carta

We had an '04 CR-V and stuck our Electra Townies in upright to take to area trails and dirt roads. (My wife only rides a Townie and I ride one and ride a Trek FX when on my own.) I gouged up the inside of the CR-V over the years, not badly but enough that with a new '15 CR-V, I starting exploring other options.

I'd really like to carry the Townies inside the new CR-V instead of considering a roof rack or hitch rack. So I wondered about bike duffle bags or some other way of putting them in so they don't gouge the inside surfaces of the CR-V. Also wondered about laying them down and putting one on top of the other (with something in-between to prevent scratching of the bikes).

Any thoughts? Any experiences with bike cases?

GravelMN

Do not lay them down. You can get away doing that with one bike but I've never seen a good outcome from multiple bikes carried that way.

It wouldn't be hard to fashion a couple of bike covers from packing blankets or similar soft padded, inexpensive material that is unlikely to scratch the bikes or the vehicle. Where was the damage on your old CR-V? That info and/or some pictures might help us come up with more specific recommendations.

Retro Grouch 

I've started using canvas drop clothes from Sherwin Williams for that duty. They come in various sizes, they're heavy enough to prevent scratches on or by the bikes, and they are reasonably cheap.

Looigi

I often lay one road bike on another in the back of my suv. I separate them with a quilted moving blanket. If some have difficulty or problems with this, I suggest it's not the methodology but their ineptitude that is the issue.

cale

The problem isn't the bikes, the problem is the car! Haha. I have never had any success putting two assembled bikes in a wagon. But if I were tempted to do it, I think I'd give a cargo liner some serious consideration. Like the blanket/quilt suggestions.

Sirrus Rider

I will say this. Do NOT rest the bikes on the rear bumper while loading! The plastic bumper cover scratches easily and is quite thin. Replacement is the only option and unless you DIY it will cost you $600. Been there done that. If I were moving a pair of bikes I'd get a trailer hitch mounted and use a trailer hitch mounted carrier. Honda also has a roof rack available for bikes; however, to use one you have to be of average height somewhere around 5'8" unless you carry a foot stool. I'm 5'4" and lifting 30lbs that high just isn't going to happen. Plus the roof rails wrecks the clean lines of the CRV. I've carried two bikes in my 2014 CRV; however, only one of them was full sized. Carried a Rockhopper in the bed and a Raleigh twenty behind the front seat.

carta

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'd put my wife's bike in first with the front fork angled almost against the right rear door, almost up to the front passenger seat. Then, with mine, I'd place it in with the front fork and handlebars near the back window. At some point the plastic panel of the rear door got a deep gouge--and it may have been from something we moved (three kids in college one year) rather than the bikes.

Don't laugh but I thought about getting a kid's sand bucket and placing the front fork in that so it would slide easier toward the front of the CR-V. And if I could wrap the bike in something as I slid it in to protect the car surfaces, that would be ideal. That would be trying to again keep the bikes upright rather than laying them on or across each other flat on the floor of the car.

To be honest, I'd go with a hitch rack but cops around here are picky about license plate and brake light visibility. I'm 5'10" and in okay shape but I'm not sure I can hoist bikes up on a CR-V roof rack.

Retro Grouch 

That sand bucket idea sounds genius to me. Price is right too.

Canker

Robot Check

Two of those mounted to a board.

Altair 4

This is what I would do, if the height of the cabin in the wayback area is sufficient to accommodate the height of your frame/seat.

fietsbob

How about a Trailer on your trailer hitch and have one with a closed door on it to lock?