Best mtb vehicle

[MissJean]

The Honda Element, (as mentioned in the BMW drivers are jackasses thread) is the best moutainbike vehicle out there. IMHO of course. ;D

I had to go pick up our riding buddy for a ride because his car was in the shop and in go the three bikes, gear and even the buddy. He did have to sit on the floor, but it was just a 10 min ride. But if need be, we could have put down the seat and still fit all three bikes in.

[MissJean]

And I almost forgot...
When I got caught in one of the passing downpours 2 Sundays ago and was soaked to the skin, I was able to lift the top hatch, stand under it out of the rain and unpack my gear. Then I was able to sit on the floor in the back and peel off all my wet clothes and change in to dry stuff. There was quite a puddle, but it could just be toweled up when I got home. 8) ok, enough gloating. ;D

[Superb Man]

Dodge Grand caravan (esepcially with the new stow and go seats)--they even make 'em with AWD. I love mine I've put three bikes, a load of trail tools, 3 friends, and a stack of cammping gear in it with no problem, plus it's down-right cavernous inside for changing and hanging. Also, they ain'y fancy so I don't mind beating on them (they've got that Soviet Tank pragmatism about them). Plus-As uber-dad, it's good for all that kid/family hauling too.

[talisman]

I'll give you the Honda Element as the best 'new' Mtn Bike Vehicle. For used I have to go with the Jeep Cherokee. Cherokees last for an easy 200K miles of regular abuse. When it is time to replace the one I have now it will probably be an Element, but I'll miss having the the four wheel low range for spring mud and the straight six engine.

Old Broad, (I have trouble writing this as we are probably the same age) how is your Element in snow and off-road?

[MTBME]

I'm curious OB. Does anybody ever try to flag you down to ask if you can leave an extra bottle of milk on your next delivery? :P

[PutAwayWet]

Toyota pickups. I can easily fit 5 or 6 bikes in the back. If I had the extra cab, I could even haul 4 riders. As it is my regular cab with a cap on the back fits the bill nicely. I've got two Saris fork mount thingys screwed down to a 1x8 that I can take in and out of the bed whenever I need to. I could put another mount on the 1x8, but that person would have no place to ride. The cap is nice because it locks, and secures the bikes when I'm inside away from the vehicle. The cap is a bit low for my buddy's 29er, though. I've got a *nice* piece of carpet remnant as a bed liner, so any time I need to escape the elements (not yours, OB) I can cozy on in on a comfy floor. Heck, I can even sleep fully stretched out beside my bike. And the best part is, it's a 4WD truck - but it gets 24-25 mpg in the summer even with 31x10.50 BFG's - so I don't mind throwing dirty, muddy gear in the back. All I gotta do to clean it is hang the carpet up on a closeline and hit it with the hose.

[felixatvtc]

Toyota pickups. I can easily fit 5 or 6 bikes in the back. If I had the extra cab, I could even haul 4 riders. As it is my regular cab with a cap on the back fits the bill nicely. I've got two Saris fork mount thingys screwed down to a 1x8 that I can take in and out of the bed whenever I need to. I could put another mount on the 1x8, but that person would have no place to ride. The cap is nice because it locks, and secures the bikes when I'm inside away from the vehicle. The cap is a bit low for my buddy's 29er, though. I've got a *nice* piece of carpet remnant as a bed liner, so any time I need to escape the elements (not yours, OB) I can cozy on in on a comfy floor. Heck, I can even sleep fully stretched out beside my bike. And the best part is, it's a 4WD truck - but it gets 24-25 mpg in the summer even with 31x10.50 BFG's - so I don't mind throwing dirty, muddy gear in the back. All I gotta do to clean it is hang the carpet up on a closeline and hit it with the hose.


I like the way this guy thinks ;D
<- owns a 99 ex-cab tacoma with cap & home-made hitch bike rack

[bdee]

1990 Chevy Lumina (the "Euro" edition, big pimpin'!). Best mtb car I ever had. I could it fit three bikes on the roof and another two (broken down) with wheels in the trunk. Decent mileage too, around 30 - 32 highway. My Subaru is OK too but there's not as much room. I swear the Chevy was better in the snow because it was so heavy.

[ArmOnFire]

Personally, I think this was a pretty cool mtb vehicle.
Held about 100 bikes, 200 potential riders, carried two bikes of mine all along the eastern US seaboard, the carribean, Africa, Europe, and the middle east.
Showers, free food and drink, and when you were bored with biking in a certain venue, you would venture off to another destination, with plenty of activites along the way to fight boredom.
You don't even have to pay for any of this, as a matter of fact, you get paid!

