Bike-related beanplating
July 13, 2020 8:01 AM Subscribe
Partner and I would like to do more cycling near where we live, but not so near that we can safely or comfortably cycle from our house to these destinations. Our current bikes don't fit in the car. For roughly the same money, I could either make changes to the car or buy a pair of lower-end folding bikes, but I'm having trouble figuring out which is the better option.
We live in the East of England where everything is nice and flat and there are lots of great cycling destinations within a short drive of us (e.g. the Cambridgeshire guided busway cycle path, the cycle trails around Grafham Water). These places aren't accessible by bike from our house, though - they require either more cycling than I can physically do to get there, or cycling on roads that feel very unsafe to ride on (rural roads with narrow lanes & no cycle lane or other cycling infrastructure, a river on one side that I would forever fear getting clipped into, 60mph speed limit that people often exceed, drivers around here not super respectful of cyclists overall).
We're starting to get bored of the routes we can safely & easily do from home, and these are also limited in terms of the distance we can go without hitting a road that I don't feel personally safe cycling on. The bikes we have now are Dutch-style hybrids, mine's a Gazelle (this model), partner's is a Giant (not sure which model). They're both on the large/heavy side as bikes go, partly because of the style and partly because we're both tall people (I'm 5'11, partner is 6'2) and need a larger-than-average frame size (I could stand to go up a frame size from the one I've got if I'm honest).
My car is a 2012 Ford Mondeo and it's our only vehicle. Most put-your-bike-on-your-car sites suggest that there are no rear-mounted bike racks that are suitable for this vehicle (a few suggest the Saris Bones EX 3 with some modifications might work, but user reviews on forums for my model of car suggest that the tailgate/bumper aren't strong enough for this type of rack and I don't particularly want to risk the bikes or the car). The bikes don't fit in the boot, even with the back seats down. The two remaining options for attaching bikes to this car would be to buy & install roof bars (which the car doesn't currently have) and get a bike attachment, or to buy & install a tow bar (which the car also doesn't currently have) and get a trailer-style rack.
Of these options, I'm leaning towards the tow bar & trailer model as many of the places we'd park with bikes in tow have a 2m height restriction on entry (so we'd have to get out, take the bikes off and then park), and I suspect I would find it easier to wrangle the bikes onto a trailer compared to lifting them on top of the car (partner would have no issue with either strength-wise but I want a solution that I can use on my own too). Based on web searching, it looks like getting a tow bar + install will cost £400-500, with the bike trailer costing around £200 on top of that.
For the kind of money it would cost to get the tow bar & trailer, we could also buy a pair of cheaper-end folding bikes like this or this. We could theoretically afford two of the cheapest Brompton model, but that's quite a bit more than I was originally planning to spend on solving this problem and they're extremely out of stock at the moment due to the pandemic.
As far as I can tell, the pros of making changes to the car to allow us to transport the bikes we already have are: it should be fairly easy to get this done, potentially all in one go (there's a local company that will come to your house and fit a tow bar to your car, and they have a sister company who sell bike trailers, so I'm hoping someone will just come to my house with the whole package); it would come in at the lower end of the possible budget compared to fancier folding bikes; it could be useful to have a tow bar for other reasons.
The main con of taking the car route is that the convenience is tied to this specific vehicle. If the car gets totalled, then I've lost the investment. I'm hoping to hang on to this car for at least another five years, but I said that about my last car (which I'd also vaguely thought about getting a tow bar fitted to) which developed some serious faults and had to go last year after three years of ownership.
The pros of getting folding bikes are: we'd both have a failover bike in case our current bikes need repairs; we'd have a portable bike solution no matter what vehicle we have.
The cons of getting folding bikes are: I have no idea if I'd enjoy the feel of cycling on a small-wheeled bike; our current bikes work just fine and it feels kind of wasteful to get two more bikes; we have enough bulky stuff for two childless adults without adding another two units of bulky stuff; stock and supply is unreliable due to the pandemic; we're both on the tall side and the only folding bikes that I've seen strongly recommended for taller cyclists are the very expensive, very customisable Brompton models that are over our budget and out of stock anyway (reviewers of the Decathlon folding bikes linked above mention that they're probably too small for anyone over 5'11); if I'm going to spend money on bikes I'd potentially prefer to buy myself a nicer, better-sized non-folding bike.
