RollCNY

Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra GT, Honda Fit, Insight, the new HRV, Scion Xb & Xd, Toyota Prius, & Matrix. Any or all of these easily fit a bike inside, some of them with the wheel still on. In my '04 Mazda3, I did not need to remove the front wheel on my size 58 & 60 bikes. With my current Honda Insight, I need to remove the front wheel.

hollywoodeskimo

Then that makes sense. I don't thing getting the appropriate vehicle that meets one's needs without going overboard would meet with anyone but your car salesman's disapproval. The OP indicated only a need to be able to carry his one bike.

merlinextraligh

Best Car for bike owners? The question boils down to which Porsche?









There is no substitute

topslop1

Need to hire a project manager for your business?

eric1971

Yes, but the OP did not ask what he needed to haul a bike, he asked what was best. Some vehicles are more convenient and are a better fit long term for a cycling lifestyle. Other than driving to work, 90% of my driving involves hauling my bike somewhere. Why not make that as convenient as possible? Some people are going to have different priorities, and that is fine, but this thread is about the best vehicle for a bike owner.

One thing I did not mention before is how important to me having a tailgate has become. It is so easy to sit on the tailgate and change my shoes, pull on warmers, do whatever. I'd really miss having it.

RPK79

An unintended feature of the Flex is you can flip the third row seating down and essentially have tailgate seating. I've used this while waiting around for a group ride to assemble.


[Not my picture]

joeyduck

My Dodge Caravan does that also. I also don't think that is a photo of a Flex, but a Caravan.

GlennR

You need to upgrade your bike since you're in violation of Rule #25 .

merlinextraligh

Actually, I'm in compliance. The Calfee cost substantially more than the Boxster, and envoking the relativity clause in rule 25, the Calfee is further up in the pecking order of bikes of bikes than a 911s is in cars.

RPK79

Yeah, I think you're right. Google failed me. That was picture 2 with the search "flex tailgate seats" the first picture had people sitting so it covered the actual seats. Picture 3 is a Flex though!

big chainring 

I'm looking at a VW Squareback.

StanSeven

With the exceptions of Merlin and jsigone, posters here sure drive some boring cars. With all the mini vans, someone could assume this is soccer mom forum

I <3 Robots

My roof rack does have a fork lock, but the rest of the bike is still open for theft. I'd hate to come out and have my rear wheel or other easily removable part of the bike stolen. I also have a T2 on another car. That only has a cable lock that comes out of the arm that holds the front wheel down. I do have a couple cable locks that I do use if I'm in an not so sketchy area. If I'm anywhere in Downtown LA or the surrounding areas...I will not leave my bikes on the rack even a few minutes. There were a few times where I would put one bike in the car and take the other into the food place where we would eat.

Racks are good for transport, but poor for security.

TimothyH

I really don't know where you came up with the idea that I care what people think of me because of the car I drive. I ride a fixed-gear bike - that alone should tell you what I think of other people's opinion of me. I was talking about living a life where you can't have anything nice because people steal it, that's all.

Actually, I have a very benedictine/monastic spirituality and live a very simple life, thought about becoming a Trappist monk for a while. In the monastic life, the idea of being able to walk away from things you own, or not even caring if you own anything at all is called detachment and seen as a virtue. I was actually quite impressed with your level of detachment and think it is virtuous. It speaks well of your character at some level.

Even so, it sucks not having the ability to own nice things for fear if it being stolen. I'm not a monk and would like to own a few nice things, that's all.

Really think you just misunderstood my post and I'm sorry if I wasn't clear and caused any anxiety.


-Tim-

Carbonfiberboy 

Agree that a Forester is nice. My 52 rolls in upright. We've had 2 Impreza hatchbacks. We can put our tandem inside with the wheels off. Singles easy with wheels on but no fenders. Not a cyclist's car specifically, rather a sporty individual's car that can fit a bike inside.

tomato coupe

Is braking ever an issue with your tandems? (I mean the actual bikes -- it looks like calipers on carbon on the Calfee?)

Lazyass

The best car is a truck. I have a Silverado and tie my bike down with two soft ties and straps the exact same way I tie down my dirt and sport bikes. Takes about 30 seconds.

merlinextraligh

Dura Ace rim brakes stop a tandem fine. There's plenty of stopping power, and the long wheel base with weight over the rear wheel means you get stopping power from the back wheel as well as the front and can stop as short or shorter than a single.

Only issue is heat dissipation. We set u p the Calfee to be able to use a rear disc brake if we want to do long twisty mountain descents where over heating the carbon clinchers could be an issue.

caloso

I came here to recommend a mini van, but the Forester is a nice choice for a wagon. My folks have one and I have been impressed by it.

TimothyH

What year Forrester are you guys talking about?

My understanding was that the 2.2 liter had head gasket problems.

I see that some come with 2.5 engines and wonder if the problem was addressed or if it doesn't affect the 2.5L.


-Tim-

Sy Reene

Kia Soul or Scion xB ?

hollywoodeskimo

What one needs is part of what makes something that addresses that need to be the best solution for them. Sounds like what your need is out of the norm. Most folks don't use their vehicles 90% of the time to haul their bike(s). So what best addresses your needs seems to be out of the range of what is best for most people.

When I see people suggesting that their out sized vehicles are the best solution, I think it is appropriate to question that and offer my opinion of what is best. And what is best, in my estimation, is what addresses a need in a simple and economical way. Some may think that a more complicated and expensive way to best address a need is the way to go. They are certainly welcome to express their ideas. I am welcome to express my dismay at their solutions.

TimothyH

Do you own either?

What do you like, don't like?

Reliable? Fun to drive? Handle well?

Bikes fit without taking the wheels off?

How about an eight foot long 2"x4" - can you close the hatch?

How many bales of pine straw does it fit?

etc.

Chandne

I have no practical use for cars (I go offroad too much) so I have to buy either SUVs or trucks (no trucks recently) with clearance and 4WD Lo that I can fit a bike inside of if needed. So my 4Runner and 4-door Wrangler both will handle the road bikes and I have to take the front wheel off my mountain bike at times, if I want to be quick about it. As far as smaller vehicles go, the Subaru Forester served me well and has the best AWD systems of all the smaller SUVs. It did lack a 4WD low range so it isn't as capable as the other two I have but it was 100% reliable, very safe, and easy to drive. I'd pick that over the CRV or Rav4 if buying a smaller SUV again. I have driven all on road and off road, though not in the past 2-3 years.

RPK79

Why not drive a boring car? Cars are boring.