;D

[C.P.]

I've always wanted something like this...

[talisman]

Personally, I think this was a pretty cool mtb vehicle.
Held about 100 bikes, 200 potential riders, carried two bikes of mine all along the eastern US seaboard, the carribean, Africa, Europe, and the middle east.
Showers, free food and drink, and when you were bored with biking in a certain venue, you would venture off to another destination, with plenty of activites along the way to fight boredom.
You don't even have to pay for any of this, as a matter of fact, you get paid!

;D


Are you a Navy recruiter? You are good at marketing.

[jerseygirl]

You're right O.B. That's one of the reasons I bought mine. Last year two of us going to Pedro's fit both bikes and all of our camping gear right in the back after easily removing the back seats. When it rained Friday night, our bikes stayed nice and dry. Easy clean up from muddy bikes, too. Mini-vans are o.k., but being single I don't want something that says "married with children" all over it.

[Slider]

I have to put in my vote for my Jetta wagon. I use a bike rack most of the time, which eliminates the interior mess. For most winter rides, or when I need to leave car and bike in a lot for a while, the bike goes in the back. My extra-large Dean fits with wheels in place but, for more security, I remove the front wheel, and use the cargo cover to completely hide it.

I have the same cover protection for clothes changing in rain/snow as in the Element, and get better mileage than any SUV. Well, unless I am heavy footed and let the V6 loose. That is the second part that is better than the Element et al - it handles a lot better. So high-speed trips home, so as not to miss whatever social obligation my extra long ride threatens to cancel, happen with less drama. That keeps the wife happier, so I get to ride even more!

Slider

[ArmOnFire]

Personally, I think this was a pretty cool mtb vehicle.
Held about 100 bikes, 200 potential riders, carried two bikes of mine all along the eastern US seaboard, the carribean, Africa, Europe, and the middle east.
Showers, free food and drink, and when you were bored with biking in a certain venue, you would venture off to another destination, with plenty of activites along the way to fight boredom.
You don't even have to pay for any of this, as a matter of fact, you get paid!

;D


Are you a Navy recruiter? You are good at marketing.


Nope, just a happy former sailor from the worlds finest Navy!

[bdee]

I've always wanted something like this...


Wait a minute, you always wanted a Univega??

[MissJean]

Old Broad, (I have trouble writing this as we are probably the same age) how is your Element in snow and off-road?


It handled the snows of this past winter just great. It's got all wheel drive.
It is not made for real off roading, the clearance is not that high, but the few times I've driven it on rough dirt roads (and the time I had to drive around the locked parking lot gate at Massabesic) I just take it slow and I have no problems.

MTBME, no that has not happened yet :) but people always want to look inside.

[ArmOnFire]

I've always wanted something like this...


Wait a minute, you always wanted a Univega??


Looks like the Univega would be hard to ride, with the bars 90 deg offset from the fork/front wheel.

[PutAwayWet]

I have to put in my vote for my Jetta wagon. I use a bike rack most of the time, which eliminates the interior mess. For most winter rides, or when I need to leave car and bike in a lot for a while, the bike goes in the back. My extra-large Dean fits with wheels in place but, for more security, I remove the front wheel, and use the cargo cover to completely hide it.

I have the same cover protection for clothes changing in rain/snow as in the Element, and get better mileage than any SUV. Well, unless I am heavy footed and let the V6 loose. That is the second part that is better than the Element et al - it handles a lot better. So high-speed trips home, so as not to miss whatever social obligation my extra long ride threatens to cancel, happen with less drama. That keeps the wife happier, so I get to ride even more!

Slider




My next vehicle (when the Tacoma wears out in another 210,000 miles) will be either a VW Golf TDI or a Jetta or Passat TDI wagon. My buddy has a TDI Jetta sedan - 50 mpg!

[C.P.]

I've always wanted something like this...

Wait a minute, you always wanted a Univega??


;D Oh yes, but only as long as it comes with a BMW R1150RT (http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/machine/models/model.jsp?model=r1150rt)


Looks like the Univega would be hard to ride, with the bars 90 deg offset from the fork/front wheel.
;) pretty gnar huh?!

[Slider]

My next vehicle (when the Tacoma wears out in another 210,000 miles) will be either a VW Golf TDI or a Jetta or Passat TDI wagon. My buddy has a TDI Jetta sedan - 50 mpg!


