Two bikes into one car?

Greatgimp

Not bought the bikes yet, just considering it. The roads around here are not bike friendly, but there are loads of places to take bikes and set off from there. I've a Mondeo hatchback so assume they would be ok in that, just front wheels off. Also considering changing the car, but a major consideration on what I buy would be about getting the bikes in.

Thanks for your replies

Keep_pedalling

Taking the front wheel off takes just a few seconds with quick release spindles and is going to be required for most cars as it will allow the handlebars to be turned parallel to the frames. Getting 2 bikes in any family hatch should not be too difficult with the front wheels off.

If you are going to bike off road (or even wet country roads) then a rack of some kind is the way to go if you don’t want to cover yourself and the car interior with crud getting the wheels off and the bikes loaded. If thinking of getting a new car look for one with a tow hitch as hitch mounted carriers are the easiest to use by a country mile.

Archie_Duke

I’ve put 2 large-size frame 29er MTBs in the back of my Skoda Octavia estate with the front wheels removed. 

troffasky

Berlingo XL, no bother

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/long-term-tests/citroen/berlingo/

mobileron

Skoda superb estate,2 bikes and the kitchen sink

Greatgimp

Now looking at tow bar rack, meaning that we can park up, take the bikes off and put the carrier in the boot no fuss and leave it all day. Think a thousand would get me a nice carrier and tow bar fitted.

Kat78MFW

Our tow bar carrier locks on to the tow bar and hinges up towards the car when we are parked up on a day out with bikes, so no need to struggle lifting it off and stowing in the boot.

You should be OK with just two bikes but you do need to check the nose weight of your car to make sure that the weight of the carrier plus bikes does not exceed the nose weight. (As a family, we have four bikes on our carrier so it was a significant consideration).

Herzlos

Greatgimp said:

Now looking at tow bar rack, meaning that we can park up, take the bikes off and put the carrier in the boot no fuss and leave it all day. Think a thousand would get me a nice carrier and tow bar fitted.

That's what I've done. Much cheaper than getting a bigger car, and much less hassle than trying to get bikes in. 

You can lock most of the carriers to the car and leave it on, but Thule also do a folding one to go in the boot easier.

Grey_Critic

Not forgetting when using a carrier that the number plate and lights must be clearly visible.

Saw a car stopped once by the Police and they would not let it continue until that was sorted.

Grumpy_chap

Grey_Critic said:

Not forgetting when using a carrier that the number plate and lights must be clearly visible.

Easy solution:
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/bike-rack-accessories/halfords-cycle-carrier-lighting-board-910612.html