Mazda3 Hatchback Clearances

[DiTTO2o]

I'm looking at getting the hatch. I want to be able to get my mountain bike in the back, obviously with the rear seats down, i'm curious as to the height clearances for the hatch opening aswell as how much clearance you have from the seatbacks to the ceiling (folded down)

Thanks!

 

[Airman Jack]

Hey DiTTO, I bought the sport as well since I'm an XC racer (beginner) in southern ontario and I need to move my bike easily!.
I've got a 21" Schwinn Moab 2 (big bike) and if I take off the front wheel I can get the whole frame and rear wheel in the back if I place the handlebars between the front two seats (I'm a big guy too, 6'6", so I've got the seats all the way back).
If you really want to save space, you can probably pull off both your wheels, drop your seatpost all the way down and put the bike upside down (so your cogs don't dig into the floorboard) along the side of the car and hold it fairly securely with a seatbelt or use a bungee cord attached to the cargo tiedowns in the back.
I've been able to fit 3 bikes in the back with some REALLY creative packing (i.e. removing pedals/cranks, etc.) but it's do-able.
Hope this helps!

 

[DiTTO2o]

thanks! i was hoping to be able to buy clamp and bar and have the fork attached to the clamp and have the big resting on the rear wheel and the front fork...does anyone have an actual dimension for the opening? vertical mainly...thanks!