Great idea and great pics!

It's hard to tell from your pics, but you may want to slip a sheet or blanket between the top half of the rear seat and the exposedarea of the car, so that your nice light gray seats don't get punctured or scratched while its down.

 

sumognat-thats not a bad idea. I didn't notice any exposed sharp edges or areas that would scuff the seats, but the extra security wouldn't be a bad idea, thanks for the tip!

Otherwise this is a great solution not just for transporting a bike, but for a useful increase in storage space. I can fit a significantly greater amount of stuff in my car with this setup. I have a pretty large bike too, so I image this would be even easier for someone with a smaller frame. Its great to be able to fit my bike, trainer, clothing bag, tools and other assorted items that I need at races and far away club training rides.

My trip to boston is actually to get fit for a new frame which has compact geometry which should fit in the car even better!

 

Thanks for the pics! That IS a lot more space!

 

great pics!
Will the bike fit the other way so you can just roll it in on the back tire or do you really need that extra space where your handle bars are going past the headrest?

 

I haven't tried to flip the bike around and see if it will fit the other way, but I'm inclined to think it won't. The rear wheel follows the curve of the roofline and tailgate pretty closley and I don't think there will be the clearance for the handlebars if the bike were flipped around. It slides about 6 inches further into the trunk by being able to slip around the headrest, but I'll give it a try and let you know.

Plus the way that the headline/roofline dips toward the trunk (its taller in the passenger compartment area then drops down as you get into the trunk)means that I have to tip the bike on its side slightly for it to clear that lip. So even If I put it in rear wheel first, I would still have to slide it in at an angle. I agree with you atatx, that would be the easier way to do it, provided it fits.

It isn't as easy to load as some of the subaru wagons or mid/large SUV's my teammates have , but its A LOT BETTER than what I used to have to do. Take both wheels and seatpost off, lay down in trunk wrapped in blankets, carefully load other gear around it hoping nothing shifts during the drive and falls on it... Plus the A3 is way nice than any Subie or SUV any day... I rather take 5 extra minutes loading and ride in style than drive a Subie like everyone else on the planet!

My new bike (hopefully picking up today) is a Giant TCR Advanced which has a 4cm shorter seat tube due to the compact geometry, so I don't think I'll have to tilt that one to get it in.

 

That's awesome, thanks for the pictures, now time for a DIY weekend >

 

Great pictures! Now I know how to fit my road bike in too. Next question, anyone ever fit a vintage Vespa scooter in the back? I am an avid Vespa collector, and curious if anyone on here is too?

 

Thanks for the pics!!

How hard is it to get the seat back in?

Also if you are worried the sheet isn't substantial enough, I have this to protect the car from the dogs...
http://www.hatchbag.com/suvcargoliner_hatchbag.php

 

I think it's easier to put back in than it is to take out. Pulling the clips out is an awkward angle and it's tough to get in a position to put in the necessary force to do so. To reverse the process, put the plastic retainers back over the child seat anchors, slide the bench underneath them and push rearward to get in seated in the hooks that hold the back of the bench down. Once thats done, just line up the clips on the front and push down. Sounds more complicated than it is. Probably takes me 2-5min by the time I walk to bench over to the car.

Thanks for the link robert.... I will probably invest in something like that in the near future. I would hate to shove a chainring through the back of my seats....

 

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_id=4413

If you guys need a cheap place to get some fork mounts