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Cycle rack for Mini Cooper?
ihatemarmite
Posts: 5,605 Forum Member
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Going on holiday and would like to take our bikes. Our Mini Cooper is still under warranty so we can't retro fit any third party racks or tow ball as anything "fitted" has to be done by Mini themselves.
Their bike rack is approximately £900 so out of the question. They say they don't fit tow balls to Minis.
We have 3000 miles to drive so rear visibility is a big issue. I've been eyeing the saris bones 3 and hatch hugger setup, but wonder if we'll be able to see properly.
Mini can fit roof bars (as for a roof box) more reasonably. Does anyone know of any 2 bike rack clip ons that would fit/work if we go for this option? Mini don't do any but it can be third party as it doesn't affect the paintwork.
The roof is the high gloss painted with spoiler so normal Thule type carriers don't work and would damage the car.
Their bike rack is approximately £900 so out of the question. They say they don't fit tow balls to Minis.
We have 3000 miles to drive so rear visibility is a big issue. I've been eyeing the saris bones 3 and hatch hugger setup, but wonder if we'll be able to see properly.
Mini can fit roof bars (as for a roof box) more reasonably. Does anyone know of any 2 bike rack clip ons that would fit/work if we go for this option? Mini don't do any but it can be third party as it doesn't affect the paintwork.
The roof is the high gloss painted with spoiler so normal Thule type carriers don't work and would damage the car.
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http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saris/bones-3-bike-rack-ec005810
i just was never 100% confident about 2 bikes hanging off the back of the car.
every bump you go over and you're eyeballing the rear view mirror to see if the bikes have moved etc.
never used the rack again - just had no confidence in it.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s115/sidnitzerglobin/Bike%20stuff/Rockhopper_on_Rack.jpg
Isn't that obscuring the car number plate, the rear lights, brake lights and indicators?
ETA: I took that link from the following post that discusses the Bones 3 on the Mini Cooper:
http://forums.mtbr.com/general-discussion/saris-thule-trunk-rack-best-686219.html#post7772425
The beauty of this rack is the arms are on a rachet and can be moved at a higher up angle to raise the bikes, they have not done that in this picture.
We used this for over 2 years, travelling all around the country with 2 expensive bikes on, including motorways, yes was nervous at first, but then we got used to it, now,we have no problem.
it also depends on the style of frame the bike has.
my cross bar isn't actually circular, it's v shaped so didn't fit the rack well at all.
And don't do what I saw yesterday - a guy in a Vauxhall Insignia with 3 bikes on the roof going into the beach car park. He didn't notice the warning that says height restriction. Ripped the bikes off the roof bars, and made a hell of a mess of his roof and the bikes. His wife certainly used some blue language!
If you have that type of rack I believe you have to have an attachment with extra number plates etc in front of the bikes if they cover these things, it's clearly illegal to obscure your number plate and lights.
EDIT: grumpyscot beat me to it.
Grumpyscot - thanks, you're right. I'm not paying Mini £900 for a rear rack with lighting board. They will fit a roof rack though. I think I can add one of these to it
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bike-carriers-racks-range.php so it seems roof rack or forget it. Does a roof rack with 2 bikes add massively to the petrol consumption?
It's mostly motorway driving so doubt we'd have that marriage shaking moment where the height of the bikes is forgotten under that little bridge.....