Surprisingly Utilitarian Toyobaru

"Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow" (chriskf)
08/03/2016 at 22:01 • Filed to: None

Two Wheels Good Edition

I’ve explored the boundaries of interior storage space in an FR-S a time or two before. Fitting things into my car like:

A set of wheels and unmounted tires...

or, an extra set of wheels/tires and two front fenders.

and today I was presented with a new challenge.

I bought a bike. Specifically a Trek X-Caliber 8 hardtail 29er. Knowing that it’s a somewhat bigger bike, I checked the forums to see how people had fit bikes into their Toyobarus before heading to my LBS. It certainly seemed like a reasonable feat. Plenty of owners had fit a road bike or fixy in, generally with the removal of the front wheel. Although mountain bikes seemed to require the removal of both wheels, and in some cases a pedal as well. Seeing as I was going to be picking the bike up from just getting assembled and a check up, to make sure it was good to go, I wasn’t too exciting about the prospect of removing both wheels right away.

Thankfully, that wasn’t a problem!

It fit into the trunk/back seat area just fine, with only removing the front wheel.

And now it’s sitting right here next to me as I write this,in my sort of dining room/kitchen/office.

Loving this bike so far, although I haven’t even gotten it out on the trails yet. Upgraded pedals should be arriving by Friday to replace the awful factory ones, and tubeless tires will be the next step after that.

Ongoing wheel removal is not the plan for the long haul though. I will soon be assembling the necessary items to put together a more ideal solution based on what some other owners have done, utilizing the rear tow hook mounts, some custom made bars and a 1Up bike rack.

But more on that later.

DISCUSSION (21)

shop-teacher > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/03/2016 at 22:41

Not too shabby!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > shop-teacher
08/03/2016 at 22:42

Thanks!

Tekamul > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/03/2016 at 23:25

I have a Fuji Nevada Mt. Bike that I’ve loaded into the back with the front wheel off. The pedals only just clear, but they make it.

I will be adding a hitch and rack though, because I have more plans.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 00:08

I had a trek similar to that once. It got stolen after the lock chain I was using seemed to have rusted enough to be broken easily.

About a year later I saw a strangely painted bike being ridden in the not nice neighborhood in the city. And it had a disk brake. Probably wasn’t mine, but most definitely wasn’t their’s, either.

Lesson learned, I use one of the almost motorcycle size stainless steel locks now.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 00:21

I can almost fit my bike fully assembled in the back of the RX7

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Flyboy is FAA certified insane
08/04/2016 at 00:26

Yeah, I’ll be purchasing a very robust lock for this one.

Had a very nice BMX bike stolen in college, and I’m not going to make that mistake again.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/04/2016 at 00:26

That’s pretty impressive. haha

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 00:28

well no back seats and it is stripped currently

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/04/2016 at 00:28

Lol okay, that makes a bit more sense.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 00:53

A stolen BMX bike was the reason I started skateboarding. My bike got stolen after 5 years of upgrading/replacing broken parts on a hand me down Trek V2. It was stolen and at the time I couldn't afford to replace it with a decent bike, but I could buy a skate board, so I did.

TractorPillow > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 00:54

When you daily a small car, you learn to make everything utilitarian. (although don’t have the Elise anymore)

Kinja'd!!!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/04/2016 at 01:08

Catching a few pebbles and cracks, that caused me to come to a dead halt and fly off my board in front of everyone walking between classes, made me swap my skateboard for the bike. Haha

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > TractorPillow
08/04/2016 at 01:09

Very nice. I’d love to own an Elise someday.

AdverseMartyr > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 04:26

I was expecting a 1000cc superbike stuffed in there. Even though you said bike, I somehow managed to clickbait myself into thinking you had managed the impossible. I guess it’s just that sort of night for me.

random001 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 06:31

Nice! I miss shocking people with how much stuff I could fit in my Z06.

Though they could have been nicer to you and made the car a hatchback....

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 07:30

Nice looking bike, and that is a fairly impressive feat fitting it in the back of a Toyobaru. I picked mine up yesterday and was able to get out for a quick ride. It was awesome, and I was amazed at the difference between the new and old bikes. Here’s to putting some miles on your new bike, have fun with it.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > AdverseMartyr
08/04/2016 at 07:36

I almost put a disclaimer at the beginning saying it wasn’t a motorized two wheels good unfortunately. Haha

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > random001
08/04/2016 at 07:37

Ugh, I wish!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
08/04/2016 at 07:37

Thanks! Same to you. :)

random001 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/04/2016 at 07:38

That may have made it perfect.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > random001
08/04/2016 at 09:02

Agreed. A shooting brake FR-S would be amazing.