Which car is most suitable for a cyclist?

[Moodyman]

So, we've ascertained all the great cars for carrying a bike twice/thrice a year.

Now, can anyone recommend a good car for carrying the driver and their family for the other 363 days?

 

[mjr]

So, we've ascertained all the great cars for carrying a bike twice/thrice a year.

Now, can anyone recommend a good car for carrying the driver and their family for the other 363 days?

That wouldn't be a general cycling discussion and what sort of masochists get in a car every day?

 

[John the Monkey]

I usually just check that the car we're getting has fixings for roof bars, and buy whichever Atera bars fit that model (we have the bike carriers/roof box already).

I like the original Fixpoint system best (the "feet" bolt into sockets on the roof) but Estate style roof rails make for a very quick removal of the bars & carriers when they're not needed.

 

[rovers1875]

Not the prettiest vehicle you will ever come across, but certainly the most practical vehicle I've ever owned.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=637#imgrc=Dx2fggdpZPDyBM:

 

[Drago]

Now, can anyone recommend a good car for carrying the driver and their family for the other 363 days?

Absolutely any car you fancy, with roof bars for the 2 days a year you carry a bike.

I chose my car for its cheap purchase price and cheap running costs. The carrying of cycles was relatively easy to accommodate once it was on my driveway. Within certain limits virtually any car can carry a bike, or be easily equipped to do so, so bike carrying capaciry is never really on my shopping list.

Most people on here have simply recommended their own cars, and in a sense they're all right. Buy the car you want or need, and the bike lugging ability is something that can usually be sussed out later.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I always liked the promo Jag F-type that Sky used for some TT stages a year or two ago.

View attachment 387364

When they switched over to Ford sponsorship they had to put up with this 'merkin horror and it wasn't even used to carry bikes. This is my pic from the 2016 TdF 2nd stage at St Lo.

View attachment 387365

 

[Gravity Aided]

I have a Ford Galaxy, the 3rd row seats fold into the floor, the 2nd & 3rd row seats also slide backwards/forwards & tilt, my bike went to France with us in the summer with one of the 2nd row seats folded down it went in(front wheel off, stood up) with loads of room along with 3x large suitcases plus all the other things in holdalls that Mrs DRM can't travel without,apparently, plus my daughter took a similar amount of essentials too, there was nothing in the area where we were sitting, everything was in the boot, with all the rear seats down you have a decent sized van, it's quite economical to run too which is always a bonus.

Ford is still using that name over there? Here, the Galaxies had such a bad rep they discontinued the name in the marque.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Absolutely any car you fancy, with roof bars for the 2 days a year you carry a bike.

I chose my car for its cheap purchase price and cheap running costs. The carrying of cycles was relatively easy to accommodate once it was on my driveway. Within certain limits virtually any car can carry a bike, or be easily equipped to do so, so bike carrying capaciry is never really on my shopping list.

Most people on here have simply recommended their own cars, and in a sense they're all right. Buy the car you want or need, and the bike lugging ability is something that can usually be sussed out later.

I have the Mitsubishi Lancer for same reason, no big costs or bills in the first 8 years of operation outside of consumables. I'm at the point of economic decision now. Starting to peruse brochures, although I thin that by eliminating Ford right off.

 

[Gravity Aided]

'Ditto' with the Octavia, the earlier model was almost 'Volvo-ish', with a reasonably upright rear, the Octavia 2 (& 'face-lift'.. .mine) was rounded off
2 'FL'
View attachment 387421

Octavia 1
View attachment 387422

VolksWagen brings in the only Skodas we get in the States, the Fabia is the VW Polo, Karoq is Tiguan, etc.

 

[Helenbells]

Our Ford Galaxy died. The new models had fold down not removable seats so did not take our electric bikes.
We now have a long wheel base Caddy. Chosen specifically to take both bikes upright, with back row of seats removed. We have now made a frame from aluminium channelling so the bikes roll into place. Akin to a roof rack, but inside the car. Absolutely fabulous. We have actually transported the two electric bikes plus two lightweight racers, all upright with no problem.
The Caddy is a seven seater but with the bike frame in place only driver and two passengers can fit in. Not been a problem as it is mostly the two of us.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Our Ford Galaxy died. The new models had fold down not removable seats so did not take our electric bikes.
We now have a long wheel base Caddy. Chosen specifically to take both bikes upright, with back row of seats removed. We have now made a frame from aluminium channelling so the bikes roll into place. Akin to a roof rack, but inside the car. Absolutely fabulous. We have actually transported the two electric bikes plus two lightweight racers, all upright with no problem.
The Caddy is a seven seater but with the bike frame in place only driver and two passengers can fit in. Not been a problem as it is mostly the two of us.

Caddy, defo a step up. My compliments. Good idea on the channeling.

 

[Drago]

[QUOTE 5081694, member: 45"]I didn't recommend our Roomster. It was a neighbour's.[/QUOTE]

note careful use of the words "most people"

 

[clockworksimon]

Transporting bikes and kayaks, having good roof bar mounting, being big enough for family holidays, economical, comfortable, quiet, long distance driving etc are all major factor when I choose a car. I favour MPVs and estates. My current car is a BMW 2 series active tourer (MPV) and is a plug in hybrid. Its a very nice car and I got a tandem on the roof bars recently thanks to the flexibility of closed roof rails and Elite roof bar bike fixings. Previous 2 cars were French MPVs which were both good but with fix point roof bar mountings which are less convenient than roof rails. Used to have an escort van which was very practical but rather less nice to drive.

 

[grellboy]

Crappy old zafira. Worth about £80 On webuyanycar. Fit 3 bikes and riders in for various sportives.

 

[youngoldbloke]

So, we've ascertained all the great cars for carrying a bike twice/thrice a year.

Now, can anyone recommend a good car for carrying the driver and their family for the other 363 days?

Until fairly recently I've used my Peugeot 5008 to carry a bike 3- 4 times a week, most weeks of the year. I carry it upright front wheel off using a fork clamp screwed to a piece of 4x1 the width of the boot. 1 rear seat folded. My 2015 5008 (sadly now the 'old' model) has a fairly vertical rear end. We bought it because it was the only vehicle in that size/class with a deep and high enough boot to accomodate an unfolded wheelchair, without folding the rear seats. There has been a sad and unfortunate trend in recent years to style vehicles with 'go faster' sloping backs - our old Focus estate would take the 'chair comfortably. Impossible in the new model. Manufacturer's bumpf seldom if ever gives boot dimensions. The only way is to take the bike with you and try it. If they object go elsewhere.