Does a bike fit in the hatch?

[taracor]

The weather is getting nice, and I want to go pick up my bike, which is over at a friend's right now. Well, I don't want to go pick up a bike rack or anything like that, so I was wondering, has anyone ever tried putting a bike in their hatchback? I figure I'd ask before I drive up their and find out the hard way that it doesn't fit.

[coffiend]

If your bike has a quick release front wheel it should fit.

I've got one bike in the hatch with the front wheel still on an the passenger seat pushed all the way forward.

It took a bit of messing around but I eventually made it fit.

[kimona]

Pull the front wheel and it'll fit quite nicely.

[tomato]

Pull the front wheel and it'll fit quite nicely.

+1 that's how I do it.

[MadMax]

:needpics:

[taracor]

:needpics:

I quite like this idea!

[tomato]

good point

[Bella]

Got no pictures, but we usually just pop off the front wheel and lie it down in the back!

[MadMax]

First, I am curious as to what kind of bikes we're talking about here. I ride mountain bikes on occasion, and know they are a lot harder to put into small hatchbacks because of the wide handlebars. At least mountain bikes usually have quick-release seat posts, which helps.

Secondly, since I ride offroad it is not uncommon that the bike is covered in dirt or mud when I return; so the thought of putting a cruddy bike in the back of my Yaris makes my sphincter twitch! Usually I steal the wife's minivan as my Cannondale fits nicely in there without removing the front wheel, and since the van's been to hell and back thanks to our two boys the extra dirt and mud is rarely noticed!

Still, in looking at my Yaris, I don't see my mountain bike fitting in there even with the front wheel and seat removed. I'd be interested in seeing pics where someone has done it!

Oh, and just one more question for those who can and have done this; do you have the split-folding or bench rear seat? I'd think the former would make it a bit easier...

Cheers! M2

[talnlnky]

I can easily fit two bikes in the hatch when you pop the front wheel off. Handle bards go right behind the front seats. Be careful of greasy sprockets & chains... they can make a mess.

[YAR1S]

I find the Bell Bike racks a bit cleaner.... but beware of the pedals hitting your hatch, wrap them in a bit of foam and strap them down so they dont swing around when going on bumps.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F9NMYW8JL.jpg


although I have blessed myself with a thule roof rack system ..... so yeah I have it easy.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/Cheekyllama/DSC02167.jpg

[Bella]

Secondly, since I ride offroad it is not uncommon that the bike is covered in dirt or mud when I return; so the thought of putting a cruddy bike in the back of my Yaris makes my sphincter twitch! Usually I steal the wife's minivan as my Cannondale fits nicely in there without removing the front wheel, and since the van's been to hell and back thanks to our two boys the extra dirt and mud is rarely noticed!


Oh, and just one more question for those who can and have done this; do you have the split-folding or bench rear seat? I'd think the former would make it a bit easier...

My boyfriend does a fair bit of mountain biking, so we usually just take the front wheel off, flatten the rear seats and put a tarp down/wrap it in old towels to stop the mud getting everywhere/rolling around too much.

Though, I had the ultimate pleasure of finding a road bike wheel on my front passenger seat .. Lets just say, he only did it once! :tongue:

[slothman86]

I know I've fit a street bike in without removing the wheel!

[taracor]

Think it's possible without getting the interior scratched/dirty? I'm incredibly overprotective of my car.

[slothman86]

yeah, just throw a blanket over it

[taracor]

Fair enough. On a side note, how do the Thule roof racks attach? Do I have to drill a hole somewhere?

[127.0.0.1]

I find the Bell Bike racks a bit cleaner.... but beware of the pedals hitting your hatch, wrap them in a bit of foam and strap them down so they dont swing around when going on bumps.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F9NMYW8JL.jpg


although I have blessed myself with a thule roof rack system ..... so yeah I have it easy.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/Cheekyllama/DSC02167.jpg

every bike holding device pictured here WILL scratch the hell out of the car

if you go external, go with trailer hitch type racks, unless you A) don't care about scratches or B) spend excess time surgically cleaning and uninstalling and reinstalling the other types to avoid scratches

[taracor]

I definitely care about scratches. I care a lot.

[DefStarYaris]

I used to get two mountain bikes in the back of mine somehow. Just pop the front wheels off and it's not too difficult. I have a trunk rack now but would like to find a decent roof rack for the 2-door liftback...

[127.0.0.1]

I definitely care about scratches. I care a lot.

then you want something like this setup

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=438104&postcount=40


roof racks and back racks always scratch the car always. it is near impossible to keep the micro dirt out
and vibrations will slowly scour the paint or glass. with a hitch and hitch rack, no such issue.