Currently, I drive the BMW X3 (2006) which allows me to use the standard issued interior bike rack. Back when I bought the car, we had road bikes with metal seatposts. We loved the rack as it kept our bikes secure, and the metal seatposts were durable enough so that we could remove them and stick them back in every weekend without worrying about damaging the seatposts itself.
We have since upgraded our bikes to QR CD01’s, whichhave full Carbon seatposts. I have been told that constantly removing and putting back the seatposts is a bad idea and it wears down the carbon on the seatposts. In fact, I had to replace both seatposts this year (not cheap) because they had both cracked, despite my using a torque wrench everytime I reinstalled the seatposts after transporting in the car.
It’s about time to replace the car now so I’m doing a bit of research as to what kind of car to get. Short of a van, which is what my wife will NOT drive, what other cars allow me to transport my bike vertically (with the front wheel off) but the seatposts on?
Two cars, sadly, is not an option. So I can’t get a beater van and keep the X3.
I second the Element. I have an 07 and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I can fit 3 complete bikes, don’t even take off the front wheel. Still have room for a rear seat too. They stopped making them so go get one while they last.
My Suburban holds two to three intact tri bikes comfortably with the third seat removed and the second seat folded down. There are other options depending on how amny bikes you have. I know some people remove the front wheen to make it easier to store the bikes.
I’m currently driving a 2005 4Runner and have room for three bikes in the back without the front wheels with rear seats down. About a month ago I looked at a 2013 4Runner but it was a deal breaker because the bikes wouldn’t clear the ceiling with the new 3rd row of seating feature. You lose a bit of clearance with the stowaway seating. We actually brought a bike with us when we checked it out. I’m sure the sales guy thought we were off. Made me re-think getting another vehicle for now. Hard to find something that fits all three criteria we need (towing, extra seating would be nice and of course easy bike transport).
Good luck with your search. Please keep us posted if you find something.
I think just about any “standard” SUV will accomplish this with the back seat(s) down. I know any year 4-Runner pulls this off easily.
I bought a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit (the top line version) not even thinking of checking the clearance to get my bike in upright as I was coming from a 2005 Jeep Liberty where the bike fit in nicely with removing the front wheel
Well…no can do. I have to lay it down as the rear door opening is too small and the floor to ceiling clearance is too tight for me to get the bike upright at all
I fit both my and the wife’s in my 2013 CRV without lowering the seat with the front wheel removed. But the seat does touch the roof. I guess it all depends how tall you are and how high your seat is. I’m 5’10" with a 32" inseam for reference.
My wife had an '04 Mazda Tribute in which I could fit two bikes upright inside with the car seats folded and the bikes front wheels removed. When it came time to trade we wanted to stay with a “smaller” V6 SUV. We tested the Volvo, Subaru, and Ford in this class and none of them could fit the bike much less two. We ended up going to the higher class with a Ford Expedition. With the third row folded I can fit my bike sideways or fold one third row and one second row and fit the bike in length ways. If I fold the second and third row completely I can fit two bikes upright.
Knowing the frame size of your bike will help those giving recommendations and when you do look at SUVs note that a sliding sunroof can make a difference with some models (reducing clearance). So what might appear to be a deal breaker will fit if no sun roof is installed.
Knowing the frame size of your bike will help those giving recommendations and when you do look at SUVs note that a sliding sunroof can make a difference with some models (reducing clearance). So what might appear to be a deal breaker will fit if no sun roof is installed.
We’ve got a small CD01 and a medium CD01. We can deal with the front wheel being removed, but cannot take the seat post off anymore due to the carbon being placed under stress (even if I undertorque the seatposts when I put it back).
I have a Ford Edge and can carry my bike upright with the front wheel removed. It is a close fit though - I have to have the sunroof shade open and my seat is about 1 cm from the glass, but it works. I can actually fit mine and my wife’s bike (or my road and CX bike) in there. For reference on my road bike the distance from the center of the BB to the top of the center of the seat is 710mm.