Bike to fit into car

[scots_lass]

I just started cycling a few months ago (2 months to be exact) and really enjoy it. I currently have a folding mountain-type bike (26" x 1.75 tyres). I only cycle on cycle paths (tarmaced) or canal paths (unmade-up paths, slightly stony and rough-ish). My bike is great insofar I can get it into and out of the car OK. However...................I was thinking............if I can get to 1000 miles before Christmas or thereabouts I would treat myself to a 'proper' bike (ie better, more expensive!, lighter etc etc).

So quite willing to spend upwards of £500 (it is Christmas after all) with these considerations:
1. Must fit into the back of my car (RAV4, back seats flat).
2. Lighter than my current bike (which is 18kgs).
3. Suitable for cycle and canal paths.
4. Straight handlebars.

The only folding 'full size' bike I've come across is the Dahon Cadenza but haven't heard anyone mention these at all on the forum. Any good? Or could I get a bike with a quick release front wheel? Would that be better?
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!

PS. Should I have put this on the Bikes bit rather than Beginners? Sorry!

 

[Tynan]

mine is full size and goes in with the front wheel removed

I'm not sure you can buy a bike without QR wheels any more

 

[Unimaginative]

I've been commuting into work and back on my 2008 Cadenza 8 (the one with hub gears) since October; around 7 miles a day.

Fits in my car boot no problems (Volvo S60) so long as you take the handlebars off; since the stem has markings on it it's easy to get it back in the same position.

I can't compare it to other bikes as I hadn't ridden for over a decade, but I can cruise in 7th gear at around 20mph on the flat, going down hills 8th gear spins out at around 28mph.

The disc brakes are a great deal more powerful than the v-brakes I remember, but then my old bikes were more BSOs than anything else.

Haven't had a p******e so far, the Big Apple tyres seem to cope admirably with city roads and cycle lanes.

I have had to get a few new spokes in the rear wheel, and I've just had to increase the chain tension by adjusting the eccentric bottom bracket (chain came off a couple of times due to low chain tension). Nothing major maintenance-wise.

Since getting a shed, I haven't really used the folding for a while, and when I tried it last time it wouldn't fold - think I need to slacken off the bolts and add some oil. Also seems to be squeaking a bit at the fold when pushing on.

Pannier rack fits easily so long as you get a disc-brake compatible one. Having both pannier and mudguards seems a little difficult, so I just have the front mudguard on atm.

Seems to cope fairly well even under conditions it wasn't designed for - decided to go for a 15 Mile ride and at one point was riding down gravel/mud farm lanes and it coped (albeit taking the road a bit more slowly than on tarmac).

I think it serves it's purpose, but don't see how much of an upgrade it would really be if you already have a 26" wheel folder?

 

[lukesdad]

drop the wheels out and (2mins max) and any bike should fit as long as its got skewers (q/r s)

 

[HLaB]

I used to have to take both wheels of my Sirrus, when it had flat bars to get into the back of my toyota starlet (3 door hatch back) but now I've converted it dropped bar I only have to take the front wheel off. I have to take both wheels of my commuting hybrid but my Bianchi road bike fits in with only the front wheel removed. IME the drop bar bikes fits better (I've never tried my Kinesis road bike though).

Edit: The Sirrus has always fitted even with just the front wheel removed in my mums slightly larger car (a 5 door hatch back)

 

[Theseus]

I'm not sure you can buy a bike without QR wheels any more

Sure you can, fixies & hub geared bikes generally have track nuts.

 

[scots_lass]

Quick release is the way to go then as I will have that much more choice! Oh the joys of spending money in advance!
I have to say that I will not be embarrassed after I have chosen my bike, to ask the shop to show me if it fits in the car! I was the woman who used to take the kitchen scales along when buying new hill walking boots in order to find the lightest pair! Much to the staff's amusement!

 

[jay clock]

I have an Audi A3 five door which must be similar or smaller than a Rav 4 and can get a full size road bike in with the front wheel off.

 

[gavintc]

I agree, I am always surprised at what you can fit into a small car. On holiday this year in Majorca, we rented a couple of road bikes and we managed to get both bikes into the Ford Ka we had rented. All wheels were removed, but there was sufficient room for bits and pieces we bought as well.

 

[simon_brooke]

I just started cycling a few months ago (2 months to be exact) and really enjoy it. I currently have a folding mountain-type bike (26" x 1.75 tyres). I only cycle on cycle paths (tarmaced) or canal paths (unmade-up paths, slightly stony and rough-ish). My bike is great insofar I can get it into and out of the car OK. However...................I was thinking............if I can get to 1000 miles before Christmas or thereabouts I would treat myself to a 'proper' bike (ie better, more expensive!, lighter etc etc).

So quite willing to spend upwards of £500 (it is Christmas after all) with these considerations:
1. Must fit into the back of my car (RAV4, back seats flat).
2. Lighter than my current bike (which is 18kgs).
3. Suitable for cycle and canal paths.
4. Straight handlebars.

The only folding 'full size' bike I've come across is the Dahon Cadenza but haven't heard anyone mention these at all on the forum. Any good? Or could I get a bike with a quick release front wheel? Would that be better?
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!

PS. Should I have put this on the Bikes bit rather than Beginners? Sorry!

I have a C3 Pluriel, which is almost certainly smaller than a RAV4, but i can get a full size bike in with the wheels off no problem. Taking the wheels off a bike (provided it has quick release axles) is no harder than folding a folding bike.

However, if you are after a folding bike which rides well, have a look at the Airnimal range. Several people here have them, and the reports are good.

 

[zacklaws]

I have a Ford Escort and can get my road bike in the back with a squeeze with both wheels on if I'm in a rush, but usually I remove the front and if so I can get two road bikes in comfortably with bags of room to spare.

And having seen how big a RAV4 is now you should have no problems, probably even space to set it up on a turbo.

 

[rogersavery]

I have a folding mountain bike and full sized conventional road / racing bike

With the wheels removed on the road bike it is only just a bit bigger than the folding mountain bike (and folding takes about the same time as removing the wheels)

Either bike fits in the back of my wifes honda civic with the rear seats in place and the parcel shelf on and with room to spare for other luggage

 

[Globalti]

Why on earth would you buy a folding bike? The frame must be considerably weaker and heavier than a conventional bike. Get yourself an MTB or hybrid and simply remove the wheels for transport. I have had three bikes plus three adults in an Audi A4 packed dismantled like this, it's really not a problem. My wife & son and I regularly go out in our Estate car with three bikes dismantled in the back and there's loads of spare room for bags and other kit. This way the bikes are safe and secure and your MPG doesn't suffer with the increased wind resistance.

 

[summerdays]

At the end of a organised bike ride I saw a friend of mine packing bikes into the car - it was a people carrier I admit - but it was carrying 4 people so only had the boot space, and into that went 5 adult bikes - all with the wheels removed. I hadn't realised that you could get so many bikes inside a car before I saw that (note he put his best bike and wheels on the top).

 

[gekko]

I agree, I am always surprised at what you can fit into a small car. On holiday this year in Majorca, we rented a couple of road bikes and we managed to get both bikes into the Ford Ka we had rented. All wheels were removed, but there was sufficient room for bits and pieces we bought as well.

That's good news. I have a KA and have been meaning to try getting our two hybrids in the back. Will probably upgrade my car in the not too distant future so am not keen to spend a fortune on roof racks etc.