I would like to be able to put a recumbent bike on a Sport Link/Bike holder but am not sure if it is possible. BMW told me that the capacity of the jaws is a 1 3/8 inch tube. My recumbent tube is 2 1/2 inches. Can anyone tell me if it feasible to replace the clamp bolts with longer bolts?
I have never seen the actual Bike Holder nor a picture which was revealing enough to get an answer to the question.

I am very new to the forum - just placing my order today for a MCS.

Thanks for any help!

Martin

I ordered the sport link bike holder for my new MCS Cabrio which should be delivered in a few days - so I have never seen the unit either.

HOWEVER, I just noticed something tantalizing in the latest edition of "MINI Motoring Accessories" - the new 2006 book that my dealer gave me a copy of today. Under Sport Link, there is not only the car mount and the bike rack but a THIRD product called "Alternative Bike Adapter (not shown)". I have no idea what the heck it is but it sells for $28.25 and - for that price - might well be something that fits over the bike rack to provide greater optionality. Dunno, but worth asking about.

Since I will have a convertible, I am really hoping that they provide more options for Sport Link eventually - like a ski rack option for the unit. I am thrilled about the bike option but would love to carry the skis outside as well.

Bill

Now, if I could only save for the new $2,000 expansion to the Harmon Kardon radio system making its appearance in this catalog.... sheesh...

If the frame is round you should be ok.
If it is oblong the bike wants to sit on an angle.
I will have to check out the adapter.

Mini Mania use to sell some sort of ski rack or snow board or
maybe it was for surf boards.
They had it last year at AMVIV.
Anyway check them out.

The Sport Link/Bike Rack is great.

The alternative bike adapter I pictured below is for a mixed frame. Has clamps to clamp to the head tube and seat tube, creating a 'false' top tube for the rack to clamp.

The bolts that hold the top tube clamp are not quite 2.5 inches apart so I dont' see you using it as is. But you can unscrew the two bolts, remove the top plate, and make you own fitting for the top.

My Rans Stratus will fit OK. My M5 won't (maybe upside down?) My full faired HPV only goes in the van.

I have the further complication of the aerokit rear bumper for which they don't include a template.





Straight from the manual...



Special carrying needs, and one reason I still have a E150 van too...

I am about to take receipt of Red Erik (MCS CR/B) and have also ordered the SportLink. I am planning on carrying a max of two bikes (one Mondonico road and one Trek road). For those of you folks who already own a Sport Link, do you like it and how does it do with two bikes? Any sway or motion in the bikes? Thanks very much and be safe out there on the roads!!

Thanks Jersey Bill, Cooprd and Mmatarella for the information.

Mark, neat looking M5 and HPV! I have a Bacchetta Aero and am still trying to figure out how I can make the Bike Holder work. I like your suggestion of making a new top plate but it appears from your excellent pictures of the clamp that a height extended top plate would hit the tightening ***** as they were turned. Any chance that the tightening ***** could be removed and put on longer bolts?

I also wonder if you ever tried to carry the Rans on the Holder for any distance. If so did it stay secure? How did you stabilize the front wheel?

Thanks again,

Martin

Well, the sportlink is still in the box ;-) So I don't know how well the Rans will work. I mostly got the sportlink to carry the M5. I think the Rans might be longer than the car is wide. If I did try it I'd probably remove the front wheel. It's got a pair of carbon wheels on it now unlike the pic so I'd hate to have that sticking out on the side.

Yes the tightning bolts can be removed and thats what I was suggesting. Then using those holes to bolt on a new fitting.

Small world... Funny about the Bachettea. Mark Colliton (designed the Bachettea) and I used to ride together alot in WHIRL. I bought the Rans from him used about 12 years ago. Many other bents have come and gone but I hang onto the Rans... If fact, if you know recumbents.com, that was mine, I created and ran for a few years, then eventually gifted it to the WISIL group. I also was the one who organized the three WHIRL Big Rides in DC if you heard of them...

The alternative bike adapter


Can also be bought from Target under the Coleman brand. I believe I paid around $19 for it. Works great with my Sport Link

Off-topic, but in response to an earlier post...

The new Digital Power Sound Modul (DPSM) audio option is not an expansion on the Harman Kardon system. In fact, it is not even compatible with the H/K. It is an expansion for the standard Boost radio. Now, if someone was determined enough, I am sure that they could remove the H/K and replace it with the DPSM, especially since the H/K uses the exact same head unit as the standard Boost system!

Edge -

Thanks for the clarification on the DPSM... My MA didn't know much about it and - while I have thrown the kitchen sink into my MINI that should reach the dealer by this weekend - I was not anxious to raise my tab by $2,000 right away for a system I didn't understand.

Let me go further off- off- topic. I think you may have responded to a question of mine over in Motoringfile yesterday concerning the JCW suspension for the cabrio. If that was you, I didn't want to admit on that thread that my dealer IS actually installing the JCW suspension in my Cabrio and I will have the result by next week. They said that they have done it many times for other Cabrio owners. Your response really cleared the issue up for me as to why it is not recommended but now makes me wonder how they are selecting components of the system to balance to the Cabrio. As long as the result doesn't degrade the handling, I will be happy but I may raise the "spring selection" issue with my SA when I get the chance.... Since the dealer is installing suspension, I would think that MINI has to warranty this, even though it is not technically recommended for the Cabrio (fingers crossed).

Bill

The sport link is the best. I used it last year to tote my Calfee up from San Antonio to Lake Texoma (about 400 miles). Very stable, and I had no worries as I motored up and back later that week.

