trekker pete

I guess this is as good a forum as any to put this.

I am a field engineer. I drive A LOT. I currently drive an 09 Sonata. I have taken my Marin bobcat 29er (medium frame) with me, but, it has to either ride on a bike rack or I can stuff it in the back seat with both wheels removed.

I would like to get a vehicle that I can place the bike inside, standing up with just the front wheel off. I know this can be done with a smaller SUV, however, they tend to max out somewhere in the mid-twenties, mileage wise. My Sonata can do low 30s easily. One of my co-workers can put his Madone roadie in his Honda Fit with just the front wheel off, standing up straight. I assume it is a medium frame, as he is close to my height. The diameter of my 29er rim is a little bit larger, so I am not sure if it would fit in a Fit. Another possibility is a Focus Wagon. Nice thing with these is I can find a decent 5 speed Focus Wagon for near pocket change. Not the case with the Fit. Curse you Honda for your awesome resale value. But, I think that inside height might be an issue with the Focus.

Any recommendations welcome.

Wilfred Laurier

Why do you need to have it sit upright? Lay the bike down and your options open up immensely.

I have XL size bikes with the saddle raised quite high and I have to lean them over to get them into the back of my Grand Caravan.

ALso, why not ask your co-worker if you can try to put your mtb in his Honda, just for 'fit' purposes?

And regarding the Honda Fit, those are nice cars! I was considering getting one, but the price of gas has fallen and that means my Dodge can stay on the road for a bit longer. I rented a Nisan Versa a couple years ago, and while it was decent to drive, it was completely underpowered when it had to carry more than one adult.

Carbonfiberboy 

A Honda Fit can fit a tandem with the passenger seat removed. Supposedly takes 15 minutes once you know how. Probably have to lower the saddle.

trekker pete

My car doubles as a parts storeroom. Laying the bike down kills storage. I do plan on trying my bike in his car

Canker

vw TDI wagon
I can fit one like you describe in my 04 jetta wagon tdi and I did 330 miles yesterday at 46mpg . Downside at least right now is diesel costs more than regular gas and when gas prices crashed recently it cost A LOT more than regular gas. The price has been coming down but diesel prices react slower

tarwheel 

Honda Fit or VW Jetta Sportwagen

Dilberto

Jetta Sportwagen. Honda FIT looks too much like a high-end Kia SOUL....

1242Vintage

I'm driving a two door convertible Toyota Solara and fit my large frame 29er with front wheel removed upright in the back seat no problem. Of course have to drop the top to get it in or out, which sucks in bad weather. Mileage is in the 28 mpg range, but I have a lead foot. Also nothing better after a long hot mountain bike ride in Spring than cruising home and cooling off behind the wheel in the open air.

This started out as my wife's car, but she prefers the big SUV instead so I took over the Solara.

OHtard

my wife drives a fit. we often put two hardtail 29ers in the back, with just removing the front wheels. The car has been great, very little maintenance expense, and great milage.

fietsbob

Mercedes Diesel When in a Dodge Sprinter, They were made that way, is surprisingly High MPG for the volume it Has..

Local Paper has one .. 30mpg.. in town.. driver said.

giantdefy

2015 Ford Transit Connect. stand up your bikes without removing the wheels. removable seats! around $25K, 30MPG.