Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Joe Bernard]

Mark @ Riv has an Element, too, and Rich has that Ford C-Max hybrid thing based 
on the Focus. Both look like the big square sheds they park in front of 😋 

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Philip Williamson]

Good work snagging the grail Element! That's got everything. There's a 
poptop Element in my neighborhood. 
I was convinced I was going to get an Element, until I sat in the back 
seat. Oh. I got a Kia Soul, which I really dig. I can put most of my bikes 
in without taking the wheel off, but the mountain bike is too big/ungainly 
for that (XL Big Honzo). If I was 100% looking for a bike hauler that 
didn't need to fit teenagers, I would get the Element. I've seen big bikes 
go into the Fit, as well. My ex-neighbor's boyfriend had a giant Hun

Philip 
Santa Rosa, CA 

On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10:08:04 AM UTC-7, lconley wrote:
>
> I have an Element and a Fit and yes the Fit can swallow an amazing amount, 
> a couple of LWB Rivs with the front wheels off and all of the luggage that 
> two people need for a short trip. The Fit gets 37+ mpg on the highway 
> (depending on speed)and the Element gets about 25 mpg. I paid $7,000 for 
> the 2006 Element EX-P last November, but it is sort of a Unicorn, having 
> the manual transmission, AWD, fully painted body, and rear sunroof. I plan 
> on putting the E-camper pop-top on it (kind of like a Westaflia VW camper 
> top - I have seen pictures where people put "Eastfalia" decals on them) 
> that will allow sleeping on the roof.
> Another option would be the Ford Transit Connect. I have rented them 
> several times when I was working in the Seattle area - got 28 - 30 mpg on 
> the highway. If they were available in AWD or 4WD, I would have bought one 
> instead of the Element. The long wheelbase version is available with a huge 
> stationary skylight. The E-camper pop-top is available for them as well.
>
> Laing
> Cocoa, FL
>
> On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 12:40:05 PM UTC-4, Benz, Sunnyvale, CA 
> wrote:
>
>> Just be aware that the Element has developed somewhat of a cult status, 
>> with used prices stubbornly maintaining at unusually high levels. 
>> Nevertheless, it's one of few vehicles whose interior is somewhat 
>> water-resistant (bucket and sponge), thus making transporting bikes after 
>> (wet) mixed-terrain rides less of a hassle.
>>
>> A friend has a Honda Fit. This is essentially a mini-mini van with fold 
>> down rear seats, and he had been able to fit all but the longest bikes into 
>> the car without removing the wheels. Given that we are on the Riv forum, 
>> I'm sorry to report that the newer Rivs with their long chainstays are the 
>> bikes that cannot fit into the Fit without removing the front wheel.
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 4:20:34 PM UTC-7, Eric Norris wrote:
>>>
>>> I bought my Honda Element for precisely this reason. Bikes roll into the 
>>> back with the wheels on. No disassembly at all. Carries a bunch of stuff, 
>>> durable and very dependable.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, Honda stopped making them a few years ago. But … they 
>>> made a lot of them, so you should be able to find one used. They all look 
>>> pretty much the same; the later models had some minor exterior changes that 
>>> included a switch to having the entire vehicle painted in the same color. 
>>>
>>> I’m planning to hold onto mine until gas goes out of style.
>>>
>>> --Eric Norris
>>> campyo...@me.com
>>> @CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)
>>>
>>>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[iamkeith]

Oops.  We had an A6 not an R6, obviosly.  I forgot about the Flex, but that's a 
great idea.  They seem to elicit love/ hate emotions though. When my wife 
replace the Audi, i begged her to look at one and she flat-out refused and 
chose a Sienna instead.  Go figure.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Dave Grossman]

> I have a Prius with a hitch and a Thule T2 Pro.  I just throw the bikes on 
> the back and it has a built in lock.  
>

We also have an Odyssey which is a great bike mover but not when it is 
filled with car seats.  I can wedge one bike in there with all the seats up 
which I do on occasion if I want to keep it safe and locked.  

I would have an adventure wagon if I didn't have the need for car seats or 
if the Prius wasn't long paid off.  I agree with a lot of you that the 
Element was great.  Perhaps the small Transit connect, small Ram Pro 
Master, etc is the heir apparent.  But it is still a cargo van, not that 
the Element was likely a fun ride.  I am a big fan of the Metris and 
actually considered one instead of the Odyssey.  It was a bit to spartan in 
the end and didn't have the seat versatility for car seats that the Odyssey 
does.

