Sheer luck. New bike fits in new car.

And when it's covered in shite and dripping wet?

I'm impressed at the rear height mind, I can't do that in my estate with only 120mm

+1 on that's amazing it can stand upright.

I think it's the combination of the 170mm dropper on the Meta that is slammed for my 6ft and how much headroom there is in the MINI.

The mud will be an issue indeed although I am a fair weather rider now and I'll probably spend a ridiculous amount of time making a velcro protection bag for the wheel...

SportPursuit have an Evoc bike cover at 57% off that might be just what you need

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1635033

SportPursuit have an Evoc bike cover at 57% off that might be just what you need

Fantastic spot that! 👍🏻

Have one myself, dead handy.

Just goes to show how un-mini the modern Mini is...

Just goes to show how un-mini the modern Mini is…

True, and good job it is, I couldn't comfortably fit in the original. All cars have grown but thankfully the MINI remains very compact. Even my son's 2010 Clio feels quite a lot bigger and more crucially wider than the MINI.

In fact BMW have kept the original MINI spirit alive in the way in handles but added a bit of luxury. A success made in the UK (for now).

In fact BMW have kept the original MINI spirit alive in the way in handles but added a bit of luxury

As an owner of three original minis over the years I dispute that. The BMW "mini" doesn't rust after one salty winter, the heater is effective and you can hear your passenger over speed three on it and you can "entertain" a person you have a mutual respect for without a delicate carnal dance to avoid the gearstick

Happily get my Spesh Enduro on the top of my mini. But I could get the roof rails fitted to it, I doubt they make them for that model though?

Incontinence duvet cover for when your pride n joy is dirty n dripping, your bike that is 😃

Does the bike/back wheel not block your view when looking out the left side front door window and the rear side windows of the car when exiting junctions etc...? even more so once you put a cover over the dirty back wheel

Perfect... until the bike has been used! 🙂

Good thing you got a 27.5 rear wheel!

All good point about visibility. I'd better design the wheel cover with a clear window 🙂

Good point about the wheel size particularly as the frame does take it.

The other stroke of luck is that the car didn't come with the arm rest as many do.

Used to have an R56 Cooper S and they did a roof bar system for it, Im sure someone will do them. My other half has a R53 works and there's not a chance the bike would go in it not in bits, shows how much bigger they are now.

Just had to go back to using the car for bike duties and compared to the van its such a ball ache!

My XL Planet X Tempest fitted in my R53 with the front wheel off as long as the passenger seat was all the way forward with the back touching the dash.
A fs mtb needed both wheels off though.

How does luck feature in this? Surely you take a bike or two with you when you test drive a new car to check these things?

I'd also hate to drive with visibility compromised like that.

How does luck feature in this? Surely you take a bike or two with you when you test drive a new car to check these things?

You're right. I didn't express it well. I didn't need the bike to fit as we have other cars but I just tried it on the off chance. I thought it would fit laying but surprised it fitted standing.

I’ll probably spend a ridiculous amount of time making a velcro protection bag for the wheel…

https://www.merlincycles.com/hope-wheel-bag-68683.html ? £20.70 at the moment, I have one and it's great.

I used to fit my creek boat (whitewater kayak) in my Fiesta.

Opening the glove box gave me the extra couple of inches needed to be able to shut the boot, and no compromise in vision.

Had 3 bikes and 3 people in it too. The car chose me though, I didn't choose it.

Before you get the sewing machine out...

IME there are very few true head-on collisions, most drivers will have tried to steer their car and sadly you and the bike will be fighting for a very limited space. Your insurer won't be too impressed either

Can you operate the handbrake?

^ yes, I can even change gear!

On the safety front, I take the point. Although I am quietly confident the risk to my physical integrity is probably higher when I ride than when driving, particularly as this will be for short drives in the spring/summer, probably 15 to 20 miles.

On the insurance front and providing I don't give the insurers a chance to reject a claim, then I am not particularly bothered about impressing them 😉

I’d be more concerned about having a load of pointy metal right next to my head in a crash.

Yes fair enough. I might drive with my track day helmet on!!

I've never understood the obsession with getting bikes in a car with a wheel on. Surely the 30 seconds it takes to get the wheel out is easily offset by infinitely easier loading into the car, especially if you have to piss around with a wheel bag.

I have an r53 and the 26er hardtail fits ok with both wheels off, suspect there would be much experimentation required to get a FS in

Edit - not a direct comment on you, everyone I ever ride with is the same

^^ I get that, probably quicker/easier to remove the rear wheel, particularly with a SRAM mech.

But I am retired and a bit weird/OCD.

I can't explain to you why but I love the idea of the bike standing in the car with the rear wheel off and without the chain dangling even though in this instance it will make more of a mess and also involve a bag.

I just like pulling the dropper remote and the bike locking itself with the saddle pressing on the ceiling.

It makes no sense, but a lot of the stuff I do doesn't either 🙂

+1 for both wheels off and bike frame laying on side

+1 for both wheels off and bike frame laying on side

Yes sure, probably better. But not for me!

I can’t explain to you why but I love the idea of the bike standing in the car with the rear wheel off and without the chain dangling

If you loop the chain over the through axle, then no dangling chain.

I prefer to leave the back wheel on in my 944 too. It can be done but it's tight, usually I'm too tired on packing away to make it fit, so the wheel will come off.

Before bikes got LLS I could get two MTBs in the back of it with both wheels off.

That's nowt.

I used to get my white water kayak into my wife's smart car 😎.

(And still room for paddles, paddling kit, and a small tent + sleeping bag , thermarest and stove). All whilst still being able to see perfectly well and drive safely.

I used to get my white water kayak into my wife’s smart car

Smart Cars are surprisingly large inside - used to get my hardtail inside (wheels off) with no real issues - couldnt take a passenger as well though.

I keep contemplating getting an F56 cooper S, but it is the hassle of transporting the bike that is the sole problem and reason I haven't.

I wish they did a decent bike rack for it.

I just like pulling the dropper remote and the bike locking itself with the saddle pressing on the ceiling.

You tried taking it out ??? Just askin