I'm interested in hearing from anyone else who's tried to solve this problem - if you changed your car to accommodate bikes, was it worth it? If you got folding bikes, what kind and how much do you like them (particularly if you're tall)? We're in the UK, so please don't link to models or solutions that are only available in the US.
We live in the East of England where everything is nice and flat and there are lots of great cycling destinations within a short drive of us (e.g. the Cambridgeshire guided busway cycle path, the cycle trails around Grafham Water). These places aren't accessible by bike from our house, though - they require either more cycling than I can physically do to get there, or cycling on roads that feel very unsafe to ride on (rural roads with narrow lanes & no cycle lane or other cycling infrastructure, a river on one side that I would forever fear getting clipped into, 60mph speed limit that people often exceed, drivers around here not super respectful of cyclists overall).
We're starting to get bored of the routes we can safely & easily do from home, and these are also limited in terms of the distance we can go without hitting a road that I don't feel personally safe cycling on. The bikes we have now are Dutch-style hybrids, mine's a Gazelle (this model), partner's is a Giant (not sure which model). They're both on the large/heavy side as bikes go, partly because of the style and partly because we're both tall people (I'm 5'11, partner is 6'2) and need a larger-than-average frame size (I could stand to go up a frame size from the one I've got if I'm honest).
My car is a 2012 Ford Mondeo and it's our only vehicle. Most put-your-bike-on-your-car sites suggest that there are no rear-mounted bike racks that are suitable for this vehicle (a few suggest the Saris Bones EX 3 with some modifications might work, but user reviews on forums for my model of car suggest that the tailgate/bumper aren't strong enough for this type of rack and I don't particularly want to risk the bikes or the car). The bikes don't fit in the boot, even with the back seats down. The two remaining options for attaching bikes to this car would be to buy & install roof bars (which the car doesn't currently have) and get a bike attachment, or to buy & install a tow bar (which the car also doesn't currently have) and get a trailer-style rack.
Of these options, I'm leaning towards the tow bar & trailer model as many of the places we'd park with bikes in tow have a 2m height restriction on entry (so we'd have to get out, take the bikes off and then park), and I suspect I would find it easier to wrangle the bikes onto a trailer compared to lifting them on top of the car (partner would have no issue with either strength-wise but I want a solution that I can use on my own too). Based on web searching, it looks like getting a tow bar + install will cost £400-500, with the bike trailer costing around £200 on top of that.
For the kind of money it would cost to get the tow bar & trailer, we could also buy a pair of cheaper-end folding bikes like this or this. We could theoretically afford two of the cheapest Brompton model, but that's quite a bit more than I was originally planning to spend on solving this problem and they're extremely out of stock at the moment due to the pandemic.
As far as I can tell, the pros of making changes to the car to allow us to transport the bikes we already have are: it should be fairly easy to get this done, potentially all in one go (there's a local company that will come to your house and fit a tow bar to your car, and they have a sister company who sell bike trailers, so I'm hoping someone will just come to my house with the whole package); it would come in at the lower end of the possible budget compared to fancier folding bikes; it could be useful to have a tow bar for other reasons.
The main con of taking the car route is that the convenience is tied to this specific vehicle. If the car gets totalled, then I've lost the investment. I'm hoping to hang on to this car for at least another five years, but I said that about my last car (which I'd also vaguely thought about getting a tow bar fitted to) which developed some serious faults and had to go last year after three years of ownership.
The pros of getting folding bikes are: we'd both have a failover bike in case our current bikes need repairs; we'd have a portable bike solution no matter what vehicle we have.
The cons of getting folding bikes are: I have no idea if I'd enjoy the feel of cycling on a small-wheeled bike; our current bikes work just fine and it feels kind of wasteful to get two more bikes; we have enough bulky stuff for two childless adults without adding another two units of bulky stuff; stock and supply is unreliable due to the pandemic; we're both on the tall side and the only folding bikes that I've seen strongly recommended for taller cyclists are the very expensive, very customisable Brompton models that are over our budget and out of stock anyway (reviewers of the Decathlon folding bikes linked above mention that they're probably too small for anyone over 5'11); if I'm going to spend money on bikes I'd potentially prefer to buy myself a nicer, better-sized non-folding bike.
