Hello Miniacs,

I have the '05 MCS and want to be able to put my mountain bike on it and GO GO GO! The problem is the rack of course. I know there are really only two options. Roof and Sport Link. Why they have to be well over $500 each, I really don't know. Must be the BMW in her. Anyhow, I am not a fan of putting things on the roof. You can take it off, but what a hassle that is. The Sport link is only 20lbs w/o the rack attachment and would not create a lot of drag noice when the sunroof is open. Plus there is no "mouniting ware" on Sport Link.

What are you riders using out there? I have been riding TO my rides lately which is taking some of the wind out of my sails when the gnarly hills call! 10 mile rides to GET TO THE RIDE, isn't my idea of a ride. I like dirt.

Options?

 

10 miles aint too bad, i would say just get used to the extra leg! After a while youll be much stronger because of it!

 

I just put mine in the back.

 

I'm not certain what you mean that there is no "mounting ware" . The sportlink bike rack attachment comes with clamps and straps and works extremely well. The great part of the SportLink is that you can also attach tow hitches, cargo boxes and ski/snowboard racks. All attachments (and the link itself) are available at www.minifini.com, the OEM manufacturer.

 

+1
Pop the front wheel off my Trek, jam in the back, and go.

 

Sorry..I should have been more clear on the "mounting hardware." If you go with SportLink, the only mounting piece IS the link itself. No roof Q tower like Yakima. When you are not using it....it's not "there" or visible. With the Yakima, you can take the bike off, but there's the Q tower and poles and the rack remains. With the Link......there's just two nicely polished receptors.

 

Yes, that is the best part of the SportLink: The rack goes on and removes in seconds leaving nothing more than the mounting tubes that stick out from the rear bumper by about an inch. SportLink now offers black rubber boots (with or without holes to accommodate the attachments) that slide over those tubes to render them vitually invisible.

 

So Ihoboy, Do you own the sport link? You said that it is on/off in just seconds. I have been curious how it actually works. Obviously the system is a male/female type system with one piece fitting into the next. What is the fastening mechanism? Cotter pin? Magnet? Clips? Have you put two bikes on with no problem?

 

Yes, I use it every weekend with 2 bikes. My bikes are expensive, so I would only consider a rack that would not only protect the car from the bikes, but would also protect the bikes from each other. The SportLink bike attachment does that very nicely.

The attaching mechanism is a bit tough to explain, but here goes:

Below is a picture of a simple tow hitch to simplify the illustration. The 2 solid mounting pins that are inserted into the tubes (mounted behind the bumper to the frame) are connected by a square hollow crossbeam. These pins are bayonet grooved, so they will fit into the tube only in one way. The right pin is fixed to the crossbeam. The left pin can rotate in the beam and will move forward and backward. To intall the attachment (tow hitch, bike rack, etc.):

1. hold the beam vertically (left pin on top) and insert right pin into tube (up to marked arrow).
2. rotate beam down to line left pin up with tube (first make certain that pin is fully retracted towards the rear)
3. rotate left pin so that groove is on top and push fully into tube.
4. rotate left pin 90 degrees clockwise. At that point you will be able to depress the pushlock into that pin. The lock is both a safety and security feature.

This entire process takes no longer than it takes to read the four steps out loud. About 25 seconds.

 

I've had the Sportlink for 5 years now---first on my '03 Cooper and transferred over to my '05 MCS.

Here are two mountain bikes on my '03 Cooper


I wouldn't dare put muddy/dirty bikes inside my MINI. I also love having them off the rear--no worries about driving into a garage with the bikes on top--yep, done that before---no worries about dirt and junking getting on my roof, or dropping a bike on the roof as I'm trying to mount them. Plus mounting them off the back after a long hard ride is so much more satisfying than putting them/removing them from the roof.

I also just installed the factory roof rack--with 8 holes drilled in the roof.


Process documented here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rack+octaneguy

I had a Mont Blanc prior and while it worked fine as a bike rack-it couldn't support the load of my cargo carrier like the factory rack could, so I opted to go the factory rack option despite having told myself for the past 5 years, I'd never drill holes in my roof, lol.


For MTTS and MITM I had the MINI Fini Cargo Carrier off the back holding a Kipor generator and merchandise and a Thule Cargo on the roof with factory roof carrier.

The Sport Link is an easy self install--I've got a writeup here on NAM.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...341#post551341



Richard

 

Another option is the hidden hitch by MiniDoMore. http://www.minidomore.com/mini_coope...iler_hitch.php

Completely hidden when not in use.

 

I think between you and Ihoboy, I am going to do the SportLink. I really appreciate (and relate to) the justifications you have mentioned. I don't want dirt falling on my head after the ride and, like you, don't want a messy wheel after a long ride, muckin' up the inside of my Mini.

 

One more question.....I am mechanically inclined and have the Bentley manual for our cars. Can I do the installation of the SportLink piece myself? I am assuming it will entail a little cutting of the plastic in the rear fender and then does it bolt up to existing frame bolts?

 

Like I mentioned in my post, check out my DIY article on installing the Sport Link.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...341#post551341

It's an easy install--it just takes time taking things apart. The actual install takes less than 30 minutes---but removing the bumper, cutting and bending the heatshield, and drilling the holes through the foil shield for the Sport Link--as well as drilling the holes in the MCS grill inserts take the most time.

Richard

 

I guess it is easier for me since I've stripped out the rear interior...oh, and there's none of this mud stuff of which you speak in Phoenix

 

Two thumbs up on the Sportlink. I had one on my '04 MCS. Unfortunately, my new Clubman requires a different Sportlink base and hence a different rack. If anyone is interested in buying my Sportlink bike rack send me a PM.

 

Exactly ...except mine is an Astro Daimlier.

 

I'm getting back into riding, was searching for bike rack info. This is a good thread!

It is a PITA to pack a large bike into the back of a MINI. Wouldn't work with a passenger.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53074154@N00/5902169099/

 

Just to come back around with an update. I have had the SportLink installed for quite some time and I absolutely LOVE IT. It holds two bikes very securely and one is a Niner. I am still very pleased with the purchase even tho it was quite expensive. I think I want to get the luggage rack accessory now too. The install was a snap as stated above.....a little time consuming and maybe not for the "not so mechanically inclined."