I am looking at purchasing a new car that can house a bike inside of the cabin. I typically ride road so for the most part my Scott Addict will be the bike in the car.

I dont really want a roof rack or a hitch rack. I was looking at a Honda Element which I know would work but I have not been able to find a suitable car to purchase in my price range. With that being said, I have found a very nice 2008 CRV that looks like it may work for me.

I wanted to see if anyone had any first hand exp. with the 2007+ CRV with putting a bike inside the car standing up. I am okay with making an adapter to mount a fork mount for the front of the bike.

Here is a sample of the back of the CRV with the rear seats up:


Here is how I would like to mount the bike in CRV. The picture is of an Element:

No. Lay it down on side.

I think Honda Fit has fork holders. Neat little car.

In my opinion, the '08 CRV is a little small for a interior fork mount "rack". I don't have the CRV but do have a '00 Outback (I know, really old) with similar interior space and I have found that even when carrying the bike on its side, the headliner and carpet tend to get brushed from time to time. It doesn't particularly bother me but it would if the car was new to me.

The Element has a really boxy style that maximizes interior volume. Sort of like a Scion xB. The boxy dimensions offer more headroom which is really helpful if you're transporting bikes.

Thanks for all the input everyone... I will see about finding an Element. Its just been hard to find and the CRV met some of my needs but I really like having my bike inside the car.

It doesn't. While it is a neat little car (we have the 2015 model), it really is just a tad too small for me to fit a bike standing up...at least without taking the seat post out or down...and I don't have many QR seatposts. so I usually just lay it on its side and have no hopes of bringing anything other than a hybrid or something with flatbars and no fenders, unless I am willing to take one or both wheels off.

Honda fit was a little too small for me with me wanting to double down as a traveling little car as well.

I have a 2011 CRV and can carry three bikes standing up using a fork mount rack and with the rear seat folded down. I'm 6'. I do have to take the rear wheel off though. For a single bike, I can carry it standing behind the rear seat cross-wise with both wheels off.

A CRV is not an Outback. Small differences in interior height (and where the high point is) can make the difference between a bike fitting and not. If it's important that a bike fit inside a car, I would recommend taking the specific bike and trying it as part of the test drive.

I'd expect it to work. I put a 29+ vertical in my Honda Fit. I have to take the seat post out but it's a medium with about 370 mm of seatpost showing. The CRV would have a higher roof than the Fit. A smaller bike would be easy.
The rear wheel hangs between the front seat backs but isn't in the way. I go on long trips like this. I throw a blanket over the 29er then take 2 road bikes with the wheels off, stand them either side of the 29er, stuff all the wheels in, fit the luggage in, add a passenger and then head out.
For just local trips I lay the bike down with the front wheel off, on an angle and it fits.

I happen to be 5'7 and my bike and my wifes are both small frames. 51 and 48. I may be okay with just taking off the front wheel.

I said a little small in my opinion. Glad you can fit 3 bikes, that must be a very tight squeeze, especially for the third passenger. Haha

1. Take a tape measure with you. To stand a bike upright (with the front wheel removed), you generally need about 48". Front-to-back distance usually isn't as critical because you can stick the rear bike wheel between the seats. Be aware, however, that the handlebar will extend probably 8" to 12" farther back toward the tail gate.

2. Do you know what you are getting yourself into? Once you start carrying your bikes this way you'll probably never want to settle for any other way.

If your bikes are that size, you shouldn't have any trouble fitting them in a CRV with the front wheel removed and front forks in a floor clamp. If you can measure the height of your tallest bike from the bottom of rear wheel to the top of the saddle, I can tell you for sure. My wife has a 2013 CRV, and I can measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling. However, a friend of mine has an older model CRV and is able to fit his size 56 bike in the back of his CRV with front wheel removed and fork in a clamp.

An Element would be no problem at all, if you can find one. Honda no longer makes the Element, so you would have to find one used.

I understand but I really like the thought of having my bike in my car so I dont have to worry about anyone messing with it while I am at work.

I can do this tonight. Appreciate the help.

The newest CRV will take a 56 road bike upright.

A 2010 as well. I've seen a buddies older CRV with 2 54cm road bikes, front wheel removed, upright in this vehicle.

It's actually a very good vehicle for this, it has more room vertically then the 2 Foresters I've owned.

Appreciate all the info. I will be looking at one today.

+1. That’s the only way I go. I replied to this thread, ”*Secure* Bike Check at Events"

I've even seen suggestions to buy a junker van and keep it at work to lock your bike up (I bring mine into the office).

Appreciate the info... Looks like the CRV I was looking at was sold from under me...

And the search continues.

I have an 04 element that I bought new back then and love it...no issue hauling a bike with the front wheel removed and the rear seats folded up or removed. Another plus is that everything is hard plastic so I'm not overly concerned with a little chain grease on anything. That being said, I'd buy a crv if I was shopping today...much more available and better gas mileage.

I've never had an issues laying down a bike on its side including in a Honda Fit, Mazda 5..

The Toyota RAV4, 2001-2005, has rear seats that are easily removable (they unclick and remove in seconds), and enough floor-to-ceiling height to allow rolling two bikes inside without removing wheels. You just have to angle the bikes to get the bars and saddles thru the rear door opening, then turn the front wheel to rest in the rear passengers' footwells. Bungee-cord the bikes to the passenger ceiling grips, and you are ready to go. Still plenty of room to stow other gear around the bikes.

If you want to transport just one bike, you can leave the second rear seat in place. Works great.

I recommend the 2004 or 2005 model years, with the more powerful 4-cyl engine but same mpg rating. (I have the 2001 model, and with the lower horsepower it does not climb hills very well, if that is a consideration.)

Many reasons why throwing a bike on it's side isn't optimal - it wastes a lot of the floor space, the bike slides around, no room for other gear except fitting it around the bike, can't put things on it, etc.

I spent a lot of time looking at this a few years ago as I wanted to travel with bike inside and not worry when car parked and doing other things, in bad weather, etc. I ride a 54cm roadbike.

At the time I looked at Outback, Volvo wagon.. both a no go.. the Forester as I recall was tight.. Rav4 or CRV were best, the VW Tiguan would also work but a bit tight on length.

Just curious as to why you must transport your bike inside a vehicle? What's wrong with a carrier?