General Cycling Discussion - What auto do you use to haul your bikes

Hello,


I am trying to decide what to buy for a daily driver. I like to keep my bikes secured inside when I am on trips or at work. I drive a Trooper right now that is large enough to keep 3 bikes inside with the seats folded down. I am looking for a smaller auto that can store atleast 2 bikes inside with front wheels off without taking the seats off the bike.

My Trooper is great for what I use it for but the gas mileage sucks on long trips. I might have to settle on a smaller SUV and use a rear hitch mount bike rack :(


Thanks,

Bill

Take a look at the Honda Element. I use a Jetta with roof rack.

It really depends on how many people and other gear you want to transport. I have a Ford Taurus. I can carry 2 bikes and 2 people. The back seat folds down. I put one bike in the truck with the front wheel off. The second bike goes in the back seat on the floor with the front and back wheels off. (Remember to put something on the floor to protect the carpet from grease.) I see a lot of cars used this way (even small cars such as a Ford Focus).

I use a Saab 900 with a trunk rack, but hope to get a roof rack soon...

Look into a Subaru Legacy or a Volvo wagon...

Thanks for the response everybody. Does the bikes fit upright in a Volvo wagon?

Bill

Corvette....my bike fits nicely in the back with the front wheel off.

I doubt the bike will fit upright in a Volvo wagon, maybe with the seatpost removed.

I have a Mazda MPV. Most of the time I use a Thule roof system which fits in front of the factory roof rails. I also have a Rhode Gear hitch mount rack. With both racks on, I can carry 6 bikes, and the van seats six pasengers comfortably. This leaves room behind the 3rd row for luggage, and also allows my to put a Thule soft sided carrier on the factory roof rails for more luggage. I can also fit 2 bikes in the back if the 3rd row seat is folded flat (it flips down into a well in the floor). I have 2 fork mounts on a board that I can just slide in the back.

I have a Mazda MPV. Most of the time I use a Thule roof system which fits in front of the factory roof rails. I also have a Rhode Gear hitch mount rack. With both racks on, I can carry 6 bikes, and the van seats six pasengers comfortably. This leaves room behind the 3rd row for luggage, and also allows my to put a Thule soft sided carrier on the factory roof rails for more luggage. I can also fit 2 bikes in the back if the 3rd row seat is folded flat (it flips down into a well in the floor). I have 2 fork mounts on a board that I can just slide in the back.
My Subaru legacy wagon fits two bikes. One upright across the back seat and one on an angle in the rear cargo area.

I have a subaru wagon (impreza) I can fit two in the back with the seats down (road bikes) but not very well... I have the factory yakima roof rack, but its the stupid upright style rather than fork down, and it doesn't hold road bikes very well... Works great for a mountain bike though..

I have a Jeep ZJ (Grand Cherokee for the Jeep-impaired) and can fit 2 bikes on my hitch rack with two more if I buy the extension and probably 4 more on the roof if I got a bike-rack for the roof-rack. I can cram two or maybe even three more into the cargo/rear seat area if I fold down the rear seats.

My wife's car (Saturn SC2) can comfortably fit one bike laying on its side with the rear seats folded down but if I got creative, I could probably cram two bikes in there.

I understand that the Saturn VUE can fit two bikes upright with the front wheels off when you fold down the seats. I believe Saturn even makes a special bike holder "thingie" for the cargo area.

Oh yeah...another idea.

Take a look at the old model of the Honda Odyssey/Isuzu Oasis. They should be a nice, efficient alternative. It is a wagon/minivan combo with a 4 cyclinder engine and conventinal doors. My dad had one for several years and it was great!

Look for model year 1995-1998 models. I think the Isuzu Oasis clone was available until 1999.

Oh, and try to find a 7 passenger version if you can...the seats fold up more neatly in that version than any car I've ever seen!

I have a jeep cherokee and i have a roof rack for it, but i can fit 3, smaller (< 57cm) bikes in there. I would look at a VUE or a Jeep Liberty if you want something tall enought to carry bikes upright.

-Ross

since you have the trooper, I recommend the smaller version.. We call it the Hilander here.. I don't know if its available there.

http://www.isuzucavite.com/links_files/crswindpic.gif

Smaller engine, 2.5L Direct Injection Turbo Diesel..