I'm interested in hearing from anyone else who's tried to solve this problem - if you changed your car to accommodate bikes, was it worth it? If you got folding bikes, what kind and how much do you like them (particularly if you're tall)? We're in the UK, so please don't link to models or solutions that are only available in the US.
Response by poster: When I said "trailer" or "trailer-style" I almost certainly meant hitch-mounted (apparently we call that tow bar mounted here), like the first couple of Buzz models on this page. I don't want to tow an actual trailer.
posted by terretu at 8:18 AM on July 13, 2020
posted by terretu at 8:18 AM on July 13, 2020
Get a hitch-mounted bike rack. Folding bikes don't seem super fun to me. Also, the bike rack will work with whatever bikes you want to put on it in the future.
posted by trbrts at 8:31 AM on July 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by trbrts at 8:31 AM on July 13, 2020 [2 favorites]
I have owned and loved two folding bikes. I am 5'11" with a long inseam so I was at the very top of the height (and weight) range for both of them. They are very convenient for travel but the ride is definitely different to "regular" bikes: they respond in a way that feels "quicker" or "less stable" depending on whether you find it appealing or not.
A possible strategy: since a folding bike can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of rider heights, consider buying one bike and each of you trying it to see if you like the feel and convenience of it. Since there is a bit of a bike shortage, you will probably be able to sell it on for close to what you paid for it if you don't like it. If you do like it, then you can order a second one.
posted by gauche at 8:36 AM on July 13, 2020
A possible strategy: since a folding bike can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of rider heights, consider buying one bike and each of you trying it to see if you like the feel and convenience of it. Since there is a bit of a bike shortage, you will probably be able to sell it on for close to what you paid for it if you don't like it. If you do like it, then you can order a second one.
posted by gauche at 8:36 AM on July 13, 2020
I t appears that the Model is the same as the Ford Fusion. I had a 2013 Fusion and assuming that everything is identical between the Mondeo and Fusion, you could get a trunk (boot?)- mounted bike rack to fit with some minor modification.
Bike racks have straps with metal clips that hook around the various edges of the boot door and/or under the bumper. But the fusion/mondeo doesn't have a lip under the door, nor anywhere under the bumper to attach the clips. But on the bottom edge of the boot door should be a bunch of slits. They're too narrow for the clips, but I had a friend grind down the clips on my Thule bike rack to fit. I carried around two mountain bikes and never had any issues. I already owned the rack, so it was a LOT cheaper than getting a hitch installed and buying a hitch rack.
posted by jonathanhughes at 8:40 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Bike racks have straps with metal clips that hook around the various edges of the boot door and/or under the bumper. But the fusion/mondeo doesn't have a lip under the door, nor anywhere under the bumper to attach the clips. But on the bottom edge of the boot door should be a bunch of slits. They're too narrow for the clips, but I had a friend grind down the clips on my Thule bike rack to fit. I carried around two mountain bikes and never had any issues. I already owned the rack, so it was a LOT cheaper than getting a hitch installed and buying a hitch rack.
posted by jonathanhughes at 8:40 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Bromptons are quite nice considered as bikes (not just as folding bikes), I have done several 200km rides with my three speed version. But they’re not so fun on gravel or less than good pavement in general. Also, I’m 180cm and I get a decent position on the bike with the standard seat post at maximum extension, so if you’re taller you’re probably want to get the longer post.
Other folding bikes, especially low end, are just not very enjoyable, and in my experience (I used to have another brand, can’t recall it now), they develop all sorts annoying of creaks and faults if you fold an untold them regularly.
So I’d go with mounting your current bikes on the car.
posted by boogieboy at 8:40 AM on July 13, 2020
Other folding bikes, especially low end, are just not very enjoyable, and in my experience (I used to have another brand, can’t recall it now), they develop all sorts annoying of creaks and faults if you fold an untold them regularly.
