What do you use for bike transport?

[Chris71]

Hi guys,

This is more of a car question that a bike on really, but what do you use to transport you bikes? I'm guessing they'll be plenty of utilitarian stuff, but would immagine there are some people who manage to strap their bikes onto something innapropriate

I used to carry by sub 5 behind the seats on my Quantum kit car, with the wheels in the boot - just about worked with both the seats slid forward and people used to watch in amazment as this bike emerged from a car that was seemingly small than it was!

I now want to get something a little more practical to carry bikes, passengers etc, but I don't want a big saloon or estate as I have to park (like a girl) in London. Just wondered which small hatches people manage to get their bikes in (seicento anyone? old mini?) - or for that matter anything unconventional for a laugh.

I was thinking maybe a mk2 Golf GTi? If I could find one that hasn't been abused......

Chris.

[raceboy]

Usual transport is 3 bikes and 3 people in a mates old Clio, no bike racks and only front wheels off, but that is 3 BMXer's not 'big bikes'
4 will go in at a push but you don't want to be sat in the back.
By far the best 'car' I've used was a double cab Hi-Lux that swallowed 6 bikes and 6 people no problems, but not exactly 'compact'
One lad used to have a Cinq and that regularly took 2 bikes in the back.
Another had a mk2 Golf and that was good for 3 bikes, and my Mk4 takes 3 bikes and 3 people no worries.
With the seats folded down and front wheels off I'd guess any little hatchback will take 2 bikes.

[Neil_Bolton]

My Golf GTI was fantastic - it would take bikes no worries with the seats down, but also would happilly carry three on the back with my bike rack.

However with the BMW, the interior being nice and all, I've had to get a Thule roof mount rack as my bike rack doesn't fit properly, nor do I want to be sticking shitty bike in the boot.

Have to say, very impressed with my Thule rack (for £50 off EBay )

[ewenm]

Mildly inappropriate (and I can fit a second one on there)

[Chris71]

ewenm said:

Mildly inappropriate (and I can fit a second one on there)

Respect

I'd always thought that was what roll bars (and luggage racks) were for! Be too worried about taking my bike off on a hedge driving anything like that in a spirited manor though.

Did someone say you can get a bike in a cinquecento? Might be tempted by a seicento sporting

Golf was another idea. Just wonder if it might be a little bit high maintanence? I need something that I can absolutely always guarantee will start. Although I'm not going to moan if the occasional bit of trim needs re-sticking.

[ewenm]

That bike also fits in the back of my Audi A3 without putting the seats down. I remove both wheels and loosen off the stem and it *just* fits (including removing a small piece of trim from the boot). I think the Golf is slightly bigger too.

[Neil_Bolton]

Chris71 said:

ewenm said:

Mildly inappropriate (and I can fit a second one on there)

Did someone say you can get a bike in a cinquecento? Might be tempted by a seicento sporting

Golf was another idea. Just wonder if it might be a little bit high maintanence? I need something that I can absolutely always guarantee will start. Although I'm not going to moan if the occasional bit of trim needs re-sticking.

And you're considering a Fiat as something that'll start every morning?

Any older VW is made from stone and other prehistoric materials, and as such will be tough as old hob nail boots..!

Trust me, I drove my two Golfs into the ground, and really didn't give them that much maintenance yet they ALWAYS strated every morning and NEVER let me down. EVER.

Trim is rock solid, and they are super comfy to drive - especially so the Mk3...

[Chris71]

Any ide on MPGs for the various Golf GTis? I did vaguely consider a Mk3 16v a while back as I've heard they're really not as abad as people say and so you can get quite a good deal for the money. Mk2's seem to be getting a bit long in the tooth now - not many around with less than 150,000 miles and you kind of have to ask why a 20 year old car would have less I suppose.

The other thing is I'd feel slightly guilty mounting the curb with one every day. I hasten to add that's due to the raised 'pavement parking' areas round here, not my driving.

Yep - I take your point on Fiat reliability (although I've never experienced it first hand!) and to be fair it's not the best 'sensible' car going. Need something small on the outisde, big on the inside rather than just small.