I will say, however, that the exhaust fumes do impact the tubes in the tires. The first time I rode I had 2 flats. So, you might consider letting the air out of your tires.

You're welcome... I actually knew of the DPSM over a year ago before I ordered my new MINI... and I inquired many times about it with the dealer, but of course they didn't know anything. I ended up going ahead and getting the H/K. Now, I like the H/K, but the DPSM intrigues me... and I'll bet that it blows the H/K away (in power). The question would be - how does the quality of the sound compare? Unfortunately the DPSM is likely to be so rare here in the USA, that I may never get a chance to hear it for myself.Yep, that was me.Be careful. I suspect that you MIGHT have problems with warranty from some dealerships... but yours will probably take care of you, since they sold it to you. When the order is placed for the JCW suspension, they have to give the VIN number of the vehicle. I would be willing to bet they just grabbed the VIN of some other (hardtop) MCS in order to satisfy the requirement. Who knows if they took the time to compare specs or vehicle weight... which would be hard to do anyway between hardtop and cabrios.

Your results may vary... Did you know that the SS+ suspension ALSO uses different part numbers for the shocks, varying according to vehicle weight and options? Personally I would have stuck with the SS+ suspension, which was configured for your specific car from the factory - even JCW's site is VERY clear - not available on Cabrios.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I am nervous about fitting this suspension where it was not supposed to go - but I am hoping for the best. The dealer, of course, assures that all the advantages will be there on the Cabrio as they would on the hardtop - but I am first worried about safety and also about possibly degrading the ride from the standard system should it be too much of a square peg in round hole. To hear that they might also be executing some creative subterfuge in swapping VINs to sell this system does not inspire confidence.

On the other hand, I really wonder how much customization is defensible for a suspension anyway? I am no engineer but can't believe that the weight of various MINI models within a class vary by more than a couple hundred pounds, about the weight of an extra passenger. If you are tuning that finely, isn't the car performing differently every time you add a passenger? I thought that there were other general advantages to the JCW setup - like lowering the car a little and enhancing responsiveness in the twisties. Yes, all that is influenced by the weight of the car - but that weight varies too (just filled up with gas? picked up the kids? groceries in the back?) so I am still a bit confused on that point. Still, you have helped me clear things up and I am grateful - but still will remain a little nervous until I get my hands on the car in a few days and try the new suspension out.

Sorry to all for hijacking this thread - it was really a very nice and proper topic to start with - and one that I want to see continue since I have the Sport Link being installed on the new MINI as well.... anyway....

Bill

I have not had any trouble hauling bikes using my sportlink it is great. To fix the tube issue you can always take off the front wheel and put the front of the bike near the exhaust (if you have a MC) no idea for a MCS. My MC has not hurt any of my tubes yet

Edge -
It is turning out that I am NOT getting my JCW suspension because the service department finally wised up my MA that you just can't do a JCW suspension on a Cabrio... He could have sworn that he sold them for ragtops previously - but is now hearing that it is impossible....

I was intrigued about the idea of getting a JCW suspension on the Cabrio but was beginning to get really nervous about it being an ultimately poor idea. Glad that I will be staying with the SS+ suspension after all.

They are fitting out the car today and I will FINALLY have it on Saturday....

Bill

First, thanks very much to everyone who provided feedback and advice on the Sport Link. I have decided to pony up the extra time and have one installed on my new Mini (which by the way....JUST ARRIVED AT THE DEALER). Woo-Hoo!!! Did I mention that my car has arrived??? They can install the Sport Link and have Red Erik ready for pickup Monday or Tuesday!!! Whee!!

I have been searching and searching for a Sport Link attachment that lets you carry something other than bikes - perhaps skis or snowboards. BMW doesn't offer such a beast but I am pretty sure it would be fairly easy to fabricate a ski-holder (maybe modifying just the ski clamp part from another commercial car holder) that would attach into the Sport Link tube clamps for the bike somehow. The skis would be held vertically (or even a forward leaning angle) in the rack and I am sure you could cable it for security.

The true Cadillac approach would be to have a unit totally for skis (in lieu of basing it on the bike rack) that fits into the car mounting brackets - but I am not that good a welder....

Once I have the rack, I may start tinkering unless I find some commercial option first....

Anyone done anything like this ???

Bill

Does anyone know where I might be able to view a bike rack that has been installed?

Darn I just took mine off tonight. If I put it back on tomorrow I will take some pics.

At the dealer today when picking up my MCS Cabrio, my MA demonstrated taking the bike rack off and putting it on - a very cool and sturdy mechanism with dual locks for security. It also "leans" backward to allow opening the trunk.

He warned me THREE TIMES that the installation procedure for the bike rack has the possibility of scratching your bumper if you are not careful - you insert the attachment on the right and then twist the whole bracket to the left, bringing the left attachment into line - then pushing in and locking. If the left attachment is not retracted all the way it rubs an arc into your fender. Other than this I was very impressed with how well designed and sturdy the rack was.

He indicated that it is his understanding that "they" are in the process of developing a ski rack for Sport Link and he had also heard of a platform shelf under development.

All in all, I am very glad I got the system.

Sorry no photo - I removed the system and covered my car for the NE snowstorm currently hitting us....

Bill

A quick search on NAM for Sport Link will provide lots of pix!

Here are 2 bikes on my MINI


Here's a thread on my Sport Link Installation Writeup
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=sport+link


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=sport+link