Gear Check: BikeInside

When we moved here, The Company changed a lot in our assignment contract.  One of those things was that we received a company car, a big ol' VW Passat.  The thing is pretty big as Euro cars go, which is nice for traveling (not so much for Euro parking).  The only minor downside to receiving a car that is basically free is that our roof bike rack from our old car isn't compatible with it.  A new roof rack wouldn't be that expensive, but it would only fit a Passat.  So, by the time we move home we'll have two racks we won't be able to use.  Of course, the alternative would be a hitch rack, which would work with any car.  But, since the car isn't ours, we can't install a hitch.

Enter BikeInside.

www.bikeinside.de

We determined that the best solution for our situation was a system that fit inside our car.  If it was universal, even better.  Lo and behold, a company in Germany makes just such a rack.

BikeInside is compatible with pretty much any model vehicle on the road.  You can check their list here.  It works basically like a tension rod, bracing against the right and left interior sides of your vehicle.  It can be installed towards the front of the car with the seats folded down, or in the cargo area depending on what works best for you bikes.  The front wheels of the bike are removed and the forks fitted into the quick release bracket on the rack.  It takes less than 5mins to get the bike inside the car and attached to the BikeInside.  It can fit up to three bikes at a time depending on how much room you have inside your vehicle.  The rack itself barely takes up any room so you can leave it in your car all the time if you prefer.  But, thanks to no tool installation you can remove it after every use.  Now, depending on your vehicle, you may have to break your bike down further, either removing the seat post or rear wheel or both.  Additional accessories are available to ensure a proper fit and stability.

So, even if you don't have the situation we do, you may want to consider BikeInside for these reasons:

1.  Protects your bike from the weather during travel.

Because it is extremely frustrating to get your bike all nice and clean for a trip just to have it gunked up on the highway while on the top or back of your car.

2.  Increased security

Keeping your bike in your car reduces it's chances of getting nabbed while your stopped for dinner or you're the gas station.  It won't be obvious, especially if you have darkened windows, and you can always throw a blanket over it too.

3.  Doesn't affect fuel consumption

With the bikes inside the car you won't get any of the drag that you get from roof racks. Drag increases fuel consumption.

4.  Doesn't add length or height to your vehicle

This is a huge plus for parking.  A lot of hotel parking in Europe is in underground garages, making roof racks impossible to use.  Parking spaces are also smaller, so extending the back end of the car with a hitch rack can cause issues.  Of course, this isn't as big of a problem in the States, but if maneuverability is a concern, BikeInside solves that problem.

5.  Keeps your bike stable inside the car.

A lot of people find it easier to haul their bikes inside their car, usually by just laying them down.  For one bike this isn't a big deal, but if you are hauling more than one it can be a hassle.  Bikes shouldn't be stacked on each other.  Pedals and handlebars can get caught in spokes, derailleur arms get bent.  The BikeInside keeps your bike upright, stable, and safe from entanglement.

The BikeInside in use in our Passat.

A wheel bag is a good idea for car travel as well.

We've tried our BikeInside for a couple of months when we've wanted to take the bikes further afield or travel with them.  It was a huge help when we drove to Denmark a couple weeks ago.  As you an see above, our bikes fit inside the car while still allowing plenty of space for luggage.  For our car it is necessary to remove the seat post, but the rear wheel can stay in place.  We picked up a cheap dual wheel bag for our front wheels and that tucks in nicely alongside one of the bikes near a passenger door.  With our two bikes and wheels inside, we still had plenty of room for a couple suitcases, camera bags, and a couple duffels filled with cycling equipment.  That still left ample space to pick up a couple souvenir items on our trip.  We didn't have any issues with parking, now that the bikes were inside the car.  When we spent an afternoon at Lego Land, we were confident that the bikes would be safe tucked under a cover, going unnoticed.  It poured for the entire drive home at the end of the weekend, so we were very thankful to have the bikes inside and dry.

So, I highly recommend picking up a BikeInside if you are looking for an internal bike rack system.  They work in almost every car and with almost every style of bike.  While you can't pick them up at an American dealer, they ship internationally from the website.  At about $160.00 (w/o shipping), it's a reasonable and valuable option for transporting your bikes.

We're very pleased with ours!