Not ON TOP of it, or one the BACK of it, but INSIDE the car.

I'm wondering if I can fit my road bike inside the MINI I'm considering buying. If you don't mind, tell me how (if) you do it - one/two wheels off, one/two seats folded, etc.

Thanks

 

Depends on which MINI you have. In my R53 it's a bit of a squeeze. You have to take off the front tire and lay the bike on its side with the rear tire closest to the trunk door.

It was such a hassle to do that every time, especially laying the bike so that it sits comfortably. If you are going to take your road bike on a long distance trip it works but I never felt at ease since the cars suspension is so stiff and you can see the bike jumping around in the back.

Maybe you can get it in with only one seat down if its standing. You probably might have to take off both wheels and/or the seat post. It probably better for your bike if the frame is standing anyway.

If you are transporting the bike short distances get a rack that goes behind the truck for easier loading. It also attaches to the car in less than a minute and folds up small enough to fit in your trunk even with the back seats up. I wouldn't go cheap on the rack though. I use the Hollywood racks, but there are a number of good brands out there. Just make sure you avoid puddles or your bike will get wet and really dirty. And make sure you get one that keeps the bike secure so that it doesn't sway back and forth when you hit the brakes. Cheaper racks don't do a good enough job at this.

 

I can fit my mountain bike with 29" wheels with just the front wheel off, but it is a little tight and can scratch up the back of the front seats. With two wheels, off, it's a piece of cake. I have an R53 and an R50. Oh, yeah, I can also fit the wheels in my Classic, but not the frame.

 

Front wheel off it fit, but it's easier to but a bike rack on the back when I know I'll need to haul it somewhere.

 

I agree with this , as i have done it with my sons and my mountain bike a few times

 

I don't know how you folks get those bikes in with the rear wheel still on, I have to remove both wheels on either my large framed mtb, or my 56cm roadbike. I then lay the bike on its side and put the wheels in wheelbags. But I rarely do that, I have a Thule roofrack that stays on the car 90% of the time.

 

I took both wheels off my 56cm Cervelo and it fit nicely, even without removing the seat. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities

 

My bike is a 2001 Trek 4300, 26" wheels, with loads of aftermarket stuff.

I do it with the front passenger seat folded and slid forward, both back seats down, then the bike's front tire is removed, and the rear wheel goes in first, the bike lays with the drivetrain up and the handle bars turned at 90º. It fits really well, the only downside is that the front seat will keep sliding back and forth as I drive. This is only to the bike shop for their free maintenance tune-up.

 

62cm Surly LHT.

Yeah, not even close to fitting inside unless I wanted to remove both wheels, the seatpost, and make sure the pedals are positioned just so. Totally not worth it.

 

No problem fitting a bike in the Clubman, as long as you take off the front wheel