R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Recommendations for carrying bicycles on the MINI

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Old Jul 18, 2005 | 05:18 AM
  #26  
MINIMAXXNC's Avatar
MINIMAXXNC
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From: NC
trailer?

anyone seen or heard of a trailering option for the MINI?
 
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Old Jul 18, 2005 | 06:36 AM
  #27  
Dinger28's Avatar
Dinger28
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From: Charlotte, NC
I have the SportLink as well and it rocks! I have had just about every rack on the planet (roof, hatch racks, etc....) and a hitch rack is the best in my opinion. No lifting your bike over your head onto a roof, no straps on your car, no worries of scratching your ride, and no wind noise from roof racks. Easy to put on and off. After riding you can take the rack off in 2 seconds and got out on the town w/o the bike rack on the car. Plus no need to take off the rack (roof rack) in order to wax. Plus as a added bonus, it looks like a extra set of exhaust pipes. Yea quad exhaust Baby!!! Dinger28
 
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Old Oct 18, 2008 | 03:09 PM
  #28  
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ddwolpert
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The racks dont work for the ragtop corrrect?
 
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Old Oct 18, 2008 | 09:53 PM
  #29  
howsoonisnow1985's Avatar
howsoonisnow1985
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From: Santa Cruz County Jail
Bike Carrier For Convertible MINIs

Please, Please, Please do not bolt holes into your MINIs roof!!!!
I had to pass on several MINIs, cause they had holes on the roof
I reccomend you get this 3 bike carrier ($200):
http://www.minidomore.com/mini_coope...ke_carrier.php
 

Last edited by howsoonisnow1985; May 29, 2009 at 02:30 PM.
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Old Oct 19, 2008 | 06:25 AM
  #30  
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JIM_GRAHAM
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From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by everythingsablur
... There are ski and snowboard adapters for the SportLink?? Got a link or product number? That would solve some issues (as noted above). I'm not to high on the idea of having the roof rack bolted THROUGH my roof.

I think the "Sport Link" offers the greatest amount of flexibility. However it is pricy. But... If you get the 1 1/4" or 2" attachment, you can put whatever type of rack on there you want! : http://www.minifini.com/Shop.aspx

I bought the 2" receiver attachment and then got a Thule bike rack, which I liked better than the MiniFini bike rack and it was cheaper. You could put a spare tire carrier on for loooong trips. You could put a hitch on there and tow a small trailer. There are hitch mounted platforms etc..

I did not want to drill holes in my roof, or space out with my bike on a roof rack and drive into the garage destroying my bike and my roof like a buddy of mine.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 07:33 PM
  #31  
Eurothrasher's Avatar
Eurothrasher
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Guess that depends on how much $ $ you have, and how much you bike.

I have a rear hatch rack, 50 bucks, works great but the bikes wheels tend to block the rear tail lights some. So I got a third brake light pulsar to help in that area.

No issues so far. And no additional holes drilled into vehicle either........
 
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 07:57 AM
  #32  
sunolmike's Avatar
sunolmike
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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Curt trailer hitch

I have a cabrio so no roof option for me . I got the Curt Trailer 1.25" hitch from Moss (there are retail options as well). It can be installed yourself but I opted for a professional install. Altogether, it was cheaper than the mini do more and since I already had four bike trailer mount rack, I was good to go . It works great except my backup proximity beeps whenever I'm in reverse .
 
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 05:16 PM
  #33  
Dan00Hawk's Avatar
Dan00Hawk
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Aurora, IL
Obviously this won't work if you have a passenger or multiple bikes... But it keeps the bike safe and secure.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 09:34 AM
  #34  
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DixonL2
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From: Pgh, PA
For anything shorter than 5-10 miles, RIDE THE BIKE!

Seriously, though: I've put a moving pad down, removed both wheels, and put my road bike inside (which is not too bad), but for anything more, this is my favorite option - MiniDoMore hitch, with my old Rhode Gear hitch rack (there are other great 1 1/4" hitch racks, the Hollywood is nice with the anti-sway hitch mount). The bikes are plenty high to clear driveways and such, out of the wind, and easy to mount. I've had 4 bikes on there - while you can feel it, it's not bad at all.




Another option is the roof rack, this is a Barrecrafters (marketed by Performance Bike). Only problems are having to keep the foot pads really clean, and the potential for dimpling the roof a bit if you tighten it too much (doh!):
 
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