Transporting MTB inside the car - without ruining interior
Discussion
I've bought myself a car big enough to transport my bike in (BMW 120i) but before I get excited and head of to a trail centre with my bike in the back I want to make sure I'm not going to trash the interior of the car.
I've seen a few options that protect the whole back half of the interior, but these seem to be aimed at dog owners and are maybe overkill. I've also seen fitted rubber matts for the boot and back /top of the rear seats - would these provide enough protection? I'm sure I also saw a generic waterproof cover with straps for a bike in MBUK earlier in the year, but can't find it again. Any suggestions?
I've seen a few options that protect the whole back half of the interior, but these seem to be aimed at dog owners and are maybe overkill. I've also seen fitted rubber matts for the boot and back /top of the rear seats - would these provide enough protection? I'm sure I also saw a generic waterproof cover with straps for a bike in MBUK earlier in the year, but can't find it again. Any suggestions?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ctc-plastic-bike-bag/
Any good? cheap and easy. Saw a few guys at cyclocross events with them.
Any good? cheap and easy. Saw a few guys at cyclocross events with them.
Don't know about the 1er, but on my E46 coupe (and on the E60 saloon) the boot floor is reversible, carpet on one side and rubber on the other, so you can flip it according to what you're carrying.
Of course you might still need something to keep the mud off the back of the folded seats and the walls of the boot, but I use a cover for the chain to keep oil off and if the tyres are muddy I remove the wheels and pop them into wheel bags. (Actually the front comes off mine regardless to fit in my car but that might not apply to you if you got a hatch).
Of course you might still need something to keep the mud off the back of the folded seats and the walls of the boot, but I use a cover for the chain to keep oil off and if the tyres are muddy I remove the wheels and pop them into wheel bags. (Actually the front comes off mine regardless to fit in my car but that might not apply to you if you got a hatch).
P-Jay said:
I bought a boot liner.
One tip though, everyone is careful of the boot floor, and the back seats - but twice I've been being so careful with those I haven't notice the manky derailleur rubbing against the roof lining, it's sodding light grey too.
I share your pain, been there and done that!One tip though, everyone is careful of the boot floor, and the back seats - but twice I've been being so careful with those I haven't notice the manky derailleur rubbing against the roof lining, it's sodding light grey too.
LordHaveMurci said:
I've always used old sheets or duvet covers in the past, never been an issue for me to be honest. If it's a bit of a tight squeeze I guess you might want something more substantial.
Thanks, that was my initial plan, but our old sheets have been used for decorating and would have made more of a mess of the car than a muddy bike. Which is what started my potentially expensive Google search!C0ffin D0dger said:
I bought a big tarpaulin from B&Q for this very purpose. Only cost a few £ IIRC
Ace, that looks like a good, cheapish place to start.RGambo said:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ctc-plastic-bike-bag/
Any good? cheap and easy. Saw a few guys at cyclocross events with them.
I had also considered a bike bag, but this looks like an option too - as long as the outside of the bag doesn't get muddy.Any good? cheap and easy. Saw a few guys at cyclocross events with them.
SixPotBelly said:
Don't know about the 1er, but on my E46 coupe (and on the E60 saloon) the boot floor is reversible, carpet on one side and rubber on the other, so you can flip it according to what you're carrying.
Of course you might still need something to keep the mud off the back of the folded seats and the walls of the boot, but I use a cover for the chain to keep oil off and if the tyres are muddy I remove the wheels and pop them into wheel bags. (Actually the front comes off mine regardless to fit in my car but that might not apply to you if you got a hatch).
I'll have to have a look at that, it seems to have a separate fitted boot carpet. I was expecting at least the front wheel to have to come off.Of course you might still need something to keep the mud off the back of the folded seats and the walls of the boot, but I use a cover for the chain to keep oil off and if the tyres are muddy I remove the wheels and pop them into wheel bags. (Actually the front comes off mine regardless to fit in my car but that might not apply to you if you got a hatch).
P-Jay said:
I bought a boot liner.
One tip though, everyone is careful of the boot floor, and the back seats - but twice I've been being so careful with those I haven't notice the manky derailleur rubbing against the roof lining, it's sodding light grey too.
Thanks for the warning - light grey roof lining here too. Which type of liner did you go for? The whole boot, or just the floor/back of the seats?One tip though, everyone is careful of the boot floor, and the back seats - but twice I've been being so careful with those I haven't notice the manky derailleur rubbing against the roof lining, it's sodding light grey too.
Kell said:
Is there any reason you're totally against a roof carrier?
I'm not against a roof carrier, just that I don't have one and it will only be me in the car when I go out with my bike.P-Jay said:
I bought a boot liner.
One tip though, everyone is careful of the boot floor, and the back seats - but twice I've been being so careful with those I haven't notice the manky derailleur rubbing against the roof lining, it's sodding light grey too.
