Disclaimer: I don't recommend you do this; it's a dumb idea (if it's even legal), and I will not be held responsible when you destroy your $6K race tandem and/or your beloved Mini. The photos are doctored and reflect a professional kludger on a closed course. Attempting anything described below will almost certainly end in disaster.

Like many of you, I spent a crap-ton of time trying to find the best solution to hauling bikes around with the Mini. I finally decided on a hitch mount, and I went with the 1UP USA rack (no financial interest). No rack I found was perfect for my needs. The main disadvantages to the 1UP USA are that it doesn't have an integrated locking system and I can't carry our tandem. Well, I found a 5 minute solution to both.

This explanation will probably only make sense if you're familiar with the rack in question.

One who was so inclined (and equipped with tragically poor judgement--see disclaimer above) could take a drill bit and very slightly expand the holes on the tire holding arms (one level down from the "bridge" that actually contacts the tires). One should wear safety goggles if one even thinks about doing this, as tiny shards of aluminum and eyeballs mix poorly. A standard yakima locking skewer (one of the newer, stout 8-9mm ones) will now slip right into these holes. One could then lock one's fork to the skewer and use the rear tire holder in the standard fashion.

The bike can be adjusted left or right to suit, but a longer bike (like a tandem) will extend SUBSTANTIALLY beyond the sides of your Mini.

This has been tested in heavy rain and up to speeds of 65mph so far.

I think it would be best to have a metal pipe/sleeve that the skewer would go through to keep the holder arms from bowing in, but the arms are pretty stout and are already supported by the tire holder.

Photo below.
If it doesn't show up, here's the link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Read the disclaimer again.

Cheers,
JV

 

OK, I just bought a 2010 Mini Convertible this past weekend and was pondering whether or not I should hold on to my mini van or sell it. The only reason I keep it is to transport our tandem. My fiance has a bike rack on his car to transport our regular bikes.

I must say, your tandem looks pretty ominous mounted on the back of such a teeny car. Have you had any close calls, ie: momentarily forgetting it's back there and almost whacking into something with the front end of your bike? I've never dealt with transporting the tandem on the exterior of a vehicle, and I've always imagined it'd be a daunting task....much moreso on a narrow car like the Mini.

Also, do they make an official, non-hazardous tandem rack for the Mini? I'm guessing no, unless you decided to take on the above task just for kicks and giggles, LOL!

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the MINI community!

Given what you've said about you situation, I would recommend getting a tandem mount for your fiance's car for your tandem-carrying needs. Yakima makes a good (though expensive) one, and there are several others available; they can often be found used.

You could safely carry a tandem on the roof rack of a MINI, though it would look pretty silly....sadly, not an option for you and your ragtop!

My kludge was a one-time gambit of desperation. Though it worked, I don't plan on doing it regularly. It would be too easy to hit something with the bike. We have a tandem mount for our Subaru wagon that serves this duty most of the time.

Take care,
JV