FYI for anyone who (like me) has been dragging their feet in purchasing a bike rack: The new Moss Mini catalog has a bike rack for the boot for around $76 (i.e., much cheaper than the other boot rack (Yakima?), which was around $125). It's basically your standard hatchback-type bike rack, with rubber clips that secure below the bumper and at the top of the hatch lid, and foam supports that rest on the boot. The catalog says it holds up to three bikes, which I sort of doubt.

For some reason, it's not on their website yet, but it is in the new catalog. I ordered mine last week, and I'll post a pic and a review once I get it.

P.S. I assume that this rack won't work with a spoiler, but I could be wrong. Depends on if there's room between the spoiler and the hatch to fit the clips.

 

very nice. let us know how it works and take pics. :smile:

 

I had a Road Gear <sp> rack for the rear hatch of our Expedition. The foam pads scratched the heck out of the paint. Have you ever noticed how much dirt settles in the rear of the car? It gets in-between the pad and the paint and rubs with the bumps. I did not notice it at first but in time it became pretty bad. I never left it on the car when I did not need it.

 

>>I had a Road Gear <sp> rack for the rear hatch of our Expedition. The foam pads scratched the heck out of the paint. Have you ever noticed how much dirt settles in the rear of the car? It gets in-between the pad and the paint and rubs with the bumps. I did not notice it at first but in time it became pretty bad. I never left it on the car when I did not need it.<<

Good point! I would NEVER leave the bike rack on when not in use anyway, but I hadn't thought about the Mini's propensity to accumulate dirt and grit at a high rate. I'll definitely be extra careful if I'm driving long distance. I've used this type of rack before, and I've never trusted the foam pads themselves; I always put a towel or a T-shirt between the pad and the paint.

 

I always put a towel or a T-shirt between the pad and the paint.
I think that is a good call.
:smile:

 

Good news! I didn't have the catalog in front of me when I posted yesterday. I took another look at it last night, and realized that (1) the bottom clips don't clip under the bumper; they clip to the bottom of the hatch, and (2) there are four foam pads: two rest on the rear window, and two rest on the license plate. At least that's how it's mounted in Moss's photo.

So, the illegality of blocking the plate aside, this bodes better for the paint. The only real concern is the rubber clips at the base of the hatch, and a thin piece of fabric can easily be wedged in there. Those parts are MUCH less likely to move or vibrate if the rack is strapped securely.