Best Car for Bike Owners?
03-17-16, 03:59 PM
#26
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Have a 2009 Hyundai Touring. With rear seats down, will fit two bikes without removing wheels.
03-17-16, 04:10 PM
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Part of it depends on how often you need to through your bike in the car. I have the luxury of riding to most of my rides. For the rare time that I have to drive I fold down the rear seat in my sedan (Subaru WRX) and slide my bike into the back.
03-17-16, 05:29 PM
#28
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get whatever catches your eye and put a rack on it...unless its a pickup, suv, crossover..if you're into those things.
transport the bike allot, a roof rack would be optimal, but at the cost of MPG
for me, I love my 300hp lil rally machine (EVO X), use a thule raceway pro trunk rack.
transport the bike allot, a roof rack would be optimal, but at the cost of MPG
for me, I love my 300hp lil rally machine (EVO X), use a thule raceway pro trunk rack.
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Last edited by jsigone; 03-17-16 at 05:32 PM.
03-17-16, 05:55 PM
#29
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Many vehicles will work if you take off the front wheel, the back seat folds down and slide into the trunk. I can do this with my Honda Accord. I recently bought a Toyota Tacoma, dual cab, and this is an ideal bike hauler. I have two skewer mounts to haul bikes for easy loading and place the front wheel in the back seat. I don't worry about the bike getting crunched if rear ended. And the skewer mount locks if I need to run into the store or stop for a meal.
03-17-16, 06:30 PM
#30
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I can fit one of my road bikes (60cm frames) or my 29er in both my Sonata or my Wrangler Unlimited (older 2dr model) with the wheel off and the rear seats folded down really easily. I previously had a full size extended cab Chevy that I could fit them in the rear section of the cab with the front wheel off. I've thought about getting a wagon or used Honda Element but both my cars are paid for and I have a hitch rack for the Jeep if I need it for multiple bikes.
03-17-16, 06:47 PM
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IMO...cars with hatches are going to be the easiest to get the bike in the back. I had an Honda Element a few years back. That was an awesome and reliable car.
I like having a rack the best. No need to keep folding the seats up and down.
This is with the bikes in the Jetta Wagon. Kinda a pain in the ass with two bikes. With just my bike, the entire bike fits back there.
I like having a rack the best. No need to keep folding the seats up and down.
This is with the bikes in the Jetta Wagon. Kinda a pain in the ass with two bikes. With just my bike, the entire bike fits back there.
03-17-16, 07:04 PM
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Next car will probably be a 4Runner, to fit bikes inside, vertically. Because if the bike is the right bike, it's too valuable to be outside.
03-17-16, 07:28 PM
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99 Accord worked for my son.
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03-18-16, 05:19 AM
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I put my 56cm road bike in the back of my Prius without removing the front wheel. It's a bit close but it works well. (With the back seats folded forward).
What I like about the Prius is it's incredible reliability.
Of course a ton of other vehicles would work as well. Someone else's pic:
What I like about the Prius is it's incredible reliability.
Of course a ton of other vehicles would work as well. Someone else's pic:
Last edited by PaulRivers; 03-18-16 at 05:23 AM.
03-18-16, 05:25 AM
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That and they can be scary when driving at high speed across the prairie with severe wind. And it's not nice having them lying down in the back with stuff under or on top of them, bouncing up and down on every bump.
03-18-16, 06:05 AM
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I was looking at one and the Outback at the Auto Show back in February. The Subaru rep said the Forester is actually "boxier" than the Outback, which is a good thing for fitting bikes. I may spring for one in the near future.
03-18-16, 06:21 AM
#40
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VW always has some major $1000+ repair as they age.
03-18-16, 06:24 AM
#41
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03-18-16, 06:32 AM
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Being able to just lay your bike down fully assembled in the back is an awesome convenience. With a pad, you can put in two, one lying on top of the other.
(^^^ note verb usage: Lay, transitive. Lie, intransitive. It won't make a difference in Bike Forums but may in professional communications, on resumes, etc..)
(^^^ note verb usage: Lay, transitive. Lie, intransitive. It won't make a difference in Bike Forums but may in professional communications, on resumes, etc..)
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03-18-16, 06:40 AM
#43
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03-18-16, 06:50 AM
#44
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We have two Honda Elements, an 03 and an 05. Seats tilt, fold up or come out completely. Most bikes will fit without taking off the front wheel. When we ride with our friend and need to carry three bikes and people, we leave one seat in, and use his two bike hitch mount rack.
Last edited by hig4s; 03-18-16 at 06:53 AM.
03-18-16, 06:59 AM
#45
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He was 19 and made the Long Island team to the New York "Empire State Games". So he and 2 of his team mates had to drive from Long Island to Buffalo with their road bikes, TT bikes, trainers and spares. The games included individual and team crits and time trials.. they won bronze.
Too bad that was the last year, it was canceled due to budget cuts.
Too bad that was the last year, it was canceled due to budget cuts.
03-18-16, 06:59 AM
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Not for nothing, but if your bike is worth anything, you may want to keep it locked up inside. That means NO BIKE RACK.
I have '15 T&C Mini van. Leather and nice inside.
The advantage to me is that I can toss the bike in the back, and not have to worry about it if I decide to make extra stops while I'm out.
I can also carry tools, building materials, furniture, and almost anything else I might need to move, haul, store, buy, or repair.
I have '15 T&C Mini van. Leather and nice inside.
The advantage to me is that I can toss the bike in the back, and not have to worry about it if I decide to make extra stops while I'm out.
I can also carry tools, building materials, furniture, and almost anything else I might need to move, haul, store, buy, or repair.
"Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."
^applies to bicycles as well. For that reason alone I pulled a used decent road bike that I don't wipe down and obsess over.. I just ride it.
And finally, I don't really make any other stops or I'll park the car where I can see it from the inside of whatever building I'm at.
03-18-16, 07:00 AM
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Of course I shouldn't have said this with the paranoia here
03-18-16, 07:02 AM
#48
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Strictly from a cycling standpoint, I think the Honda Element is the best vehicle. I can fit my road bike or 29er mountain bike in the back, upright, with both wheels on. This convenience matters to me as I drive to most places I ride. I would not want to have to take wheels off or install a rack every time. Rubber floors mean I don't care if the bike is dirty. I have a hitch rack for the rare occasions I need to carry more than one bike.
Not my photo, but a good example:
Not my photo, but a good example:
03-18-16, 07:13 AM
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Agree entirely. I think you guys are really underestimating how easy it is to break into a car versus defeating one or if you're serious about it - multiple locks on a bike/bike rack.