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Fitting a bike in a 2018 Prius C

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by CarolinaP, Sep 17, 2019.

  1. CarolinaP

    CarolinaP New Member

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    Is it possible to fit an adult bike in the back of a Prius C with the front wheel on? I am hopefully purchasing a 2018 Prius C over the weekend, but the dealership is a 22 hour round trip away so I don't have an opportunity to test this prior to purchase. I work in cycling education so I spend 30 minutes-1 hour loading bikes every day in May-June, and I really don't have the time/desire to add taking wheels on and off to this process.

    Pictures appreciated if you're able to provide them.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 CarolinaP, Sep 17, 2019
  2. skayaks

    skayaks Active Member

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    This thread (with a few pictures):
    fred's c and the bicycle test | PriusChat
    has differing opinions. Some say the front wheel must come off and others say their bike will fit with the wheel on.
    Maybe it's frame-size dependent?
    If time permits, I'll try one of our bikes this evening.
     
    #2 skayaks, Sep 17, 2019
  3. CarolinaP

    CarolinaP New Member

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    Thanks! I take a small frame. I have three bikes, with wheel sizes 26", 650 mm and 700 mm. It looks like both the bike sizes and the results in that thread were mixed.
     
    #3 CarolinaP, Sep 17, 2019
  4. skayaks

    skayaks Active Member

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    Success. Both front seats are all the way back. (It would be easier if they don't need to be.) I don't know the frame size of this bike, so here are some dimensions for reference:
    Overall length = 68" (172.72cm); Overall height = 40.5" (102.9cm) to top of handlebar; Seat height = 36.5" (92.7cm); Wheel & Tire height (including fenders) = 26" (66cm); Handlebar width = 24.5" (62.2cm)
    I needed to move it around to find a position that worked, but once you know what works it should be straightforward.
    Bike in C 1.JPG Bike in C 2.JPG Bike in C 3.JPG
     
    #4 skayaks, Sep 18, 2019
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  5. skayaks

    skayaks Active Member

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    And now to address the C rather than the bike. I hope you have had a prior opportunity to test drive the C.
    I love my C, as do most of the C participants in this forum. But there is no denying that it is, umm, lightly powered. I have driven many weak cars so it was not a big adjustment, but it might be for some.
    Some folks find the seats uncomfortable. After adding a cheap after-market lumbar support it is fine for me, even on long trips.
    I love the tight turning radius, but be aware that on the top-level trims with upgraded wheels the turning radius is poor, which seems like a crime on a small car. (At least this was true back in 2013. I don't know if Toyota addressed this.)
    Good luck on your extended shopping trip - I hope the C is a good fit for you and your bikes.
     
    #5 skayaks, Sep 18, 2019
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    That’s a fair warning. I certainly noticed that it’s no dragster, but it wasn’t until after I bought it that I actually ran the numbers and discovered that in terms of acceleration (0-60) it is solidly in the middle of the pack vs. every other car I’ve owned.

    It really only stands out because carmakers (including Toyota) are about 15 years into a horsepower war, where every grocery getting appliance somehow needs to be able to outrun 1960s muscle cars.
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Sep 18, 2019
    skayaks likes this.
  7. CarolinaP

    CarolinaP New Member

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    Thank you so much for the bike test! My bike is a pretty similar size. Thanks for the other advice as well. No, I haven't been able to test drive it. The Prius I'm buying was the closest one I was able to find. The place I live is kind of remote, and a 22-hour round trip gets me to the second-nearest major town! I did test drive a 2019 Corolla hybrid at the local Toyota dealer and they said that they Prius drove similarly. I'm trying to test drive the Prius C of a friend-of-a-friend, if the owner will let me, but I haven't heard from her yet. Acceleration is not high on my priorities list, fortunately.
     
    #7 CarolinaP, Sep 18, 2019
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