Bicycle transportation into the Insight

[Yves M.]

A few weeks ago I remember reading a tread about how to attach a bike rack to the Insight.

When I bought my Insight in 2000, I had sold my wife and I bikes and bought folding bikes cause the dealer did not permit to attach a bike rack. They said it would void the body warrenty (steel against aluminium creates corrosion to the aluminium)

Here is how I carry two bikes into my Insight. Takes about 4 minutes to go in or out. Still space for bags, helmets and other stuff:

http://www.md92raid.100freemb.com/foldingbicycle.html

Hi Yves:

___Is that you? It is nice to place a face with a nick …

___And how did you get those two bikes in their anyway! I am very happy to hear that solution worked out for you … Have you ever done an overnight with a few minor camping items stuffed in as well? I bookmarked your pics for future reference myself.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:1erx88z3]Waynegerdes@earthlink.net[/email:1erx88z3]

[bjordan]

Cool!

I'm picking up a new mountain bike tomorrow. Unfortunately it won't fold.. :/ I'm hoping I can take off the front wheel push the passenger seat forward and fit it in the back. Guess I'll find out tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

bjordan

[Guillermo]

I remove the front and rear wheels of my full suspension mountain bike and it fits in the trunk. I use a shower curtain from a dollar store to protect and keep the trunk clean.
But putting 2 normal bikes in the trunk would be challenging....

[Yves M.]

HI,

Yes it is me in the picture. They fit easily side by side because they have 20 inch wheels. One folds in about 30 seconds.
We also have don an overnight but with small tent and sheets (no sleeping bags)

They are Dahon bikes. They also make a folding mountain bike with 26 inch wheels (called Mariner 26 if I remember). But once folded it mesures 13x28x38 so 1 will fit easily but 2 will not fit in.

It is nice to see you can remove the wheels to make it fit in. It probably gives the same advantages (size) has folding bikes without the cost (with a little more effort)

[fscott]

It reminds me of the time I loaded two lawnmowers into the back of the Insight. I took the handles off and they fit OK, although if I had hit a big bump, one of the mowers would have jumped up and cracked the rear glass. It was that tight of a fit.

I like those bikes. How well do they work compared to a normal bike?

Fred

[Guillermo]

For those that are serious about cycling or don't mind spending serious coin on quality bicycles, Bike Friday makes the best folding bikes on the market.


http://www.bikefriday.com/

I don't own one but if I was a frequent flyer I would.

[ext1jdh]

nice but I have found that Dahon is a bit more affordable.

[Yves M.]

HI Fred,

They are about the same. Where they differ:
- Slower top speed, because of the smaller wheels and 6 speeds
- Little more flex from the frame (specially handle bar)
- I had to install custom 'foot strap' (I do not know what to call them, calle-pieds in French) the things that holds the foot to the pedal to allow more force pedalling up/down. Because the pedals fold and are different from the standard pedals
- A little rougher ride because of the smaller wheels

But you gain space in the car, easy transportation and storage
It was the only solution I found then, to carry two bikes.


Guillermo, very nice bikes.
At the time I bought mine, there was an all aluminium one (actual brand is Mikado which uses Dahon parts) but it was twice the price and 2 pounds less. But better tires. They where 80 psi cold while mine are 50 psi
More pressure is better if you weight more than 200 pounds.

[Holicow]

Originally Posted by bjordan

Cool!

I'm picking up a new mountain bike tomorrow. Unfortunately it won't fold.. :/ I'm hoping I can take off the front wheel push the passenger seat forward and fit it in the back. Guess I'll find out tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

bjordan

It should be OK. That's what I do exactly. Bike lies on right (drive) side with handlebars turned all the way to the left. Front goes in first, angled to the passenger seat. Not a problem, at least with my road bike.