One other issue with hitch racks is the lack of fender compatibility.  I 
bought the Thule but in the end maybe should of gotten a 1up so I could use 
fenders more easily.  Not that you can't mod the Thule to fit most 
bikes. 

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Eric Floden]

one more data point: we have been living in 2 locations for a couple of
years now, and have a Forester in one: it's great. But read on.

We have rented vehicles  often in Ottawa, and got a real pleasant surprise
with the Ford Flex we had for 3 weeks. It was wonderful. I was not
predisposed to like any Fords (or dislike them either) but it was terrific.
Driver and passengers loved it. It had a ton of room inside, more than
expected when you look at the outside. The one time I had to move 2 bikes,
it did so easily.

Consumer Reports seems to like them well enough too

Not planning to buy one, but I remain impressed

EricF
back home in BC

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

I strongly considered a Dodge Magnum vs Subaru Outback vs VW Jetta 
Sportwagen back in 2009 when I was on the market for a new vehicle.  
Hatchback, roof rails, and AWD all strongly preferred (especially AWD with 
our NJ winters and an unforgiving work schedule/commute.)  The Magnum had 
just been discontinued the year or two prior, I think, and it seemed slim 
pickin's for R/T AWD models at the time.  A discount program through my 
employer with Subaru (no longer offered, unfortunately) pretty much made it 
a no-brainer and I got a much better deal through Subaru than either of the 
others anyway but I still couldn't afford the XT model I desired and ended 
up with the base model Outback.  It has served me well but not really all 
that peppy (compared with two older V6 vehicles that preceded it.)  It's 
now in need of much TLC and I've reached a crossroads... invest $$$ in 
maintenance/repairs (I'm at minimum due for another 30k service plus timing 
belt, brakes, and engine leaks like a sieve and consumes fluids and 
probably really needs a rebuild) and try to keep it on the road and make a 
push for 300k? Or cut my losses and pick up a new "family vehicle" and turn 
my wife's younger Hyundai sedan into the new commuter?  Some restructuring 
within my company is reducing my commute and allowing more remote working 
from home which certainly helps but unfortunately not enough to cut back to 
a one car household.

But thanks to all who've contributed to this thread because with the 
potential for re-entering the auto market again soon it's helpful to see 
what others are driving and also incorporating into their cycling life.  
I'm really not looking forward to the possibility of car payments 
again with already tight finances.  Ideally I'd love to commute by bike and 
have just one household vehicle but this remains out of reach for now.  We 
continue to rent as well with relocation always a possibility and still 
trying to come up with a plan for a work/family balance.

On Friday, September 28, 2018 at 10:18:41 AM UTC-4, iamkeith wrote:

> Steve, we had an Audi R6 wagon for a while.  It was an amazingly fun car 
> to dive, but I could barely fit a bike in -even with the wheels off, and 
> doing so inevitably marred up the fabric surfaces.  The american wagons 
> (well, the dodge anyway - not sure about about the cadillac), which sadly 
> haven't been made for a few years now,  still seemed to be a bit 
> utiliatarian.  Boxier and more rugged.  That's all I was referring to.  
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[iamkeith]

Steve, we had an Audi R6 wagon for a while.  It was an amazingly fun car to 
dive, but I could barely fit a bike in -even with the wheels off, and doing so 
inevitably marred up the fabric surfaces.  The american wagons (well, the dodge 
anyway - not sure about about the cadillac), which sadly haven't been made for 
a few years now,  still seemed to be a bit utiliatarian.  Boxier and more 
rugged.  That's all I was referring to.  

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[R. Alexis]

The Honda Element seems to be a big go to for shop owners. A shop owner 
friend has one. She had a company owned one at the prior shop she managed 
and fell in love with it. Her prior car was a Subaru Outback. Another shop 
owner friend has one also.

