topslop1

So, don't. Install it and leave it. Had my $30 banger on there for the 2 past weeks straight. Used it maybe 2-3 days out of those 2 weeks. Do I care that it's on the car? No. Maybe it bothers other people, but that's none of my concern.

topflightpro

The correct answer is a Minivan.

They are the perfect cars for bicycles.

hollywoodeskimo

I drive a Toyota Corolla and it works out fine for both my bike and my kayak. I have a trailer hitch mount for the bike rack and a top rack for the kayak. The car is very reliable. If you're after something stylish, then you'll have to look to another car. If you're looking for reliability, good mileage and a decent ride, I think the Corolla is a good bet.

HardyWeinberg

Also, anyone have suggestions for a station wagon w/ a manual transmission?

10 Wheels

Works for me

bikecrate

Get a used Honda Element. I have a '03 that they will have to pry out of my cold dead hands. If not, my wife just got a new CRV. I haven't tried to take it with a bike yet, but it was a good price and has tons of features (lots of safety stuff too).

redfooj

Honda Fit

FLvector

Removing the front wheel and attaching to a skewer mount takes about 30 seconds and is the most secure way to haul a bike in my opinion. Everyone has their own personal preference.

RPK79

I purchased a Ford Flex last fall. I put a locking roof rack on it for bike transport, but it will also take an fully assembled bike in the back with the seats folded down. My single speed track bike is in there right now since I was too lazy to carry it upstairs after my ride on Sunday.

All wheel drive, 7 passenger seating, not a minivan, can tow 4500 lbs, and I've gotten 19 mpg over the winter which is somewhere between bad and good I guess...

hollywoodeskimo

I don't understand all this talk about buying trucks or mini vans or suvs just to move your one bike around. All you need is a car that you are comfortable driving and a rack. You said you are only going to be hauling one bike. Almost any car will accept some sort of rack. No need to spend lots of money on a big vehicle and then the added cost of fuel and maintenance that a big vehicle requires. You don't need to be able to tow thousands of pounds. It's a bike. Get the car you want to drive and a bike rack that fits the car, is easy to install and onto which you can easily mount the bike. That's it. You need no more.

GlennR

So you don't need a 5000lb car to transport your 15lb bike?

As you said, almost any car can hold a single bike. Most have folding rear seats so simply removing the front wheel will allow it to fit in the trunk.

As I said previously, my road bike and MTB fit in my 2001 Civic 2 door with the rear seat down.

Jasper Storm

Another vote for the Element.

Bikes inside= 1. No bug splatters 2. More secure (dark tinted windows mean one needs to be up close to see bikes, as opposed to roof racks seen from 1/4 mile) 3. Frame numbers not blown off (for racers) 4. No lost computers (rare, but painful occurrence) 5. No low garage entry worries 6. No idling hot exhaust against carbon wheel problems 7. No hitch rack bottoming out on uneven grass parking areas. As soon as I post this, I'll probably think of three more...

A used Element probably gets better fuel economy than most minivans/big SUV's of comparable vintage.

ptempel

You could make just about any car work with only one bike. Would need a rack for the tiny ones. I'm currently using an old Audi A4. The split folding rear seat fits the entire bike sans front wheel easily. I guess you like the mini SUV type cars? Looked up the Toyota Venza and their website says 2015 will be the last model year for it: Toyota Venza is Discontinued . I would think about the primary use for the car. If its just a commuting car, then try to select something small and fuel efficient. Otherwise, if you want cargo space then I'd go for a wagon over an SUV or minivan.

eric1971

Not as secure as being inside the vehicle.

ptempel

Audi Avant, BMW Avant, Volvo, VW, Subaru, etc? Don't know about any american wagons with manual tranny. Saw an article about it here: https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/bestrid...vailable-today

Tycho Brahe 

A meth head in California will definitely try to steal a bike from a bike rack, but probably less so if it was locked inside and they had to put the wheels back on. Perhaps having the back wheel off is a good deterrent!

I agree that the Outback might be a good fit, which is why I was surprised you singled it out as a "no". It is on my list, but I have no need for an AWD (I have seen snow only once in the past five years) and the 6 cylinder version only comes with the more expensive package.

FLvector

My skewer mount locks, so removal would be very difficult without unlocking. You could add a cable lock to secure the rear wheel if that's a concern. Someone could smash your window and be off in 30 seconds. Also, once secured, the bike doesn't move during hard braking, turns or accelerations. In my previous vehicle (Highlander) the bike would move around more than I liked.

hig4s

I take the front wheels off and attach our bikes to skewer mounts INSIDE our Honda Element.

StanSeven

Read post 21. It takes 5 seconds at most to get inside any vehicle.

one4smoke

If I had the $$$ for that car, I would also have the money for something to transport my bike much more practically.

redfooj

what if you have through-axle
or otherwise discs that need to be aligned :O

Standalone 

I have had several Toyota Previas. They were amazing. Not sure what is out there now that can carry 4x8 sheets of plywood and drywall, 10' lumber, etc., and run for 300k+ miles...

joeyduck

I don't own any carbon bikes, but my concern with a carbon bike on the roof or rear rack (I have always only used roof racks) lies with two things. ( @Looigi Is this the correct use of lie? This is an honest inquiry.)

1. Will rocks, sand, and other debris hitting the bike at highway speed damage the frame?
2. Are there any concerns with vibrations or oscillations of the fame when clamped into the rack?

These are the reasons I would suggest the inside a vehicle option. Yes, it is easy to smash and grab, but a thief will get something if they really want it; this is true for any item.

Some people are also forgetful and if they enter parking structures and forget the bike is on the roof that may be an issue.

TimothyH

OP here...

Sucks to have to live that way.



I'm going to look at an Element too.



I hadn't thought of a Flex. It would take a lot to get me to buy another Ford. Ecoboost wouldn't hurt at all.



Also have to move pine straw, lumber, bags of mulch, an occasional loveseat, Christmas tree, maybe some butterfly bushes in the spring, helping out at Church, trip to the gulf coast, etc. I'm looking for a hatchback or small SUV. The car won't be used for bikes exclusively.

nycphotography

Sounds like you really NEED a minivan, but are hung up on the IDEA of being seen in one.

Once could argue that it sucks to have to live that way too IE, where you can't let yourself have what you need because of how it looks to other people.