Best technique for maneuvering a bicycle into the back

[Mrcjolsen]

When I was car shopping, the big thing I was looking for was a vehicle I could easily put my bike into without taking any wheels off.

I can do that with the Rogue, but it's still a little unwieldy. If I go back first, the rear wheel turns and the pedals end up where it makes the bike hard to lay down.

If I go front first, the wheel turns as I roll it in and the bike ends up where I can't lay it down.

I tried putting a piece of dry-erase board face down to help the bike slide in. That helps a lot.

Any other ideas?

[Rogue One]

Get a folding bike

[rayjgold]

I like the idea of getting a tow hitch bike mount. Would be a lot easier then trying to put it inside...

[Mrcjolsen]

The hitch mount would be fine if I always had to carry multiple bikes. And if I had a hitch.

But I like my bike inside my car if possible. It's not too hard to put in, I just wonder if there is a way to make it easier or faster.

[ImStricken06]

Get a folding bike

LOLOLOLOLOL smart-a_ _! funny comment tho

[ImStricken06]

The hitch mount would be fine if I always had to carry multiple bikes. And if I had a hitch.

But I like my bike inside my car if possible. It's not too hard to put in, I just wonder if there is a way to make it easier or faster.

hitches are easy & cheap to install. you can buy one online, and any local shop will install it for probably around $50.

you'd be surprised how much easier a tow hitch bike rack would be for you.
not only that, but it would safe your interior from the scratches, scuffs and marked your bike will make.

you pick your bike up, pop it on, strap it and off you go. no fumbling, wheel removal, etc.

[Qashqai]

today I am like the grumpy Smurf!

I purchased my trailer hitch from U-haul and installed myself. It is a cCurt hitch and including the taxes, it cost me $140. Is Canada expensive or USA cheap?

[ImStricken06]

today I am like the grumpy Smurf!

I purchased my trailer hitch from U-haul and installed myself. It is a cCurt hitch and including the taxes, it cost me $140. Is Canada expensive or USA cheap?

if i remember correctly i paid around $122 just for hitch itself. 140 isnt bad at all.

[kerrton]

I agree with the tow hitch bike rack, its really a no brainer. I bought my hitch from Nissan directly simply because the parts guy got it for me at cost, I think it was around $120. I installed it myself with the help of an extra set of hands to hold it in place while I bolted it to the factory holes. We took our time and it took an hour, very simple procedure.

Bike racks can be quite expensive, however. A Thule two-bike rack could run you around $300 last I checked, so I understand why you want to put your bike inside the car and save the cost. I've hauled my bike inside the Rogue once, I had to fold down both seats, and then I just slid the bike in sideways. I don't remember having any great difficulties, but much prefer the hitch mounted rack. As was mentioned, it saves the scratchs to your interior, not to mention dirt and lube from the bike getting on your interior, and for me the fact that I have a wife and 2 kids makes a no-brainer - I can't allocate my back passenger seat to the bike, so the hitch rack was the way to go. Also it might be a little easier on your bike to use the bike rack, rather than tossing it on its side into the back of the car. Probably not a big deal, but over time having the bike laying over in the back could put pressure on the brake lines, calipers etc depending on how its sitting and if you hit big bumps etc..

If you look in the glossary, there are at least a couple of really good threads on purchasing and installing the hitch, and purchasing and evaluations of various hitch mounted racks. If you want to save costs, why not look for a used rack online? Or if you decide to put your bike in your Rogue hatch, my advice is just make sure its as clean as possible, then just shove it in there, there's no ideal technique that I could see!!!

[sprocket]

I lay down a tarp that's folded enough so that it is slightly bigger than the cargo floor (seats folded down) and that it hangs over the bumper.

From the hatch opening, stick the bike front wheel in first and on its side enough so the rear wheel clears the bumper and is resting on the tarp but not all the way in and front wheel isn't "jack-knifed".

Then, I open the rear door closest to the handlebar end and grab the tarp and pull it forward. Bike slides easy and doesn't get caught on anything .... if needed, I'll grab the handlebar and keep it somewhat turned so it doesn't get caught on any trim pieces.

Once in, I fold the tarp over the wheel and handlebar ... helps protect the trim pieces from scuffs while bike is being transported.

To take the bike out, open the hatch, grab the tarp and pull straight out ... bike comes out easy, tarp goes over the bumper again to protect it .... pull as much as you need to be able to grab the bike and lift out but don't let the bike fall over the bumper.

been doing this for years with the Rogue.

(I hit the trails so bike sometimes gets dirty ... with the tarp, I don't worry about dirtying my gray interior)

[Mrcjolsen]

Actually, I figured out a way that works for me.

I priced hitch racks today and I don't haul my bike enough to justify the cost. Just say that when I'm using my bike, it's for transportation and my car sits at home.

[takeshi]

I agree with the tow hitch bike rack, its really a no brainer.

Subjective. It's not a brainer/no brainer but a matter of evaluating costs versus need and that's going to vary quite a bit from person to person no matter how straightforward it may seem to any given individual.

there's no ideal technique that I could see!!!

I've done it a couple of times myself and you can certainly make it either much easier for yourself or much harder for yourself.

[kerrton]

I disagree, just shove the bike in there, front wheel first, and you're good. If the hatch doesn't close, just slam it harder.

[Leo2005]

If the hatch doesn't close, just slam it harder.

This is probably the best sentence I ever seen on forums. Kerrton...I'm going to use that quote in my signatures from now on(with your name of course) Feel free to share this pic:

[kerrton]

LOL, that was good...

[chadhargis]

I know you said you didn't want to remove any wheels, but I simply pop off my front wheel, and stick the bike in the back. It's quick to remove and replace the wheel. I considered getting a hitch mounted rack, but the thought of having to worry about my bike or parts of it getting stolen didn't appeal to me. Neither did having to remove the rack to open the back.

My bike is a 25" framed Trek FX 7.5, so it's a big boy. Fits in my VW Tiguan and the Rogue fine with the seats folded down.