AusTai

Just wondering, are there any hatchbacks big enough to carry a medium or large road (I'm 5'11") bike completely inside. Obviously, the front wheel needs to come off, and the rear seat back folded, but I'd like to keep the rear wheel on. Also, being 5'11", I can only move the driver's seat only so far forward.

Do I have to consider a wagon or sedan?

Thanks!

Retro Grouch 

I wouldn't think it would be a big deal at all. Most any hatchback will suit your needs.

n00bL35

I wouldn't be so sure. I have a Ford Escape, and I only just have clearance with the front wheel removed. Also, the height of the bicycle is an issue, especially in the doorway.

telebianchi

I used to do this all the time with my '91 Ford Escort 3-door. Didn't even need to take off the rear wheel. Lie the bike in flat and turn the handlebars so the front wheel is pointing up. Biggest problem was that car had a high lift-over.

Now I've got a Subaru Legacy wagon which is even easier. I essentially roll the bike in with the wheels along the right side and lay it down on the bike's left. Works with the road bike and the full suspension mountain bike.

Re: the Ford Escape -- that's part of why I ended up with the Legacy vs. Escape, CRV, Rav-4, Forester, etc. While the SUVs may have had more cubic space, the Legacy had more square footage of the floor area which meant more to me that being able to stack things up high.

HandsomeRyan

I'm 6'3" so I ride a pretty big bike and I can fit my bike in the back of my wifes Nissan Rogue w/o removing either of the wheels. This may be a bigger vehicle than you were looking for.

The CVT tranny is awesome too.

AusTai

Thanks, but I was thinking of something smaller like the Golf or Mazda 3, though I do not know all the hatches available.

Retro Grouch 

Having worked in bike shops I've loaded bikes into lots of different customer cars. Hatchbacks with folding rear seats are a breeze. Pop off the front wheel and twist the fork sideways. That makes the bike a relatively flat, 1 plane object. Feed the back wheel in first horizontally and it's done. If you're fussy about keeping the interior of your car pristine, buy a cheap canvas drop cloth at the paint store. It's way cheaper (and safer) than any bike rack.

DieselDan

Keep the drivetrain side up.

knobster

My bike(s) are 56cm and I can put them in without taking the front wheel off. Toyota Matrix.

MnD

My size 58 Trek Pilot fits in our 2007 4 door Honda Civic if I remove the front wheel and lower the seat all of the way. I'm 6' and can keep the drivers seat all of the way back...

brian416

Go to a dealership to test cars out and bring your bike along to test it out.

BarracksSi

Keep a very sharp eye out for a 2002-05 Honda Civic Si hatchback (chassis code EP3). Fun car, plenty of room with the rear seats folded down for my 60 cm CAAD8 with both wheels attached.

And by "very sharp eye" I mean that they're relatively rare. They were marketed as a sporty enthusiast's car, but didn't have any more power than the Si coupe from 1999-2000, and the riceburners du jour were beasts like the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru STi. They were also not available in the States with an automatic transmission, which turned off the casual commuters -- nor were US cars given the 200-hp Type-R engine that was sold in Europe and Japan, which turned off the Honda fans.

Failing that, I'd hesitatingly recommend a Golf (whether their reliability has improved or not, I don't know). There's the Honda Fit, of course, along with Toyota's Yaris, etc etc etc. Stick with the brands with good reputations for reliability, and look in the used car ads. A good hatchback will not linger very long on the market, so you'll have to snatch it quickly (my previous Civic showed up in the classifieds one morning, and by the time I drove to see it myself, three other buyers had called for it; I got dibs simply because I was the first to call).

spindog

I have easily gotten my 56 CDale into my 02 Volks Golf, 06 2dr Civic coupe (new body style), 04 Honda Accord (4dr sedan), and my friend uses his Acura RSX hatchback with no problems.

When I was car shopping, I brought my bike with me and any car of interest had to pass the bike fit test ~ the salesman had absolutely no problem with me doing this. As a matter of fact, the Volks dealer threw in a two bike carrier roof rack as well just to make the deal even though I could fit my bike inside.

Servo888

My old XL (21") K2 in the back of VW Rabbit. It fits just fine!

bhop

I often put my bike in the back of my friend's Honda Fit without removing the wheel. I ride a Jamis Aurora road bike, it's small though, only a 50. He's probably around 5'9-5'10 and doesn't move his seat at all when my bike's in there.

mawtangent

'95 Escort (4-door with hatchback) works for me. I put the back seat down, take the front wheel off, and slide the bike in (back wheel first, with derailleur facing up), seems much easier that way, though it might be possible to get it in with both wheels on (especially if there was no front passenger and/or the passenger seat was moved all the way forward). I actually did put an old Huffy Ten-speed in there with both wheels on before, but it was a trick/hassle. I put a large piece of cardboard (that I got from a grocery store) over the whole area, I "customized" it a bit by cutting space around the back wheel wells. The cardboard folds up with and moves with the back seat, stays in place, protects the carpet from oil stains, and the bike pedal slides across it easily when loading and unloading the bike.

800over

Ya beat me to it. Matrix will do it. but so will most cars.....just like others have said, bring your bike and check it out at the dealership.

alhedges

I have Mazda 3 hatchback and there is plenty of room in the back - at least 5 feet straight back, and much more if you lay the bike at an angle. I was able to fit my small road bike in the back without taking off the front tire.

AusTai

Terrific. I guess my worries are unfounded. My GF said she had trouble getting her small bike into a friend's civic but I think they must have not done it right. I'll definitely take my bike to the dealer when it's time. Thanks, everyone!

Esteban32696

I put mine , without removing wheel , in my Ford Focus hatchback.

BarracksSi

Nothing against your girlfriend, but... bingo.

Garfield Cat

My daughter has the Mazda M3 hatchback 2008. My frame size is 52 and it fits without the front wheel and rear seats down.

David13

Honda Civic. Front wheel off. No problem. Try the car you want at the dealer. Take your bike.
dc

Alfster 

I've fit 2 mountain bikes in my Matrix. Didn't have to remove the front wheel. The back seats fold down flush with the hatch. I'm 6'3".

HAL 8000

Honda Element ftw (silver awd 5-speed)