General Bike in the back?

[Soraya]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering how easy it is to get a bike in the back of the 500 with the seats down. I don't really want a roof rack as I don't transport my bike that much, but could do with taking it home with me when I go there as I visit for longish periods. Someone on here said they are sick of carrying their bike in the back - is that with the front wheel taken off? I had assumed that I would have to partially dismantle my bike to get it in there.

Thanks,

Soraya

 

[OldPopwithNewPop]

Your bike will fit in the back with the seats down, but I had to remove both wheels!
Same as any small car really.

I now run roofbars

 

[Jake_in_notts]

Someone mentioned a removable tow hook and one of the bike carrying racks that fit to them. To me that seems the most logical way to do it regularly

 

[Luxy]

Someone mentioned a removable tow hook and one of the bike carrying racks that fit to them. To me that seems the most logical way to do it regularly

Removeable tow bars are very expensive, £500 to fit on my BMW. Then you still need to buy the bike rack.

This has got be easiest/cheapest solution:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_250983_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

NB all the guys that are now going to be jumping on my case about damage to the rear hatch ... save it !!!!

 

[306maxi]

Removeable tow bars are very expensive, £500 to fit on my BMW. Then you still need to buy the bike rack.

This has got be easiest/cheapest solution:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_250983_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

NB all the guys that are now going to be jumping on my case about damage to the rear hatch ... save it !!!!

God forbid someone would ever want to advise someone that the product you posted might damage the hatch!

 

[OldPopwithNewPop]

Removeable tow bars are very expensive, £500 to fit on my BMW. Then you still need to buy the bike rack.

This has got be easiest/cheapest solution:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_250983_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

NB all the guys that are now going to be jumping on my case about damage to the rear hatch ... save it !!!!

Funnily enough, I also use the High version of this Halfords rack (too many bikes and a roof box when we go on holiday ) to carry 2 bikes- it doesn't damage the hatch or the bumper.

(A removable towbar for the 500 is around £250, theres a whole thread on here about them.)

 

[Bianchiboy]

I've never put an MTB in the back with the seats down but a road bike with the front wheel off goes in ok. I just put it on a thick blanket then wrap it over so there's no scratches to either bike or car.
I don't really want my road bike on the outside of the car, it cost almost as much as the car!

 

[Minty Moo]

Please stop talking about removable tow bars, my wife will want one next, then it will be I need a new bike to match the colour of the car!!!!!

 

[grungdog23]

yes, my mountain bike will fit in the 500. just take the front wheel off, cover the rear with a blanket. no room for any passengers tho, the front seat needs leaning 4 ward. lucky ive no mates then!

 

[RoxieHills]

In the flagship fiat dealer just off Oxford street they have a folding fiat bike with badges in funk White I almost cried when I saw it!

 

[MissR]

Lol now that would be an interesting sight

 

[Soraya]

Cheers for the info. I walked past a 500 today and had a good look at it. I'm doubtful about getting the bike in the back now. I don't think I'll be investing in tow bars - it wouldn't be worth it for me. Think I'll probably end up nipping to Halfords and get the £35 alternative.

 

[dseume]

Four years later... Thought this might help:

Wheels and seatpin out, back seat folded, front seats as normal, protective sheet on floor.

 

[benga]

Thanks for the pic - it does help! Exactly what I was looking for.

Do you think there is room for a 29er in there? It looks like it from your pictures I'm guessing your bike has 26" wheels?

Cheers!

 

[dseume]

Hi Benga,

As you guessed, this is a 26" bike - a medium-size framed Stumpjumper FSR. As the wheels go in separately, I can't see why your 29s shouldn't fit - and, yes, it went in through the boot opening; none of this lifting it in through the roof malarkey!

I've only done this once so far and will have to take more care to mud-proof the car now the weather has changed.

It'd be good to see pics if you do try it yourself.

Have fun!

 

[Andy Monty]

God forbid someone would ever want to advise someone that the product you posted might damage the hatch!

Or the Illegality of them..... Unless someone can show me a MGW / permissible loading for the rear hatch in the type approval doc's or handbook

roof rack / car has a max permissible loading..

likewise a tow-bar has a D- value .....


They can and do fall off on occasions and if they do cause a serious accident say hello at the very least to driving with an insecure load

hooking nylon strips to a flexy plastic bumper isn't secure. Hell VOSA would rather HGV drivers secure their loads to the Chassis and NOT the welded rings on trailer beds.....


then we could get onto obscured rear lights or numberplates.... and due to the width of the 500 overhanging loads width wise

Oh and you then cant get into the boot :devil:

 

[werdna]

This is what I use.. ebay item number 290543214193 . It clips onto the towbar and folds down neatly when not in use. Just right for the " Dad it's raining , can you fetch me "days Don't use it much now she has her own car !

 

[benga]

Thanks dseume and werdna.

Its good to know that I can get a bike in the back if required.

I'm look at getting a removable tow bar fitted if we get the car - though I can't have a carrier like werdna as the other half has a full suspension bike with a small frame so I'll need to get one that has a platform built in (and the lights and numberplate). My only worry is the width of a 29er - will it be wider than the car? If so it will mean that the platform for the bike carrier will be too - is that safe and legal? That probably requires a whole new thread...

As you can see - I'm new to all this

 

[UFI]

Don't manufacturers recommend avoiding storing or transporting bikes laid flat? Apparently air can get into the brakes requiring them to be bled.

Personally, I'd look at a small fold up trailer that stores vertical when not in use and weighs only ~100kg. Can transport three bikes if needed and the odd bit of DIY/ furniture too.

It beats mud/ fluid getting onto your 500's carpet (let's say a fork has sprung a leak).

 

[benga]

Yeah, would rather have then outside. Hadn't considered leaking forks - new to the word of decent mtb!

Looking at some thing like Thule rear carriers (that I can't link to as I don't have enough posts...) but I've not seen one fitted to a 500 yet.

Don't really have storage for a trailer - the garage is full enough already!