Fitting bikes in a car
Comments
-
I can get my bike in the back of a Skoda Citigo. Both back seats down, both wheels off the bike, it fits in on a diagonal with the bars behind the front passenger seat, wheels on top of the frame protected with a couple of old towels. I can also get a sports bag in the boot underneath the back of the bike.
Worked a treat.0 -
Why don't you just tow the car with your bike?
Or even better....
0 -
I camp in the south of France with my missus and two kids and we have a focus. You're doing something wrong!
We have a saris bones which the bike goes on and a thule roof-box.
The bike is not left on the car unattended. We stay 1 night each way in a hotel to break the journey for the kids and the bike comes into the hotel for the night.0 -
bernithebiker wrote:Mikey1976 wrote:I'm also in the same predicament. I'm taking a crv to France next month for 2 weeks. I also have to fit in
1x wife
2x children
2x buggies
1x travel cot
3x suitcases
Toys, towels, food etc
1x kitchen sink
I'm thinking the only way is putting the bike on the roof or the back of the car, does anybody know the cheapest option and where the best place to purchase the bike carriers?
I really can't be without my bike for 2 weeks on those amazing roads and scenery in France!
We've got a CRV too. Here's a tip; get rid of the spare tyre and get a can of repair foam. Then you free up tons of space under the boot floor for all sorts of things.
Then I lay my bike across the top of everything and slot the wheels in......somewhere!
(Make sure your chain is super clean or you'll be divorced before you even set off)
I see by your link you have a webpage to cycling in brittany, which is exactly where im going.
Would you know if there is any places to hire road bikes near carnac/quiberon?0 -
I just ride mine into the boot next to all the luggage, but then I've got a Tour de France service vehicle, aka a Škoda Superb Combi
Seriously though, I'd recommend Thule roof mounted bike racks for quality and design. They do a great range of lockable racks including this one http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/bike-carriers/roofcarriers/thule-adventure-team-edition-race-_-tat_570002#.Still trying to convince the missus of the n+1 rule...!0 -
Looking at Boot mounted racks now (well not now as its like 4am)...0
-
Boot racks mean you cannot open boot and may well damage car (I think).
Would only put behind car if its on a tow hitch ;-)
I would go the roof box option if it were just one bike (Thule are worth the extra cost IMO).
You could put your luggage in the box and bike in the back, but I would stick my bike (assuming I were taking my best road bike) in a bike bag and put that in the box with anything light/soft.
Soft bags (ie holdalls and carrier bags, not suitcases) are better when packing a roof box and will further protect the bike.
The advantage of doing it this way is that you have a lot less wind resistance, the bike is not exposed to elements or theft, the height and length of car is not compromised for driving (should still get into height restricted car parks etc.), and your bike is out of the way if you need to access anything in the boot (or even stuff on top of bike in box) ;-)
I also think having luggage in passenger compartment is a big safety no, no, not to mention depressing lol.
Have had our roof box for years and has been a great investment.0 -
A trick we have learnt over the years is the £10 buggy.
The amount of damage you can do to half a grands worth of finest McLarran in a week away doesn't bear thinking about.
They also take no room, leaving plenty of space for the rest of your kit.Living MY dream.0 -
Mikey1976 wrote:
I see by your link you have a webpage to cycling in brittany, which is exactly where im going.
Would you know if there is any places to hire road bikes near carnac/quiberon?
That's about 2 hours drive from us, so don't really know it that well (although I have done triathlons in both places!)
Try searching for 'location velo' in each place, or speak to the Offices de Tourisme. I wouldn't expect anything decent.0 -
Yes, I'm on the case with this already. Bike in the boot seems the most secure with everything else on the roof. I mean we would be fine if all our stuff got nicked but I'd be super miffed if the new bike was stolen...VTech wrote:A trick we have learnt over the years is the £10 buggy.
The amount of damage you can do to half a grands worth of finest McLarran in a week away doesn't bear thinking about.
They also take no room, leaving plenty of space for the rest of your kit.0 -
In the past, we managed wheelchair, buggy and bike in the back of a metro without too much trouble. Wheels off and pack things around, you should be OK. Granted, the metro has a bit of height available, but at only about 1 foot from the back window to the back seat, there's no real depth. Used to be able to get 2 bikes, a pushchair and a couple of cases in the boot of my old Jag, which wouldn't be a huge amount bigger than a 5-series.
Make sure the chain and other mucky bits are as clean as possible and wrapped up. Also, it might be worth loosening off the handlebars so they can sit at right angles to usual.
A locking roofbox doesn give you a bit more flexibility though. If the wife complains too much, its easy to hide body parts. ;-)0 -
The ferries are too booked now for me to get a roof box - shame as I found one for a complete bargain.
So I'm looking at racks - has anyone used the Saris Bones rack with a five series and do you need a lightboard?
That would be mega dull so I'm it doesn't obscure the lights and plate too much..0 -
xloly wrote:The boot is big (its a five series) but we're off on holiday for two weeks so I'm trying to work out if I can get the bike and buggy in the boot and our luggage on the backseat.
Really don't want to be missing out on cycling for that long!
Took the family on a camping trip to France last summer in my 5 Tourer. Me and wife in front, kids in back, camping gear on bottom of boot, dismantled road bike in pipe lagging laying on top.
Bobs...your...mother's...brother0 -
xloly wrote:The ferries are too booked now for me to get a roof box - shame as I found one for a complete bargain.
So I'm looking at racks - has anyone used the Saris Bones rack with a five series and do you need a lightboard?
That would be mega dull so I'm it doesn't obscure the lights and plate too much..
I also have a Saris bones 3 and it does fit my 5 Tourer however I'd only use it in the UK as the plate and lights are not completely visible and I've heard bad things about the continental cops when it comes to visibility of these. It's the reason I put the bike in the boot, see previous post!0 -
So what you are saying is I need to get a tourer...cojones wrote:xloly wrote:The ferries are too booked now for me to get a roof box - shame as I found one for a complete bargain.
So I'm looking at racks - has anyone used the Saris Bones rack with a five series and do you need a lightboard?
That would be mega dull so I'm it doesn't obscure the lights and plate too much..
I also have a Saris bones 3 and it does fit my 5 Tourer however I'd only use it in the UK as the plate and lights are not completely visible and I've heard bad things about the continental cops when it comes to visibility of these. It's the reason I put the bike in the boot, see previous post! 0
