Mountain Bikes in the Motorhome while travelling

[Mike123]

Anyone store Mountain Bikes in their Motorhome while they travel ?

Have a U-shape lounge and don't want to have a tow bar fitted or start drilling in the rear (just my preference) - payload is not an issue.

Was thinking if I attach the below to some board (ensure a sung fit to the u-shape) and then attaching two bikes inside, would off-set the two in order to allow for handle bars to fit ?, the bikes would also provide stability and the rear wheels could be tied back to a center bar support

Thoughts ???

 

[suavecarve]

We ve got a garage so not a lot of help but we can get a suzuki address and 2 E bikes in there and we just squeeze the motorbike gear between the bikes and motorbike.

 

[Mark McG]

This worked for us. Then bolted together an aluminium frame when I was confidant it worked. Also folding pedals make life a lot easier!!

 

[monzer]

I just used a small ratchet strap to secure my bike to the leg of the table. Was always secure enough.

 

[Bustup15]

Anyone store Mountain Bikes in their Motorhome while they travel ?

Have a U-shape lounge and don't want to have a tow bar fitted or start drilling in the rear (just my preference) - payload is not an issue.

Was thinking if I attach the below to some board (ensure a sung fit to the u-shape) and then attaching two bikes inside, would off-set the two in order to allow for handle bars to fit ?, the bikes would also provide stability and the rear wheels could be tied back to a center bar support

View attachment 502126


Thoughts ???

That's exactly what I did although in the garage not the lounge. The clamp provides a very robust support with no need to support the rear wheels. Do you not have room to do this in your garage?

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[Mike123]

That's exactly what I did although in the garage not the lounge. The clamp provides a very robust support with no need to support the rear wheels. Do you not have room to do this in your garage?

I do, though takes folding bikes at a push - likely would have to take both wheels off.

 

[Guigsy]

Just to check... does your mountain bike have a quick release skewer axle? Or is it a bolt-thru axle?

 

[Landy Andy]

Anyone store Mountain Bikes in their Motorhome while they travel ?

Have a U-shape lounge and don't want to have a tow bar fitted or start drilling in the rear (just my preference) - payload is not an issue.

Was thinking if I attach the below to some board (ensure a sung fit to the u-shape) and then attaching two bikes inside, would off-set the two in order to allow for handle bars to fit ?, the bikes would also provide stability and the rear wheels could be tied back to a center bar support

View attachment 502126


Thoughts ???

I used those for our two bikes, with them attached to a tightly fitting piece of ply. Had to then change one as went to a through axle, but still basically the same and works well for us. No other securing.

 

[Mike123]

Just to check... does your mountain bike have a quick release skewer axle? Or is it a bolt-thru axle?

Haven't bought yet - but planning on quick release skewers to attach (as per rolling road set up)

 

[Mike123]

Like these -

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[Guigsy]

High end mountain bikes went to thru-axles about a decade ago and it's slowly trickling down. It's not normally possible to convert between. So choose the bike first before you get the axle clamps.

 

[Wizz]

Anyone store Mountain Bikes in their Motorhome while they travel ?

Have a U-shape lounge and don't want to have a tow bar fitted or start drilling in the rear (just my preference) - payload is not an issue.

Was thinking if I attach the below to some board (ensure a sung fit to the u-shape) and then attaching two bikes inside, would off-set the two in order to allow for handle bars to fit ?, the bikes would also provide stability and the rear wheels could be tied back to a center bar support

View attachment 502126


Thoughts ???

I have carried two mountain bikes in exactly the same fashion as you describe, albeit in my garage, but have lent the same to my daughter for use inside her camper van.
It's worth noting that the piece of wood you screw the clamps to does not need to be too thick. I used a piece of 2"x1". As soon as the bikes are clamped on they make the whole structure stable and balanced.
Incase it helps, I initially placed my clamps so that the bikes were positioned side by side with their handlebars in normal position. In recent times I have shifted the clamps closer together, and twisted the handlebars of each bike inwards. This allows for a lot more room around the bikes. I think it's one of the lightest, least expensive methods of carrying the bikes I could find.

 

[Minxy]

I've had a quick shuftie of the layout of your MH and wonder if there's room to put them up front behind the cab seats instead (removing the front wheel at least) this would then allow you to use the rear area and washroom en-route in case you need to break your journey overnight.

 

[Minxy]

One thing to bear in mind with any fixings is to make sure that they are sufficient to stop the bikes joining you in the cab if you brake sharply or have an accident.

 

[Mike123]

I've had a quick shuftie of the layout of your MH and wonder if there's room to put them up front behind the cab seats instead (removing the front wheel at least) this would then allow you to use the rear area and washroom en-route in case you need to break your journey overnight.

View attachment 502197

Thanks for the feedback - I could (and did consider) change location , can easily support the wheels from moving so think I have the best of both options given its a short / long drive ...

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[Mike123]

I have carried two mountain bikes in exactly the same fashion as you describe, albeit in my garage, but have lent the same to my daughter for use inside her camper van.
It's worth noting that the piece of wood you screw the clamps to does not need to be too thick. I used a piece of 2"x1". As soon as the bikes are clamped on they make the whole structure stable and balanced.
Incase it helps, I initially placed my clamps so that the bikes were positioned side by side with their handlebars in normal position. In recent times I have shifted the clamps closer together, and twisted the handlebars of each bike inwards. This allows for a lot more room around the bikes. I think it's one of the lightest, least expensive methods of carrying the bikes I could find.

Good call on changing handle bars for more space

 

[Mike123]

High end mountain bikes went to thru-axles about a decade ago and it's slowly trickling down. It's not normally possible to convert between. So choose the bike first before you get the axle clamps.

Just looked and good call to check what type first

 

[two]

You may find folding pedals useful, to reduce the width.
I also got a (Dutch) device which releases the handlebars, to spin them round.
(Don't know the name at the moment.)

 

[Guigsy]

Modern mountain bikes are a pain to transport.

They've got so long that they hang off both ends of a standard bike rack rail, and the 2.6" wide tyres don't fit in the slots. I ended up getting an extra long rail for ebikes for the Fiamma rack on the last van. My new van has a Thule and I don't think there's the option to get a longer rail.

Handlebars are now a massive 800mm wide. That's about 150mm wider than my previous bikes from a decade ago.

And the thru-axles, which make them stiffer and the suspension and brakes work much better, makes them a pain to take the wheels on and off.

So much fun though...

 

[TM59]

Dirt, grease, scratching or damaging furniture. I for one hate any clutter inside the Motorhome when travelling. For example quick stop for lunch have to get the bikes out and in again, never mind possibility of the rain. Could be dangerous in event of accident, 2 mountain bikes flying forward. All negative points, just my view, it’s your Motorhome and you will ultimately do as you wish.

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[Mike123]

Thanks all for the comments, all valid - lots to think about

 

[Minxy]

Mike123 - do you have any pictures of your mountain bikes so we can see the size?