buddy

I currently have a Dodge Quad Pick Up. I like the PU for biking because I have a cover for the bed and I can put my bike in the bed and go.

I am thinking about getting a car maybe some kind of cross over vehicle. I would like a car that I can put the bike in the rear with my gear. I don't care if I have to take off the front tire.

I don't want to have to use a bike rake all of the time.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

buddy

stapfam

Different vehicles over here as they are generrally a lot smaller but I have an MPV. High roof and 5 seater with an extra 2 occasional in the trunk space. I regularly travel 100 miles with two bikes on the rear rack and two bikes inside. Even done a holiday involving 2,000 miles travelling with the rear seats folded down and 2 bikes inside and all the holiday luggage. And the return trip involved an extra 12 cartons of wine and plenty of beers for home use.



This is to show the type of car but being American- you will have something better.

Edit
Been looking for this but posted on 50+ by someone else. Not certain if we have an affluent member but this was his suggestion for transporting bikes

CraigB

Honda Element

Nightshade

Simple really......

Buy a small utility trailer for the bikes then buy any car/truck/suv you want.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailers/Buf.../BTTRMB12.html

if that's not what you want them consider a trailer hitch cargo carrier........
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-...ies/63153.html

ericm979

Get a hatchback like a Mazda 3, Subuaru Impreza, etc. You can get a road bike in them by taking the front wheel off (unless you're really tall).
I can get two bikes, another person and our gear into a Mazda 3. Unless you need more room for another reason, like kids, you don't need a crossover to haul bikes.

The cars I listed also come in high performance turbo versions.

DnvrFox

It's going to be really strange driving your car without a front tire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, a Chrysler minivan has proved just great for my and my wife's bike, not needing to take off the front tire, and first leaning to the side as I load one at a time and then standing the bike up vertically pointing forward. I have gotten 4 bikes in this way.

This also allows for all the other stuff we bring along on a car trip, and keeps the bikes relatively safe and "locked in."

Shifty

I have a Toyota Prius, the rear seat folds down, take my from wheel off of the bike and the bike fits with room to spare. And it gets 48 miles per gallon.

dsprehe89

I gotta agree with Eric, I am planning on getting an impreza as soon as I graduate. I was originally wanting a small 2 seated coupe until my outdoors man addiction started growing. Now I want to be able to bike, rock climb, kayak, and camp. And you can't use a miata to do all that. I'm planning on getting the 5 door STI, and putting a hitch on it for a bike rack and top rails for camping gear and a small kayak.

Just my opinion. Get whatever you like and fits you both physically and financially.

theblackbullet

Acura Integra/RSX

jdon

I like my wifes RAV4 but removing front tires, I can put 2 bikes + travel gear for a weekend inside my Liberty. Fugly, but the Mazda 5 looks like a good bike carrier inside.

BluesDawg

My PT Cruiser does the job for me.

BikeWNC

I have a Prius too. But I usually don't remove the front wheel on my 58cm bikes. I do have to remove the front wheel on my 29er though to fit inside the car. I also have a receiver hitch on the car that supports my Yakima rack and up to 3 mtbs. The rear rack keeps the bikes out of the wind as much as possible so the mpg stays high. 2006 Prius with 113K miles. It's been flawless

gear

The Honda CRV in very small outside and incredibly large inside. I have taken three (tall) bikes and put them in the back upright with the front wheels removed. I did remove one of the rear seats to accomplish this but the bikes are safe from thieves and I don't worry about damage to the bikes as I would if they were laid down.

Aside from being a primo bike carrier, it is an outstanding car. It's safe, it's clean, it rides nice and it doesn't cost a lot to own.

rnorris

I have a 2005 Ford Escape that I picked up a couple of years ago. It's another small crossover, and was available with 2WD only and a stick shift, which is difficult to find on some types of crossovers. I fit 2 bikes inside (front wheels off) with 2 people in the front seats, and there's room left for cargo. Although it's not a true SUV, it has a good amount of ground clearance for mild off roading. The only drawback I've found is that first and reverse gears on the manual aren't as low of a ratio as I'd like, but that's not a serious problem.

A smaller vehicle that works really well for carrying bikes is the 2004-2008 Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. I rented these a couple of times. The rear seat folds completely flat to make a durable cargo carrying surface. The newer Matrix may work also, but I'm less familiar with it.

Pamestique 

OK this thread is interesting to me... I currently own and drive a 1997 Ford Explorer 2 dr. Sport - to me, best car/SUV ever for bicycles. I can fit 3 bikes (front wheel off) and 3 passengers inside the car, no hitch needed.

But the car - actually a real SUV, is getting old and I am trying to find a replacement. the current crossovers that are attempting to pass as SUVs are totally worthless. It's almost impossible to get one bike in flat on its side. Plus with 3 row seating its a hassle to get the bed down flat. I look and look and so far, my old Explorer is still the best thing out there.

BTW looked at the 2011/2012 Escape, bed no longer folds down flat... sucks.

CHAS

Bicycles inside a vehicle are not safe.
Thieves knocked a window out and took a favorite bike in broad daylight with people watching from a nearby restaurant. Have had much better luck with a rack locked to the vehicle and the bike locked to the rack.
Have had thieves break into cars without leaving a mark. Once they left the lock mechanism hanging out the hole another time they got into a car with an electronic key.

BikeWNC

Wow, Colorado is going to the hoodlums.

AzTallRider

I was on a group ride in SoCal, and the Specialized rep for the region was also on the ride (and paid for bagels and such for everyone). He mentioned that he fits 6 bikes in his Scion. He and his wife recently bought a second, bigger, car, but it doesn't fit as many bikes. I've noticed quite a few Scions at ride meet points. A friend has one and likes it.

DnvrFox

I used to drive to a shopping center (Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver) and then commuted 18 miles to Westminster. One day I left my wife's old Specialized HR Mtn Bike in the back of the car while I commuted. When I returned, the rear window had been broken in an attempt to get a $300 bike. They didn't get the bike, but the window was $700.

So, yes, I agree that bikes are not totally safe in a car/van. OTOH, I don't believe they are safe anywhere, and it is more a matter of luck and chance as to when a theft attempt is made or not.

At least my bikes are out of the weather, and don't reduce my gas mileage - which helps to pay for my deductible on the rear window.

To claim anything is safe (or even safer) is erroneous, IMHO.

gtragitt

2003 Corvette convertible.

jdon

The crisis is probably over. You can sell it now.

DEK

I have a Dodge Magnum and can easily put my bike inside without taking any wheels off. However, I prefer to use my bike rack on the back. I have it on in such a way so I can still open the hatch. Works out very well.

miss kenton

I have a Toyota Yaris Hatchback. The back seat folds down and my bike fits nicely into it without removing the front wheel.

dahut

Best car for biking? My truck.

bikethom

Prius' are best for biking - either put your bike in the trunk with the front wheel off or get a hitch or use a hitch rack as I do, and of course enjoy the great gas mileage (I'm always amazed at all the SUV's parked at bike events, not good drivers and not especially comfortable, either). Actually the best ever bike car ever was a 1984 Civic wagon, or shuttle as known in other locales. It took me and my bike (and others') for over 150k miles before it was retired, with very little maintenance.

I believe a larger cargo version of the Prius is about to come to market in the US.