I've been using this hitch/rack combo for about a month. The bikes are held by the wheels only. The rack is very light which makes it easy to line up the holes for the hitch pin. It doesn't come with a locking hitch pin but the yakima pin/lock is compatible with this rack.

 

Some more pics:

 

Was the hitch difficult to install? Mine is on the way, and I'm wonderin' whether to have the dealer install it

 

Sorry for the long delay in replying. By now you've probably received the hitch and installed it. I did not install the hitch myself. However, from everything I have read on NAM, it is not that hard to install and if I had to do it over again, I would probably install it myself.

 

No problem. Yes, I have already received and installed it. I'm glad I did it myself. It wasn't hard, it just took a little while.

 

Hey all,

I know this is an old thread, so fingers crossed that one of you can help...

After much deliberation, I just ordered both a MiniDoMore hitch and a Thema 2 rack for my '08 Cooper S. I've had enough of missing mountain biking season in the Bay Area because none of my friends have cars and I have no rack! Everything should be arriving next week... w00t!

BUT, I'm on the fence about the "modified valence" part which I see that Brent sells on the MiniDoMore site: http://minidomore.com/mini_cooper_to...iler_hitch.php

Since some of you have already been down this road, I'm curious, did you just punch the hole out on your rear valence, or did you buy his pre-cut one? I'm curious how hard it is to do myself without it looking bad. I was actually thinking of taking the rack to the dealer to see if they'd help install it, so that piece might be up to me...

Thanks for any help!