So I’d go with mounting your current bikes on the car.
posted by boogieboy at 8:40 AM on July 13, 2020
Hitch mounted bike rack, for sure. Life changer. We got the hitch for our Honda Fit from this place (link is for the 2012 Ford Fusion, which appears to be US version of the Mondeo) and installed it ourselves in our driveway. The site is US based, but I would hazard to guess there is some equivalent for the UK.
We got a Thule hitch rack, which we easily hold 3 bikes on.
posted by chiefthe at 8:42 AM on July 13, 2020
We got a Thule hitch rack, which we easily hold 3 bikes on.
posted by chiefthe at 8:42 AM on July 13, 2020
I love hitch mounted bike racks and they are way nicer that roof racks. I have a roof rack for my canoes and kayaks, but it's such a pain for bikes.
That said, have you tried taking the wheels off before trying to get the bikes in the boot with the seats down? Knowing how to take the front wheel off and on is a good bike skill to have, and it might be the no cost way to solve this problem.
posted by advicepig at 8:55 AM on July 13, 2020
That said, have you tried taking the wheels off before trying to get the bikes in the boot with the seats down? Knowing how to take the front wheel off and on is a good bike skill to have, and it might be the no cost way to solve this problem.
posted by advicepig at 8:55 AM on July 13, 2020
They are very convenient for travel but the ride is definitely different to "regular" bikes:
If you think that all folding bikes are like that, then have a look at Dahon. They have one current model (GB1) with 27.5" wheels; mine is the 26" Espresso (discontinued, unfortunately) that I've used since 2010, and it's a better ride than the 26" Specialized ATB I use for my regular runs. I'm 1m96 (6'5") and a tick over 100kg (220lb), and even with a backpack I'm not at the maximum load.
Folded, it's not really compact as it only folds down the middle so that you have the wheels next to each other, but you can't turn the handlebar to be in line with the front wheel. The GB1 'breaks' into two parts, and looks to be quite a bit more compact folded.
posted by Stoneshop at 8:55 AM on July 13, 2020
If you think that all folding bikes are like that, then have a look at Dahon. They have one current model (GB1) with 27.5" wheels; mine is the 26" Espresso (discontinued, unfortunately) that I've used since 2010, and it's a better ride than the 26" Specialized ATB I use for my regular runs. I'm 1m96 (6'5") and a tick over 100kg (220lb), and even with a backpack I'm not at the maximum load.
Folded, it's not really compact as it only folds down the middle so that you have the wheels next to each other, but you can't turn the handlebar to be in line with the front wheel. The GB1 'breaks' into two parts, and looks to be quite a bit more compact folded.
posted by Stoneshop at 8:55 AM on July 13, 2020
- I am pretty sure something like the Saris Bones racks will work, but almost all clip-on racks like that will be less than ideal for the bikes. Roof racks have their own problem (wrestling a Dutch-style bike up there will be a chore, and you need to remember not to drive under any low overhangs). Hitch-mounted racks are great.
- You can get the bikes in your car if you take the wheels off. Again, a bit of a chore, but zero additional investment except a protective blanket. I used to put two bikes in my 1987 Honda Civic—a much smaller car than yours.
- There are folding bikes with full-size wheels, and high-quality folders with 20" wheels (not that Bromptons are bad!). Just off the top of my head: Montague bikes, Bike Friday, Alex Moulton bikes. Any of these could be your everyday bike.
posted by adamrice at 9:33 AM on July 13, 2020
- You can get the bikes in your car if you take the wheels off. Again, a bit of a chore, but zero additional investment except a protective blanket. I used to put two bikes in my 1987 Honda Civic—a much smaller car than yours.
- There are folding bikes with full-size wheels, and high-quality folders with 20" wheels (not that Bromptons are bad!). Just off the top of my head: Montague bikes, Bike Friday, Alex Moulton bikes. Any of these could be your everyday bike.
posted by adamrice at 9:33 AM on July 13, 2020
For short distances where I'm too lazy to take the front wheel off my bike, I let it stick out of the trunk a bit and close the hatch with a bungee cord.
