Does anybody know where I can get the Mini Bike Rack? My MA said it was on backorder and that is why they didn't install it for me. Wife and I go to the Beach and ride bikes on the weekends and I want to take the Mini.

 

Were you talking about the ROOF rack or the MINIFINI? http://www.minifini.com/

 

I have the Mini roof rack and I don't think I would do it again..... I would probably look for a "take off" unit from Thule or Yakima..... I dropped a bike on the roof and it has $880 worth of damage yet to be fixed. you can take the unit off but the "covers" look a bit cheap. I would sell it but a lot of the cost is the install. (I'm assuming you know how it goes on)

 

One of the best bike hauling solutions is one that fits on a hitch, provided you install a hitch...

Reasons:
The bike is at chest height for loading and unloading.
It is extremely stable
You will not crash your bikes into the roof of your garage, drive thru, car-port, or parking garage.
Does not decrease aeordynamics as much.

The bad part is the added expense of the hitch, of course you might use is for a MINI trailer of some sort!

I have worked for many years in bike shops and been a competitive cyclist. Hitch rack systems from any of the companies are the safest, easiest to use, and best out there.


Oh, and when someone crashes their roof mounted bikes into their garage, usually the bikes and roof rack stay in place and the roof gets pulled back like a sardine can. Fix garage, fix car roof, fix bike, very expensive.

 

Bought mine from Morristown Mini, no tax, free shipping plus 20% discount, couldn't be happier.
I'm very satisfied with the fit & finish of factory roof rack and bike racks, which plays an important factor when deciding on a Mini.

Roof rack with painted end caps + bike rack


Another view,


Looks and build quality aside, the factory bike rack is not as well designed as Thule big mouth rack which I have been using for five years. Things I'd miss from the big mouth.

• be able to lock bike rack to roof rack
• interchangable lock, one key for multiple racks
• lowed lock position, much easier to operate
• big mouth clamp beats the silly strap any day
• better wheel straps

With appropriate adaptor, thule rack can be installed on factory rack just fine, the only issue is that it's black.

If ever do it again, I'll probably choose the Thule racks. But in the meantime I'm ok with the looks of factory rack, why can't have both

Dropping or crashing roof mounted bikes isn't a worry to me, in a sense Mini's undersized body and oversized sunroof help.

 

This is my second MCS both with the MINI roof racks. Best part of the factory rack is the extra capacity 75Kg vs 75lbs for the Thule or Yakama. I can haul 2 15' long kayaks, 55lbs each, without any problems.

The factory bicycle racks are very secure and can be adapted to fit either narrow tube or fat tube frames.

You can see photos here:
http://www.mini2.com/galleries/showgallery.php?cat=704

It is a very solid, quiet, rack. No problems at any legal road speed. The cross bars will accept most accessories from Thule or Yakama. The cross bars are screwed solidly to the frame of the roof. Once a bicycle is locked in the rack the bike carrier can not be removed from the cross bars.

All in all I am very happy with the rack.

 

Debatable. I was a pro mechanic for 6 years prior to medical school and almost without exception the "serious" cyclists used roof racks. As well as most pro teams and shops. They are reliable, and can lock you rack to your car and bikes to you rack. In addition many advanced composites used in the frames of modern racing bicycles are not designed to take the side loading that goes on with many of the current hitch style racks. Most consumer/rec bikes ill do fine. Another option, though not really for MINI's is a Draftmester style hitch rack. Many of the advanatges of the roof rack systems without some of the perils

Very true.

I am still working on my adaptors to fit the MINI towers and utilize Yakima crossbars. I have had my partner send the CAD designs to a investment casting company in the far east. We are waiting to hear back about a quote.

 

The Sport-Link is the only way to go. No damage to roof panels, and easy to load 2 bikes of any size and weight. This one went up for sale on the forum tonight: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=64761. Full description at www.minifini.com which has recently gone back into production in the US after going out of business on the other side of the pond.

 

Let me be a little clearer. ............. I have a convertable and can't really use a roof rack. Great Idea.... wrong car.

 

Roof rack looks great however I bet it won't work with my Mcs. convertable...... nope looking for the back bike rack.

 

The Sport-Link will probably work for you unless you have one of those safety-centric euro-MINIs with the rear bumper mounted to the ragtop. Also hitch mounted racks don't work because the MCS center exhaust precludes the use of standard hitches. For a tow hitch you'd have to go with the Sport-Link again.

 

I went with the factory rack and have been very satisfied with my decision. My only suggestion is to shop between dealers if you have that option. One local dealer insisted the installation cost is $600. The other one - Lauderdale MINI did it for less than half that. The cost of the rack was less as well from Lauderdale MINI. They do a great job there.

 

Since you have a Cabrio...

check out
http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/
and then get one of the hitch racks...