Two bikes, one car

mark8191
mark8191 Posts: 78
edited July 2021 in Road general
Does anyone have experience transporting two carbon bikes in one car. I was thinking of removing front wheels and laying one of top of the other head to toe, separated by cardboard or a thick blanket.

Will the bikes be safe/ anyone else done this?

Car is a 5 door VW Golf hatchback.

Advice appreciated.

Comments

  • Take out the wheels, and put in wheel bags. Put bikes minus wheels in padded bike bags.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,307
    An alternative while the wheels are off is to bungee cord hold them upside down on either side so they are not bouncing off each other. Padding as required.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    they'll be fine as you suggested just make sure that they are bone dry when you put them in.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,104
    Yes bikes aren't that fragile - should be fine
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • joe_totale-2
    joe_totale-2 Posts: 1,333
    I was worried that there was going to be a link to some disgusting video
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    I take both wheels off and stand the bikes upside down with a bungee connected to the dog grid to keep them upright. Just be careful with the RD as it can mark the headliner if greasy/dirty.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,307
    Large bin liners are good for covering the mucky bits.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,548
    I have had many VW Golfs.

    One of the main reasons for getting so many VW Golfs is that, with the rear seats fully folded down, front wheels and seatpost (inc saddles) removed from the bikes, they will fit in to the car, upright, one on the left, one on the right, with the handlebars either side of each of the headrests (they will not cause you or the passenger any problems) and the front drop outs on the "floor" created by the back of the folded down rear seats just behind the front seats.

    Then use two short bungys to secure the crossbar of each bike to the handles above the rear doors to keep the bikes upright on a flexible "fixing". Luggage fits between the bikes and there's none of the security issues associated with a bike rack.

    Done it loads of times
    Wilier Izoard XP
  • darrell1967
    darrell1967 Posts: 477
    Our runabout is an old S Type Jag with 60/40 split rear seats. I can fold down the 60 part and get in 2 road bikes with their front wheels removed easily. I just put an old dust sheet in between them.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,311
    I can fit two carbon bikes in the back of my Fiat 500... seats down, wheels off, a flattened cardboard box under and between the bikes... wheels on top of the pile in wheel bags (or one in one out if you only have one set of wheel bags)
    left the forum March 2023
  • does the fact that they are carbon mean that's why they fit in a 500? Would aluminium bikes not fit? unsure why the material of the frame is important
  • mark8191
    mark8191 Posts: 78

    does the fact that they are carbon mean that's why they fit in a 500? Would aluminium bikes not fit? unsure why the material of the frame is important

    I only mentioned carbon as this is my first carbon road bike and am very much still in the honey moon period with it. I.e probably over cautious and treat it like its made of glass. :D
  • darrell1967
    darrell1967 Posts: 477
    edited July 2021

    does the fact that they are carbon mean that's why they fit in a 500? Would aluminium bikes not fit? unsure why the material of the frame is important

    Everyone knows that carbon bikes fit into a Fiat 500 better than any other material. 🙄

    My brother can’t get his ally bike in but his carbon bike fits no problem.


  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,972
    As already mentioned, if the cabin has the depth, front wheels and saddle off, lash one to each side of the car, preferably with oily bits not facing into the cabin. Use the central section for packing, but be wary of things that might fall over/slide and cause damage.
    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
    Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
    Scott CR1 SL 12
    Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
    Scott Foil 18
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,554
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    mark8191 said:

    does the fact that they are carbon mean that's why they fit in a 500? Would aluminium bikes not fit? unsure why the material of the frame is important

    I only mentioned carbon as this is my first carbon road bike and am very much still in the honey moon period with it. I.e probably over cautious and treat it like its made of glass. :D
    just make sure they are bone dry when putting then in and all will be well.

    its just a couple of bicycles.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    One of the most efficient cars I have had for transporting bikes & people was a Mini Metro.

    Because the steep rake of the rear hatch I could fit 2 mountain bikes in the "boot" area with seats up. The bikes were wheels off, upside down and wheels slotted into the gaps. Two bikes were also mounted on a rear rack resting on the hatch.

    4 adults and 4 bikes in a Mini Metro with no anguish.
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 13,227
    navrig2 said:

    4 adults and 4 bikes in a Mini Metro with no anguish.

    🧐 My first company car was a Metro. I was lucky to fit myself in it, garage actually welded on some extensions to the front seat runners so I could shift the driver's seat back far enough to get my legs under the steering wheel.

    4 people (plus 4 bikes)! Were you all Pidcock sized?
  • I'm not driving a mini metro

    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]