Bikes inside Car (Swift)

[meera]

Hi All,

Is it possible to fit two bikes (road & hybrid) in a Maruti Swift ? I searched it in google and couple of

forums but whatever results came up, were not very helpful. I still have not bought the car but I will go for it

happily if someone can tell me that it is possible without damaging the car.

 

I am not a big fan of bike racks. I know that the roof rack might solve my problem but a good one

will be costly (around 17-20 thousand). Also in case of long tours (300-400 kms) I think racks would not be

a good choice.

 

So here are  my questions ?

1. Is it possible to fit 2 bikes (one road & one hybrid) in a car after taking out both the wheels ? (pics are much appreciated)

2. Will there be any space left to keep a medium size bag if point 1 is possible ?

3. Do I need to take any precautions when keeping the bikes in Car ?

[ashutosh tripathi]

i have carried my road bike in a punto once after taking out both of its wheels
it didn't damage, but certainly there was no more space felt to accommodate one more bike.

[Ravishankar Balasubramanya]

Same with my figo, was just able to carry my MTB with both  wheels removed ,Not much space left for anything else.

 i think it may be the same with swift,

Wagon R may be  better suited to carry 2 bikes without a rack , I remember seeing a thread on this  with some pics on this forum..

Ravi

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Cheers,
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[Sharath]

Hi Meera,

I own an old model Maruti Swift (hatchback) and a bike rack (thule 9105) and also frequently carry my bikes inside the car and on the rack as well. My reply is inline:

On Thursday, February 7, 2013 3:56:18 PM UTC+5:30, meera wrote:

Hi All,

Is it possible to fit two bikes (road & hybrid) in a Maruti Swift ? I searched it in google and couple of

forums but whatever results came up, were not very helpful. I still have not bought the car but I will go for it

happily if someone can tell me that it is possible without damaging the car.

 

I am not a big fan of bike racks. I know that the roof rack might solve my problem but a good one

will be costly (around 17-20 thousand). Also in case of long tours (300-400 kms) I think racks would not be

a good choice.

 

So here are  my questions ?

1. Is it possible to fit 2 bikes (one road & one hybrid) in a car after taking out both the wheels ? (pics are much appreciated)

Absolutely yes, as long as atleast one of the frames is made out of steel/aluminium. If you have a carbon road bike, I'd put it on top of the other bike. There really is no technique to this -- just "shove" them in the car (one frame "sleeps" on top of the other). Just once, I've managed to fit in 3 bikes into the swift (one on top of the other again) -- I don't give a damn about scratches on the bike (all I need is for them to ride well). I've done long drives (say, 300km) with 2 MTBs inside the car. You will be left with quite a bit of space for 4 wheels and more bags too. This arrangement lets one more person to occupy the passenger seat on the left. Sorry, I don't have a photo with my bikes in the car.
 

2. Will there be any space left to keep a medium size bag if point 1 is possible ?

Just try it out and you'll be surprised how much space is left.
 

3. Do I need to take any precautions when keeping the bikes in Car ?

 
Some tips:
1. Make sure the rear derailleur faces the roof when you put the frame in the car.
2. The handlebar can go in the space which is meant for the "rear leg room".
3. A wheel (or two) can also go into the space which is meant for the "rear leg room". Sometimes, you may just want to keep the wheels on top of the frame -- the pedals go into the spokes and will hold the wheels in place.
4. You could use some towels to protect the frame.

I was doing this exercise all too often (shove bikes into the car) and I don't really like roof racks, so I got myself the thule 9105 for the swift. It was expensive (17k), but totally worth it since it can be mounted onto the car with minimal fuss by just one person: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUVzgR9C8hY
Notice that unlike other trunk mounted racks, the bike here is mounted very high, so it stays pretty safe. For long drives, I still prefer to carry my bikes inside the car.

Hope that helps.

-Sharath

[Sharath]

Noticed after I hit reply that you still haven't bought the car. As long as you can fold the rear bench, I don't see a reason why the new swift hatchback cannot take 2 bikes in it. But also, I was driving behind the new model Swift the other day and the rear trunk door didn't seem bike rack friendly -- I don't think one would be able to fit the usual Thules onto the new swift (anyone, please correct me if I am wrong). So, sea sucker (roof rack) is probably your only option if you consider getting a bike rack at some time in the future.

-Sharath

[anilk...@gmail.com]

Meera,

It is not a direct answer to your query. Just thought of sharing it.

Call up Maruti guys get a Swift for test ride. They come home, keep both bikes ready (wheel removed)tell them if both bikes fits in and need to know the luggage space avialable after putting 2 bikes.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

---

From: meera <duggar...@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 02:26:18 -0800 (PST)

To: <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: [BBC] Bikes inside Car (Swift)

[Ravindra BR]

i take 3 cycles in my tata nano one schwinn frontier, one bianchi rubino and one rockrider 5.0

if swift doesn't take buy a nano :)

Ravi

[anilk...@gmail.com]

Ravindra,

She is not talking about taking the picture of the bike, real one.

