Mountain Bike fit?

XR4568 · 09-09-2013, 01:22 AM

Hey all

Hoping someone can help me please? There's a very good chance our household will need a second car (my car!). The car enthusiast in me demands a Fiesta ST, however, the mountain biker in me think that a Focus Sport will need the extra space.

Can anyone tell me if a dual-suspension 29er fits in a Fiesta?

**Fordman1** · 09-09-2013, 05:27 AM

Take your bike into a dealer and try.

Back seats forward, both wheels off, seat off, you'll be right I think.

LeadFoot81 · 09-09-2013, 12:48 PM

The WS-WZ Fiestas are like a Tardis inside. I've had a grown ups mountain bike and a bmx in the back of the WS without too much trouble.

The rear room in the Focus however (with the back seats down, flush with the hatch floor) is specially bigger.

Totally take your bike to the dealer and have a crack though.

DBourne · 09-09-2013, 01:59 PM

I have a medium framed road bike and it fits as long as you take the front wheel off.

Also I'm not tall, so my seat post isn't that high, yet it only JUST fit in.

(Yes I took my road bike to the dealer and asked if I could try to fit it in).

XR4568 · 09-09-2013, 07:44 PM

Thanks all, very helpful stuff. I couldn't sleep last night and kept thinking about, so thought I'd get a post up to get some insights.

I took a seat in an ST last week and got him to fold the seats down. I reckon with a big tarp laid down and both wheels off (even the seat post out if need be), I'm in with a good shot. Best to ask to see if it'll fit like you say.

Now I don't know what will be more fun. Driving the country roads in the St to get to the trails or riding the trails!

GeeDubF6 · 09-09-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR4568

Now I don't know what will be more fun. Driving the country roads in the St to get to the trails or riding the trails!

Well duh! The ST...

I'm 6' 3" so I have a large framed road bike. Tried a test fit with only the front wheel off - missed by a fair margin. Confident it will fit with both wheels off but I'm not a fan of removing the rear wheel as well every time I want to ride...

XR4568 · 09-09-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeDubF6

Well duh! The ST...

I'm 6' 3" so I have a large framed road bike. Tried a test fit with only the front wheel off - missed by a fair margin. Confident it will fit with both wheels off but I'm not a fan of removing the rear wheel as well every time I want to ride...

I know exactly what you mean regarding annoyingly removing the rear wheel all the time. As it turns out, even with the mrs Mondeo wagon rep car, I still have to do that to make it fit because of the stupid, fixed security metal screen, so kind of used to it. Doesn't aid keeping gears in tune though.

Whip the front wheel off, slide the passenger front seat right forward and throw it in would be ideal. See how we go.

I can't wait to hammer the roads and trails. Might not ever stop to go riding on those perfect spring Perth Sunday mornings

Let me know how you go fitting yours. Love to see a pic too.

XR4568 · 10-09-2013, 07:24 PM

Could I ask a favour of someone with an ST in the meantime please since I can't get to the dealer for a while?

Is it possible to get a measurement taken in cm's from the boot to the back of the front passenger seat when it is slid forward as close to the dash as it can?

Thanks in advance!

GeeDubF6 · 10-09-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR4568

Is it possible to get a measurement taken in cm's from the boot to the back of the front passenger seat when it is slid forward as close to the dash as it can?

With the seat vertical you will get 150cm. Allowing it to recline normally it is about 145cm.

**Fordman1** · 10-09-2013, 07:54 PM

You should be able to try any Fiesta - the sizes are the same inside.

Pursya · 10-09-2013, 08:28 PM

Check out Fords Fiesta accessory page and look for the Rhino-Rack roof top bike carrier.
Should solve all your problems.

XR4568 · 10-09-2013, 09:05 PM

Hahaha, very good point Barraxr8 - didn't even occur to me, except for the thicker Recaro seat backs

Thanks for that, shall use that as a rough guide. Sounds promising though!

Thanks Pursya, but I'm one of those riders who hates have their bike outside of the car. Plus, will mean I can drive safely faster around the corners

Cuyper · 15-09-2013, 12:19 AM

I have a 56cm road bike and it fits with the wheels off _just_ also have a hard tail mountain bike which also fits but a little more easily than the road bike. No problem removing the rear wheel only takes like 5 seconds to put back on

XR4568 · 15-09-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuyper

I have a 56cm road bike and it fits with the wheels off _just_ also have a hard tail mountain bike which also fits but a little more easily than the road bike. No problem removing the rear wheel only takes like 5 seconds to put back on

Thanks for that. Sounds promising. I measured from the back of my rear wheel to my forks (front wheel off) and it is 150cm. Seems it may indeed just fit. Just need to hold tight and wait and see if we need a second car now.

loxxr6 · 16-09-2013, 10:58 PM

I've fit our road bike in the back before.

We now use roof racks.

