Since it looks like we have the Clubman roofrack installation issue batted down, I may take the plunge and order a rack this week. So now the question is about bicycle attachments for the factory rack. My wife and I ride a tandem and I had paid the price and got an ATOC tandem topper rack (also sold by Thule, made by ATOC). It makes loading a 7 foot long bike soooo much easier.

What is the diameter of the crossbars on the factory roof rack?
Are the Yakima or Thule snap-arounds able to fit on the factory crossbars?
Anybody using stock Yak or Thule attachments on the factory crossbars?

Oregon road trip planned for early August and would like to take the MINI.

 

They are actually Thule RapidAero Bars and No the standard Snap-Arounds will not work. These bars are oval in shape and are rather thick. The best bet for you is to checkout the RapidAero bar at your local Thule dealer or on line.

I would suggest that you call Thule but i have never gotten a straight answer out of these people.

Also a note for you the bars are only about 24-25 inches apart and this may lead to a problem with the extra long bike holder. You should find out what the minimum cross bar spacing is for the bike holder.

 

I'll have the same problem . I've got a Yakima Kayak rack and bike rack and I don't feel like replacing them.

Schatzy how do the Mini accessories attach to the OEM rack. I wonder if I can mod mine to work in the OEM rack.

 

Thule sells Xadaptors to allow mounting of roof rack components made by Thule and other manufactures. They cost around $12. There are about 9 different Xadaptors. Instead of wrapping around the bars these fit into the slot on top of the Rapid Load Aero bars (which is what the OEM is made of) and then bolt onto the component.
The Thule web site is super cumbersome but nonetheless a source of information on these.
I think it comes down to a case by case to determine if components will work with the Aero Bars but mostly is hopeful I think.

 

I purchased some Thule Kayak racks and all i had to do was go to the hardware store and buy some longer bolts ($4.53 total) to replace the ones that came with the racks.

I am not sure what bike rack or kayak racks you have but send me the model number and i can look at the standard install instructions and then let you know what needs to be done to adapt them to the OEM rack. It should not be hard.

 

Let's keep the "Rack" issue alive until MINI finally provides a corporate solution.

 

Yamkia makes a universal mighty mount and it should work for 90% of the Yakima attachments. I will have my set today for my new highroller bike rack. Will let you guys know how they work out. I love Thule but for bike racks I just can't pass on Yakima.

 

Why? What makes Yakima better?

Is there a particular tray you like best?

 

Has anyone been able to put a bike and the storage box on the rack at the same time? I plan on ordering my first Mini within the next couple weeks.

 

The tray on the highroller and sprocketrocket are super strong and low profile which helps with noise. I carry 45+lbs. downhill bikes and the stronger the better. No Thule rack recommends more than a 2.6 tire that I know of and the Yakima will do 3.0. I like the way it holds the front tire on the highroller quick and strong. It also has a lock built in to wrap around the frame.

 

I've been a Yak fan for many years. I bought my first Yakima rack back in 1985. It's still in use on my BMW's.

When we got our Audi A4, I got the Yak rack, but never felt it was as rock(rack?) solid as the one on my BMW. When we switched the new Yak rack over to the E46 BMW, I found the rack had a tendancy to scoot back on the car when we drove with the tandem up top. The Thule sollution for the E46 BMWs was a rack that bolted to bosses welded into the roof of the car. Does not move!

As for the attachment, I have no problem making my own brackets or modifications to get it to fit. Before I use my brain, I'll see what the other brains at Thule and MINI have done first. I don't think the cross bar spread will be an issue. The ATOC tandem topper is pretty dang beefy.

 

Not beyond eyeballing, but the key element of the fit will be the width of the roof box. We have a Evolution 2100 we purchased for the 2000 Passat Wagon, and at 36" it is going to soak up too much space for a bike.

 

I am referring to the box and the bike attachment that can be ordered from Mini. Do you think they will fit?

 

I have always used Yakima bars since the late 80's also. I think it may just be in my mind that the bars are better. They are kind of the same company now anyway. I have worked/work at many rack and outdoor stores Yakima and Thule seem to be on the same playing field in customer satisfaction now. I use my rack with bikes,skis,boxes and white water kayaks and never had any move but this could be because of the roof line and not the rack. The Thule Xtender ski rack that slides out is great on SUVs and would still recommend them over the Yakima but the new low profile Yakima makes less noise. Still no option for my DH bikes as I run 2.75 or 3.0 tires sometimes.

 

MINI's site does not contain the specs, but it is a re-branded Thule box. Thule's range from 25 to 36 inches in width. The MINI box is short with a silver top - i guess that it is an Atlantis 1600 which is 36" wide. If so it will be very tight.

 

Thank you for the help. I will go ahead and order the car with the bike attachment and shop around for the box after the car arrives.

 

I believe that OWG is correct in the width of the box but i am not 100% sure. I saw one being installed on a clubman before i ordered my car and thought "either the car is very narrow or the box is very wide" as it took up all the space on the cross bars.

One thing i can tell you is that the OEM rack only has 30" of usable space from side to side to clamp things to. I measured it last night so i know this is a fact.

I would say that if you had a box that is 25" wide then you could probably put a bike next to it. The box would have to hang over the towers by an couple of inches which it could do when mounted as the clamps sit in from the edge of the box a few inches.

 

The universal Mighty Mount works great and I see no reason it would not work on ANY rack made. They give you all kinds of options to make them fit.

 

It looks as if there is not much room to fit a box up there. Hos much space is left after the bike rack is mounted.

 

I think it would be a tight fit. Maybe a small narrow box. I think the little tabs under the stock bars will also cause a problem. All my stuff is packed in storage as I am moving so can't measure it.