Forget about the '06s. The've grown to be more like the current Passat. "Bracket creep" I think they call it; an attempt to get us all in bigger, more costly cars. I'm thinking Mini next, since they're talking about a panel-wagon version. That would be cool!

Slider

[hammerhead]

I'm pretty happy with my Saab 9-5 sedan. Most summer weekends see us take off with 2 Adults, 3 teens, 5 bikes (4 on the hitch rack 1 on the roof), 2 Kayaks (roof rack), rabbit, weekend worth of gear & food for biking, swimming, boating and visiting the grandparents. Even loaded like this I still get 27 mpg. What's best about the Saabs is the bottomless trunk.

[radair]

Ha, does anyone else find it funny that everyone likes whatever they happen to own? I mean the title is "Best mtb vehicle"! I think the Element may be right up there.

So here's my favorite: my '84 VW Westfalia. Can easily carry 4 bikes inside or out (and the mini stepladder fits under the back seat along with a toolbox, not that you'd need one ;)). Comfortably sleeps 4, has 2-burner propane stove, refrigerator, sink, and lots of closet space and changing room. There's also two tables that swing out of the way and curtains if you want some privacy.

I love my Subaru, but the Westy is the BEST mtb vehicle :D

[pk]

Definitely sweet, Rob.

But what ya gonna do if you want to keep FOUR tandems out of the rain and under lock and key??! ;D

P "Soccer Mom" K

[CsharpDev]

2002 Ford Explorer, comfortably seats 4 - 5 with plenty of room for gargo. Hitch mount bike rack holds 4 bikes. When necisary rear seats fold down flat and bike fits without a problem... I suppose I could stack4 or 5 bikes insides laying down (might not be good for the bikes)

5 speed manual and v6 nice power decent mileage... 4x4 w/ traction control... great in the snow but I don't carry bikes in the winter skis and snowboards instead all fit in the back with room for 4 people.

[slapheadmofo]

Westfalias or Eurovans are awesome biking rigs - I'd like to get one sometime.
Love my Suburban too: 6 bikes, 6 riders, gear and beer no problem. Plenty of room to stretch out and sleep, or to lock a bunch of DH bikes inside.

[kernel crash]

I think the best mtb vehicle is the one that gets your bike to the trails and back home again.

[hammerhead]

Ha, does anyone else find it funny that everyone likes whatever they happen to own? I mean the title is "Best mtb vehicle"! :D


The point is - Each of us has a vehicle that gets us and/or us and our riding buds to all the trail sites we need to get to. It matters not if the vehicle was special built for the purpose - vans, elements, etc. or if a more 'normal' vehicle has been adapted by the user for that purpose. This thread, by nature, is as silly as the Best mtb, or Best riding spot ones...

[Slider]

=So here's my favorite: my '84 VW Westfalia. I love my Subaru, but the Westy is the BEST mtb vehicle :D


The first car I actually purchased, as opposed to a '63 Saab that was given me by my brother-in-law, was a '65 bus with a '74 dual-port engine from a camper. Lots of fun, and many stories. But I would not go back to that underpowered, wind-sensitive, nearly unheated, zero-crush zoned, roll-over prone bus for anything other than an occasional weekend fun jaunt. You had to be aware of the handling issues ALL THE TIME. God forbid the roads got slick. And don't ever consider the outcome of a head on collission, or even a hard rear-ending of the guy in front of you, if you like your legs.

Best luck, Rob. But please don't drive fast!

Slider

[Jisch]

I too owned a VW van at one point, in fact that was the first car I purchased as well, now that I think about it. It was '72. Many good times in that van, however none of them occurred in the winter, when a good fire in the ash tray was the best way to clear the front window of frost.

I do miss that thing though.

John

[MissJean]

Ha, does anyone else find it funny that everyone likes whatever they happen to own? I mean the title is "Best mtb vehicle"! :D


The point is - Each of us has a vehicle that gets us and/or us and our riding buds to all the trail sites we need to get to. It matters not if the vehicle was special built for the purpose - vans, elements, etc. or if a more 'normal' vehicle has been adapted by the user for that purpose. This thread, by nature, is as silly as the Best mtb, or Best riding spot ones...


Shall I rename the thread "What I haul my bike around in" ? ;)
Not nearly as fun!

Before the Element, I had a VW Passat (which I un-fondly reffered to as a P.O.S.sat) that was no good for bike hauling.