Lol

Oops, 3 in Nano. How nice it would be if things work on logic.

Really, quite surprising.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

---

From: Ravindra BR <ravind...@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 17:23:29 +0530

To: meera<duggar...@gmail.com>

Cc: <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [BBC] Bikes inside Car (Swift)

[Ravindra BR]

Hi Anil

 

+ 3 ppl

me my son and my daughter

my daughter was sitting behind with cycles of-course cross legged

but u can't put bike rack it doesn't have a dikki door

Ravi 

[Ram]

Sir,

Would you mind posting a pic with all bikes inside Nano? I understand it has space but still thinking how so many bikes easily fit in :)

[anilk...@gmail.com]

That is mind blowing.

Picture please when 3 + 3 is in place.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

---

From: Ravindra BR <ravind...@gmail.com>

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 18:01:30 +0530

To: <anilk...@gmail.com>

Cc: <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>; meera<duggar...@gmail.com>

[sunil dutta]

One of friend he did it once. One specialized road bike and other one bianchi hybrid just removing the front wheel only.

Sunil Dutta
9035023235

[Nadana Sigamani]

Hi,

I have taken 3 people and 2  bikes ( one hybrid, one road bike, with their wheels dismantled) in my Wagon R during a BBCH race to Nandi top, without much discomfort to either the occupants or the cycles.

Yes, my car did suffer some oil smudges from the bikes.

Best,

Siga

-- 
******   You don't have to be crazy to cycle. But it helps.   *****

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 3:56 PM, meera <duggar...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Ravindra BR]

next time when i do it will take snaps

Ravi

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 6:28 PM, <anilk...@gmail.com> wrote:

[nilesh dhumal]

Humm, Havent bought Car yet :-) 

Yes 2 bike inside the Swift Possible, No Scratches not possible. 

Don't want roof rack, try the rear racks which are portable and can be removed if not i used. 

suggestion from my personal experience 

i have been driving with my bicycle inside, outside, on the roof, at the back of the various car's for nearly around 15 years now and having used the cheap racks from firefox  which almost costed me a bike (that thing sucks big time). after that bad experience i used various models from well known brands like Yakima, Saris, Thule, BNB and others.

 

i have trusted racks from Thule, Saris , BNB ,Yakima.

In India you get these except Yakima i guess ....

Go for the Thule 9103 or the BNB Aerorack.

this will leave you with peace and its a good investment for Car and Bike. 

with rear racks you got to drive carefully in traffic as the wheels tend to come out side the car limit. hence i choose to use roof mount racks both have its Pros and Cons depends on what you need.

Wish you luck 

Cheers!

Nilesh N Dhumal

www.procycle.in

[Shreyas Kumar]

Yes very possible. Upside down on the seat with both wheels off and these can be kept in the area below the seat on the foot mats.

Might get a few scratches. Can even fit three. You will then have the boot free for any other luggage.

Buy any car in that range and you can fit two bikes easily.

CHEERS.

[Shreedhar Ramachandra]

Ravindra, I think you should take a picture and send it to TATA motors folks.

You might get a chance in their new Advertisement for Nano.

[Yateesh Kumar]

+1 siga
Adding the pic where 8 carried 4 bikes with wheels dismantled.
3 bikes&  3 ppl can be supported any day comfortably
Any Doubts??... have a look at the pic

On 7 Feb 2013 19:13, "Nadana Sigamani" <siga...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I have taken 3 people and 2  bikes ( one hybrid, one road bike, with their wheels dismantled) in my Wagon R during a BBCH race to Nandi top, without much discomfort to either the occupants or the cycles.

Yes, my car did suffer some oil smudges from the bikes.

Best,

Siga

-- 
******   You don't have to be crazy to cycle. But it helps.   *****

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 3:56 PM, meera <duggar...@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> Hi All,
>
> Is it possible to fit two bikes (road & hybrid) in a Maruti Swift ? I searched it in...

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
 

are you a part of the bicy...

[Ravindra BR]

500 ltr space not a big deal

[Pradeep Naidu]

Dammmmn, why did i buy a bike rack after reading all these posts... i shld have bought a nano instead of the bike rack...LLAB (laughing like a baby)

Pradeep Naidu S

[Ravindra BR]

LLAB

[meera]

Thanks all for all the suggestions. It looks like  the task can be done with some proper arrangements.

I am planning to call the swift for test ride and will try to place one bike with both tyres off. This will give me

an idea how much space is still available for second bike and a small bag.

It would be a joyful moment for all small car owners if we all can see THREE bikes in a Nano. Ravi, if possible please post the pics . 

On Thursday, February 7, 2013 3:56:18 PM UTC+5:30, meera wrote:

[Banibrata Dutta]

Doable... http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSEnyEhStgWDLFq1XfMy-bMqxlQtjX6GrQSvtJGFd5Wp2LNRhes

Couldn't resist !!

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biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
 
are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details
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[chirag singal]

RESPECT!