Fiestaman · 17-09-2013, 08:14 AM

Should fit without taking wheels off. My road bike (I'm 6'3") fits in the back by folding rear seats, moving passenger front seat forward and backrest forward. Rear wheel goes up to back of passenger seat with saddle on drivers side. Handle bars are turned 90 degrees towards roof and it's in. I put down an old doona to protect the carpet etc.
I considered a roof rack but then I would have to load bike out of the garage. It is also more secure in the car if you are parked anywhere.

XR4568 · 17-09-2013, 10:37 PM

This is sounding more and promising. The only difference for me will be 29" wheels, but should be able to find a way to make it work.

Now to just wait and see if I do need a second car...

XR4568 · 26-09-2013, 08:02 PM

Haven't had a chance yet to head down to the dealership and sit and drive an ST, so in the meantime, I made a few price inquiries on Polo GTi's since I already had a cheap price quote on an ST.

Was quite surprised! Been offered a brand new 5-door for just $27,888 driveaway. RRP alone is $29,190. I assume because the lightly refreshed model is due soon they're clearing their stock, but wow, that is cheap.

Will still boil to which I prefer to drive but this certainly throws a curve ball into the mix!

DBourne · 27-09-2013, 12:39 PM

Meh, polo is auto only so that ruins it for me.

Twinpiston · 27-09-2013, 02:19 PM

Are you able to tell us the ST quote, I am just looking at the moment.....

I have a large frame road bike and it fits in my XR4 with the front wheel off and both seats down.

Cheers

XR4568 · 28-09-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinpiston

Are you able to tell us the ST quote, I am just looking at the moment.....

I have a large frame road bike and it fits in my XR4 with the front wheel off and both seats down.

Cheers

Hey mate. Sure can. $27,388 driveaway for a Panther black coloured one which incurs the extra metallic paint cost. Best price I can find.

Sounds promising that my bike will fit then given the XR4 is smaller in general. Only big difference would be my 29" wheels and bulkier dual-suspension frame. Only one way for me to find out though I guess.

sethius · 28-09-2013, 01:04 AM

Friend uses a gripsport tow ball rack for her dh bikes.

afie · 29-01-2014, 05:59 PM

Can a WQ/WP Fiesta be fitted with a tow bar and ball in order to mount a bike rack?

Would these fit (only seem to be able to find kits from international sellers):
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Towbar-fo...d02dd9d&_uhb=1
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Detachabl...3f5a05b&_uhb=1

GeeDubF6 · 29-01-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afie

Can a WQ/WP Fiesta be fitted with a tow bar and ball in order to mount a bike rack?

Would these fit (only seem to be able to find kits from international sellers):
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Towbar-fo...d02dd9d&_uhb=1
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Detachabl...3f5a05b&_uhb=1

Yes it will - common chassis across all models.

I picked up a genuine factory Fiesta towbar and fitted it myself. Had to mount the tongue on top of the mount (factory fit is beneath) so it would not foul the rear diffuser but apart from that it was a neat fit. No compromise on strength.

I use a Thule 970 Xpress with both road bike and 29" dual suspension MTB - very stable and ST cornering doesn't bother it ;)

Towbar was around $300 with ball. No need for the $500+ electrics kit.

There is a pic of it in the ST photo thread...

afie · 29-01-2014, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeDubF6

Towbar was around $300 with ball. No need for the $500+ electrics kit.

Thanks. Can you please tell me where you got it from?

GeeDubF6 · 29-01-2014, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afie

Thanks. Can you please tell me where you got it from?

Local Ford dealer. Don't listen if they tell you it won't fit an ST - it just isn't listed as an option for that model. I confirmed fitment long before I ordered the car...

Christopherh · 25-06-2015, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeDubF6

Yes it will - common chassis across all models.

I picked up a genuine factory Fiesta towbar and fitted it myself. Had to mount the tongue on top of the mount (factory fit is beneath) so it would not foul the rear diffuser but apart from that it was a neat fit. No compromise on strength.

I use a Thule 970 Xpress with both road bike and 29" dual suspension MTB - very stable and ST cornering doesn't bother it ;)

Towbar was around $300 with ball. No need for the $500+ electrics kit.

There is a pic of it in the ST photo thread...

Any chance of some close-up photos GeeDub? I'm intrigued in how close the towbar is to the bodywork/exhaust.

(I'm having trouble finding exact details of towbar fittings for an ST)

kiwijohn42 · 29-01-2014, 09:43 PM

I use one of these on my WQ. Cheaper than fitting a tow bar only to carry bikes & it is very solid.

sethius · 25-06-2015, 08:55 PM

If you cant go the tow bar option, theres a buzz rack mozzi 3 thatll suit a focus/fiesta.

Christopherh · 25-06-2015, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethius

If you cant go the tow bar option, theres a buzz rack mozzi 3 thatll suit a focus/fiesta.

I like the idea. It is certainly cost effective.

However, the Buzz Rack website states "The carrier cannot be mounted to cars that have a plastic spoiler." I'm assuming this applies to the ST as well then.

http://www.buzzrack.com/galleries/mozzquito-trunk-rack/

(FYI, I'm about to put pen to paper & order a new ST, I haven't got one yet. I'm just researching different ways to transport my bike. Roof racks are an option, but I'd rather not.)