[minkhiller]

You're right O.B. That's one of the reasons I bought mine. Last year two of us going to Pedro's fit both bikes and all of our camping gear right in the back after easily removing the back seats. When it rained Friday night, our bikes stayed nice and dry. Easy clean up from muddy bikes, too. Mini-vans are o.k., but being single I don't want something that says "married with children" all over it.
That was you? No way, in the Element....yeah I was there. I have seen Oldbroad out of her Element. J.G. just kidding, I was there but with no Element sighting that I recall.

[minkhiller]

I have to put in my vote for my Jetta wagon. I use a bike rack most of the time, which eliminates the interior mess. For most winter rides, or when I need to leave car and bike in a lot for a while, the bike goes in the back. My extra-large Dean fits with wheels in place but, for more security, I remove the front wheel, and use the cargo cover to completely hide it.

I have the same cover protection for clothes changing in rain/snow as in the Element, and get better mileage than any SUV. Well, unless I am heavy footed and let the V6 loose. That is the second part that is better than the Element et al - it handles a lot better. So high-speed trips home, so as not to miss whatever social obligation my extra long ride threatens to cancel, happen with less drama. That keeps the wife happier, so I get to ride even more!

Slider




My next vehicle (when the Tacoma wears out in another 210,000 miles) will be either a VW Golf TDI or a Jetta or Passat TDI wagon. My buddy has a TDI Jetta sedan - 50 mpg!
VW? is that american? ;)

[minkhiller]

Ha, does anyone else find it funny that everyone likes whatever they happen to own? I mean the title is "Best mtb vehicle"! I think the Element may be right up there.

So here's my favorite: my '84 VW Westfalia. Can easily carry 4 bikes inside or out (and the mini stepladder fits under the back seat along with a toolbox, not that you'd need one ;)). Comfortably sleeps 4, has 2-burner propane stove, refrigerator, sink, and lots of closet space and changing room. There's also two tables that swing out of the way and curtains if you want some privacy.

I love my Subaru, but the Westy is the BEST mtb vehicle :D
You on that ladder looks like a Tim Taylor moment ready to happen. Or is that the moment before the current shoulder injury that you are telling us happened riding?

[bmcenroe]

Just replaced my 10 year old subaru outback with a brand new element! The kicker for me was the floors that can be "hosed down" from the muddy bikes and the two dogs!

[radair]

Just replaced my 10 year old subaru outback with a brand new element! The kicker for me was the floors that can be "hosed down" from the muddy bikes and the two dogs!


What!? When did this happen? And how come you didn't tell me about it? Or better yet, give me a ride in it!

Mink - that photo is from the MTBR Bromont gathering in 2001. That Heckler is long gone *sniff*. In fact all those bikes have been replaced. I have multiple ear witnesses to my collarbone augering.

P.S. I could lock 4 tandems in the Westy and still sleep 2.

[narlus]

i see a lot of people touting the fact that they can haul 3-4 people w/ bikes, but how many people actually do this on a regular basis?

fwiw, my "ultimate bike carrying vehicle" has just finished its last design phase. i've still got the two roof racks, but will likely take 'em off to save on gas as i've just installed a trailer hitch and sportworks T2 carrier (can easily handle 2 DH bikes, w/ an option for 3rd tray).

so, i could haul 4 people and bikes pretty easy at killer mileage, although fitting the other two wheels into the trunk could be tight as my subwoofer takes up most of the space. ;D

edit - i forgot to mention my vehicle - Honda Civic. doh!

[slapheadmofo]

i see a lot of people touting the fact that they can haul 3-4 people w/ bikes, but how many people actually do this on a regular basis?


:'( I used to do it a lot.

[narlus]

in a few years evan and miles and otis will be joining us on the mountain.

;D

[slapheadmofo]

;D

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Dodge Grand caravan (esepcially with the new stow and go seats)--they even make 'em with AWD. I love mine I've put three bikes, a load of trail tools, 3 friends, and a stack of cammping gear in it with no problem, plus it's down-right cavernous inside for changing and hanging. Also, they ain'y fancy so I don't mind beating on them (they've got that Soviet Tank pragmatism about them). Plus-As uber-dad, it's good for all that kid/family hauling too.


I've been known to get 6 bikes inside mine. I'm still saving up for a Prius... you can get a good 2 bikes in the back of those things. Plus a roof rack...

[ArmOnFire]

How about this? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4556462774&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1)

[bdee]

Van art rules !! Man I can't believe that van is located in Lincoln RI and I've never seen it. I bet he'd take some original D&D game pieces and an original copy of Castlevania as a trade.