Twelve years ago when I was forced to look for a new vehicle the Honda 
Element was one that was on the list. I backed off it because the fuel 
economy was as good as I was wanting. It only seated 4 passengers instead 
of 5. There were some occasions with my prior car a 1989 BMW 325i sedan 
that I seated 5. Another issue was reports that the high profile made 
driving in cross winds difficult. This brought on flashbacks of driving a 
1976 GMC conversion van down the interstate. Not fun. I ended up getting a 
2003 Volkswagen Jetta. It can fit my Rivendell Mountain with both wheels 
off and both of the rear folding seats at least unlatched. Even my Karate 
Monkey fits with both wheels off. I have fit four bikes in it with no other 
passengers, but that was done carefully with the pedals an wheels removed. 
I kept thinking about getting new Q Clips for my Yakima rack to mount it on 
the Jetta, but the folding rear seats made that less pressing and I thought 
having one on the car would affect the fuel economy and I was not crazy 
about subjecting my bike to bug splatter on a roof rack. 

I am currently looking at VW Golf 4 door. Test drove a TDI last week and 
looked at a gas version, both 2015. Subaru Forester was another I looked 
recently. 

I feel I would have been happy with the Element had I gotten one because of 
the great features and the ability to take the bike in the vehicle. I have 
moved away some from the thoughts of using a roof rack to carrying it in 
the vehicle or a hitch mount rear rack of some type. The Toyota 
Matrix/Pontiac Vibe also seems like an excellent vehicle. 

Reginald Alexis


On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 11:40:05 AM UTC-5, Benz, Sunnyvale, CA 
wrote:
>
> Just be aware that the Element has developed somewhat of a cult status, 
> with used prices stubbornly maintaining at unusually high levels. 
> Nevertheless, it's one of few vehicles whose interior is somewhat 
> water-resistant (bucket and sponge), thus making transporting bikes after 
> (wet) mixed-terrain rides less of a hassle.
>
> A friend has a Honda Fit. This is essentially a mini-mini van with fold 
> down rear seats, and he had been able to fit all but the longest bikes into 
> the car without removing the wheels. Given that we are on the Riv forum, 
> I'm sorry to report that the newer Rivs with their long chainstays are the 
> bikes that cannot fit into the Fit without removing the front wheel.
>
>
> On Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 4:20:34 PM UTC-7, Eric Norris wrote:
>>
>> I bought my Honda Element for precisely this reason. Bikes roll into the 
>> back with the wheels on. No disassembly at all. Carries a bunch of stuff, 
>> durable and very dependable.
>>
>> Unfortunately, Honda stopped making them a few years ago. But … they made 
>> a lot of them, so you should be able to find one used. They all look pretty 
>> much the same; the later models had some minor exterior changes that 
>> included a switch to having the entire vehicle painted in the same color. 
>>
>> I’m planning to hold onto mine until gas goes out of style.
>>
>> --Eric Norris
>> campyo...@me.com
>> @CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)
>>
>>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Steve Palincsar]

On 09/28/2018 05:55 AM, iamkeith wrote:


Thinking outside the box here, with the "fun" driving criteria in mind:

If I didn't like SUVs or Vans and if the precious, small-ish cargo areas of 
German sport wagons ruled those out, I myself would honestly look for a good, 
used SRT8 Dodge Magnum.  Or, if I needed AWD, there was an R/T version that 
would be almost as fun. Bike would have to be set on its  side, but I think 
it's long and voluminous enough to accomodate most without even taking the 
wheel off.  It's also low enough to use a roof rack without the normal, awkward 
reach issues if you decided to take it on a longer trip.


The cargo area of the VW Golf Alltrack (and the Jetta Sportwagen that I 
owned before Dieselgate and the buyback) is large enough to fit a 60 cm 
randonneur equipped with full metal fenders, both wheels on.  Unlike 
some cargo spaces (notably thinking now about the Acura wagon) the rear 
wheel wells don't intrude into the cargo space, so loading is easy.  And 
it's a lot of fun to drive, and not all that expensive - certainly not 
what I'd call "precious".


I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "precious, small-ish" but I assume 
you mean costly -- certainly true of the Mercedes E-class wagon, which 
has  a huge cargo area, and the current BMW 3-series (the cargo area of 
which is large enough to fit a 60 cm randonneur equipped with full metal 
fenders both wheels on).  The Audi Allroad's caro area isn't large 
enough to hold a 60 cm randonneur w/full metal fenders.


I haven't seen the new Volvo V60, but the old one definitely wasn't 
large enough; the V90 certainly is large enough, but odds of any of us 
actually seeing one in real life are quite small and both Volvo wagons 
are certainly costly.  Of course, they're not German.


