Here is the rack on my 07MCS.

 

I ordered a trailer hitch receiver from minidomore.com. It's similar to the minifini but cheaper because any bike rack hitch will do - vs the special one you have to purchase from minifini. Similar to minifini, had to take the rear bumber off to install. Not too hard. The downside is that to bolt on the bike rack, you have to reach under the bumper above the tailpipe. Very happy with it though.

 

Wonder how well that would hold 4 autocross tires.......?

 

oldsbear, thanks for the pictures. Looks like a sweet set-up. Is the rear bike carrier easily removed when you are not using it?

Thanks,
minilab

 

Very easy: release the clamp on each side, tilt up, pull out. Done. (and quickly folds flat to store)

 

I bought the MINI R56 Rear Mount Bike Rack without really researching the installation and it's beyond my skill and comfort level. It's a great solution but I really needed something cheaper that I could install myself.

If anyone reading this is looking to buy this bike rack I have it new and sealed in the original box and for sale. It's listed in the market area here on NAM. Due to lack of response I'm selling it cheap.. pretty much half price at $250 + shipping. If anyone is interested please PM me.

 

FugitiveAI - I am totally interested. Can you give me the link to the posting in Marketplace?

 

My question is whether you can take off the roof rack when it is not needed.

 

Roof rack comes right off, takes about 5 mins. I put in on when I need it and pop it off when I don't. I use the roof rack for a Thule cargo box. I have a Minidomore receiver for my Yakima hitch mount bike rack. Works great, was easy to install, and there is only one small black plastic plug in the middle of the lower black trim piece. What's really nice is any standard 1 1/4" hitch accessory works, you don't have to buy all the special MiniFini attachments.

Just my 2 cents but very happy with both the roof rack and the Minidomore receiver.

 

Oh ok, thanks!

 

got a hitch receiver from minidomore.com as well. Works great for both the bike rack (Thule) and a small trailer to haul my windsurfing gear !

 

I'm thinking of getting the minidomore receiver. Did you install it yourself? If so, any advice or things to watch out for?

Is it easy to reach under the bumper to secure the bike rack?

I'm looking at the Thule, Yakima or Saris racks that have a place for each tire to sit so nothing can move and the bike is held only by the tires. Some of them also tilt so you can open the hatch with the bikes on the rack. Anyone have recommendations for a hitch mount rack?

 

I did the install myself, took about 2 hours. The only thing that was a bit of pain was the plastic screw type fasteners that hold the inner fender liner in place. The tend to not want to unscrew. I managed to destroy two of the four, not realizing at the time, that you can reach around and hold on to them from behind so that you can keep them from spinning when you are un-screwing them. I hope that makes sense. Either way, I pick up some spares at the dealer, very cheap. The instructions are great from Minidomore just follow along with them take your time, and you will be fine.

Mounting and un-mounting the hitch style bike rack is pretty simple, it very easy to reach up under the bumper to screw in the bolt that holds the rack in the receiver.

Also, I just noticed in an article in the recent issue of MC2, that the Minidomore receivers are now rated to 200lbs tongue weight. I have yet to follow up and see if that is the case.