Vibe owner & avid cyclist.

[PopeyeFAFL]

I'm about to buy a Vibe, and I did measure the height from folded rear seats to the roof, it look like 30.5 to 31 inches tall (depending if you get that dimension in the center of the car and/or at the bottom of one of the corrugated plastic ribs).Now my question for you, avid cyclist, is: do you think that an hybrid bike (like a Cannondale H700) with the seat & seat post remove (I have a quick release for that, so it is not a problem to remove it, I'm used to do that on my actual rear bumper bike rack) and the front wheel also remove, will stand upright (with some sort of quick release attachment bolted to the plastic "T bolt" tracks).My bike is about 28" from the ground to the tube seat (with the seat & seat post removed, tire inflated & front wheel removed) but it is 30.25" at the most aft portion of my rear rack (with the sac removed) bolted to my bike and it is 30" at the tips of my handle bar curved upward outboard grips from the fork without the wheel.I could gain some inches by changing my rear bike rack & going for shorter bar handle grips or having a swivel handle bar post.In theory it fits, but when you get down into the real world, and you have to manipulate the bike inside the Vibe cargo bay, it could get quite a different story, because you could be scared like hell to move & toss around a bike that could rip the roof lining.I know, that I can mount the bike on the roof, but being alone, I often cycle alone, and I will like to secure my bike firmly inside the cargo bay (rather then having it horizontally on the floor, properly attach or not (on a deep carpet)). If I need to stop at a restaurant during my trip to my bike path, I will worry less, having the bike inside rather then on the roof.If it work, I could possibly fit two bikes inside (my actual rear bumper rack, fits two bikes inverted, with only 6” apart, frame to frame).So avid cyclists & lucky Vibe Owner, what did you found to be practical.Thanks in advance.P.S.: I think my Vibe purchase, will occur next week (I will let you know).

[millster]

I tried this too (fitting the bike inside). I actually went through a rather elaborate process of making a carrier for the cargo tracks and everything. It all worked well if I removed the seat and the front tire except for a couple of things. 1) The handle bar extensions scrape the headliner if you're not careful loading the bike in (you've already noted this, but I'll confirm). Also, you have to turn the handle bars so they don't hit the rear window.2) I had to slide the rear wheel to the side of the car opposite the fork to keep the rear wheel clear of the liftgate. My bike is a Y-Frame with rear suspension so it may be that it's exceptionally long. I don't have a hardtail to compare it with, but I know that the positioning I have to use immediately negates loading a second bike into the back. Not a problem if you bike alone, but if not...Hope this helps. Also, since I haven't already said it to you, welcome to Genvibe!

[ebslopp]

I thought about this as well. I fit my mountain bike into the cargo area with the seat/seatpost and the front wheel removed. Nothing came into contact with the headliner or the rear window. But I didn't think the tracks would be strong enough to hold the bike upright during a turn. I think if you made some type of a brace to keep the plastic floor from flexing it would work very well.

[millster]

I have 4x8 inch plate of plate steel that I mounted the fork-mount carrier onto which then screws into the track. It works fairly well. Pretty sturdy.

[joatmon]

welcome to genvibeIf you took your bike to a Pontiac dealer and said " I will buy one of these if my bike fits" they might let you check it out. If not, maybe there's someone here near you that would be willing to let you try in their Vibe. (which is easy for me to say, because I am far from Quebec )

[Atomb]

welcome fellow cyclist! (and future vibe owner).i have a 56cm road frame and with the front wheel removed, the only thing keeping me from sliding my bike in was the seat. I don't have a quick release and as neurotic as i am about position on the bike, i don't dare remove my seat. So unfortunately i can't get my bike in vertically with only the front wheel removed.For the time being i put the bike in on an angle and lean it against the side of the car (windows) so that i have room for other stuff (luggage if on a long trip). If it's just my bike then i just lay it flat on a mat in the back that prevents it from sliding around too much.I am thinking of trying to set it in with both wheels removed (both quick releases) and may try to figure something out in the next week as I am going on a long trip at the end of the month with my bike.....I'll let you all know what i discover!i think the suggestion of taking your bike to the dealer is the way to go. they'll let you try it out...a smart salesman will see this as an opportunity to learn something that he can use with future customers!

[redlava]

I have an average sized mountain bike and I can get it into the back even without lowering the front passenger seat with no problems at all.

[ToolGuy]

Welcome... Nothing against the Vibe, I have one but I also have a PT Cruiser. With the PT the back seats come completely out. I am not sure of the room numbers however I did put a full sized arcade pinball machine in it, legs off and head down of course. Slid it in and closed the door! Should have been a Chrysler commercial I tell you!

[ebslopp]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Welcome... Nothing against the Vibe, I have one but I also have a PT Cruiser. With the PT the back seats come completely out. I am not sure of the room numbers however I did put a full sized arcade pinball machine in it, legs off and head down of course. Slid it in and closed the door! Should have been a Chrysler commercial I tell you! Yeah, but it's still a PT Cruiser.

[ToolGuy]

That is a good one, never heard that one before! Just remember this when you read this from your bedroom in your mothers basement... It will beat the doors off your Vibe anyday, plus still fit more inside! Yeah but... jokes are too funny!!!!

[ebslopp]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »That is a good one, never heard that one before! Just remember this when you read this from your bedroom in your mothers basement... It will beat the doors off your Vibe anyday, plus still fit more inside! Yeah but... jokes are too funny!!!! LOLZ

[ToolGuy]

Just kidding... It is leased too! So take that!

[Mr. Poopypants]

[Big_Red]

Although I didn't read the entire post I am pleased to hear that you are purchasing a Vibe. welcome to the club and welcome to an experience which is not comparable to any other.

[E-Man]

I have a 96 cannondale F700 with just front suspension. The bike size is large. I cannot fit mine in the way you want to. My seat post is too high it will hit the headliner -- I have no quick release and I don't want to mess with seat position. Second my bar ends are too long and also make contact with the headliner. If your bike is a smaller size - medium or small you might be okay -- also smaller or no bar ends will help - and a quick release for the seat might be needed.I just take my from wheel off and let the bike rest on the floor in the back - I made a pad mat that goes over the rear cargo area and a second mat that goes over the folded down rear seats - this helps to keep the loose dirt from finding its way into the crevices of the rear.hope this helps.Ed

[PopeyeFAFL]

I just tried to fit my bike inside the cargo bay of the Vibe (see link for photos below).I removed the front wheel, the seat post, the travel bag & bottles and tried the following:1) If I put the bike, upright, loading the rear wheel first, then bringing the rear wheel up to the point that it start to climb up on the front passenger folded seat, then the handle bar want to stick out thru the hatch window (you could attach the hatch window, but it is not safe as an anti-theft device). In that arrangement, the top rear portion of my bike rack is at a decent clearance distance from the roof liner (but I didn't figure the added thickness needed for tie down support to the Vibe track & quick release).2) If I put the bike, upright, loading the fork first, I have to be careful, when the top rear portion of my bike rack pass the cargo bay opening roof lining, it could possibly be ok, if I was to design myself a small support that will simply sat on the floor (just where the foots of the right rear passenger are) have a post and a quick release for attaching the fork. Now if I have a support for the rear wheel, then the clearance to the roof is marginal.3) My conclusion is that it is probably simpler for me, to lay my bike flat on the Vibe cargo bay floor, with tie down straps.4) If I have two bikes to carry (rare for me, but it happens on occasion) then again the easiest thing if to stack them up one on top of each other with plenty of thick cover sheet between the two.See Vibe & Bike photos album at the link:http://cf.pg.photos.yahoo.com/...hotos