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I got the rack attach from 1up to use with my much loved 1up rack, and I’m not even going to take it out of the box after seeing how heavy it is. I’ve been using 1up’s extender, which works fine, but after seeing pics here, thought it would be nice to be able to swing the bikes out. Not worth it. The rack attach is like lugging a lead anchor, just way too heavy. I take my bike rack on and off all the time, and the weight advantage of handling the individual 1up trays goes out the window when you have to manhandle this thing on every time. It’s easier just to tilt the bikes or take them off if you want to open the rear door. Wish they made a swing arm in aluminum instead of this boat anchor. At least they are sending a shipping label for free return. What a disappointment.
I was also surprised by the size and weight of the large Rak Attach. It is really built solid. However, I'm not disappointed as it works great with my 1Up bike rack. Also, we go to a drive on beach and have a hitch mounted cargo tray to carry chairs, boogie boards, small grill, etc. It will so nice to just swing the cargo tray to the side and get at the dog riding in the way back. She's a Lab and is so excited to get out and head for the water on arrival. On our LR4, I had to unpack the entire cargo tray before I could open the tailgate.
I just purchased and installed a Thule Spare Me 2 spare tire rack and after 2 hours of fitting (taking off a 22” spare wheel and replacing with the Thule clamp is no easy task) the rack does NOT work for full suspension mountain bikes that have a very closed frame geometry - such as my Trek Slash 9.8. The resting points for the frame cause the bike to be sat to the far left and appears to be a safety issue, with too much wheel projecting beyond the car. The resting points also do not allow a wide tube to sit comfortably, and its next to impossible to have two different bike types on the ones rack (my wife has a Dutch bike and it will NOT fit next to the mountain bike with causing damage).
All in all I’m pretty annoyed with this rack - I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board - and consider a hitch mounted rack. All solid options above and I appreciate the posts for helping me make a more informed decision!
I had a Thule Roof rack on my previous car (2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit) which worked well but as somebody previously noted, the height of the Defender makes a roof mounted bike rack a risky, if not very hard to load/unload option.
Photos posted to show the issues I have mentioned.
Really, just save yourself further headaches and get a 1up rack. Doesn’t touch the frame, just the tires. No other racks even come close to 1up for quality durability, and convenience. Get their extender too for a no wiggle fit.
I can’t seem to find something that fits the expedition rack, but I am also thinking the roof might not be the best option anyway considering the height of the vehicle.
I went ahead and purchased a Thule SpareMe Pro mount which was supposed to fit on the spare tire, but that didn't work out. My last option here is to get a hitch installed which is going to cost me another 2k most likely and a week lead time.
Wondering what everyone is using to carry their bikes on the new defender?
I am in exactly the same boat as you - I tried the Spare Me 2 rack today and apart from it being a nightmare to install, it does NOT work for FS MTB’s - the frame geometry just does not work with the rack. I’m now looking at a much more expensive option and its most likely going to be Yakima or Thule.
Kuat is another option. Simple, strong and durable with rock solid customer support.
After trying a Thule rack that holds bikes by the frame, had the bikes wobbling on bumps, and broke a key part after just a few uses, I'd never go back to one. Returned for refund and got the Kuat.
Really, just save yourself further headaches and get a 1up rack. Doesn’t touch the frame, just the tires. No other racks even come close to 1up for quality durability, and convenience. Get their extender too for a no wiggle fit.
I like the look of the 1Up (and reviews) but it doesn’t work with my wife’s Dutch bike - the rear wheel has a full mud guard and therefore the wheel arm hold down won’t work - I went with a Thule Pro XTR instead - lets see how it works out!
I just purchased and installed a Thule Spare Me 2 spare tire rack and after 2 hours of fitting (taking off a 22” spare wheel and replacing with the Thule clamp is no easy task) the rack does NOT work for full suspension mountain bikes that have a very closed frame geometry - such as my Trek Slash 9.8. The resting points for the frame cause the bike to be sat to the far left and appears to be a safety issue, with too much wheel projecting beyond the car. The resting points also do not allow a wide tube to sit comfortably, and its next to impossible to have two different bike types on the ones rack (my wife has a Dutch bike and it will NOT fit next to the mountain bike with causing damage).
All in all I’m pretty annoyed with this rack - I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board - and consider a hitch mounted rack. All solid options above and I appreciate the posts for helping me make a more informed decision!
I had a Thule Roof rack on my previous car (2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit) which worked well but as somebody previously noted, the height of the Defender makes a roof mounted bike rack a risky, if not very hard to load/unload option.
Photos posted to show the issues I have mentioned.
therift: Sounds like you need a ‘top tube adaptor’, I have a full suspension MTB and had the same issues until I bought this simple fitment. There are many to choose from, fully adjustable and will solve the problems you are having.
therift: Sounds like you need a ‘top tube adaptor’, I have a full suspension MTB and had the same issues until I bought this simple fitment. There are many to choose from, fully adjustable and will solve the problems you are having.
Thanks for the feedback - I read somewhere on here that the additional tube was available but that it did not feel secure - and I don’t feel like taking the risk - but it also doesn’t solve the problem of me not having room to add my wife’s bike to the rack without severe risk of the bike banging against each other or even worse - against my spare wheel. I purchased a Thule Pro XTR and we’ll see how that works out - always feel better about a wheel based rack versus a frame rack anyway - especially with expensive carbon fiber frames.
I had one of those for YEARS with my old mountain bike. It was the only thing holding it to my car. It never had a problem. I would recommend/thumbs them up if anyone needed to use it to secure their bike. The only time I EVER had a problem with a bike mount was the one time I had it on a roof rack and drove into a parking garage. But that was clearly an epic amount of carnage caused by user error....
Forgot the brand that I have, but it basically is a quick release from the seat post to the stem. It was bulletproof and very simple.
