Which estate for downhill bikes

[winshent]

My ideal daily runner would be an estate car that can load 3 big bikes loaded side by side with enough for a third passenger sitting on the split fold rear seat.

Is there such a car that can do this or do i need to be looking at MPVs ?

Not worries about MPG etc..

Also I do have access to a tow bar mounted bike rack but its a pita to fix and remove.. And always feel uneasy going for a coffee at services with the bikes on the rack waiting to be nicked..

Not interested in other types of bike rack either atm..

[Kell]

Realistically, the only thing tall enough would be something like a Skoda Yeti or Fiat Multipla.

Or a van with three seats in the front.

[missing the VR6]

If you're happy to take the front wheel off, a Skoda Octavia estate or saloon or Superb Estate will do the job. Yeti will do the job but you'll need to take off at least the front if not both wheels.

I'm a keen mtb'r and used to sell Skoda's so pretty well versed in what bikes go in Skodas.

[ecsrobin]

Sheets and pipe insulation and put them on top of each other. Used to load 3 bikes and 3 people into my mates escort on a daily occurrence this way.

[Herman Toothrot]

Put bikes on the roof, I had an A6 Estate and currently have a 3 series estate, three DH bikes will happily lie on top of each other taking all the boot with seats folded flat (front wheels off), but add a passenger Nope. I learned its far easier and cleaner to just fit a roof rack and lift the bike on whole.

[gazza285]

Much easier in a van, VW Transporter if you like spending lots of cash, Citroen Dispatch if you don't.

[anonymous-user]

Fiat Multipla is a cracking idea, cheap as chips, three seats up front, strip the rest of the interior and it would be perfect to haul bikes.

[winshent]

Herman Toothrot said:

Put bikes on the roof, I had an A6 Estate and currently have a 3 series estate, three DH bikes will happily lie on top of each other taking all the boot with seats folded flat (front wheels off), but add a passenger Nope. I learned its far easier and cleaner to just fit a roof rack and lift the bike on whole.

Like I said.. I'm not interested in other bike racks.. If I'm going down the bike rack route then I'll use the tow bar mounted rack I have access to (bought it with mates as for Alps bike trips).

missing the VR6 said:

If you're happy to take the front wheel off, a Skoda Octavia estate or saloon or Superb Estate will do the job. Yeti will do the job but you'll need to take off at least the front if not both wheels.

I'm a keen mtb'r and used to sell Skoda's so pretty well versed in what bikes go in Skodas.

Would a Skoda estate fit 3 bikes standing up? I run 180mm downhill forks which make the bike pretty tall. Both wheels will have to come off that for sure..

Yeti is a good shout.. May have to look at those..

pablo said:

Fiat Multipla is a cracking idea, cheap as chips, three seats up front, strip the rest of the interior and it would be perfect to haul bikes.

Like your thinking although not so keen on the Multipla... Think a Honda FRV could be a good shout as similar layout..

[Herman Toothrot]

winshent said:

Would a Skoda estate fit 3 bikes standing up? I run 180mm downhill forks which make the bike pretty tall. Both wheels will have to come off that for sure..

No. An Octavia is a smaller car than an A6 and you cant stand them up in an A6.

I don't know why the problem with a roof rack, I have both a roof rack and a tow bar mounted Thule in the garage. I throw the roof rack on and off in minutes, I'd say quicker than taking wheel off the bike, seats down mess about getting bike into car. The roof racks easiest to fit and use than the tow bar Thule, its a fraction of the weigh and easier to get the bike on and secured.

Sacking off putting bikes in the car and on it instead using both racks I've got 4 mates and 4 bikes and respective kit to Wales and back for a weekend comfortably in the 3 series, end up with a better car for the rest of the time when you are not carrying bikes.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Tuesday 17th March 21:32

[Mr Gearchange]

I've got a legacy estate and an A8 with a roof carrier. I use the Audi as I got sick of leaving my maxle on the drive

[joema]

I had a pug 307 estate. Quite a high roof so would work. fking ste car though.

A lot of estates don't seem to have a high enough load space for bikes to be stood up

[winshent]

Herman Toothrot said:

I don't know why the problem with a roof rack

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Tuesday 17th March 21:32

This is the problem with pistonheads..

I've stated twice that i'm not interested in bike racks..

joema said:

I had a pug 307 estate. Quite a high roof so would work. fking ste car though.

A lot of estates don't seem to have a high enough load space for bikes to be stood up

Cheers mate.. looks like i'd be choosing an MPV if I want a car to meet my requirements... Or maybe a FWD softroader I guess..

[Herman Toothrot]

winshent said:

This is the problem with pistonheads..

I've stated twice that i'm not interested in bike racks..

Problem I have with PH is people ask questions then when others give answers and opinions they have from trying what the OP has suggested; found out 1st hand its a stupid idea, they are whinged at.

Go buy an estate its what you seem to want even though none will do what you want.

[missing the VR6]

Herman Toothrot said:

winshent said:

Would a Skoda estate fit 3 bikes standing up? I run 180mm downhill forks which make the bike pretty tall. Both wheels will have to come off that for sure..

No. An Octavia is a smaller car than an A6 and you cant stand them up in an A6.

I don't know why the problem with a roof rack, I have both a roof rack and a tow bar mounted Thule in the garage. I throw the roof rack on and off in minutes, I'd say quicker than taking wheel off the bike, seats down mess about getting bike into car. The roof racks easiest to fit and use than the tow bar Thule, its a fraction of the weigh and easier to get the bike on and secured.

Sacking off putting bikes in the car and on it instead using both racks I've got 4 mates and 4 bikes and respective kit to Wales and back for a weekend comfortably in the 3 series, end up with a better car for the rest of the time when you are not carrying bikes.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Tuesday 17th March 21:32

Sorry mate, but the answer is yes! Been there done that got the T Shirt, even had 3 bikes with front wheels off standing on forks and back wheel in my old VRS hatch! Please don't make the mistake of thinking your A6 is a big capacity car, sadly the internal dimensions really disappoint compared to the size of the vehicle from outside. The Skoda's have far greater internal capacity than you'd expect. For reference, my 20 inch frame full sus will fit whole length ways in both Octavia and Superb hatch and estates, with another bike on top.

Regarding the Yeti, you'll need to take 2 seats out, and both wheels off the bikes, then lay them flat on the floor stacked on top of each other, I did this a couple of years ago. 3 bikes, 3 mates, kit and clobber for a long weekend in Wales and FoD.