I've been struggling picking the right bike rack and could use some help.
I have a hitch receiver mounted to our R59 so MINI Fini solution is out of question.

A few things I'm looking for that makes it hard for me.
1. I have experience with roof top mounted rack but none with hitch. I don't know what's the difference, pros and cons between a platform hitch and a hanging style? I like the platform for stability and parallelism of the bike once mounted but for all I know the hanging style provides better flexibility...

2. This being for a MINI roadster I'd like the bike to stay as low as possible (noise and air turbulence being the issue). I know there are ground clearance to follow which I intend to but I also want to optimize how low I could get the bikes. Some hitch style bike rack often seemed high I think because they are meant for all kinds of cars that sometime have the hitch receiver below the bumper.

3. I need to keep the overall weight in check. So if it was a light weight rack that would be a big plus. Right now we have two hybrid bike which are on the heavy side. I have my personal road bike that is very light weight. And I hope to get one for my wife. all this to say I'd be happy with something that stays relatively compact as well.

4. I don't feel I need to spend a lot of money to get the latest greatest design, but in the end meeting my search criteria is probably most important before cost (within reason ).

Any input some of you may have would be great. I must have looked at 100 bike racks online and it's very hard to know what to do...
Thank you all for all the help you might provide, Greg.


By the way here is the work I did on the car to that effect

 

Are you going to carry one or two bikes, it does make a difference!
I'll just throw out this and figure you are carrying two.
Now I havent gotten around to installing a hitch on my '14 R55 fJCW just yet, but I did have one on my Prius and this is the "RACK" I used:
http://m.hollywoodracks.com/hitch-ra...t-rider-2.html

This comes in either a single bike or two bike set-up.
We carried two "Cruiser" style bikes with this rack.
Never had any issues with height nor with the bikes touching the car.
Loads of adjustments with this type also.
Very simple to lift the bike onto and then just "Lock Down".
No extra bungies and locks needed.
If I remember correctly, it was around 249.00 from a bike dealer...not big box store!

Also folds up nicely to leave on the car when not being used, just some thoughts!

 

Hey thanks Bubba,
I just came back from the fireworks . . . happy forth everyone!

I remember seeing this one. There are a few steel wire type to hold the bike wheels but I like how this one rest on a part that is a little more rigid so thinks don't bounce so much!

I see they have some drawings. I'll have to check them out to see how high it sits from the ground.

 

I really like Kuat brand racks because of their quality and they look sharp. I have a Kuat NV on my JCW, the Sherpa is similar but no work stand or built in cable lock for the bikes.
http://kuatracks.shptron.com/p/sherpa

 

@TG

Sorry about that link, I used my iPad and didn't see that it was a mobile version web site.
There is a video on the full web site:
http://hollywoodracks.com/videos/SportRider2.htm

Check it out as the exact location can be seen in it.
Plus I now see they have added a few more versions of this design and have a model starting at $199.00
Anyways......check out the full Hollywood site as there is way more to see.
P.S.
No actual tie downs with this design.
I place bikes on and use the top clamps ( you push them down ) and that's all I use. I do have pictures of it unloaded and loaded, give me a few hours and I'll find them for you.

 

That looks exactly like the ... It's been replaced by a that is slightly different in appearance. Appears to be a little less expensive with the Sportrack brand name attached. Might be worth checking out.

FWIW, I found it to be a good rack too. Held the bikes securely, easy to use, sturdy. Didn't have to remove it from the car to access the barn doors on the Clubman, but that's not an issue with an R59.

 

Great info... some of these look really high. I would love to see pictures if you guys had some.

 

No pics here unfortunately... I will say that I was using a minidomore hitch and wouldn't have wanted the rack any lower... Any lower and getting out of driveways would have been a problem. I actually recall some minor scraping once or twice on some steeper driveways and my car wasn't even lowered.

 

I still think I'd like it a little lower but I quite see your point and it's a very good point!
I haven't thought of it that way.
Thank you

 

@TG
Sorry as I can't find a pic of the Prius with the bikes loaded.
But if I can get three posted here, this might help!
This is a faux receiver bolted to the garage wall, and when winter rolls around they stay here. The distance is almost exactly what the Prius was, ground to receiver

This is what it looks like stowed.

 

@TG

Same picture just from the side view.

 

@TG

And here it is with the bikes loaded.
The tires sit in the adjustable cradles.
And the "Hooked" bars in the middle just slide down and clamp against the bikes.
No tie downs, very simple.

 

Thank you for the pictures!
It actually look better than I thought and seems of very good quality.

. . . and by the way I like the garage wall mounted setup. Never thought of that. Very cool