But if that's not an option you like, go for the hitch. While it would be permanently attached to your current car, the bike rack itself would not be so it wouldn't be a completely wasted investment. (And hitches are useful for cargo racks too if you ever have use for such a thing.)
posted by metasarah at 9:45 AM on July 13, 2020
But if that's not an option you like, go for the hitch. While it would be permanently attached to your current car, the bike rack itself would not be so it wouldn't be a completely wasted investment. (And hitches are useful for cargo racks too if you ever have use for such a thing.)
posted by metasarah at 9:45 AM on July 13, 2020
So your car is called a Fusion here in The States, and checking with where I buy my hitches (eTrailer.com), putting a hitch on your car would be both cheap (~$170 for the hitch) and easy (4/10 on their difficulty scale). I put in a hitch that they considered a similar difficulty, and it look about 30 mins.
I would definitely go the hitch route.
posted by sideshow at 10:14 AM on July 13, 2020
I would definitely go the hitch route.
posted by sideshow at 10:14 AM on July 13, 2020
Hitch Rack > Roof Rack > Trunk Rack
I'm an avid cyclist with two cars who (pre covid) was always carting myself and multiple people/bikes to/from events.
The SUV we have (my wife's vehicle) is tall, so a roof rack is impractical. For that I have a hitch-mount rack that holds 2 bikes and can be converted to hold 4 bikes by adding on an attachment. In the 4-bike mode, it's super heavy. I leave it in 2-bike mode almost always. It pivots away from the door to allow the door to open without having to remove the bikes, which is nice. It's made by Thule and is similar to this one (my model is a little older).
My sedan has Thule roof bars on the top and I have 2 racks that stay on there, but can add 2 more to carry 4 bikes total (with the bikes alternating forward/backward). Wikipedia tells me a Mondeo is the same as a Fusion, and Thule's fit guide says you can get everything you need to put the bars on top of your car (not the racks, just the bars and the parts needed to attach) for $460-$560 USD (depending on if you want the square bars or the aeroblade bars).
Personally, I like the roof racks where you don't have to remove the front wheel. It's one less step and I don't have to put the wheel in the car (they make rooftop wheel carriers if you're pressed for space).
PROS
- Roof: Doesn't block your rear camera. Versatile (you can put a bike rack up there, a cargo box, ski racks, kayak racks, canoe rack, etc). Can be moved from one car to the next (you might need to buy a different foot pack to interface the bars with the roof. You can leave the roof rack and bike racks on your car all the time. Visibility isn't hindered.
- Hitch: Only have to lift the bike up knee high instead of putting it on your roof. Better gas mileage (bikes up top create a decent amount of drag). You can leave it on your car all the time but you gotta move it out of the way (not hard, just an extra step) to open the rear door.
- Trunk: Inexpensive. Can also leave it on all the time I guess. I hate these things honestly.
CONS
- Roof: You'll destroy your bikes if you forget about them and drive into a garage. Can be awkward for some people to lift the bikes to the roof. On some cars they can make noticeable wind noise (I got a fairing that solved this).
- Hitch: You gotta store the rack somewhere if it's not on your car. Can only be used for bikes. You need to buy/install a hitch. Sometimes interferes a little with rear visibility.
- Trunk: No matter how hard you try, your bikes will rock and hit your car. Puts bikes at an awkward position to see out your rear view mirror.
I'm linking to Thule stuff only because that's what's currently on both my vehicles. I used Yakima before that with no complaints.
SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER
Check out Sea Sucker. If I had to do it over, I'd consider a Sea Sucker rack. They're versatile, race proven, and can easily be attached/detached from the vehicle. I've tried as hard as I could to pull one off a car with no success. They seem awesome, I just don't have personal experience with them (yet).
I would buy some sort of rack before I bought a folding bike. Nothing wrong with folding bikes, but nothing wrong with a good rack either.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 12:38 PM on July 13, 2020
I'm an avid cyclist with two cars who (pre covid) was always carting myself and multiple people/bikes to/from events.
