Hi - am new to posting and reviewing discussion threads....

Can someone tell me where to view reviews/discussions about the pros and cons of a roof rack system vs a system mounted on the bumper?

I own a 2010 Mini Cooper S. I'd like to have an easy to use, reasonable cost (ha!) bike rack for 2.

Thanks all for z help

 

For bicycles?

Dave

 

yes, for bicycles. I've been considering the roof mounted system from Mini vs the Mini Fini Sport Link system. Can one remove the roof base system? How does it look/feel/work with your sun roofs?

 

I have the R56 roof system. Installing it the first time is a pain, but after that taking it on and off takes about 5 mins.

I have a Thule sidearm and love it.

Mini-Fini looks OK, but is pretty expensive IMHO. Mini Do More makes a R56 receiver hitch that you can use a "standard" trailer-mount bike rack. if you have one of these currently the MiniDoMore can be a reasonably inexpensive option.

There are a bunch of threads on NAM about the roof rack. Go to google and run this search:

r56 roof rack site:northamericanmotoring.com

The search function on NAM isn't great but google certainly makes up for it.

Good luck!

 

I'd suggest a MINIDoMore hitch system. I think it's much easier to use than the roof system, and alot quieter driving down the highway.

 

This is what I have (and would recommend)

http://www.minifini.com/ShopDetail.aspx?id=7

Super nice! It basically turns your Mini into a "plug and play". After you have the base system, which is what I linked you, you can attach a bike rack, extra spare, trailer hitch, a cargo hold, etc. It is by far the most versatile system for the Mini on the market. If you have any questions about it, let me know. I bought my Mini used and it came with it, so I'm not super knowledgeable. But I'll try!

 

We've got Thule roof and hitch mounts on our 4Runner. Obviously the MINI is much lower than the 4Runner, but I must say that getting 40lb DH bikes on the roof is a PITA. Not to mention the fact that if you (or somebody less careful than you) makes a mistake and scratches your roof you wont be a happy camper.

Having said that, and not knowing how much weight a rear hitch system on a MINI can take, if you put a couple of road bikes on the back I'd say that would be fine. 2 or more burly bikes and I'll bet you'll run into problems.

For our 4Runner, even with a 2" reciever I don't like to put more than 3 big bikes on it. Anything more and I start loading up the roof rack.

Sorry I don't have any MINI specific examples.

 

Meh I think that the mini fini, while nicely engineered is a bit overpriced. I don't like that you have to purchase their proprietary connections to use anything. I think that the holes sticking out is a cool in a james bond kind of way, but it would be nice if you could conceal.

I'd still recommend the MiniDoMore just because you can hide it more readily and since it IS a receiver you can easily get a hitch, whatever kind of bike rack rack you like, cargo tray, spare tire mount, whatever you can find that attaches to a 1.25" bar.

I still DO appreciate minifini for a cool idea, I just feel that it is overpriced for what it is. Just my 2 cents.

 

I bought the MINI FINI Sport Link and use it for hauling bikes as well as a spare tire on long trips. Works fine, looks fine. :-)

 

I self-installed the system you see on minidomore, though people will do it for you for a fee. Once in, on the first gen MINI, the receiver hitch hid behind the hole where a fog light, back-up light, or cap went, in the lower center of the bumber. The hitch system itself was entirely concealed and behind the bumper, and you'd get down on your back to get under the car to remove the cotter pin and release the hitch once you were done with the rack. That was the only inconvenience, and it otherwise allowed you to have the rack off the car and no indication the system was even installed. I loved it!

On the 2nd gen, they have workarounds for the current bumpers, which are a little less graceful, but overall, I prefer the rear system to the roof mount. Like as has been mentioned, slip and you scratch the roof. Additionally, just getting the roof rack on and off can scratch the roof, so.

I'd vote rear! And not the minifini, as that sportlink system is proprietary enough that you have less choice of rack to use.

 

Just as a side note. A rear mount (especially on a MINI) subjects your bike to tons of dust/grime/road particles, sandblasting and all other materiel that is sucked up into the vacuum behind the car and deposited in all the sub systems of the bike.

Roof mout is just clean air flowing over your bike.

 

A very good point.

 

Counter side note. A roof rack can be extremely dangerous and so far just about everyone I've talked to has a horror story of pulling into the garage with the bike on top.

I place a piece of tape over my garage door opener and mirror switch (I always fold them). I also put my iPhone navigation (Craven Speed mount) on too as an audio reminder.

 

Thule now makes a swing down bike rack that works with the MINI roof rack system. You swing down the lift part, attach the bike, then a spring loaded assist helps raise it up where it locks into place. It's pretty cool actually, but a bit spendy.....you have to buy the roof rack, then the bike rack attachments too. But if you're slightly "altitudinally challenged" like me, it makes it pretty easy to have them on top....

 

hahaha altitudinally challenged!


I've used both systems, and I've never sheared my roof or rack off over the car, but I HAVE had a few friends that did. It's heartbreaking. And things happen. But they happen in the back too. On another vehicle, I was transporting a vintage cruiser bike and the front wheel shifted towards the car, and the metal fender of the bike causally grafitti'd the hell out of the back of the car via freeway vibration for several miles. I was dumbfounded when I arrived and saw it.

With the change in physical size of your lil' MINI with either system, you DO have to be aware. I prefer the rear rack, for ease of removal and ease of loading/unloading. But there is substantially more work involved in initial set-up, vs the roof system. Kind of depends how involved you want to get.