2 Bikes in a hatchback

[Jo25]

Hi,

A friend and I are going along to an Evans free bike maintance evening next week, (it's about a 65 mile round trip to our nearest one and after work, cycling there and back is not really an option before any one suggests that!) they have suggested we take our own bikes but neither of us has a bike rack for our cars and we are not able to borrow one from anybody. Plus, being a bit cash strapped, I don't really want to fork out for a bike rack that I am unlikely to use again.

So is it possible to put both bikes in the back of a hatchback without damaging them?

Cheers

 

[tyred]

Should be (hatchbacks come in all shapes and sizes. Citroen XM or Suzuki Alto?) but you will need to take the wheels off. If you have mudguards, it's best to take them off too. Wrap some plastic or a sheet of newspaper around the chain to keep grease of your car interior. Put the seatpost down as low as possible (and the handlebars if a quill stem) to save a little room.

 

[summerdays]

I've managed with a friend to put two in the back of her car ... with the back seat down... it was some kind of smallish hatchback possibly a Polo? We took the front wheels off to do it. I've also seen a friend's husband put 5 bikes in the back of a people carrier with passengers on the back seat by taking all the wheels off and literally laying all the frames on top of each other (note he put HIS bikes on top with the best on very carefully wrapped up.

I think with a blanket between them you should be able to do it.

 

[Jo25]

Cheers for the replies.

Its a Toyota Corolla so a reasonable size hatchback and I can get my bike in there with the back seats down and the front wheel off no problem. But wasn't sure how wise it would be to pile them up, didn't think about wrapping them!

 

[mark barker]

Depending on where abouts in Gloucestershire you are, it might be nearer to sign upto the CTC funded training in Swindon...

Training

Theres still some places for the courses next week I believe....

 

[Davidc]

We often put 2 in my car, carefully placed one on top of the other with a couple of old sheets in between. Thefront wheels are off so that the bars can be turned to a flat position when we do it.

The only damage so far was to a computer wire which got caught up.

 

[jay clock]

Two road bikes in the bike of a mini (the new style). Folded the seats. Took off all the wheels, padded out with old sheets or duvet covers etc.

 

[jimboalee]

Two road bikes in the bike of a mini (the new style). Folded the seats. Took off all the wheels, padded out with old sheets or duvet covers etc.

Yup. An old thick blanket from your Mom's airing cupboard.

 

[ColinJ]

Yup. An old thick blanket from your Mom's airing cupboard.

It would probably be better to choose a tatty one that the dog has been sleeping on for the past year, rather than one still good enough to be in the airing cupboard! It certainly won't be going back in the airing cupboard afterwards (oil stains). 

Another good option is a long sheet of bubblewrap folded several times.

 

[Globalti]

I am constantly amazed when I see people driving around with bikes on roof bars and nobody else in the car. I can only assume that they want the bike to get damaged, stolen, covered in road salt or even, if the bike is upside down, full of water up the steerer. Presumably they also have lots of money to spend as their fuel consumption will increase. Alternatively I assume the bike must be some kind of poseur's trophy displayed for all to see what a rugged sporty type the driver is.

Admittedly we have a biggish estate, a Passat, but we routinely fit 3 people and 3 bikes in the back with room for luggage as well. We have had 2 adults + 2 kids and 4 bikes in the back, all safe and snug and no extra wind resistance. We just line up the frames and then pack in the wheels.

With most cars it's possible to fit a bike frame plus two wheels in the boot and with a hatchback there's no excuse not to. Just remove the wheels, possibly the seatposts and lay the frames carefully on top of each other with an old blanket between then pack in the wheels. If your rear seats fold it's even easier.

 

[ColinJ]

I am constantly amazed when I see people driving around with bikes on roof bars and nobody else in the car. I can only assume that they want the bike to get damaged, stolen, covered in road salt or even, if the bike is upside down, full of water up the steerer. Presumably they also have lots of money to spend as their fuel consumption will increase. Alternatively I assume the bike must be some kind of poseur's trophy displayed for all to see what a rugged sporty type the driver is.

Admittedly we have a biggish estate, a Passat, but we routinely fit 3 people and 3 bikes in the back with room for luggage as well. We have had 2 adults + 2 kids and 4 bikes in the back, all safe and snug and no extra wind resistance. We just line up the frames and then pack in the wheels.

A car roof has to be the worst possible place to put your bike!

After tackling the very hilly 200 km Fleet Moss Randonnée in 2006, I was so knackered by the time I got back to event HQ that I couldn't even lift my bike into the back of my mate's car, let alone get it up onto a car roof!

There are all the disadvantages that you mentioned and also...

... driving into a garage and forgetting that you have bike(s) on the roof. Result - buggered bike(s) and a damaged car!

 

[elephant]

take the front wheels off, lower the seat, lay a bike in, but an old duvet over and place the other on top

 

[Norm]

If you want to be ultra-cautious, removing the pedals wouldn't be necessary but it might help the bikes pack tighter and it would remove about the only thing which might cause damage through a blanket.

 

[HLaB]

Its probably all sorted now but I've got a smaller Toyota Starlet, my road bikes go in it no problem I just have to fold the rear seats down but with my hybrid I have to take both wheels off; larger hatchback though its not a problem. Whilst I've only had one bike in the back of a car at a time there would be space for another; I'd be cautious of two bikes rubbing together though and when braking I don't think the top bike would be restrained well. Sort them out and I don't think you'll have a problem.

 

[buggi]

yea easy. put cardboard or blanket between them and a big cushion underneath. another way of doing it is to take the wheels off and put the frames on the back sit (top 'n' tail 'em) and then the wheels in the boot. job done.