I have a 1 Series bootliner that I used in my M135i, great thing for protecting the boot itself and the bumper.One tip though, everyone is careful of the boot floor, and the back seats - but twice I've been being so careful with those I haven't notice the manky derailleur rubbing against the roof lining, it's sodding light grey too.
Car has gone now so its not being used, if you want it im sure we can sort out a price.
RE Boot liner, it coves the floor and is dished only a few " at the front but comes up to about 8" on the sides and on the back of seats, it's an OE job so fits perfectly.
The downside is that if I drop the back seats (it's an estate) then the liner is still sitting proud and makes it a bit faffy to lay the bike over, the upside is it's completely water tight so on really wet days I can just throw all my kit in and not worry about water going over the sides and soaking the carpets etc.
I'll be honest though, I bought an estate with a view to having the bike in there, but it was a massive faf, I bought some Thule Aero Bars and Thule bike carriers - a 591 and a 561 to be exact, it's much easier.
The downside is that if I drop the back seats (it's an estate) then the liner is still sitting proud and makes it a bit faffy to lay the bike over, the upside is it's completely water tight so on really wet days I can just throw all my kit in and not worry about water going over the sides and soaking the carpets etc.
I'll be honest though, I bought an estate with a view to having the bike in there, but it was a massive faf, I bought some Thule Aero Bars and Thule bike carriers - a 591 and a 561 to be exact, it's much easier.
I have roof bars and bike carriers but have only used them when I wanted to transporting more than one bike. Personally I find putting the roof rack on a massive faff. As is taking it off again afterwards. And having to find somewhere to store it.
Whereas folding down the rear seats and sliding the bike in takes seconds. Plus I can drive as normal, and park as normal (with a black rug thrown over the bike if the car will be out of sight), knowing also my bike insurance covers me for theft from inside a locked car. The only negative, as the OP says, is the need for a bit of interior protection when the bike is filthy. Still less faff, I'd have said.
Whereas folding down the rear seats and sliding the bike in takes seconds. Plus I can drive as normal, and park as normal (with a black rug thrown over the bike if the car will be out of sight), knowing also my bike insurance covers me for theft from inside a locked car. The only negative, as the OP says, is the need for a bit of interior protection when the bike is filthy. Still less faff, I'd have said.
I always put the bikes in the boot.
No idea what it's like round you but when i was in Manchester and riding with a club of 250 members there was a huge correlation between people who put their bikes on the car and people who's sheds just happened to be the only shed on the street to be broken into.
If you have a crash your bikes are not going to be covered for damage and they're much mroe likely to be trashed when on the roof too.
I've always used a combination of old bits of carpet and fitted bed sheets, but I've only really put them in cheap snotters, so it's not been a huge consideration. If I had something decent I would make a boot liner to fit when the seats are folded down using some rubber sheet off eBay. If you get the right stuff you should be able to weld the seams with a soldering iron to give you the right shape.
No idea what it's like round you but when i was in Manchester and riding with a club of 250 members there was a huge correlation between people who put their bikes on the car and people who's sheds just happened to be the only shed on the street to be broken into.
If you have a crash your bikes are not going to be covered for damage and they're much mroe likely to be trashed when on the roof too.
I've always used a combination of old bits of carpet and fitted bed sheets, but I've only really put them in cheap snotters, so it's not been a huge consideration. If I had something decent I would make a boot liner to fit when the seats are folded down using some rubber sheet off eBay. If you get the right stuff you should be able to weld the seams with a soldering iron to give you the right shape.
jimmyVX said:
I have a 1 Series bootliner that I used in my M135i, great thing for protecting the boot itself and the bumper.
Car has gone now so its not being used, if you want it im sure we can sort out a price.
That looks like a good bit of kit! Is that the new shape 1 series though? I've got an '04, so I think they're different. Car has gone now so its not being used, if you want it im sure we can sort out a price.
I use one of these. When the bike is lathered in crud I take the wheels off & zip it into the bag. Perfect for the job.
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-transport-b...
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-transport-b...
Craikeybaby said:
jimmyVX said:
I have a 1 Series bootliner that I used in my M135i, great thing for protecting the boot itself and the bumper.
Car has gone now so its not being used, if you want it im sure we can sort out a price.
That looks like a good bit of kit! Is that the new shape 1 series though? I've got an '04, so I think they're different. Car has gone now so its not being used, if you want it im sure we can sort out a price.
RenOHH said:
You won't get an MTB in that area either. You need the larger hatch bag that covers the back of the seats, and the boot, when the seats are down.
You are right, but the rear piece goes down with the seats, this was just the only photo I had.It doesn't completely cover the rear area the bike takes up but its 95% there, especially with the front wheel removed.
Personally, I still prefer to use the roof rack now and keep the bike out of the car all together.
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