Nobody's mentioned the Prius V so far; its cargo space is definitely 
large enough for the bike I described, but the way you make a Prius 
involves extracting everything that makes a car fun to drive (and what's 
left behind is a Prius) but it sure does have good fuel economy.


I've recently had both a Rav-4 and a Chevrolet Equinox as loaners while 
my VW was being serviced, and both have ample room for a bicycle - 
slightly larger than in the VW, not necessarily a great thing as the 
bike can slide around inside when you brake or accelerate (the fit in 
the VW is much more snug, although large enough).  Neither is much fun 
to drive, though, and the Rav-4 had surprisingly poor fuel economy (I 
only got 150 miles on half a tank of gas).


--
Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia
USA

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[iamkeith]

Or Cadillac CTS-V.  Damn, what a car.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[iamkeith]

Thinking outside the box here, with the "fun" driving criteria in mind:

If I didn't like SUVs or Vans and if the precious, small-ish cargo areas of 
German sport wagons ruled those out, I myself would honestly look for a good, 
used SRT8 Dodge Magnum.  Or, if I needed AWD, there was an R/T version that 
would be almost as fun. Bike would have to be set on its  side, but I think 
it's long and voluminous enough to accomodate most without even taking the 
wheel off.  It's also low enough to use a roof rack without the normal, awkward 
reach issues if you decided to take it on a longer trip.

Maybe it's the nostalgia of my age group, but I've NEVER understood why good 
ol' station wagons (or truck-type cars like the El Camino and Ranchero) fell 
out of favor.  They were superior in so many ways.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

['Abcyclehank' via RBW Owners Bunch]

I have a 1995 BMW R1100GS with 67,000  that I will deliver for $3000 to anyone 
who owns a Rivendell and the least expensive coach flight back to Grand Rapids 
MI.  

Wife, 2 grown children, and future grandchildren all would like to see me give 
up Duel-sport cross county riding.  

48MPG+ @80MPH highway cruising.  But at it’s best snaking around back roads 
anywhere.

Sincerely,
Ryan Hankinson
West Michigan
(616)928-4226

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[lconley]

Actually, my Element is a blast to drive. The manual transmission and AWD 
combination has lower (higher numerically) final drive ratios than other 
Elements, so acceleration is surprisingly brisk. The 4 cylinder is out of 
an Accord an can be revved with no ill effects. The suspension is firm, so 
it handles well, especially considering the height. And of course, driving 
a manual is always more fun than an automatic. I think it was Colin Chapman 
who said that it is more fun to drive a slow car fast, than drive a fast 
car slow.

Laing

>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[George Rosselle]

I drive a Miata with a receiver hitch. Yeah the bike is on the outside, but not 
hard to lock to part of the car. I can haul two bikes, even a tandem with an 
extension arm ( had a Fisher Tandem for a bit). If it rains I put a cover over 
the Brooks saddle, no big deal. I am sure I have more fun driving than any of 
the other cars listed. No I don’t leave the car unattended for long with the 
bikes on it, as easy as it is to get the bikes on and off I just take them 
inside.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Tim Butterfield]

With some of the BMW GS models, you can have both a low suspension and a
low seat.  I can put the ball of both feet on the ground on a new 2018 GS
Adventure with the low seat.  The low suspension drops that another couple
of inches.  I could flat foot that where I could not with the regular R1100
GS with regular seat.  Here's an old thread over on ADVrider discussing it.
https://advrider.com/f/threads/gs-low-suspension-vs-reg-gs-w-low-seat.540313/

Tim

On Wed, Sep 26, 2018 at 3:04 PM Reed Kennedy  wrote:

> On Wed, Sep 26, 2018 at 12:55 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
>> Seconded about the BMW GS, I didn't know I could afford one now! Of
>> course I still can't reach the ground on one, but...
>>
>
> Try the seat in the low position! There are two, and it makes a big
> difference.
>
> I've owned over 30 motorcycles in the last two decades. Now I only own the
> GS. I adore it, and it does everything I need. 110,000 miles and counting.
>
>
> Cheers,
> Reed
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Reed Kennedy]

On Wed, Sep 26, 2018 at 12:55 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:

> Seconded about the BMW GS, I didn't know I could afford one now! Of course
> I still can't reach the ground on one, but...
>

Try the seat in the low position! There are two, and it makes a big
difference.

I've owned over 30 motorcycles in the last two decades. Now I only own the
GS. I adore it, and it does everything I need. 110,000 miles and counting.


Cheers,
Reed

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Tim Butterfield]

Steve,

I agree with you.  I enjoy driving also.  In my case, the enclosed
transport is an Outback 3.6R Touring.  Depending on bike length and wheel
size, you might need to remove a front wheel to fit it in.  But, we can
only go by the primary purpose given, which was enclosed transport, which
to me is cargo.  No mention was made of needing to enjoy the drive.  There
are likely many other criteria we were not given that would affect which
vehicle might work better than others.  Bike size is a big one.  A smaller
sized 26" Atlantis will likely fit in more vehicles than a 700c newer
stretched frame bike.  For all I know, he could be wanting to fit a
recumbent trike inside.  As you allude to, the trips might make a
difference also.  It might be half an hour to a starting point or a cross
country multi-week exploration.  There are too many unstated variables that
might or might not matter in making the selection other than just cargo.
As that was the only criteria I had, that is what I used for my suggestion.

Tim



On Wed, Sep 26, 2018 at 12:29 PM Steve Palincsar  wrote:

>
>
> On 09/26/2018 03:17 PM, Tim Butterfield wrote:
> > Paul,
> >
> > If the primary purpose is cargo, I would vote with Jeff/sameness for a
> > small work van as used by many businesses.  There are quite a few on
> > the market now and at fairly reasonable prices.
>
> Yes, but then you have to drive a cargo van, and what fun is that? In my
> case, my primary purpose is to get to the start of bike rides, but
> that's because 95% of my driving is literally that: to and from bike
> rides.  The extra 5% is shopping.  But as it happens, I enjoy driving
> and this is basically my only chance.  Forget about buying a sports car
> to drive for fun on weekends: my weekends are cycling, and I'm not going
> to give that up.  The perfect world is a sporty car that can carry
> bicycles.  I had that with my 2003 BMW 5-series wagon, and I have it now
> with my VW Golf Alltrack.  (If I lived in Europe, I'd have it in spaces
> with a Golf R wagon, but alas they don't sell that here.)  But I've
> never driven a van or a truck of any kind that was any fun at all.
>
> But obviously everyone's needs aren't the same.  The way to win is to
> really hone in on your personal requirement, and do the best you can to
> totally meet it.
>
> And I mean really meet it: don't do like this one fellow on the Paceline
> forum a few years ago who tried to combine sporty fun driving and
> transporting a bicycle by getting a Porsche Cayman to carry his S&S
> Coupled bike.  He did it once; the time disassembling and reassembling
> his bike to get it to fit into the Cayman turned out to be so great (2
> assemblies, 2 disassemblies at around 30 minutes each!) turned out to be
> so onerous he gave up cycling entirely.
>
> --
> Steve Palincsar
> Alexandria, Virginia
> USA
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Joe Bernard]

Seconded about the BMW GS, I didn't know I could afford one now! Of course I 
still can't reach the ground on one, but...

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Steve Palincsar]

On 09/26/2018 03:17 PM, Tim Butterfield wrote:

Paul,

If the primary purpose is cargo, I would vote with Jeff/sameness for a 
small work van as used by many businesses.  There are quite a few on 
the market now and at fairly reasonable prices.


Yes, but then you have to drive a cargo van, and what fun is that? In my 
case, my primary purpose is to get to the start of bike rides, but 
that's because 95% of my driving is literally that: to and from bike 
rides.  The extra 5% is shopping.  But as it happens, I enjoy driving 
and this is basically my only chance.  Forget about buying a sports car 
to drive for fun on weekends: my weekends are cycling, and I'm not going 
to give that up.  The perfect world is a sporty car that can carry 
bicycles.  I had that with my 2003 BMW 5-series wagon, and I have it now 
with my VW Golf Alltrack.  (If I lived in Europe, I'd have it in spaces 
with a Golf R wagon, but alas they don't sell that here.)  But I've 
never driven a van or a truck of any kind that was any fun at all.


But obviously everyone's needs aren't the same.  The way to win is to 
really hone in on your personal requirement, and do the best you can to 
totally meet it.


And I mean really meet it: don't do like this one fellow on the Paceline 
forum a few years ago who tried to combine sporty fun driving and 
transporting a bicycle by getting a Porsche Cayman to carry his S&S 
Coupled bike.  He did it once; the time disassembling and reassembling 
his bike to get it to fit into the Cayman turned out to be so great (2 
assemblies, 2 disassemblies at around 30 minutes each!) turned out to be 
so onerous he gave up cycling entirely.


--
Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia
USA

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Tim Butterfield]

Paul,

If the primary purpose is cargo, I would vote with Jeff/sameness for a
small work van as used by many businesses.  There are quite a few on the
market now and at fairly reasonable prices.  I think the starting price of
even a Mercedez-Benz Metris is only about $26k.  With solid sides in the
back, the bike can be not only inside and locked, but invisible also with
some hanging dividers.

Tim

On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 4:07 PM PG <4thgearfl...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Question for the RBW brain trust...
>
> If you were going to buy a vehicle for the primary purpose of transporting
> a bike -- and I'm only talking about carrying one bike -- what would it be?
>
> Guidelines:  Under 40Gs, and preferably with the bike carried and lockable
> inside the vehicle.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Paul
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[lconley]

I have an Element and a Fit and yes the Fit can swallow an amazing amount, 
a couple of LWB Rivs with the front wheels off and all of the luggage that 
two people need for a short trip. The Fit gets 37+ mpg on the highway 
(depending on speed)and the Element gets about 25 mpg. I paid $7,000 for 
the 2006 Element EX-P last November, but it is sort of a Unicorn, having 
the manual transmission, AWD, fully painted body, and rear sunroof. I plan 
on putting the E-camper pop-top on it (kind of like a Westaflia VW camper 
top - I have seen pictures where people put "Eastfalia" decals on them) 
that will allow sleeping on the roof.
Another option would be the Ford Transit Connect. I have rented them 
several times when I was working in the Seattle area - got 28 - 30 mpg on 
the highway. If they were available in AWD or 4WD, I would have bought one 
instead of the Element. The long wheelbase version is available with a huge 
stationary skylight. The E-camper pop-top is available for them as well.

Laing
Cocoa, FL

On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 12:40:05 PM UTC-4, Benz, Sunnyvale, CA 
wrote:

> Just be aware that the Element has developed somewhat of a cult status, 
> with used prices stubbornly maintaining at unusually high levels. 
> Nevertheless, it's one of few vehicles whose interior is somewhat 
> water-resistant (bucket and sponge), thus making transporting bikes after 
> (wet) mixed-terrain rides less of a hassle.
>
> A friend has a Honda Fit. This is essentially a mini-mini van with fold 
> down rear seats, and he had been able to fit all but the longest bikes into 
> the car without removing the wheels. Given that we are on the Riv forum, 
> I'm sorry to report that the newer Rivs with their long chainstays are the 
> bikes that cannot fit into the Fit without removing the front wheel.
>
>
> On Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 4:20:34 PM UTC-7, Eric Norris wrote:
>>
>> I bought my Honda Element for precisely this reason. Bikes roll into the 
>> back with the wheels on. No disassembly at all. Carries a bunch of stuff, 
>> durable and very dependable.
>>
>> Unfortunately, Honda stopped making them a few years ago. But … they made 
>> a lot of them, so you should be able to find one used. They all look pretty 
>> much the same; the later models had some minor exterior changes that 
>> included a switch to having the entire vehicle painted in the same color. 
>>
>> I’m planning to hold onto mine until gas goes out of style.
>>
>> --Eric Norris
>> campyo...@me.com
>> @CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)
>>
>>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Bruce Baker]

doesn't matter just make sure that you get a 1 up usa bike rack

On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 7:07 PM, PG <4thgearfl...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Question for the RBW brain trust...
>
> If you were going to buy a vehicle for the primary purpose of transporting
> a bike -- and I'm only talking about carrying one bike -- what would it be?
>
> Guidelines:  Under 40Gs, and preferably with the bike carried and lockable
> inside the vehicle.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Paul
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Benz, Sunnyvale, CA]

Just be aware that the Element has developed somewhat of a cult status, 
with used prices stubbornly maintaining at unusually high levels. 
Nevertheless, it's one of few vehicles whose interior is somewhat 
water-resistant (bucket and sponge), thus making transporting bikes after 
(wet) mixed-terrain rides less of a hassle.

