Estate Car/SUV for 60cm Road Bike, Luggage and usable seats!
Discussion
Has anyone found a perfect car for a large cycle frame (with just front wheel off), useable back seats for 2 people who are 6 foot sitting in the front?
I have a 60cm (XL) frame road bike and am 6 foot 4 and my partner is 5 foot 11 - both of our seats are pushed to the back making the back seat usually useless, on top of that I want to put my cycle in the back of the estate/SUV's boot - not on top/tow bar - I need to transport the bike for 200 miles on a regular basis and given the price of the bike I want it inside the car
The bike is 110cm in height with the front wheel out (the length is due to the height of the seat)
Ideally in a setup like this https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/175851560436994435...
On top of that...I want the back seats to be useable! i.e. not like a cramped airline seat but where someone who is around 5 foot 8 can sit comfortably.
So I thought I would post here to see if anyone else has come across this...so far I have found Volvo V90/XC90, V60/XC60 are ok, Mercedes E-class estate, BMW X5 (although not a big fan) and the new discovery (Third generation - L462) seem to fit. All other cars from the brands mentioned did not fit the back seat criteria - neither did Jag. However whilst I was able to measure the boot space - I obviously did not have my bike handy to put it in there so would be interested if anyone has any real world experience of this.
Happy to go older rather than new - was even looking at Volvo 240! just need something that works - anyone have any real experiences?
I have a 60cm (XL) frame road bike and am 6 foot 4 and my partner is 5 foot 11 - both of our seats are pushed to the back making the back seat usually useless, on top of that I want to put my cycle in the back of the estate/SUV's boot - not on top/tow bar - I need to transport the bike for 200 miles on a regular basis and given the price of the bike I want it inside the car
The bike is 110cm in height with the front wheel out (the length is due to the height of the seat)
Ideally in a setup like this https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/175851560436994435...
On top of that...I want the back seats to be useable! i.e. not like a cramped airline seat but where someone who is around 5 foot 8 can sit comfortably.
So I thought I would post here to see if anyone else has come across this...so far I have found Volvo V90/XC90, V60/XC60 are ok, Mercedes E-class estate, BMW X5 (although not a big fan) and the new discovery (Third generation - L462) seem to fit. All other cars from the brands mentioned did not fit the back seat criteria - neither did Jag. However whilst I was able to measure the boot space - I obviously did not have my bike handy to put it in there so would be interested if anyone has any real world experience of this.
Happy to go older rather than new - was even looking at Volvo 240! just need something that works - anyone have any real experiences?
VW Caddy Maxi Life.
Take the third row out, and can even remove seat three in the 2nd row.
Acres of room, and cheap to make much nicer inside with bits from across the VAG group.
It's what I've just bought, and I've just had a full size hard kayak inside (sans passengers) no drama.
Love it. Tool for a job, and it does it well.
Take the third row out, and can even remove seat three in the 2nd row.
Acres of room, and cheap to make much nicer inside with bits from across the VAG group.
It's what I've just bought, and I've just had a full size hard kayak inside (sans passengers) no drama.
Love it. Tool for a job, and it does it well.
Traditional Estate/SUV just won't do it.
Van based is the winner here - I'd suggest a 'car based van based car' (such as Caddy Maxi, Tourneo Connect or Berlingo Multispace - preferably XL) are the front runner options.
Transporter is great, and huge - but is first and foremost a 'proper' van.
Loving my Caddy. Can't actually believe I'm typing that...
Van based is the winner here - I'd suggest a 'car based van based car' (such as Caddy Maxi, Tourneo Connect or Berlingo Multispace - preferably XL) are the front runner options.
Transporter is great, and huge - but is first and foremost a 'proper' van.
Loving my Caddy. Can't actually believe I'm typing that...
Ive got a Ford Connect Grand Tourneo 2014, it will do what you say
I take my bikes to work most days, to either ride home or ride in the woods where my office is. Open rear door, place in boot stood up, job jobbed. Rear seats still up, I often take my kids out with mine and their bikes as well. TBH it was the main reason I got the car as I was fed up with taking wheels off and folding seats.
My bikes are 52/54 , my 54 cx just goes in wheels on. a 60 would go in with front wheel off and secure
Its a bit agricultural, you have to weld your foot to the floor , but it handles well and its been the most comfy car ive ever had for long journeys, I often do 9 hours of driving a day and beats the Volvo hands down I used to do it in.
I couldn't go back to a normal car. or even an estate as day in day out I'm picking up or carting awkward loads or diy stuff
There arent enough practical van/car/van based options around, too much lifestyle orientated crap. Proper vans are great but hold their value too well, often have lower speed limits and higher insurance (for me at least)
I take my bikes to work most days, to either ride home or ride in the woods where my office is. Open rear door, place in boot stood up, job jobbed. Rear seats still up, I often take my kids out with mine and their bikes as well. TBH it was the main reason I got the car as I was fed up with taking wheels off and folding seats.
My bikes are 52/54 , my 54 cx just goes in wheels on. a 60 would go in with front wheel off and secure
Its a bit agricultural, you have to weld your foot to the floor , but it handles well and its been the most comfy car ive ever had for long journeys, I often do 9 hours of driving a day and beats the Volvo hands down I used to do it in.
I couldn't go back to a normal car. or even an estate as day in day out I'm picking up or carting awkward loads or diy stuff
There arent enough practical van/car/van based options around, too much lifestyle orientated crap. Proper vans are great but hold their value too well, often have lower speed limits and higher insurance (for me at least)
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 21st June 13:08
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 21st June 13:09
I did this with my Nissan Pathfinder in 2017 - it worked pretty well - used it for a week down in the French Alps
I could have put the bike in the middle too and just dropped the centre rear seat. Floor mount was home made from some wardrobe rail hangers and a bit of tube. The rear floor section was a piece of plywood in place of the standard plastic piece (still have it in the garage if anyone wants it) No longer have the Nissan but it made for an epic load lugger and was unstoppable in the snow on winters - only downside was economy wasn't great.
I could have put the bike in the middle too and just dropped the centre rear seat. Floor mount was home made from some wardrobe rail hangers and a bit of tube. The rear floor section was a piece of plywood in place of the standard plastic piece (still have it in the garage if anyone wants it) No longer have the Nissan but it made for an epic load lugger and was unstoppable in the snow on winters - only downside was economy wasn't great.
NikM123 said:
This is super useful, thanks - anyone here with a 60cm + bike tried any of the above?
I'm slightly taller, same size frame. I can confirm that wouldn't fit in a 5 Series estate, not enough height, width or depth in the boot, unless you're willing to dismantle. With your requirements for a useable rear seat (assume) there will also be luggage, as others have mentioned I can't see many options other than van based or possibly a Mercedes GLS?
NikM123 said:
No real reason not to take the back wheel off - fair comment!
I have a Skoda Superb hatchback, the previous gen one with the dual opening hatch. I can get my size 56 Propel in the boot with both wheels off and all seats in the car in place. I bought a bag to put the bike frame in, it came with a cover for the chain, and I use old wheel bags for the wheels. There isn't much useable boot space with that lot in, so if you have a lot of luggage you'll need a roof box, if you can't use the rear seats at all.I would have thought most suvs don't have THAT large a boot, that 4wd hardware has to go somewhere and it usually means a raised boot floor.
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