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i have a ford fiesta and i'm thinking of getting something else. what car do you have and is it good for mountain biking?
Black one, it's rubbish.
I have a Ford Fiesta as well, and agree it's rubbish for mountain biking.
Thinking about getting bigger shocks fitted, so hopefully it'll stop bottoming out.
Edit: I am probably just being a cynic, but given the OP only regged a few days ago, and the nature of the threads started. Almost could be doing research for something or other...
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*adjusts tinfoil hat*
Which tyres for a Ford Fiesta at Llandegla??
BMW 330i Touring. Good for carrying, good for comfort, nice and quick (relatively) but with bikes on the roof it'd be 25mpg most of the way. With the bikes inside it's around 35-38mpg.
Volvo C30, bike on the roof but it does get a hose down before coming home.
Berlingo.
Yes.
54 Passat estate, 1.9 tdi. It's a mobile shed that does 54mpg o/a, great for chucking the bike in, going to the tip, moving house, &, importantly for me, I can get my beach rods in.
My car is a very old Audi S3, family car is a Passat estate 2.0 170 sport, it's crap.
The STW standard; Skoda Octavia. Drop the back seat down, you can get a bike in the back with only the seat post removed.
Although, if you don't mind dropping the post right down, you could get the whole bike in. I could shove my hooligan Inbred 567 in the back with 6" Nixons on the front, and wheels on.
I have a Rover 75 diesel, although it does have a "sports" setting I doubt it would be any good on the trails.
A big ol' Accord Tourer, swallows a fully built bike easily. I've had two bikes in the boot with the seats up and the parcel shelf cover over.
Freelander 1: its not great for commuting into south London and yet its not particularly great for long journeys...still trying to figure out what its best for 😐 I can fit my bike in with wheels still on if i drop the seats though
Jamie - Freeloader!
Edit: I am probably just being a cynic, but given the OP only regged a few days ago, and the nature of the threads started. Almost could be doing research for something or other...*adjusts tinfoil hat*
Ya, there is definitely a pattern emerging there. Could be doing research on something as the forum is a gold mine for information.
Ya, occasionally they will throw you off their scent if they suspect we know their intention.
Toyota Corolla auto if that helps ... oh ya we want it cheap and good/reliable.
😯
Me being super cynical - If he is planning to nick your bike (and possibly your other outdoor activity gear) after following you home from Cwmcarn then it's quite a clever way of assessing targets. We'll know for sure if his next thread is 'what's your car reg and postcode'
Oh - I drive a police car by the way, and a blue volvo with space for a massive Alastian and assorted heavy pipes.
I don't go mountain biking and wouldn't be seen dead anywhere in Newport.
Japanese hatchback. Allegedly white but looks brown to me.
Oh - I drive a police car by the way, and a blue volvo with space for a massive Alastian and assorted heavy pipes.
*makes plans to steal tizzzzle's pipes*
2014 Passat estate.
With seats folded down I can get two bikes in it with the wheels on.
It is a company car, and despite being a bit dull, it is a great family barge.
*wonders* if Jamie does background checks on everyone
quickly dons tin foil hat just in case.
07 Passat saloon, still need to get a bike carrier for the roof bars and the dog doesn't mind it in the dark boot.
*wonders* if Jamie does background checks on everyone
Of course not.
...oh, and you left the kitchen light on.
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Any chance [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/best-mate-just-had-both-cars-stolen ]this thread[/url] is related?
Vauxhall corsa,black of colour,very bad on fuel,dreadfull in facts can get my bike in if I put the seats down at the back,so in a nutshell it's crap.
Mine's blue and dirt.
It's being replaced next week by one which is blackish but will soon be blackish and dirt.
looks like an estate is ideal. And i'm not doing a survey or collecting information. just a fairly new mountain biker looking for advice.
VW 1.9 pre dpf Touran as its simpler than the modern ones.
I can get 5 unmolested Greggs Steakbakes in the glovebox and there are various pastry item holders in other parts of the car.
new audi s3 sportback.
only car that had >300hp, 4wd , roof rails and fitted down the side of our garage.
needed power for fun times, 4wd to get up glenshee on winters reliably, rails for bikes and skis, and garaged asit needs looked after [10 year ownership proposition].
VW Vans ftw.. Black tricked up T4 camper and blue T5 kombi
james6963 - Member
looks like an estate is ideal. And i'm not doing a survey or collecting information. just a fairly new mountain biker looking for advice.
In which case, when alone I drive a 2004 VW Polo 1.9L SDI. I bought Thule bars from eBay for a few quid, followed by a Thule bike carrier, and it works brilliantly. Pennies to run and maintain, and the only thing I can't do is spend too long in a petrol station, lest someone decide the bike belongs to them.
C4 grand Picasso very versatile inside,fold the seats down 4 bikes with the front wheels off
unfortunately its broken just now going to pick it up tomorrow ironically its going to cost a grand 🙁
In which case, when alone I drive a 2004 VW Polo 1.9L SDI. I bought Thule bars from eBay for a few quid, followed by a Thule bike carrier, and it works brilliantly. Pennies to run and maintain, and the only thing I can't do is spend too long in a petrol station, lest someone decide the bike belongs to them.
i think i might get a bike rack, looks a lot easier especially when the bikes covered in mud.
