, doing it a couple of times was bad enough, but doing it all the time ... not a chance - you will definitely damage something in the MH or yourself in the process!

If it is important to have the bikes inside to keep the length down then a garage or very large locker is the only option.

 

[busby]

Last time we bought bikes tried out £400 ones they weren't bad but then tried £650 ones they were so much better no way we're we going to buy the £400 ones. Longest ride we have done on them is the London to Brighton, did have to spend another £60 a bike on more suitable tyres for that.
Since then bought e- bikes at a £2k a pop.

2K each,,,Only pay 2k for a car,,,,Must be the NORTH SOUTH divide Lenny. BUSBY

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}