I have the 2001 model, a great bike carrier. :)

BTW, I just love isuzu's..

Caravan fits 4 bikes in easily with front wheels on and 3rd seat removed, still leaving back seat and room for luggage.

I put one bike in the back of my old ('93) Ford Escort commuter hatchback with rear seat folded down and fron wheel off.

The Honda Odysee Minivan is the ideal bike hauling machine. The rear seat easily folds away and the space it creates will fit two standing bikes, either road or MTB. In addition there are is a steel latching ring for the folded seat on each side that is perfect for bungee chords to secure the standing bike. I also use it for a cable lock if I'm going to be away from the vehicle for a long time. There is plenty of space left for helmets and gear not to mention a changing room.

When the kids outgrow the van, convert it to a bike transporter.

Thanks guys. I am thinking about looking at the VUE. 04 comes with a Honda drivetrain out of the MDX and Pilot. 250 horse with a 5 speed auto. Problem is I do not think I like the looks of them :(

Here's a crazy idea: Take a look at a Honda Element. It just might work...

I don't think I could make it without my trooper, I'm on my 4th, and have been driving one since 1984.

BUT I think I would have to check out the Honda Element, I really like the utility and economy of the vehicle and I even like the boxiness of the body style. I know from experience that Honda's are well made vehicles but GOD I hate those stupid gray plastic panels that make up the sides of the front and rear fenders. Why can't Honda color match those rediculus looking things?

http://www.config.nissanusa.com/img/m/config/i/csx_frk_04_xe_kh3.jpg

since you have the trooper, I recommend the smaller version.. We call it the Hilander here.. I don't know if its available there.

http://www.isuzucavite.com/links_files/crswindpic.gif

Smaller engine, 2.5L Direct Injection Turbo Diesel..

I have the 2001 model, a great bike carrier. :)

BTW, I just love isuzu's..

I share your love for Isuzu products. Unfortunately the Hilander isn't available in the US and even the Trooper is no longer available. Since GM owns a large percentage of Isuzu US buyers will be stuck with rebadged GM crap.

If you are doing this out of concern for using excessive fossil fuels, that's admirable.

However, it's very unlikely that you will recoup the cost of the new vehicle from the gas savings you may realize.

We have an Audi A4 wagon with a Yakima roof rack. One of these days I'm going to borrow all my friends' bikes, cover the car in decals, and drive around town leaning out the window yelling "!Venga, venga, venga!" :)

We are also considering an Odyssey as we have kidlets coming and I'd like something that I can fit my bike in, if possible.

my Ford Escape fits one bike inside upright with room for at least one passenger in the back (split back seat deal). two bikes fit comfortably back there with the whole back seat down and probably 3 if wanted. I don't even have a rack right now for lack of need. V6 and probably better gas mileage than you're getting right now.

Or another crazy idea: old 1980's Volkswagen Rabbit/Fox diesel mini-pickup truck with topper...

An even goofier alternative would be a truckette version of the Citroen Deux Chevaux (2CV).

I've seen them on ebay a few times.

The 2 cyclinder engine in those things gets 40-60mpg.

Like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6183&item=2459487099

Infiniti G35

a foriegn car in Nashville! i thought you all drove Fords and Chevys:)

A Ford F 350 Super Duty 4WD

A Ford F 350 Super Duty 4WD


Outstanding! :eek: My step father just purchased last year the lariat edition with the 7 liter Tubro V8....Did you go with that, or the all out gas spitting V10? :D

Land Rover Defender

Will take 3 bikes in the back upright with room for 3 people inside, or forget the people and use the roof I have had 4 bikes inside, two on the back and 4 on the roof , so 10 bikes and still room for the passenger !
http://www.4x4web.co.uk/pictures.html

a foriegn car in Nashville! i thought you all drove Fords and Chevys:)

Believe me, that's all I see here; especially pickup trucks. :o I am sick of them.

thats funny.

The perfect bike rig: Toyota Chinook.

http://img22.photobucket.com/albums/v66/gonesh9/bikeforums/chinook_copy1.jpg

That IS a sweet light truck camper!!! I'd love to have one.

Anway.. can Jeep liberty really fit a L to XL (19" to 22") MTB inside? I don't mind putting back seats down for it... I am shopping around for something to replace my car that just died on me :( It doesn't have to be upright.. just able to fit. I have my doubts.