The SUV we have (my wife's vehicle) is tall, so a roof rack is impractical. For that I have a hitch-mount rack that holds 2 bikes and can be converted to hold 4 bikes by adding on an attachment. In the 4-bike mode, it's super heavy. I leave it in 2-bike mode almost always. It pivots away from the door to allow the door to open without having to remove the bikes, which is nice. It's made by Thule and is similar to this one (my model is a little older).
My sedan has Thule roof bars on the top and I have 2 racks that stay on there, but can add 2 more to carry 4 bikes total (with the bikes alternating forward/backward). Wikipedia tells me a Mondeo is the same as a Fusion, and Thule's fit guide says you can get everything you need to put the bars on top of your car (not the racks, just the bars and the parts needed to attach) for $460-$560 USD (depending on if you want the square bars or the aeroblade bars).
Personally, I like the roof racks where you don't have to remove the front wheel. It's one less step and I don't have to put the wheel in the car (they make rooftop wheel carriers if you're pressed for space).
PROS
- Roof: Doesn't block your rear camera. Versatile (you can put a bike rack up there, a cargo box, ski racks, kayak racks, canoe rack, etc). Can be moved from one car to the next (you might need to buy a different foot pack to interface the bars with the roof. You can leave the roof rack and bike racks on your car all the time. Visibility isn't hindered.
- Hitch: Only have to lift the bike up knee high instead of putting it on your roof. Better gas mileage (bikes up top create a decent amount of drag). You can leave it on your car all the time but you gotta move it out of the way (not hard, just an extra step) to open the rear door.
- Trunk: Inexpensive. Can also leave it on all the time I guess. I hate these things honestly.
CONS
- Roof: You'll destroy your bikes if you forget about them and drive into a garage. Can be awkward for some people to lift the bikes to the roof. On some cars they can make noticeable wind noise (I got a fairing that solved this).
- Hitch: You gotta store the rack somewhere if it's not on your car. Can only be used for bikes. You need to buy/install a hitch. Sometimes interferes a little with rear visibility.
- Trunk: No matter how hard you try, your bikes will rock and hit your car. Puts bikes at an awkward position to see out your rear view mirror.
I'm linking to Thule stuff only because that's what's currently on both my vehicles. I used Yakima before that with no complaints.
SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER
Check out Sea Sucker. If I had to do it over, I'd consider a Sea Sucker rack. They're versatile, race proven, and can easily be attached/detached from the vehicle. I've tried as hard as I could to pull one off a car with no success. They seem awesome, I just don't have personal experience with them (yet).
I would buy some sort of rack before I bought a folding bike. Nothing wrong with folding bikes, but nothing wrong with a good rack either.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 12:38 PM on July 13, 2020
Vote for hitch mounted rack. This has a better value, and more utility in the long run if one of you decides to get another type of bike, this option will allow you just roll with whatever on there.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:37 PM on July 13, 2020
posted by furnace.heart at 1:37 PM on July 13, 2020
N'thing the hitch mount. Far more versatile, less money in the long run, less hassle with bikes.
posted by introp at 7:31 PM on July 13, 2020
posted by introp at 7:31 PM on July 13, 2020
Response by poster: By some weird feat of cosmic ordering, we now have one folding bike - we went to see my partner's mother yesterday, mentioned this whole thing and she happened to have a nearly-new folding bike that she can no longer use for mobility reasons, so we tried it out and took it home. I'm glad we did try it out, as I found that I didn't especially like the feel of riding it (although I suspect I could get used to it), which I'm glad to have found out without spending money on one.
I'm now looking into getting a towbar + hitch-mounted rack for our regular bikes based on the broad consensus here, so thanks for the advice everyone (although it's worth noting that UK prices are a fair bit higher than sideshow's $170 - the cheapest quote I've had so far is £299, the most expensive £499).
posted by terretu at 5:23 AM on July 15, 2020
I'm now looking into getting a towbar + hitch-mounted rack for our regular bikes based on the broad consensus here, so thanks for the advice everyone (although it's worth noting that UK prices are a fair bit higher than sideshow's $170 - the cheapest quote I've had so far is £299, the most expensive £499).
posted by terretu at 5:23 AM on July 15, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mskyle at 8:08 AM on July 13, 2020 [2 favorites]