Anyone carry bikes in their mk5?

[Big Lee]

Hi folks,
I`m looking for a mk5 GTI and was wondering if anyone carries bicycles inside their car and how much room their is or what cycle rack is recommended both for mtb`s and road bikes

ta 

Lee

[blackmagic]

Don't carry bikes on my GTI use my passat estate for that but can recommend the thule kit.

I've got the aero roof bars worth the extra few notes over standard as cut the noise down loads and have the 591 bike carriers. Very easy to use. Both bits have integral locks etc.

All depends how much u use them as it all adds up. With the Thule roof bars you can just buy the correct fixing kit for your car and away you go. 

[blackmagic]

Sorry just reread your post and it says inside doh! Anyway hope info is useful to someone  

[adamm]

Plenty room!

Used to get 2 HT's and 1 DH in the back of my Leon MK2 and also my stepmums MK5.

[LouCyffer]

Lee, I carry MTBs inside & on racks. I use Thule roofbars & Mont Blanc Barracuda carriers, or a rigid Halfords rear rack (takes 3 bikes). As long as you mask off the paintwork with 3M helicopter tape where it touches, all will remain scratch-free

[ub7rm]

After considering for some time whether to go for a roof rack or a rear mounted carrier I bought a tarpaulin and horse the thing into the boot!  Front wheel has to come off and its a bit mucky if the bike is covered in mud but IMO more secure and overall less hassle than putting a carrier on and taking it off everytime you want to go out.

[LouCyffer]

You can get 12 volt powered low pressure washers from places like www.chainreactioncycles.com with 12 litre reservoir. I use mine to sluice the crud off bike & kit before sticking it all in the car. Old towel to take most of the water off and into the boot.

[jamesDM]

I used my VW roofbars recently and when I removed them noticed that I had slight scratches which was annoying.

What is that Helicopter tape like and is it easy to remove?

Cheers! 

[Golfgirl]

I sometimes carry my mountain bike in the car.  The front wheel has to come off though, not really a problem if you have quick release wheels.  Just don't catch the bumper with one of your pedals like I did once when lifting it in

If I'm carrying more than one bike I use a Halfords rear-mounted cycle rack.

[Chumba]

My MTB or my cyclecross both fit in the back easily, without taking any wheels or bits off.

I use a tarpaulin to keep the dirt off the leather ..

 

[LouCyffer]

I used my VW roofbars recently and when I removed them noticed that I had slight scratches which was annoying.

What is that Helicopter tape like and is it easy to remove?

Cheers!  

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=view&n=1250&g=0&p=16495&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Motorsport

Google '3m helicopter tape' or search the fleabay. Do bear in mind is about £12 - £16 per metre

Or use cycle frame protection tape, or thick clear vinyl. As long as the car is clean before the tape is applied, it's fine. Peels off leaving no residue at all. Thule roofbars come with a set of clear tape protectors with them for just this, but once the stuff is peeled off, it isn't reusable.

If anyone's looking for a rigid rear cycle rack for their GTI, I have one of these surplus to requirements:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_251029_langId_-1_categoryId_165477

Used once, already fitted to go straight onto a GTI, £70 inc courier fee to mainland UK. Paypal per-lease!

[Little_Dave]

Like others have said there is a decent amount of space in the back for a mountain bike, nice and easy to fold down the rear seats but i need to remove the front wheel on mine but thats probably cos its quite a large full suspension bike 

Dave

[rdfcpete]

I put the back seats down, place a plastic tarpaulin type cover in place then lay the bike on there usually with the front wheel off as mentioned. Fit's in a treat and doesn't usually move around, thus making it drama free.

A mate has the more expensive Thule R/R on his 1996 Mini Cooper and it works wonders. He rates it. It's bizarre seeing a disassembled bike on the backseats and a bike on top of a late Mk1 Mini  

[Altered Carbon]

Yup - both inside and on the roof. I've got a custom fit liner for the boot from http://www.hatchbag.co.uk/ which fits perfectly and have saved the boot from becoming manky. You can even specify what kind of split/fold you've got.

On the roof, I've got Thule bars and carriers - no problems with either. The foot kits come with a self adhesive clear plastic bit you can stick on the roof where the feet are in contact with the roof.

[HatchbagBootLiners]

Here is a good thread regarding bikes in the cars - Lots of ideas.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-boot-liner-for-chucking-bikes-in-back-of-car