Does anyone drive a Mini Cooper w/bike rack?

[Dannielle]

What's your bike rack set-up like?

I just bought my dream car Saturday and I'm trying to figure out the best way to add a bike rack to it. I drive my bike to the trail to go riding so it's a necessity.

I have a new-ish hitch rack so that's the direction I'm leaning but when I look up hitches online I see mention of needing straps to additionally support things. I've never seen a hitch rack use straps so I'm totally confused by this.

A roof rack doesn't appeal to me at all. And I'd love to continue using my new rack (I love it!) but the strap thing...

[TsPoet]

For a hitch
http://www.minidomore.com/
They've also got a bike carrier.
But, what I use is the minidomore hitch plus this
http://www.sportsrig.com/

I love my trailer. I use it mostly for bikes, but I've also loaded it up for trips to recycling and such.

No inexpensive options I'm familiar with!
If you want to investigate more, you might try out the MINI forum.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/

...and you just got the best car in the world! I love my MINI (clubbie, traded in my Cooper for a little more room).

[Lesley_x]

We use a roof rack bought directly from Mini, it's very good :)

[kmehrzad]

My friend drives a mini cooper and was looking for a bike rack. I sent her this link: http://new.minimania.com/InvDetail.cfm?item=NMA8015&googlebase

However, she came up with one that was a lot less $$. I'll ask her where she bought hers and get back to you.

[Dannielle]

thanks! that's very helpful. :)

this is the bike rack I bought about a month ago (to use with my husband's truck...but I'd like to make it work for the mini because I love this bike rack)

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64650.html

But when I looked up the hitch on the same site I got this-
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Mini_Cooper.htm

which mentions-

All non-trailer loads (bike racks, cargo carriers, etc) must be supported by stabilizing straps per Curt warranty requirements

as well as-

Heat shield must be trimmed or modified for hitch installation :eek:

It looks like the MiniDoMore hitch doesn't have those issues.

Thanks!

[GLC1968]

I used a Saris bones rack when I had my mini. I loved that it attached fully to the back hatch, so that I could easily open it with the rack on it (I even did it with my bike still on it, but that was nerve-wracking!).

You did just buy the best car in the world. I'd give anything to have mine back. :(

Anyway, don't be intimidated by the 'trim the heat shield' thing. I had to do that to install a hitch on my Prius and it was no big deal. I don't know anything about any additional straps though.

[runningcyclist]

I have no suggestions to make but just had to pop in as I absolutely love Minis as I had an ancient Mini Cooper back in the 90s. She leaked but I loved her greatly and plan to get another one at some point............ bike purchases permitting :rolleyes:.

[kmehrzad]

My friend drives a mini cooper and was looking for a bike rack. I sent her this link: http://new.minimania.com/InvDetail.cfm?item=NMA8015&googlebase

However, she came up with one that was a lot less $$. I'll ask her where she bought hers and get back to you.

Danielle,

Here's a link to the site where my friend bought her rack, which she's very happy with.

http://www.bikecarrierdirect.com/Trunk-Bike-Rack/Yakima---SuperJoe-2-Bike-Rack.html
Sale Price is $85.50

[Dannielle]

I'm so glad to hear all the current and former mini owners love them so much!

Thanks for asking about that rack, kmehrzad. I appreciate it!

Now I've gotta decide whether I want to get a hitch installed so I can use my current bike rack or switch to a new rack and skip the hitch (cheaper!).

[Dannielle]

Got it all figured out now. :) I called etrailer.com (they're local to me) and asked some questions. They offered free installation of a hitch if I let them use my car in an installation video for their website. Deal!

[etrailer]

I'm so glad to hear all the current and former mini owners love them so much!

Thanks for asking about that rack, kmehrzad. I appreciate it!

Now I've gotta decide whether I want to get a hitch installed so I can use my current bike rack or switch to a new rack and skip the hitch (cheaper!).

Hey,

I work for the company, etrailer.com, that sells bike racks and hitches in the St. Louis area, out in Wentzville. We carry the Yakima SuperJoe 2 bike rack and the Curt hitch that may fit your vehicle.

If you like, you could come to our store and test fit the SuperJoe 2 bike rack to your Mini to see if you like how it fits before buying it. Also, you could bring the hitch bike rack you already have and we could see if there is a way to make it work with a hitch.

Regarding the recommendation for using straps with a hitch bike rack, I can call Curt, the manufacturer of the hitch that fits your Mini, and find out what their recommendation is for using the strap on your vehicle. I would need your Mini's model and year to call the manufacturer. We did an installation of the Curt hitch on one of our other employee's 2007 Mini Cooper S not long ago. You can see the video of installation and the final product on our site, too.

Also, I drive a Mini! They are the best cars! I love her!

Let me know if I can help! My email is kristin.bross@etrailer.com.

Kristin

[etrailer]

Got it all figured out now. :) I called etrailer.com (they're local to me) and asked some questions. They offered free installation of a hitch if I let them use my car in an installation video for their website. Deal!

I see I posted a little too late. You beat me to it!

Unfortunately, I'm not in the day that you're getting your hitch fitted. However, if your interested in seeing etrailer, my friend, Patrick, would be happy to show you around the place while you wait for your Mini to get set up! You can just ask for him whenever you arrive, if you'd like a tour.

Thanks for giving us a call!