Picture this: You’re an avid cyclist, always seeking new trails to conquer and thrilling adventures to embark on.
But every now and then, you come across an epic trail that seems just a bit too far to pedal from home. That’s when the thought of transporting your bike inside your car starts to pique your interest.
But can a bike fit inside a car?
Yes! Almost all bikes will fit inside a car. It will even fit inside small hatchbacks like a Honda Fit or Volkswagen Golf. However, you might need to remove the front wheel sometimes.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the nitty-gritty details. We’ll talk about average bike sizes and the car models that can potentially accommodate them.
We’ll also show you how to fit a bike in a car and give you practical tips to make the loading process a breeze.
Can You Put A Bike In A Car?
Yes, you can put a bike inside a car like Minivans, Sedan and SUVs without removing the wheels or taking the bike apart.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take To Bike 90 Miles?
In some models you can fit it in the truck or backseat, but some will require you to fold the rear seats.
Hatchbacks or compact cars on the other hand, often have limited trunk space and rear seat area and you can’t fit a bike without folding the rear seats and removing the wheel.
The average length of a bike can range from around 68 inches to 74 inches, and their height is around 38 inches to 42 inches. And the handlebars typically range from 18 to 26 inches.
Let’s take a look at the space in cars:
Minivans
Minivans and station wagons have an interior storage length averaging around 136 inches and an interior width of around 67 inches.
These vehicles have sufficient room to accommodate bikes without the need for disassembly.
Sedans
Sedans, known for their sleek and compact designs, offer decent space.
Sizes typically around 139 inches in length, and 65 inches in width.
While most sedans can accommodate bikes without disassembly, some may require some adjustments, such as folding down the rear seats or removing the front wheel, to fit the bike comfortably.
Also Read: Ride With GPS Vs Strava
SUVs
SUVs are renowned for their spaciousness.
With an interior length for storage averaging around 142 inches in mid-size SUVs and approximately 150 inches in large SUVs, these vehicles provide ample space to accommodate bikes without disassembling.
SUVs are well-suited for carrying bikes, along with other gear or equipment.
Hatchbacks
Hatchbacks typically have an interior storage length ranging around 72 inches and an interior width of about 63 inches.
However, due to the limited length, it may not be possible to fit a bike without taking the front wheels or both wheels off.
Tips for Putting Your Bike in a Car
Here are some great tips on how to transport a bike in a car:
- Before attempting to load your bike, measure both your bike’s dimensions and the interior dimensions of your car to ensure a proper fit
- Make sure the bike is securely fastened or held in place to prevent it from moving while driving.
- Remove any accessories, such as water bottles, saddlebags, or fenders, that could potentially scratch the interior of your car.
Apart from these, make sure to cover your bike! It will prevent scratches or damage to both your bike and your car’s interior. Plus, the bike chain has grease and will stain your car.
If your bike is dirty, a cover will make sure dirt doesn’t get in your car.
You can use protective coverings such as bike bags, blankets, or towels.
Other Ways To Transport A Bike In A Car
If you can’t fit your bike in a car, what else can you do? Here are some ideas:
Also Read: No Kickstand On A Road Bike?
Disassemble the Bike
One way to fit a bike inside your car is to disassemble it. This method involves removing the wheels and possibly the handlebars, pedals, and seat.
Here are the steps you can follow:
- Loosen the quick-release skewers on the wheels and remove them.
- Remove the pedals using a pedal wrench or an Allen wrench.
- Loosen the stem bolt and remove the handlebars.
- Remove the seat post using an Allen wrench.
Once you’ve disassembled your bike, you can place it in your car with the frame first.
Make sure to protect the frame and components with padding like a blanket, to prevent scratches or damage.
Using Bike Racks
Another option is to use a bike rack that attaches to your car. There are several types of bike racks available – trunk-mounted, hitch-mounted, and roof-mounted racks.
Trunk-mounted racks are the most affordable option and can fit most cars. They attach to the trunk or hatchback of your car using straps and hooks.
Con: They can be difficult to install and may scratch your car’s paint.
Hitch-mounted racks are more expensive but easier to install. They attach to the hitch receiver on the back of your car and can carry up to four bikes.
Con: They can obstruct your car’s tail lights and license plate, so you may need to purchase an additional accessory.
Roof-mounted racks are the most versatile option and can carry multiple bikes. They attach to the crossbars on your car’s roof and can be locked for security.
Con: They can be difficult to install and may increase wind resistance and reduce gas mileage.
FAQs
Can A 24 Inch Bike Fit In A Car?
Yes, a 24 inch bike can fit in cars. The length of a 24-inch bike is around 56 inches (142 cm) to 64 inches (163 cm), which is less than all the car space sizes.
Can A 26 Inch Bike Fit In A Car?
A 26 inch bike can fit in sedans, minivans and SUVs, but most cannot fit in a hatchback. Because the overall length of a 26-inch mountain bike typically falls within the range of 65 inches (165 cm) to 72 inches (183 cm).
Can You Fit A Bike In A Suzuki Swift?
You can fit a bike inside a Suzuki Swift with the front wheel off, but it may require some creativity and careful maneuvering.. And it’s going to be a tight squeeze.
Can You Fit A Bike In A Toyota Corolla?
Yes, it is possible to fit a bike inside a Toyota Corolla. Since it doesn’t have a lot of space, you need to angle the bike into the back seat and adjust the handlebars.
Can A Bike Fit In A Toyota Camry?
Yes, it is possible to fit a bike inside a Toyota Camry if you fold the back seat down and the front wheel off, because it only has a trunk volume of 15.1 cubic feet.
Will A Bike Fit In A Jeep Cherokee?
Yes, a bike will fit inside a Jeep Cherokee. However, you need to fold the back seats and lay the bike on its side. You don’t need to take the front wheel off.
Will A Bike Fit In A Ford Edge?
Yes, a bike will fit inside a Ford Edge. It has 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, but if you fold down the second row, the cargo capacity expands significantly to about 73.4 cubic feet, which is enough to fit most bikes.
