What car would suit?

[bikepacker]

Due to age 74yo, carrying extra weight, extra effort needed to pitch at the end of a cycling day and worried family when I am away, this will probably be my last cycle camping year. In order to keep my enjoyment of cycling in future I shall tour using B&Bs or do fixed base touring. With the later in mind I have been looking at methods of transporting camping gear and bikes, which would be more convenient than my current car.

My criteria are: First able to put inside two bikes upright with only the front wheel removed. Second an economical low emission petrol engine. One option Citroen Berlingo was shown to me at the York Rally by a fellow cyclist (could be a forum member). He had two bikes upright and clamped into an internal rack.

What I would like are some other options mainly from those using this type of vehicle in a similar way.

[reohn2]

Well if you can believe anything a Socialist posts ....
Take a look at the Ford C Max,based on the Ford Focus (but in a small MPV format)Europe's most popular,most reliable,and cheapest to run car last time I looked,they have a huge boot and the rear three seats can be lifted out individually creating an enorous load space that will swallaw two bikes and plenty of luggage.

I speak from experience as we're on our second one and it does everything I ask of it.

[yostumpy]

does it have to be petrol?. I have been looking (for about 2 years ) at the nissan nv200 combi (5 or 7 seater window van).It has a 1500cc turbo deisel, claimed 50+mpg, big enough to get a bike in UPRIGHT, without taking the wheel off, AND sleep in as well, BUT small enough to go under 2m height barrier, and / or, a 7 seater, for family runabout, airport runs etc. It does everything, complete with a sliding door both sides, AND a lift up tailgate, so once bike is loaded, you can sit and have a cuppa,under the canopy out of the rain. N J Chalke, are offering them at around £15.500 at the moment. I am so tempted, AND being under 2m and being so cavernous, they are great for tip runs,

[tatanab]

^^^^ I had an NV200 van as a day rental about 3 years ago. By my standards it was quite nippy, and yes it gave 50+mpg. If they did petrol I'd have one since diesel doesn't suit me because I drive so very seldom. The issue for bikepacker is one of height to be able to get bikes in upright. Very often you hear of people doing this just fine, then they let slip that they remove the saddle - not something I would do.

[reohn2]

The bikes go in the C Max upright with front wheel out.

[bikepacker]

Due to age 74yo, carrying extra weight, extra effort needed to pitch at the end of a cycling day and worried family when I am away, this will probably be my last cycle camping year. In order to keep my enjoyment of cycling in future I shall tour using B&Bs or do fixed base touring. With the later in mind I have been looking at methods of transporting camping gear and bikes, which would be more convenient than my current car.

My criteria are: First able to put inside two bikes upright with only the front wheel removed. Second an economical low emission petrol engine. One option Citroen Berlingo was shown to me at the York Rally by a fellow cyclist (could be a forum member). He had two bikes upright and clamped into an internal rack.

What I would like are some other options mainly from those using this type of vehicle in a similar way.

I will have a look at one of these next week.

[Cunobelin]

Slightly OT...

There is also a useful thing called the "Rail Service"

Planning tours with part milage on a train can make a brilliant way of extending distance or interest without needing a car.

[bikepacker]

^^^^ I had an NV200 van as a day rental about 3 years ago. By my standards it was quite nippy, and yes it gave 50+mpg. If they did petrol I'd have one since diesel doesn't suit me because I drive so very seldom. The issue for bikepacker is one of height to be able to get bikes in upright. Very often you hear of people doing this just fine, then they let slip that they remove the saddle - not something I would do.

My daughter has a Peugeot estate car and in that I would have to remove the saddle. Not something I would want to do.

[bikepacker]

Slightly OT...

There is also a useful thing called the "Rail Service"

Planning tours with part milage on a train can make a brilliant way of extending distance or interest without needing a car.

I often use the train and the Bike Express and will continue to do so on some B&B tours. The car would just give me an extra alternative and the option of using a larger tent, Being able to stand inside a tent would help enormously.

[yostumpy]

don't think you would have to touch the saddle at all, if going in an NV 200, although they are only 1.86m high, they have a very low, 'level' load area, with no lip at all.and I'm pretty sure my bikes would go in, and I'm 6'2". The rear 2 seat fold up sideways, and the middle 'split' seats fold 70/30 ot come out with about 2 bolts each

[martin biggs]

The bikes go in the C Max upright with front wheel out.

We have the 2008 C max and i have had 3 road bikes in all with fr wheels out and saddle lowered in easily


Our's is 2.0 petrol auto and can average 38 mpg on a run but normal is around 30 mpg in and around town and short runs .

[tooley92]

i have a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and it's a great bike carrier with really good headroom and a longer load area than the Berlingo, mines a 1.6hdi diesel manual and averages about 50 mpg. If autos are your thing Citroen's auto is an automated manual and is about as smooth as falling downstairs with your legs tied together! I love autos but bought a manual!

I spent ages looking for mine as quite a lot of them have worked hard as a 7 seater doing the school run.

[PH]

The car would just give me an extra alternative and the option of using a larger tent, Being able to stand inside a tent would help enormously.

Depending on the budget you were thinking of and the amount of use you think you'll get, have you considered hiring? I hire a Citreon C4 Grande Picasso sometimes, £110 for a weekend and £220 for a week plus a supplement if I want to take it out of the country (Which I haven't) Or if I'm on my own with one bike and don't mind taking the wheels off I can get something for less than half that, or a small van and kip in the back for somewhere in between. One of the nice things about hiring is you get to choose the right vehicle for the use.

[gaz]

Previous threads here and here that may be of interest.

[Vorpal]

One of my clubmates has a Fiat Doblo. He has some Saris racks in there & can get several bikes upright plus luggage in (I've seen three in it).

I know someone else who has (I think) a VW Transporter. And he gets bikes in upright without removing anything. He has rigged some clips to the roof & bungees the saddle &/or handlebars to the clips. I don't think that you need to go very big to get a bike in without removing any wheels or anything. And a van could also serve as shelter/alternate sleeping place if the weather was really bad or something.