Hey all,

I've been considering bike options for the Clubman, but I'm not sure of the best way to go. I have a hitch-mount carrier attachment that I love, but the cost of getting a hitch to carry a bike is kinda crazy. I'm not fond of strapping something to the back (don't want to scratch anything), and I've followed that thread about the Mini roof-top carrier causing leaks (potentially).

So silly question: Anyone able to fit a full-size bike in the Clubman (and close both barn doors)? I assume I'll have to take the front tire off.

Will the bike fit without tearing up the front seats?

Thanks!

 

While you're waiting: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...archid=4186375 - from a search on bicycle with it showing "posts". But it is helpful to have a thread with the word "Bicycle" for future reader's reference.

 

Yes, I was able to fit my bike (Specialized Tricross, size 61) in the back/front of my Clubman. The front wheel had to come off, and the brake/shift had to sit in front of the passenger seat. I could have probably pushed the passenger seat far forward, but that would have hindered my visibility out the right window.

That was Thursday of last week. On Friday, I ordered the roof rack. If you have a smaller bike, like my wife's extra-small Vita, you shouldn't have any problems at all.

 

Dang, I've been so addicted to this site since i started to learn about Mini's a few months ago that I thought I read every thread in here by now

Thanks for fixing my newbie mistake

 

No problem, glad to have been of some help. And seriously, the thread is good because of its title. In my not so humble opinion, this site could use a little more of a moderator's touch when it comes to organization.

 

Hey there - I can get my 58cm roadbike into the back of my Clubman. I too have to take the front tire off and then push the right front passenger seat forward. It works but am looking forward to either the roof rack fix or a hitch mount that is being worked on right now.

 

Thanks for the info! Which hitch are you waiting on at the moment? I'm on the update list for this one:


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=135304

Sounds like you can do it but it's painful. Do you have to drape the front fork around to the front of the passenger seat, or will it fit behind?

Thanks again!

 

I actually back the rear tire in first towards the front passenger seat. Allows me to roll it in and back out. I do drape the rear tire so its not getting things dirty and the put a towel over the fork/handlebars so nothing gets scraped up. It works, but not a great long term solution, especially if I want to carry another passenger with me in the front seat.

To answer your other question, I'm waiting for either hitch to become available or a roof rack solution (that works on my clubbie). Lot's of folks have gotten the MINI roof rack to work on theirs, but it didn't want to fit mine.

 

My 54 cm road bike fits fine with the front wheel removed. This was a requirement for purchasing the Clubman, as I don't care for roof racks or hitch racks. It fits without adjusting the front seats. I also use a thick "moving blanket" I got from Home Depot to cushion the bike and protect the interior.

 

Funny how this thread gives you a notion of the ...stature...of the correspondents.

52cm btw.

Our requirement was that we could get an 8X8 popup canopy in the back; we use it at the motorcycle races.

 

Haha - well I hope my 54cm will fit fine. Do any of you have to drop the saddle at all to fit it? Also - when you back it in like that do you have to move the front seat forward or will it fit diagonally?

I had a Yakima setup on my Passat wagon w/fork mount trays and I was always amazed at how badly the fuel economy would be affected if you put the bikes on the roof. Putting them in the rear cargo area wasn't the most elegant solution and I lost the "Tour Team Car" look that I had always coveted but now that gas is $3.75/gallon I would probably do it anyway.

 

You won't have to drop the saddle at all. You may have to move the passenger seat forward if you put it in rear wheel first though.

Unfortunately, I need to be able to get two bikes and camping gear from point A to point B while sitting comfortably in the front. I know I'll take a hit on the mileage while they're on the roof, but I'm hoping that the rack itself won't hinder my 39MPGs much or at all.

 

To be precise: I put it in fork-first, chain-up, left crank forward of the bottom bracket and parallel to the chainstays. This allows the rear wheel to "lay down" at the rear of the cargo area. It's a snug fit, but the handlebars do not interfere with either front seat.

 

Tim, you get that rack you got from Morristown installed yet? Just curious on how it went for you.

 

No, we watched TV instead. I'm going to go give it a shot right after supper.

 

My 58cm Tri-bilke fits in the back with the fron wheel off and the passenger seat pushed forward a bit. I have the bike in the car 6 days a week for months on end with no problems.

 

Wow.. This is all great feedback per my question today. Takes some of the pressure off of finding a carrier on day one.

 

Miniman3 - let that bike go!

 

Just got my rack installed. It wasn't easy, but it's on there now. No more bikes in the back of my Clubman.

 

Back in the day, before all my kids, when I rode a little, I took two fork mount hold downs and mounted them on a two by four. Two bikes standing up with the front forks in the "rack" fit in my Subaru wagon. Could this work in a Clubman?

 

This is all fine and dandy, but what to do when your bike is eight feet long?

(We ride a tandem.)

 

Assume you got the Mini roof rack? Didn't see the spec in the thread unless I missed it....

Congrats on getting it set up...

 

Yes, I bought the MINI roof rack that's intended for the R56. No Yakima or Thule rack yet. Here's a whole thread about what's been going on if you haven't already seen it: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=137414&page=6

 

Yeah, I've been tracking that.. Part of the reason I was wondering if the bike would fit in the Mini as a workaround until all of that clears out.

Thanks for sending the link... Others may have missed it...