I Fit a Recumbent Tandem Bicycle in the Prius!

TheDrGene · 04-27-2008, 08:42 PM

I have a Rans Screamer tandem bicycle and was curious to see if we could use the Prius to travel to our distant cycling events. (My Ford pick-up gets about 14 mpg on the freeway!). The tandem has S&S couplers that allow the frame to separate into two pieces which eases traveling with the bike. The cables utilize threaded quick connectors. It takes about five minutes to break down the bike. Once the bike was in the pieces and lots of blankets were distributed in the back of the car I tried to put it in there. It only took 3 tries being very careful to keep any grease off the inside of the car. We have now done it several times and we have the technique down to about 6 minutes total for each direction, meaning it takes 6 minutes to break down the bike, put it in the car and 6 minutes pull it out and put it together. People are amazed when we drive up and pull a full size tandem bike from the back of the car.

hill · 04-27-2008, 09:33 PM

Good info to know, thanks. Identicle color as the P-38 Lightning ... and their recumbents have gone as high tech as possible, now having a model that folds into a suitcase. I'd buy up, but having already invested a boat load of money just to buy into the standard version, well (as the Prius Haters would say), it just doesn't pencil out.

Biggest thing we carried in the Prius was a pair of Home Depot utility closet sliding doors. Tight fit, but nice to know you can.

Doc Willie · 04-27-2008, 09:34 PM

Wow. I thought I was doing something getting a mountain bike inside the Prius.

Well done, and happy riding !!

john1701a · 04-27-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDrGene

Once the bike was in the pieces...

Try a 3-wheeler doing nothing but removing the front wheel, 2 bikes on back, with room inside still for three people

John's Stuff - Toyota Prius Photo Album 108

.

jdenenberg · 04-27-2008, 10:00 PM

My wife and I fit a full sized bed (mattress, box spring, and frame) in our 2004 Prius. I admit that my wife had to drive and I was a bit cramped in the passenger seat, but we got from Trumbull CT to Hoboken NJ and delivered the bed.

JeffD

qbee42 · 04-27-2008, 10:04 PM

We have a Double Vision recumbent tandem that fits just fine too.

Tom

04-27-2008, 08:42 PM	#1
TheDrGene Beard and Sandals Group Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lompoc CA Posts: 13 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I Fit a Recumbent Tandem Bicycle in the Prius! I have a Rans Screamer tandem bicycle and was curious to see if we could use the Prius to travel to our distant cycling events. (My Ford pick-up gets about 14 mpg on the freeway!). The tandem has S&S couplers that allow the frame to separate into two pieces which eases traveling with the bike. The cables utilize threaded quick connectors. It takes about five minutes to break down the bike. Once the bike was in the pieces and lots of blankets were distributed in the back of the car I tried to put it in there. It only took 3 tries being very careful to keep any grease off the inside of the car. We have now done it several times and we have the technique down to about 6 minutes total for each direction, meaning it takes 6 minutes to break down the bike, put it in the car and 6 minutes pull it out and put it together. People are amazed when we drive up and pull a full size tandem bike from the back of the car. Attached Thumbnails

04-27-2008, 09:33 PM	#2
hill High Fiber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South OC So Cal & the Flathead Valley MT Posts: 2,282 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	Re: I Fit a Recumbent Tandem Bicycle in the Prius! Good info to know, thanks. Identicle color as the P-38 Lightning ... and their recumbents have gone as high tech as possible, now having a model that folds into a suitcase. I'd buy up, but having already invested a boat load of money just to buy into the standard version, well (as the Prius Haters would say), it just doesn't pencil out. Biggest thing we carried in the Prius was a pair of Home Depot utility closet sliding doors. Tight fit, but nice to know you can. Last edited by hill; 04-27-2008 at 09:53 PM.

04-27-2008, 09:34 PM	#3
Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out there, somewhere Posts: 1,026 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Re: I Fit a Recumbent Tandem Bicycle in the Prius! Wow. I thought I was doing something getting a mountain bike inside the Prius. Well done, and happy riding !!

04-27-2008, 10:00 PM	#5
jdenenberg Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Trumbull, CT Posts: 331 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 8	Re: I Fit a Recumbent Tandem Bicycle in the Prius! My wife and I fit a full sized bed (mattress, box spring, and frame) in our 2004 Prius. I admit that my wife had to drive and I was a bit cramped in the passenger seat, but we got from Trumbull CT to Hoboken NJ and delivered the bed. JeffD

04-27-2008, 10:04 PM	#6
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,184 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: I Fit a Recumbent Tandem Bicycle in the Prius! We have a Double Vision recumbent tandem that fits just fine too. Tom

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