[Closed] Anyone got Ford Focus Estate?

It was doable in my octavia estate so probably is in a focus but the rear wheel ends up very close to the roof liner so the potential for getting mud all over it is high. Think I might have had to take the seat post out too. Easier to take both wheels off to be honest. Even easier to just take front off and lie the bikes flat I found.

Post off job on most which is trickier with stealth droppers. I’m a large though. My 26’’ strive just squoze in. 29er wouldn’t go.

There’s just a bit too much slope but depends on bike size - just do what I did and rock up to Ford with 2 bikes in the back and tell them you want to see if they fit in the boot of a focus the same way. No problem he said, crack on 😂.

Don’t think you’ll manage to get them in upright.
My Galaxy only just managed it with posts out or droppers fully down and the roof in that is way higher.

I would have to agree you will only get them in stood upright with both wheels off and dropper post right down.

Cheers Gents, thought as much.

Back to original plan of connect/caddy life. Just need to find a cheap one now!

Pretty sure you can load bikes upright in a Yeti FWIW.

We have one. Usually put them upside down, front wheel off and then either post out or back wheel off, you have to do one or the other.

Having gone through this obsession and come out the other side, what exactly is the deal with getting a bike in whole? I can load bikes like this in my bus but it's a pain in the arse if I'm honest as the outside one is banging off the door window and the others have to be lashed up in such a way they don't rub each other to death (pedal pins, stanchions etc). You still have to turn the bars on at least one as well.

Luckily I can take the wheels off and lay them upside down and forgo the buggering about strapping them in at the expense of taking the wheels off if I lay them sideways. Can get 3 bikes inside and 2 on the rack with 5 seats vs 4 bikes inside with only 3 seats (whos occupant wasn't going to do well in a sideways smash) .

Taking the wheels off is far less hassle than #van****ers will have you believe. It used to be a massive selling point for me but now I could take it or leave it.

I had a 2016 ST estate.

No chance with a beefy 29" stood up with post removed.

Carrying a couple of bikes and loads of kit/food was surprisingly easy though.

Only really did it for holidays as most of the time I ride solo.

We used to fold the seat down, pack the car first with kit and other stuff to make a level bed, blanket over the top then one bike on, an old quilt over the top then the second bike, with front wheels where they end up.

Sounds like a lot of faff but in reality made for good, safe packing with no rattles or kit banging about.

How about a Zafira Tourer or a Touran?

Bonus is 3 individual rear seats that fold rather than a 60:40, so you can chose which seat to drop - i.e. just drop the middle then the back wheel of the bike goes between the front seats when you wheel it in backwords.

Also they should drive better than the van derivatives (car rear suspension), have better engines with lower MPG and better spec.

I own a Focus estate and have no issues fitting my DH bike and hardcore hardtail in at the same time. I have to lie them flat as there both 29ers. No one can sit in the passenger seat when the DH bike is in the car as the wheelbase is 1350mm.

squirrelking
Free Member

Having gone through this obsession and come out the other side, what exactly is the deal with getting a bike in whole?

When I'm going riding, I don't care about taking out a wheel etc. But when I'm knackered and it's raining, I want to jump in the back and get dry and changed, and then throw the bike in as fast as possible and get going, basically.

(my current car is just barely big enough to swallow my Remedy with the wheels on... But it needs to be just right, and man is that annoying. In reality it's probably just more sensible to take a wheel out but the temptation's always there...)

We've got a Focus Estate, I just did the same as I have whenever we change cars. Take it for a spin if I'm happy pop home make sure 2 bikes will fit fairly faff free in the back. It's always front wheel off but even 2 hoofing great E Bikes fit fine along with all the other gubbins, backpacks, clothes, helmets, shoes, portable washer etc etc. Lie the first bike down front wheel off back wheel first ratty old duvet on top then repeat with other bike.
If it's raining on return I have led down in the back and changed first as well

I loved my Focus estate and was gutted when it had to go back and the choice at my work didn’t include one. I’ve changed jobs and can order one again but as with my other cars I’m speccing a towbar and getting another Thule rack to go on it. Much easier than trying to get a muddy car stuffed in the boot.

I honestly don’t know why people buy those poxy SUV’s, a proper estate is a great thing, a Focus one even better.

When I’m going riding, I don’t care about taking out a wheel etc. But when I’m knackered and it’s raining, I want to jump in the back and get dry and changed, and then throw the bike in as fast as possible and get going, basically.

I appreciate that, lying down isn't an issue but sitting up is a whole other kettle of fish.

I've refitted my Aiston to the bus, does the job much better but when I no longer have a flange to fit the sandwich plate to I'll probably get one of those folding Thule jobs.

Aiston rack FTW!

I've got a Berlingo, getting a bike in whole is a nice novelty, but as squirrelking said it's not essential.

In summer it's fine. In winter, mehh. Taking the front wheel off is about 15 seconds work in amongst the 15 minutes of washing off the mud, getting changed, etc (and a tow bar rack is the better solution for keeping the mud outside.

I’ve refitted my Aiston to the bus, does the job much better but when I no longer have a flange to fit the sandwich plate to I’ll probably get one of those folding Thule jobs.

https://www.wilmond.co.uk/clam-shell-swan-neck-to-flange-adaptor.html