[Neil_Bolton]

Chris71 said:

Any ide on MPGs for the various Golf GTis? I did vaguely consider a Mk3 16v a while back as I've heard they're really not as abad as people say and so you can get quite a good deal for the money. Mk2's seem to be getting a bit long in the tooth now - not many around with less than 150,000 miles and you kind of have to ask why a 20 year old car would have less I suppose.

The other thing is I'd feel slightly guilty mounting the curb with one every day. I hasten to add that's due to the raised 'pavement parking' areas round here, not my driving.

Yep - I take your point on Fiat reliability (although I've never experienced it first hand!) and to be fair it's not the best 'sensible' car going. Need something small on the outisde, big on the inside rather than just small.

I averaged 28 with a heavy foot, and could see an easy 38/40 on the motorway at about 75mph.

They really are good fun, quick when you need it, but civilised the rest of the time. Equally, have you seen my Golf recently

Don't worry about it - they really are tough, and can take mud and bikes all day - mine always cleaned up nicely inside

[g_stacey]

Cheap old Galaxy. Only gets used for biking really. So no need to ever clean it! Came with a tow bar so use a 4 bike rack on tow bar for muddy mtb days. Road bikes go inside. Pic is from long weekend in Wales. 6 people 6 bikes in borrowed go kart trailer.

[softwaresorcerer]

I do it like this:

[pombstard]

Used to get two MTBs in the back of my old Punto, two in the boot of the Bora (but needed seats down) and two frames plus two wheels in the boot of the the 405.

Just sold the Liberty, which was bike carrier extraordinaire - three MTBs in the back without taking the wheels off, plus three more on the back carrier attached to the tow bar. Could've fitted bike holders to the roof rails, I s'pose, but that would've been taking things a bit too far...

[Chris71]

Bizzarely I found my ZS was quite bad for bike carriage - they have a kind of strut brace running quite low between the rear seats which means theres only really space for one bike even with the seats folded. Addequate for me though, as if I want to transport more than one bike, I can usually count on whoever I'm riding with to give me a lift

Going for a golf does seem very tempting as my next move. Can anyone suggest any golf forums (I'm sure theres one somewhere!) or tell me the sort of performance figures you get from a mk2 and mk3 16v respectively? Slightly tempted to get a Mk3 and put some decent shocks and tyres on it, I think your money would probably go further there than a 'classic' mk2. There again, the weight puts me off a little.....

BTW In case anyones interested (just to bring this somewhat back on topic!) I'm riding a 2004 Sub 5, although toying with the idea of getting something a bit more (pure) XC, which is ironic as my current fitness is definitely more heavy weight

[beyond rational]

I use a thule roof rack in winter when things are muddy, this is on a focus hatch so a rear mount is a pain as it'd require another set of lights and plate to be legal. The roof rack is also a real pain as it is bolted to the car via 8 allen keys so in summer they go inside, can take two bikes with front wheels off and three people (split fold) or 3 bikes with front wheels off.

[shino]

Citreon Berlingo van, they're sound & plenty of room to use as a changing room after a good ride.
Love the idea of a kitcar for transport hehe Had one of them myself & found there wasnt much room left over after the toothbrush had been packed. Good on ya fella!!

[ewenm]

shino said:

Citreon Berlingo van, they're sound & plenty of room to use as a changing room after a good ride.
Love the idea of a kitcar for transport hehe Had one of them myself & found there wasnt much room left over after the toothbrush had been packed. Good on ya fella!!

It was my only car for 5 years so I had no choice

[Chris71]

Ditto with the Quantum

As for Berlingo's - my manager used to have one when I was in the alps. Surprisingly entertaining and although we never tried bikes it held plenty of skis.

[simes205]

Chris71 said:

ewenm said:

Mildly inappropriate (and I can fit a second one on there)

Respect

That's all the evidence I need - thank you.

[ewenm]

simes205 said:

Chris71 said:

ewenm said:

Mildly inappropriate (and I can fit a second one on there)

Respect

That's all the evidence I need - thank you.

You're welcome (I think)

[shino]

Softwarescorcer, Where d'ya get them things from for the back of your car? East to fit? How much? Good idea.