Mountainbike Friendly Fun Cars
Discussion
Looking to get a new car soon and high priority is ability to fit a bike in the back (or at a push on a proper tow bar mounted bike rack). Currently have an MX5 and using a Saris Bones rack - but really don't like driving with it on as the bootlid doesn't really feel that solid and would just prefer to be able to chuck a couple medium travel trail bikes in the back (with rear seats folded flat).
Did a quick search and couldn't find anything on the forum about this - but is there a list of bike friendly fun cars?
Currently considering current shape RenaultSport Megane - looks like it has a boot and some rear space but might be a bit too small?
Did a quick search and couldn't find anything on the forum about this - but is there a list of bike friendly fun cars?
Currently considering current shape RenaultSport Megane - looks like it has a boot and some rear space but might be a bit too small?
My old Clio 200 could take 2 bikes with front wheels off. GT86 can take one 23" 29er with one or both wheels off but the small boot opening makes it feel like you are posting the bike through a letter box.
I would imagine there will be more room than the clio in the back of the megane so you should get a couple of bikes in there comfortably (front wheels off).
I would imagine there will be more room than the clio in the back of the megane so you should get a couple of bikes in there comfortably (front wheels off).
Welcome to my world.
The "will one to two mountain bikes go in the back with minimal effort" test is an important part of my car buying process to.
For that reason hot hatches/estates do tend to be the kings as saloons often don't have split fold rear seats or have narrow boot openings.
I appreciate lots of people say get a MX5 with a roof rack but to be honest I hate roof racks. I cannot see how having a small section of wheel clamped whilst the bike is exposed to wind is good for keeping wheels true, plus I am paranoid about stopping at pubs/services and leaving the car unattended with a few grands worth of bikes hanging off the back.
What is the budget?
Good hot hatches like GTIs, Type Rs, STs are great cars and offer fun/practicality but overlooked too often for being FWD. You can get eg Golf R32s which offer haldex awd systems or the BMW 325TI if you fancy a RWD hot hatch.
Good estates, E46 330, Audi b5 S4s, Merc C32 can offer very good performance/practicality
The "will one to two mountain bikes go in the back with minimal effort" test is an important part of my car buying process to.
For that reason hot hatches/estates do tend to be the kings as saloons often don't have split fold rear seats or have narrow boot openings.
I appreciate lots of people say get a MX5 with a roof rack but to be honest I hate roof racks. I cannot see how having a small section of wheel clamped whilst the bike is exposed to wind is good for keeping wheels true, plus I am paranoid about stopping at pubs/services and leaving the car unattended with a few grands worth of bikes hanging off the back.
What is the budget?
Good hot hatches like GTIs, Type Rs, STs are great cars and offer fun/practicality but overlooked too often for being FWD. You can get eg Golf R32s which offer haldex awd systems or the BMW 325TI if you fancy a RWD hot hatch.
Good estates, E46 330, Audi b5 S4s, Merc C32 can offer very good performance/practicality
Google "roof rack supermarket Bradford" if there is a bike rack/roof rack combo for a car chances are they will be able to supply it, and they always seem to be cheapest in my experience
Thule do roof bar kits for most cars with a tin roof and either 4 doors or gutters at the back, and some kits for 3 doors with no gutters but i would find it hard to trust this type of rack with my bikes.
Thule do roof bar kits for most cars with a tin roof and either 4 doors or gutters at the back, and some kits for 3 doors with no gutters but i would find it hard to trust this type of rack with my bikes.
aspen said:
My old Clio 200 could take 2 bikes with front wheels off. GT86 can take one 23" 29er with one or both wheels off but the small boot opening makes it feel like you are posting the bike through a letter box.
I would imagine there will be more room than the clio in the back of the megane so you should get a couple of bikes in there comfortably (front wheels off).
Same here, just moved house in my Clio 200 and managed to get a DH bike with triple clamps and my HT in both just minus front wheel - would've been enough room for a weekends worth of kit too.I would imagine there will be more room than the clio in the back of the megane so you should get a couple of bikes in there comfortably (front wheels off).
I'm sure Ewen will be along in a second to post that pic of his bike strapped to a Caterham roll cage. 
On a marginally more practical level, I'm told you can actually get a full size MTB frame in the boot of a TVR Chimaera.
You can easily fit a bike frame + wheels in a Porsche 924/944/968.
And on a more obscure note, I used to get a bike frame behind the seats of my Quantum 2+2 kit car, with the wheels in the boot. Even worked with the hard top on...
Any hot hatch with folding seats will qualify too.
If you want to take a couple of mates and a week's worth of kit you'll need an estate (WRX STi wagon?
) but for lone riding you'd be amazed what cars will suffice.
On a marginally more practical level, I'm told you can actually get a full size MTB frame in the boot of a TVR Chimaera.
You can easily fit a bike frame + wheels in a Porsche 924/944/968.
And on a more obscure note, I used to get a bike frame behind the seats of my Quantum 2+2 kit car, with the wheels in the boot. Even worked with the hard top on...
Any hot hatch with folding seats will qualify too.
If you want to take a couple of mates and a week's worth of kit you'll need an estate (WRX STi wagon?
) but for lone riding you'd be amazed what cars will suffice.aka_kerrly said:
...I cannot see how having a small section of wheel clamped whilst the bike is exposed to wind is good for keeping wheels true...
Thule do a roofrack attachment that uses the front fork instead of a wheel (you have to put the wheel in the boot) which I think is sturdier than the mounts pictured above. The manual says it is safe upto 130kmh.Truckosaurus said:
aka_kerrly said:
...I cannot see how having a small section of wheel clamped whilst the bike is exposed to wind is good for keeping wheels true...
Thule do a roofrack attachment that uses the front fork instead of a wheel (you have to put the wheel in the boot) which I think is sturdier than the mounts pictured above. The manual says it is safe upto 130kmh.I have had 2 on the roof at over 85 on French motorways for extended periods with no ill effects to the bikes apart from dead fly carnage all over them, and crap fuel consumption.
I've got a 2006 Toyota Celica VVLi 190 T-Sport and regularly stick my XL framed 29er in the back. With the seats flat they have a huge load area.
You could fit 2 in there easy I reckon.
Highly underrated car imo, the engine is sweet as a nut, gearbox is rifle bolt precise and it handles like a lunatic, you really can throw it around.
My othe car is a Toyota Corolla Verso - other end of the spectrum but you can fit several bikes in that with only the seat posts removed - DO NOT get these 2 mixed up and buy a verso though..urrgh.
You could fit 2 in there easy I reckon.
Highly underrated car imo, the engine is sweet as a nut, gearbox is rifle bolt precise and it handles like a lunatic, you really can throw it around.
My othe car is a Toyota Corolla Verso - other end of the spectrum but you can fit several bikes in that with only the seat posts removed - DO NOT get these 2 mixed up and buy a verso though..urrgh.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff