Yes Virginia, you can get four bikes into a Honda CR-V!

[emily_in_nc]

A few of you may remember that before we left Belize, I was asking about vehicles that would carry four bicycles inside without having to lie them sideways. We wanted a smaller vehicle that got good gas mileage and was also super reliable, and for awhile, it seemed almost impossible to meet all those needs in one car.

We ended up buying a Honda CR-V (which we love), and four bikes is no problem at all! DH just rigged this up with four quick release fork mounts and our two roadies and MTBs. He removed all four front wheels, lowered the saddle on his MTB, and removed most of the pedals. Granted we still have to slip the front wheels in there, but all four bikes are upright and interlaced so they don't touch (we'll stick some socks and towels in between just in case when we travel).

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/emilys7atgmaildotcom/Cycling/IMGP9298640x480_zps54c223e0.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/emilys7atgmaildotcom/media/Cycling/IMGP9298640x480_zps54c223e0.jpg.html)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/emilys7atgmaildotcom/Cycling/IMGP9299480x640_zpsc4f45fca.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/emilys7atgmaildotcom/media/Cycling/IMGP9299480x640_zpsc4f45fca.jpg.html)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/emilys7atgmaildotcom/Cycling/IMGP9300640x480_zpse8b53c4b.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/emilys7atgmaildotcom/media/Cycling/IMGP9300640x480_zpse8b53c4b.jpg.html)

I do plan to pretty up the plywood with some paint, but this was just to make sure it could be done. He's also adding holes for alternative mounting when we don't need to save so much space on the side for luggage or when only traveling with two bikes. These photos show the "tight fit" when we do need that extra side space.

[rebeccaC]

Nicely done! I set up a small covered rental trailer the same way for 6 bikes when doing ragbrai with 5 friends. I had them a little further apart so nothing touched even with pedals on and to make them easy to get in. I also used short lengths of 2X2's screwed down on both sides of the rear tires to keep them from sliding. I got some wheel bags which made for less worry about the front wheels being damaged or damaging anything else and I still always use them when I have bikes on top. I just bought a new CRV a few weeks ago and really like it too. I just lower the seats and lay my bike inside on it's side. I have fork bike mounts on top to use if I'm going with friends and bikes. With the way the mounting points are on the 12/13 CRV factory rails you have to be creative if you want to do a fork mount facing forward and still be able to lift the rear door. I'll post photos if you want to see how I did it.

[emily_in_nc]

Sounds like you had some very good ideas, Rebecca! Ours wasn't quite finished in the photos. Since taking the photos in this thread, my DH put a strip of industrial-strength velcro on either side of where each rear wheel goes, and the other part of the velcro strip holds the rear wheels in place and keeps them from slipping.

When we don't need to carry luggage, or only need to carry two bikes, the bikes can be put farther apart with some alternate mounting points, keeping the pedals on. The set up in the photos was for our "tight" scenario when we need to carry all four bikes plus luggage and gear.

Since I don't want to spend the money on four wheel bags, I am going to try to sew some eventually. In the meantime, we have old towels and t-shirts to wrap them in. We were trying to avoid carrying the bikes on top or on back to keep them out of the weather and more secure, so I am thrilled that DH managed to achieve this while still leaving room for some luggage and other gear. It's amazing what you can fit into a CR-V with a little ingenuity!

[rebeccaC]

If I ever have to do it again I'm remembering the excellent velcro idea!!!!!!!!!

Being inside has it's good points. I'm lucky to live somewhere with year round good weather! I guess I've now gotten use to having bikes on top with no worries, especially with being able to look out the sunroof and seeing them firmly attached. When we drove to Iowa for ragbrai with the bikes I was traveling with on top, a bike bra/seat cover helped a lot the couple of times it rained on the trip and for bugs etc. plus it gave us the needed room inside my then car. I do really like the CRV too (mines also white) and hopefully we both continue to for many many miles :)

[Sky King]

Impressed!!!! and good to know, hate putting bikes on the top rack or a rear rack.

[emily_in_nc]

These are great ideas! What kind of mounting hardware is on the plywood, Emily? I would like to build something to go in my 2 door Honda Civic so that the bike stays in place when I transport it on the inside.

Edit: just found this skewer holder. Looks promising. (http://www.jensonusa.com/!bzps2pm-E6un1JaRnJ0-tQ!/Avenir-Fork-Block-Bike-Mount?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=COHXiYi1yrcCFQyk4AodAV8AFw)

Yep, that's what we used. Found them on ebay for a bit less:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELTA-BIKE-HITCH-ORIGINAL-BICYCLE-FORK-WHEEL-MOUNT-RACK-/290923908320?pt=US_Car_Truck_Racks&hash=item43bc6a8ce0

Also got several other items from this seller for reasonable prices and quick shipping. No affiliation, of course, just a satisfied customer.

[colorisnt]

Awesome!

I will have to show this to my mother. She keeps telling my Dad they can't fit both bikes in her car (a CR-V). She would rather take the CR-V than the truck with the hitch but claims she can't do it. This may be a weekend project I attempt in a week and a half with her. Anything that gets her out of the house and on the bike with less hassle is a good thing. She's the hardware expert, though, being the engineer. The bike store by my parents house has had these things to make your own backseat rack for a bit but I was never ballsy enough to try! Might be a good DIY.

I can easily fit two or three in my Soul, I bet, but I have a hitch rack, so it's easy peasy.