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Pat



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 365

Wales 
What's the Defender equivalent in the bike (pedal) world?
Interested in the views of "like minded" people.


I wouldn't class myself as a cycling enthusiast, but I like to get out on a bike when I can and I'm looking to replace my 20 year old bike with something newer.

So can anyone recommend a Defender of the bike world? A "go anywhere" bike.

I know I don't want, an out and out racing or mountain bike, I've had both, but don't do enough of either type of cycling to need the specific bike. My current bike is of the "hybrid" flat bar type and I don't mind the same or drop bars, so open to all suggestions. Looking for something rugged rather than stylish - hopefully there are Defender owners out there that know what I mean.

Doesn't have to be a current model, happy to search Ebay for the right bike.

Cheers. It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!
Post #742015 24th Nov 2018 4:47pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
I suppose these would be classed as the cycling world best X far as they are endorsed by Land Rover themselves. However, as they retail at between £1300 and £749 they must be good Wink

https://www.landrover-bikes.com/



Click image to enlarge
 For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #742020 24th Nov 2018 5:04pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19568

United Kingdom 
I'd look at Kona and Orange.

I know your not looking for a Downhill but don't look at the Orange 224 price tag. Whistle Shocked

Always liked this one:
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/archive/2011/224-evo_race/
And a good shop to purchase from which I've used before:
https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?category_id=143 Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #742022 24th Nov 2018 5:23pm
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diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6037

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green

Click image to enlarge





Sorry, couldn't resist!
Post #742027 24th Nov 2018 6:01pm
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Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 640

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
Check out the Sonder range from Alpkit. I have a Camino which is great on and off road but maybe one of their hardtail MTB might be what you are after?

https://www.alpkit.com/sonder
Post #742028 24th Nov 2018 6:31pm
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Zed



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: In the woods
Posts: 3014

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Quote:

So can anyone recommend a Defender of the bike world?


A penny farthing.
Post #742029 24th Nov 2018 6:33pm
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Badger110



Member Since: 06 Feb 2018
Location: South hams
Posts: 1025

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Buckingham Blue
If you can spend abit then a Cube is the best for me. Rode it day in and day out on all sorts and it never failed, however it was £1500 2nd hand but worth it.

If you want something a little cheaper, then most Kona hardtails are pretty bullet proof ( from experience )


However the outsider which got top marks in any test thrown at it in the MTB world is a Voodoo Bizango. Sold by halfrauds, but sets itself in line with bikes at twice the price, it's become a great outsider.
Post #742030 24th Nov 2018 6:37pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10359

United Kingdom 
@dieseljim Hahahahahahah

I'd say this...



Click image to enlarge


Avoid the Land Rover branded one, the geometry is beyond awful.
Post #742031 24th Nov 2018 6:39pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7683

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Alpkit range is good. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #742048 24th Nov 2018 8:06pm
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cozz



Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: nottingham
Posts: 522


Click image to enlarge



my Hai bike fat six E bike , with bosch motor and 4" tyres, goes anywhere
Post #742054 24th Nov 2018 8:49pm
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gazman



Member Since: 17 Aug 2015
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 652

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Alpine White
It would have to be English, over priced for what it is, a simple design that works...

For this reason I'd say a orange single pivot.

But for me the best do it all is a 4 bar linkage like a specialized fsr. I've got a e version called a levo, it's great fun.
Ive got 4 mountain bikes 2014 - current ..... 2003 defender td5 90 (my car)
2009 - current .... 2005 zx10r
Post #742073 24th Nov 2018 10:29pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2070

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Well it depends on what you use your Defender for.

If you do a lot of off road then a mountain bike would be the way to go, hard tail with minimal tech would be a close match to the ethos of the Defender rather than a high tech full floater which would be closer to the D5 or rangerover.

We do overlanding and camping so would place the Defender on the same lines as a touring bike, able to carry everything on a multiple of surfaces for long trips. Something like a Thorn or Dawes Galaxy - simple, strong, comfortable and well proven.


Click image to enlarge

(our round the world bikes in Nepal)

Others use their landrover as a daily driver, for shopping, commuting, taking the dogs out and kids to school, so a bike to match this would be a hybrid on moderate crossover tyres with comfortable frame geometry and a rack.

However - the Molton bike seems to fit the quirkiness of the Defender, being British, multi use and fording its own path.


Click image to enlarge



So just like the Defender - the owners are all unique in how they use their vehicles, the defender is not a one trick pony, more akin to a multi-role/use Swiss army knife! Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #742075 24th Nov 2018 10:47pm
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flydive



Member Since: 27 Aug 2015
Location: Lugano
Posts: 290

Switzerland 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Heritage Edition SW Grasmere Green
A Christini all wheel drive?

https://christinibicycles.com/
Post #742118 25th Nov 2018 10:25am
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TJH1985



Member Since: 22 Aug 2016
Location: Midlands
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 
Has to be a orange 5, probably made out of the same stuff they used for LR chassis Mr. Green

My defender can usually be found with a Santa Cruz Nomad in it, you’ve never seen a collie as excited as when both the Defender and Bike are pulled out from hibernation Cool



Click image to enlarge


I’m in the market for a tow ball mounted carrier, any recommendations?
Post #742227 25th Nov 2018 10:17pm
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davew



Member Since: 02 Jan 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 888

England 1990 Defender 90 V8 Petrol PU Auto Rioja Red
It would have to be Orange or Hope for me just based on manufacture and engineering although it has to be said that both of those have far better quality control and reliability than JLR !

So with the latter in mind (Defender quality and reliability) I'd be looking at something manufactured in China and assembled by Halfords. That way you get to spend the first few months fixing all the issues introduced by the Halfords "expert" that put it together, then as the standard parts start to wear or fall apart you can start looking at aftermarket "fixes" for stuff that should have been fixed by the manufacturer but they couldn't be bothered or didn't want to spend the money. After a year or so of buying "upgrades" you realise that there's pretty much nothing left of the original and if you'd just started with a bare frame and built something from scratch you'd have had a better bike for less money.

Strangely the above pretty much sums up my experience of owning both bikes and Land Rovers !

TJH1985 wrote:

I’m in the market for a tow ball mounted carrier, any recommendations?


I recently bought a second hand Thule G5 2 bike carrier. More for the van than the Defender as the tilt option allows me to open the van tailgate with the bikes loaded. It works on my van, my 90 and my Range Rover so I can take my bike regardless of which vehicle. On the 90 I can't open the rear door completely with the bikes loaded but can open it enough to get in and out of. With a lower mounted tow ball it might clear though - the towball I use is only for the carrier so higher than it would be for towing.

On the Defender, with a rear mounted spare, you need the optional "bent" A bar that clears the spare wheel.

Any of the Thule G5 or later G6 (Thule 928 or 929) will do the job although they're not cheap. If you're happy to remove the carrier to open the back door then there are a LOT of cheaper options too.

Don't have a pic of it on the Defender but this is what mine looks like on the back of the campervan:



Click image to enlarge




Click image to enlarge
 http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/
Post #742319 26th Nov 2018 12:47pm
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