Down at heel Mk3 Mondeo estate. Perfect mtb car- it was scabby when I bought it so I don't mind filling it with mud (*) or parking it in ditches, the boot is absolutely vast, it's a pretty nice place to spend time, the stereo's OK, it's economic, and it has a stealthy 2.2 engine in it... and didn't cost me very much. It is as dependable as a cat, mind. I have the back seats permanently down and the back lined with a tarp and a bit of old carpet for maximum body-disposal-looking-ness.
(* earlier this year I got it stuck in a flood and it filled with river water. The breakdown chap said "Oh what a shame, look at all that muddy water, it'll leave your car filthy". The water was completely clean til it got inside my car, then it soaked up 2 years of riding mud and turned into a fetid swamp. Once I drained it out it was cleaner than it'd been for ages)
I'm scathing of a lot of estates with crap boots. Octavia gets particular scath on account of I really wanted one til I discovered what an arse they'd made of the boot. Had a mk1 Focus, boot was nothing short of miraculous in that thing.
If you like the Fiesta, get a Fusion. All things being equal, the Fusion is cheaper, its a bit higher off the ground with firmer suspension, taller and it has an estate car style rear boot (no lip and rear lights are narrow and don't intrude into the opening), so for a small car, bikes go in fairly easily. And its only 10cm longer than the Fiesta.
This, which is for sale and swallows bikes...
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And this, which is sort of ok for bikes in many ways, but not quite as good as a van...
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Had a Fiesta until recently, great MTBing car!!
Although that was because I hated the thing with a passion so was quite happy to sling muddy bikes and kit in it, drive up forest roads to trails and generally treat it like crap. Even had a little plant growing in the spare wheel well!! The only car I've ever been happy to trade in and not looked back at it.
Got a Fabia now and that's great for biking too, towbar rack out back with a boot liner for the kit. Although I like this one so it gets spoilt accordingly.
I have a black and dirt one too.
It goes really fast .I may buy some of those racing bucket seats but I've heard it may
affect my insurance and my ability to sculpt the future.Or something.
Escort Van
There's just Me so I don't need Rear Seats so I can get the Bike in, tilt and fold the Passenger seat forward and sleep in it.
Gave a Grand for it, looks good for a old Van and does 50 MPG
Golf here. Rubbish for mountain biking. 4 wheels and 3 pedals.
Got a passat estate as a work car which is great for about 3 bikes inside but i use the roof rack and 2 carriers mostly. In June i bought an vw t25 and have a tow bar mounted 2 bike carrier and is now the bike vehicle of choice as the passat doesn't let you make a cuppa in the back.
I have two Audi's. That's the rule round here.
Rover 75 diesel estate, comfy , leather heated seats , dual zone climate control , 55pg on a run , xc bikes go in with wheels on but dh bike requires the front wheel off. Owned it for the last 8 years and intend to keep it going till it's no longer feasible.
Pug 306 estate. 15 years old, 171000 miles, feels a bit "loose", carries much kit and owes me bugger all.
VW Type 3 Fastback, with a roof rack.
Alfa 159ti. Actually ticks lots of boxes.
Lovely looking
Nice to drive
Fairly economical
Can get my bike in the boot with one half of the seats folded down, with child seat on other half.
1.9 04 citroen berlingo multispace
1.9 06 peugeot partner van
Both great for bikes
Most of a 1987 2.5td land rover 90 spread around the property, inside , outside and the garage- soon to be a 200 tdi rtv truck and winter snowpocapse vehicle.
Bingo Bongo- three people and bikes inside. Or two people, bikes, trailers (for bothy trips) and dogs.
Three weeks in the Alps needs the bikes carried on the outside! on the way to and from Les Gets but once there it is back to normal.
Totally great vehicle, love it.
Ambrose
Honda CRV. It's rubbish, only today I folded the seats and carried two road bikes with wheels still on. This is rubbish because I took two mtbs to Devon a few months ago inside the car (with front wheel off), thinking "bikes in car", I then forgot to bring the wheels home.
Has a four-bike rack on the roof for conventional/muddy duties that has served us well to France and Belgium.
Skoda Octavia estate. Was going to get the Superb but didn't need that much space its mahooosive. They were doing a good deal on a new one (0% finance and free servicing) so for sake of hassle free driving went for that. Really pleased as new engine is awesome. Stuck roof racks on so is really good for bike trips.
The STW standard; Skoda Octavia
Me too also. Not quite as good for bikes as my old (04) Passat estate but still good.
03 Passat estate, usually use a tow bar rack but when i do put bikes in the car it swallows them. I've had three mtb's upside down with wheels off in the boot, with people sat on the back seats. I don't care about cars being exciting so i think it's great!!
I do fancy a newer one but it's on 187k at the moment and I want to get it to 200k first!!
Mk1 Berlingo
Clio 200
Last of the V8 interceptors. It's booby-trapped so don't even think about it.
BMW 318Ti love it, fits all my race gear no problem.