A friend has a Honda Fit. This is essentially a mini-mini van with fold 
down rear seats, and he had been able to fit all but the longest bikes into 
the car without removing the wheels. Given that we are on the Riv forum, 
I'm sorry to report that the newer Rivs with their long chainstays are the 
bikes that cannot fit into the Fit without removing the front wheel.


On Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 4:20:34 PM UTC-7, Eric Norris wrote:
>
> I bought my Honda Element for precisely this reason. Bikes roll into the 
> back with the wheels on. No disassembly at all. Carries a bunch of stuff, 
> durable and very dependable.
>
> Unfortunately, Honda stopped making them a few years ago. But … they made 
> a lot of them, so you should be able to find one used. They all look pretty 
> much the same; the later models had some minor exterior changes that 
> included a switch to having the entire vehicle painted in the same color. 
>
> I’m planning to hold onto mine until gas goes out of style.
>
> --Eric Norris
> campyo...@me.com 
> @CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Jock Dewey]

A resounding YES indeed. 

This is the most utilitarian cycling accessory ever conceived. It has all 
kinds of hooks and such inside to bungee bikes safely and securely. I've 
taken the rear seats out of mine...it's an older one with the rubber-like 
mats throughout. Just lift 'em up and wheel 'em right in. I bought it new 
in 2004 and I am way too attached to this thing. Nevermind its good looks 
and wonderful view of the road.

Like the previous poster proclaimed, I will do whatever it takes to keep it 
on the road as long as I'm capable of swinging a leg over the TT.

BEST / Jock Dewey / Athens, GA
 
On Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 7:20:34 PM UTC-4, Eric Norris wrote:
>
> I bought my Honda Element for precisely this reason. Bikes roll into the 
> back with the wheels on. No disassembly at all. Carries a bunch of stuff, 
> durable and very dependable.
>
> Unfortunately, Honda stopped making them a few years ago. But … they made 
> a lot of them, so you should be able to find one used. They all look pretty 
> much the same; the later models had some minor exterior changes that 
> included a switch to having the entire vehicle painted in the same color. 
>
> I’m planning to hold onto mine until gas goes out of style.
>
> --Eric Norris
> campyo...@me.com 
> @CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)
>
> On Sep 25, 2018, at 4:07 PM, PG <4thgea...@gmail.com > wrote:
>
> Question for the RBW brain trust...
>
> If you were going to buy a vehicle for the primary purpose of transporting 
> a bike -- and I'm only talking about carrying one bike -- what would it be? 
>
> Guidelines:  Under 40Gs, and preferably with the bike carried and lockable 
> inside the vehicle.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Paul
>
> -- 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com .
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com 
> .
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

[Steve Palincsar]

On 09/25/2018 07:07 PM, PG wrote:

Question for the RBW brain trust...

If you were going to buy a vehicle for the primary purpose of 
transporting a bike -- and I'm only talking about carrying one bike -- 
what would it be?


Guidelines:  Under 40Gs, and preferably with the bike carried and 
lockable inside the vehicle.




Exactly my need.  I bought a 2017 VW Golf Alltrack.   The front wheel 
drive Golf Sportwagen has exactly the same amount of space inside.


--
Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia
USA

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [RBW] Recomendations For Cycling-Specific Vehicle

['Eric Norris' via RBW Owners Bunch]

I bought my Honda Element for precisely this reason. Bikes roll into the back 
with the wheels on. No disassembly at all. Carries a bunch of stuff, durable 
and very dependable.

Unfortunately, Honda stopped making them a few years ago. But … they made a lot 
of them, so you should be able to find one used. They all look pretty much the 
same; the later models had some minor exterior changes that included a switch 
to having the entire vehicle painted in the same color. 

I’m planning to hold onto mine until gas goes out of style.

--Eric Norris
campyonly...@me.com
@CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram)

> On Sep 25, 2018, at 4:07 PM, PG <4thgearfl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Question for the RBW brain trust...
> 
> If you were going to buy a vehicle for the primary purpose of transporting a 
> bike -- and I'm only talking about carrying one bike -- what would it be? 
> 
> Guidelines:  Under 40Gs, and preferably with the bike carried and lockable 
> inside the vehicle.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Paul
> 
> -- 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com 
> .
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com 
> .
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch 
> .
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout 
> .

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.