Thinking about the Toyota Matrix. I’m wondering if anyone has pics of your matrix with bikes standing up on the inside and if it can be done. Thanks.
Hank
Ditto that. Potentially looking at the Pontiac Vibe (same car as the Matrix). Could save me a trip to the dealer with my bike…
I have a Matrix. I lay my bike down on its side, rotate the front wheel, and it fits pretty well (58cm Cervelo P3). I couldn’t stand it up, though, with the back wheel on–the seat is too high.
i’m 5-11, ride a 55 and did not get a matrix because i could not do this. (got an element). i brought my rigs to the dealer and tried it, no-go. i think that you’d need a small ride to do it, but i could be wrong.
-cw
One bike in, I lay it down on it’s side with the front wheel off.
Two bike (or more), I have to take the front wheel and seat off, or lower it all the way (although probably depends on frame size, saddle, etc), and then put them in side by side.
Have fit two bikes, 3 people, and suitcases in the matrix.
How do you like the elements, as far as bike storage is concerned and otherwise for that matter?
I’ve got a Matrix. I checked out all the small vehicles (Caliber, HHR, Element, etc.) and found it best suited to my needs at the best quality/price. I lay the bike down on it’s side also. My seat is too high to go in otherwise.
If it’s just you and another person, it works fine and gets better gas mileage than an Element (which appears to be becoming more of an issue every day…) Overall, the best tri-transport is my Dodge Caravan. 4 people, bikes, luggage, whatever. Comfort/size = 10, Cool factor = 0. As I get older the more I realize my time for caring about whether I’m cool or not is long gone.
Brad
Thinking about the Toyota Matrix. I’m wondering if anyone has pics of your matrix with bikes standing up on the inside and if it can be done. Thanks.
Hank
Your question depends on bike size. A 48 can fit in anything, but a 60 doesn’t…
I have a Vibe and I love it. I have a 58cm Specialized Transition and I can lay it down on it’s side w/o even taking off the front wheel! So convenient! PLUS, I easily mounted a truck fork mount on the included tracks allowing me to mount my bike vertically! I have to take off my seat post and twist my aerobars sideways, but it’s really a space saver for long trips.
grand voyager, i love my loser cruiser
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Not only do I put my bike (52 cm Kestrel) into the back, I also often make a bed in the back when I have to. It depends on the length of the trip. Sometimes I just lay it in the back with both wheels on with my bags placed around it. Other times I remove the wheels and stand it up (seat removed and marked with tape) with a cord attached to one of the many ties. It is a great car with more room than you would think. I have the AWD and the independent suspension gives a pretty good ride on the highway (34-37 mpg!)
I used to lay my bike down as others have said (turn the front wheel on the side) but since getting a hitch rack I find I never put it inside anymore.
If you are interested in great mileage and great car for going to the races think about a Honda Fit. My best friend is 6’6" and we fit both our bikes–his is a 61 Cervelo R3 and my 54 Soloist–without removing the seatposts (very impressive b/c my buddy has a 85 cm saddle height!) both of our trainers and all our race gear, post race bike cleaning gear and fresh clothes and his wife. If we wanted we could without too much hassle take a third bike and associated gear and the bike’s owner.
The Honda Fit is great little car with more room than a Matrix hard to believe, but it does do to its unique interior design…think mini-Honda Element, but with way better gas mileage. If you do a lot of long distance trips and you want a bit more power and comfort the Fit might not be for you, but for the infrequent 5 hour trip to a big race and normal commute use the Fit is awesome. Saving money on gas means more money for racing and training for me.
Does not answer the OP’s direct question. However, a big Ditto on the Honda Fit. My wife has one and it works great for our bikes, gear and the two of us. I have an Element. So, speaking from a Fit/Element family–two thumbs up.
/r
I will post pic’s asap but used to transport my bike in the Toyota Matrix… Last week, while in Miami, I saw Toyota’s lineup of Hybrid vehicles (Prius, Camry, Highlander) & the Prius was able to fit a bicycle with the front wheel off with ample room- only 1 seat folded down. IMHO, as far as bang for your buck, triathlete friendly & pocket friendly at the pump & on the sticker; that car is probably the way to go. With that said, the highlander hybrid is one beautiful hybrid suv that has anything & everything you could want in a standard size SUV & more.
its perfect for me. I can have 2 bikes securely stood up (i.e. not bungee corded to an arm rest). I have a manual AWD EX and I get no better, but no worse than 25mpg. So not great, but there’s not that many AWD vehicles that are better (MPG wise). For a long time I had both rear seats removed entirely, but I’ve put one back since we had a kid. I find it very comfortable on trips due to the upright seating position, but it is not the quietest on the highway (decent amount of wind noise). For me, it was a must that the bike stand up. I hate lying them down, especially with the MTB, just makes a mess, and there wasn’t a better option at the time ('05).
Amen to that! I had a 48 P3 and a 47 Cannondale road bike and could put both in with the front wheels off in a Vibe. One went rear end first, and the other went in front first – I could fold down the small section of the rear seat and fit both in perfectly. Main reason I bought the car! (Though I’m not sure even a 50 would have fit …)
But then I got a Beetle and had to put them on top.
The Honda Fit is also on the short list, along with the prius and Mazda 3 touring model. Have any pics with the bike and gear in the fit?