Nothing Short of Thankful
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Close to the Akrowdy, Ohio
Bikes: '12 Raleigh Furley, '08 KHS Flite 900, '06 Bianchi San Jose (RIP), '04 Fuji World
I own an '03 Honda CR-V, and maybe I'm doing something wrong, but fitting a bike in the back isn't exactly the easiest to do, but it is possible with the front wheels removed.
To get my 58cm bikes into the back of the 'V placing the rear wheel in first requires lowering or removing the seat post, but once they're in you have a nice and flat surface to mount some type of QR clamp for the fork or whatever, you may also have to angle the bike some to make it fit completely depending on the geometry.
It's a bit easier to put the bikes in front wheel/fork first, however the floor at that part is normally covered by the rear seats so you won't be able to permanently mount a fork clamp there. I often get the brake levers (drop bar levers) stuck between in the folded up seatbacks, it helps secure them but it could also get grime on the upholstery.
I like the CR-V in general as transport for family trips and hauling lots of stuff but keeping a bicycle inside isn't as easy as the brochures make it seem, maybe if you have a frame smaller than 58cm your results could differ. If I was in a position to purchase another vehicle today I would seriously consider either the Honda Fit or the Element. The one thing that kept me from buying the Element in 03 was the fact it can only hold 4 passengers, there are no provisions for a 3rd passenger in the back seat. My wife really wanted to have room for 5 people, 3 years later and I don't think we've had 5 people in the car yet!