Bikes in the SC
I can fit 6 road bikes w/their front wheels off. One was a 63cm and another was a 61.
If you're tall, you may have to slide the driver and passenger seat forward a bit to allow the tailgate to close.
btw-that pix at the top of this thread w/the 2 bikes w/their front wheels still on was photo-shopped.
My 21.5 in 29er mountain bike definitely needs the passenger seat slid up halfway and the front wheel removed.
You're correct, if your bike is average size (55cm road/18in mtb)you should be able to get away with flipping up only one seat, leave the other one attached and lean the bike against the installed seat, turn the bars 90deg.
FYI-whenever I have to flip up a seat for cargo expansion, if possible, I only do the driverside rr seat. Flipping up the passenger side rr seat creates a huge blind spot out the side windows.
I'm a bike sales rep and love my E for the job!