Favourite feature, rear boot is openable with a press of a button which at endurance races is great, key in back pocket, food and drink laid out in back, get close, press key, boot opens, dismount, feed, close boot and carry on racing.
BMW 320d Saloon, lovely for the miles getting to biking, abysmal for carrying bikes as the seats don't fold down
Just got a cheap Renault Kangoo Van as a consequence 🙂
Another B5.5 Estate here, 1.9TDi Sport 6spd model. It's 13 years old, has done 140k miles, and drives almost as good as new! Does well over 50mpg on a run (have had as much as 60, but 52-54 is more usual even when pressing on), swallows bikes with ease (29er's with both wheels on even), is dead comfy and refined and...
Well, it's my 3rd Passat of this generation. They're not the most inspiring of cars, but they're probably the perfect MTBer's vehicle. Most go well past 200k before they're not worth fixing (and even then the engine is still usually going strong), and parts are pretty cheap these days.
Also, just like northwind's Mondeo, the rear seats pretty much never go up in my car either. I wanted a van, but given that I never need to transport more than 2 bikes at once, my Passat just makes so much more sense right now.
You'll need a bike not a car for mountain biking.
Land Rover 110.
Carries three people and three bikes with the wheels on easily, but it's not quite big enough to lock a tandem inside, so I have to improvise...
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VW Scirocco R for every day fast use. Not bad on fuel. Not too good with bikes - got a special VW roof rack that appears to be made from stringy cheese and marsh mellows. Got a VW California for general biking duties (and holidays, trips to the tip, days out etc...). Bloody brilliant vehicle.
No car for me. Luckily Samurai has two Audi's so the STW average is maintained...
Well, it's my 3rd Passat of this generation. They're not the most inspiring of cars, but they're probably the perfect MTBer's vehicle. Most go well past 200k before they're not worth fixing (and even then the engine is still usually going strong)
My current one is on 94K (which I'm dubious about) but my last one had 234K when I sold it (but wish I'd spent the ££'s on it to get it through it's test)
Got a 1999 Peugeot 206 GTI - fast and pokey and great on winding A roads but fairly useless for bike transportation. Need to take both wheels off to get any bike in.
A few years back had a saxo vtr that would fit 3 of us and 3 bikes in. Shame it failed it's mot due to needing 'welding back together.'
Got more than one friend who goes biking with you? Diesel estate minimum 50mpg.
If not a van.
I have a 98 Honda Odyseey.
A dream drive in every sense.
BMW 320d touring x 2. they take two bikes with the seats down plus they will take a 9'9'' malibu board. I don't like things on the roof or rear, makes me nervous.
Mine is one of the black and slightly dirt coloured ones.
A wheel placed, handily, at each corner, and one in front of the drivist.
There isn't one in the boot, oddly.
And cunning gears that do things by there self!
An MX5.
Actually not too bad for me and one other. Have a Saris Bones 3 for the back that takes 2 bikes OK.
Can get spare clothes etc in the boot.
Has heated leather seats which will be nice when you're soaked through.
Not hugely keen on ragging it around with the bikes on the back though - don't trust the rack not to fly off mid power-slide
2011 Nissan X-Trail, 2.5l Petrol CVT. Heaps of space.
Rover 75 diesel estate,
Damn you I have the saloon! Needed a cheap auto during acl recovery was going to get shot of it but have fallen in love with leather seats!
Nissan Juke, back seats stay down nearly permanently. Can fit at least one bike in with the front wheel off. Have a rack but hate it.
Berlingo 1.6HDi (replaced a 2.0hdi Pug 306 - which was a bit too small, so when it died).
1 back seat permanently out (2 bikes - fronts out, down side), kit behind other 2 rears, clean stuff on rear seat, 50mpgish (to speed limit etc), have managed (easily - it was a right tetris and a half in the 306 and needed a roofrack) - 2 bikes, surfboard, walking kit and full camping kit easily - so can get stuff out etc without a repack
One with a flat battery this morning . 🙁
Nissan Micra Tempest, 2002 vintage.
I am at ease with the size of my penis. 8)
Up until recently an old Renault Megane with 160k on the clock. But a change of work means I don't need it and so am car free for the first time since I was 18, it's an odd experience. I do have access to my wife's Micra if that helps, I can get 2 bikes in it with wheels off too, though I never have.
One with a boot big enough to throw a couple of bikes around in
Your mum's.
A big silver T5 on silly wheels and suspension with red leather interior and ability to sleep 4 people.
Its not too bad I guess for biking.
Hoping it'll be joined by something else next summer. Maybe a mk2 Golf, maybe mk1 MX5 #4.
Ye Olde Saab 900 3dr - can easily fit 2 bikes in the back with the seats up and the parcel shelf in. Long enough to sleep in with the back seats down, but you look like a maniac because escaping in the morning is a nightmare.
Ye Olde Fiat Panda - most stuff goes in if you take both wheels off - even had the tandem in it (with proof!), but you have to be a bit of a masochist. Often relegates it to being a single seater as well unless you get creative.
Just picked up a nice BMW 335d m sport. Really cheap. Not that it's of any interest to STW.