You can do it if you remove front wheel

 

I can fit my 27.5” full suspension in there with the front wheel off. I wouldn’t attempt to stack another on top. Especially if they’re higher end bikes.
I prefer the hitch and rack but that’s more expensive.

 

I can fit my 27.5” full suspension in there with the front wheel off. I wouldn’t attempt to stack another on top. Especially if they’re higher end bikes.
I prefer the hitch and rack but that’s more expensive.

I really am OCD about the cleanliness of the car, I don't want to have any scratches or scuffs inside or outside because of the bicycles. I am still researching this, and your help is definitely appreciated.

Uhaul has a price error on Canadian site now and USD and CAD are the same (literally saving over 30% + no tax and free shipping) and I just ordered a Curt 1.25" hitch from them. Install looks simple enough as I have removed the rear bumper facia before for vinyl wraps.

There are many used platform or hanging bike racks in the used market where I am ranging $80-$300 new. What should I pay attention in any used rack? What do I need to know to ensure the bikes don't bang onto the car in motion and how about theft?

 

A platform would be the way to go. I have one that hangs but I use Velcro straps to keep everything in place, if not they swing front to back lol.
If it’s just one bike then I put it in the middle and tie down the handle bars with the other strap.
You'll want a hitch Lock and another lock to lock the bikes to the hitch.

 

The Honda Fit has more head room (ceiling height with lower floor) so you can put in 2 bikes standing up with front wheels off. I have not tried putting them in the Corolla HB but don't think it would have the same amount of head room. My HB is to replace my Fit, comparing the 2, they each have their Pros and Cons. I mainly use my wagon now for the bikes.
To keep your car clean with minimum scratches, cover the entire area with tarp before putting your bike inside. Also helps if you wrap the whole rear bumper with the clear bra material.
I don't like hanging the bikes on bike racks as I like my bikes inside the car for security, aerodynamic, and high G corners.
See below link for the clamps I use to hold the bikes in place. I wonder if you can take both wheels off and use them to clamp both front and back? The back wheel clamps will require to be lifted to clear the derailers. Or if you can lower or take off the bike seats to get more clearance? You have to measure your bikes and the HB to see if that may work.May be both bikes with both wheels off, one face forward and the other face backwards? Something to check. Some people put the bikes in upside down, then you should also find ways to cover the ceiling (or the tires) to keep it clean.

Aluminum Alloy Screw Bicycle Fork Holder Bike Support Mount for Vehicle Bed Rack for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Aluminum Alloy Screw Bicycle Fork Holder Bike Support Mount for Vehicle Bed Rack. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.ca

 

The Honda Fit has more head room (ceiling height with lower floor) so you can put in 2 bikes standing up with front wheels off. I have not tried putting them in the Corolla HB but don't think it would have the same amount of head room. My HB is to replace my Fit, comparing the 2, they each have their Pros and Cons. I mainly use my wagon now for the bikes.
To keep your car clean with minimum scratches, cover the entire area with tarp before putting your bike inside. Also helps if you wrap the whole rear bumper with the clear bra material.
I don't like hanging the bikes on bike racks as I like my bikes inside the car for security, aerodynamic, and high G corners.
See below link for the clamps I use to hold the bikes in place. I wonder if you can take both wheels off and use them to clamp both front and back? The back wheel clamps will require to be lifted to clear the derailers. Or if you can lower or take off the bike seats to get more clearance? You have to measure your bikes and the HB to see if that may work.May be both bikes with both wheels off, one face forward and the other face backwards? Something to check. Some people put the bikes in upside down, then you should also find ways to cover the ceiling (or the tires) to keep it clean.

Aluminum Alloy Screw Bicycle Fork Holder Bike Support Mount for Vehicle Bed Rack for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Aluminum Alloy Screw Bicycle Fork Holder Bike Support Mount for Vehicle Bed Rack. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.ca

I measured the cargo area, we get about 39x40x23" of space. I really like the clamp idea since I just need a piece of wood so it doesn't tip over. I don't mind taking off the front wheels and I will get some measurement of some common bikes.

Something like this work?

corolla hatchback interior bike mount - Google Shopping

www.google.com

These need to be installed and I liked the clamp only idea.