I don't mind taking off my front wheel, but that's all I'm hoping I will have to do.

That IS a sweet light truck camper!!! I'd love to have one.

Anway.. can Jeep liberty really fit a L to XL (19" to 22") MTB inside? I don't mind putting back seats down for it... I am shopping around for something to replace my car that just died on me :( It doesn't have to be upright.. just able to fit. I have my doubts.

I don't mind taking off my front wheel, but that's all I'm hoping I will have to do.

It should fit it. A Liberty I think has more top to bottom room than my Grand Cherokee (they tucked the gas tank up into the bottom of the ZJ pretty well in order to preserve departure angles) and I'm able to fit my MTB (size M) standing upright with front wheel removed. You might have to lower or remove your seatpost to get yours to fit though. It will for sure fit laying in sideways. One thing you might want to do is bring your bike with you the next time you visit the dealership and try a testfit. If you're not really looking for offroad capability however then you might want to take a look at a minivan, Honda Element or something with a lower step-in and better fuel economy.

Take a BUS

http://www.rtd-denver.com/SpecialRides/B_n_Ride/images/rack3.jpg http://www.rtd-denver.com/SpecialRides/B_n_Ride/images/rack5.jpg


or a Train (light rail) http://www.rtd-denver.com/SpecialRides/B_n_Ride/images/lrt2.jpg

Take a BUS

or a Train (light rail)

Or a ferry... :)

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/20050624-lopez_island/pict0006.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/20050624-lopez_island/pict0006.sized.jpg)http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/20050624-lopez_island/pict0014.thumb.jpg (http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/20050624-lopez_island/pict0014.sized.jpg)

That said, it's foolish to think that public transportation can always get you close enough to things like a trailhead so that you don't spend all your available time riding to the start and not have enough time to do the actual trail.

Walkafire,

Consider that there are people in this world that live a very long way from any city that has bus, rail or even taxi services.

I am such a person. Some people like myself don't even live near paved roads.

Thank you.

I appreciate the advice Kuhon! I do however require offroad capabilities for the same reasons outlined above. The Jeep Liberty CRD diesel version looks really nice- doesn't take up too much space, and gets 22/27 MPG and pulls 5k lbs. Yes I do need to be able to pull, we have horses as well. :)

Or I could get a Ford 250 that sucks 10/15 MPG, and take up way too much room that I don't need.

I AM trying to do the right thing based on my needs :)

or just walk... :D
http://www.danheller.com/images/Utah/bike-carry.jpg http://www.snponline.com/PHOTOS/Gallery/BIKE6-30/images/gc%20carry%206-30a4c.jpg

1999 Ford F-150 V6 2wd with a camper on the bed. Acually it's my dad's, I am too young to drive :D It acually gets good MPG!

I have a Subaru Impreza wagon, 2002. I've fit a 58cm road bike with the seats folded down, and a small frame mountain bike with a rear rack/milk crate on it. I doubt I could fit both bikes in at the same time without some serious struggling or the removal of a wheel. But there are tons of options for roof rack storage or rear-hatch storage. Unfortunately the gas mileage on these vehicles is HORRIBLE!

Ah also I've got an 80's toyota 1/2 ton truck, that is GREAT for hauling as many bicycles as you can find. put a plastic bedliner on and hook up a locking device to it (they sell this type of stuff at sporting good stores and bike shops) and it will fit all your needs. Gas mileage is not great but they are cheap to buy and pretty darn reliable.

well chit fire skippy

Bet ya have to ride Uphill both ways into town thar 'eh

Subaru Legacy wagon. With the back seat down the bike fits right inside, with room for bags of groceries around it.

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/48856218-M.jpg

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/47409167-M.jpg

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/4546199-L-1.jpg

http://patineto.smugmug.com/photos/26698074-L-1.jpg

Used to use a Toyota Tercel. (car now deregistered & for sale)
These days, the bike is in a bag over my shoulder, on the bus. ;)

ricardo kuhn: AWESOME ride(s). :D

Corvette....my bike fits nicely in the back with the front wheel off.

You must not have a convertible.

Went from a BMW 525 wagon to a Pacifica FWD in January 04 & its a big improvement, similar mileage, much more room & easy entry/exit for elderly family. Very comfortable on long trips.