I need a bike rack. I looked at the obvious first choice: The Mini Fini Sportlink system. The link, rack and installation will come to about $1000 which seems kind of steep. Even if I install it myself (which involves drilling and cutting BIG HOLES in the bumper), I would still be out about $600 and an afternoon from my life. I should note that I have no interest in anything other than a bike rack so the "link" part is really of little interest to me. I did a little searching and found this:

http://www.birdautomotive.com/Bike%2...Cooper%20S.htm

which is about $400 and I could probably install it myself and there's NO DRILLING the bumper! It doesn't swing away for trunk access - but trunk access isn't worth $600 to me

I also found references to a trunk mounted rack from Saris but it's not clear to me that it would work on the Cabrio. Their prices are in the $150 to $300 range (http://www.saris.com/t-SarisRacks.aspx?skinid=1)

So, tell, all knowing people of NAM...Is the Bird rack any good? Should I starve for a few months and get the Sport Link? Does the Saris work or is my hunch right? Any other options?

Thanks!

 

It seems that you'd be better off buying one of these units http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/bikes.php

 

That's actually my Mini Cabrio on Sam Bird's website that he installed as a prototype. I converted the bike rack to hold skis and a snowboard this winter. It really works well. You do have some access to the boot. If you have any questions, talk to Sam. He is really a great guy and he would walk you through the installation(he actually installed mine). It is very well thought out and installs in a minute or two. If I could help you out or you need any other pictures, shoot me a PM.

 

I like Sam Bird's setup. I'd be curious to know how much his pea shooter mount & luggage rack weighs vs a 'traditional' square hitch and luggage carrier.

 

I'm still watching to see if anyone finds whether this solution works with a aero kit rear bumper. I.E. if the fog light hole is in the same position as on a regular bumper.

 

I'd still like to hear if anyone has tried the first rack listed by neilgj above -- it does seem to be a cheaper option for those only interested in a bike rack.

anyone?

 

I have Sam Bird's bike rack on my Mini. It works great and sets up in about a minute. I can't testify how long it takes to install initially because Sam installed mine as a prototype. It took him about three hours but that was the first one he did on a Mini. Basically he drilled two holes under the boot and used two exisiting holes to mount the peashooter bracket. It is very secure and could hold a couple hundred pounds. The bike rack itself slides into the peashooter tubes and is secured by locking pins under the boot. The top of the rack is secured to eyehook screws in the boot by straps. You can open the hatch about 75%. It sounds complicated but it isn't and works nicely. I converted the bike rack to a ski/snowboard carrier this winter. If you have any questions call Sam-he is very appproachable. BTW- The rack can only be installed on the "S" model(no spare tire underneath the boot)

 

richreef -- great info, thanks

 

Well I spoke to Sam Bird and he seems like a reasonable sort of fellow. The bike rack mount is a plate that takes the place of the flimsy skid plate/heatshield that is attached beneath the battery box. The peashooter pipes mount on that plate. You need to drill three holes in the bottom of the battery box to mount the plate (template included). The pipes are easily accessible and slightly hidden as they end just before the lower part of the rear bumper. So for $400, this sounds like the best deal to me. No making holes in the bumper, no bumper removal for installation, no messing with the fog lamp to access the rack mount. It sounds like a little work to install but I have the right tools for it.

I'm going to order the kit and I'll update the thread after I install it.