 

Something like this work?

corolla hatchback interior bike mount - Google Shopping

www.google.com

 

So yeah, 2 26” will not fit in there unless you want to scratch the interior and the bikes. I have a roof rack and can have my mountain, urban or my son’s kids mtn bike on. I preordered another mountain bike for my kid because he’s outgrown the old so now, I’m afraid that the long handlebars might bump into each other but have I to wait and see when it gets here. I had Curt hitch on my Scion Xb but the problem with rear hitch is that if your car is low, the hitch, rack and bikes and passengers will slam the rear. So I pulled the trigger on a roof set up. Expensive, but worth it. If you need advice on a roof set up, let me know.

 

So yeah, 2 26” will not fit in there unless you want to scratch the interior and the bikes. I have a roof rack and can have my mountain, urban or my son’s kids mtn bike on. I preordered another mountain bike for my kid because he’s outgrown the old so now, I’m afraid that the long handlebars might bump into each other but have I to wait and see when it gets here. I had Curt hitch on my Scion Xb but the problem with rear hitch is that if your car is low, the hitch, rack and bikes and passengers will slam the rear. So I pulled the trigger on a roof set up. Expensive, but worth it. If you need advice on a roof set up, let me know.

View attachment 302098 View attachment 302099 View attachment 302100 View attachment 302101

I am under the impression that a bike will easily weigh 20 lb and being a short (5'6) guy, I might not be able to lift the bike up that way.

That being said, I am planning to lower the car with coil-over eventually, I am thinking 1" front, 0.7" rear would be my limit as a daily driver. I am guessing this would be a problem with hitch rack clearance?

I am also not looking at a cheap rack, if it's something I will be using, looks like most $300-$400 hitch platform style rack extends out AND up so looks like I get about 1" or so.

Yeah, the deal at U-Haul is awesome! I considered getting the Curt hitch + bike rack from Amazon.ca, and it was $50 more for the hitch...

I ended up getting Yakima Halfback 2-bike rack. It is really easy to install and remove. I will see to post some pics of it...

I had a similar rack with my first car, I don't like the hooks and strap that will eventually damage the paints. If I get a roof rack, I will even go as far as getting PPF on the roof.

 

Yeah, the deal at U-Haul is awesome! I considered getting the Curt hitch + bike rack from Amazon.ca, and it was $50 more for the hitch...

I ended up getting Yakima Halfback 2-bike rack. It is really easy to install and remove. I will see to post some pics of it...

 

Here is the Yakima Halfback on mine:

 

Hey @igzy , how has that trunk rack held up, if you don't mind me asking?

 

If I go with the hitch-mounted option and just Eibach springs would the hitch still scrape? I usually only have my fiance with me. Bikes we lug are usually the Cinelli fixed gears and the fat bikes.

 

I wish someone who already has a hitch set up would show a pic of their cars loaded with bikes so we can all see

 

Stock height.

 

Here we go! Thanks coolbeans!

 

I have settled with the Hollywood Racks HR200Z (platform), one of the local bike shop has them on clearance for CAD$220. I will pick it up and hopefully weather is good enough these coming weeks and I can install the hitch at a friend's place.

The HR200Z has a higher clearance compare to Swagman, and I will likely add another strap to stabilize it for longer trips.

Now.. I just need to pick up some bikes....

 

Show some pics! Do you guys have a bike shortage up there as well? Used bike sellers here in Cali think they’re selling sneakers! Too overpriced so I preordered my son’s mtb back in June and bike shop has no clue when it’s coming, probably August he said 😩

 

Yup. Most of the bike shops here are sold out. The only thing left are the high end bikes, even that is low in stock. A lot more people ride bikes now for exercise and alternative transportation while maintaining distancing. The reduced traffic around the world slows down the new supply of bikes coming in. Even bike parts are running low in supply because a lot of people pull out their old bikes and start using them, which need repair. That's will be a lot of used bikes for sale in a couple years.

 

Not just bikes, bike parts too are out of stock. I picked up an used Cadent 2 locally, it rode fine when I test rode it and paid the guy $300. Anyways, long story short, I found out the owner didn't do anything to the bike since he bought it. I decided to take the bike apart and replace all the consumerables and give it a wrap (color change). I hated myself for overpaying for the bike since the replacement parts (tires, tube, cables, brake pads, chains) are almost $140 on top of the time I will be doing it. I do however enjoy learning to work in a bike, it's a learning experience for me.

It will likely be another 2 weeks as I need to put the bike together, now just waiting for parts from UK and will be wrapping the frame this week, it is so much harder to do than a car.