Roof racks..

[fred3]

It seems that both Thule and Yakima have fit kits for roof racks now. Anyone install one on their mini? Does it work okay? I'll be hauling a couple of mtn. bikes.

I do not have the factory rack.

[DEVO]

I have the factory bumper "rack"... you attach the bike holder (2 bikes) to the rear bumber. I forget what it's called... something sports. It's an attachment that connects underneath the rear bumper at a hard point. This allows you to connect other devices such as a MINI trailer or the bike attachment. The bike attachment allows 2 bikes to be held. It takes about 30 sec to mount the attachment and same amount of time to remove it once you are done.

The bike attachment also has a mode that allows you to still open the rear hatch. It's pretty clever. And yes, the bike attachment piece will LOCK (with key) to your car.

From the rear it looks like an extra set of tail pipes.

[beegeema]

A friend of mine has the Thule rack on his 04 Mini. It's as solid as a 'Rock'. I was so impressed with its soild feel on his Mini that I recently purchased the Thule # 400XT Aero Foot Package and the Thule 'Mini' Fit Kit # 2145 to install previously owned Crossbars and Boat carrier that I had on my 91 Toyota. I have not yet installed them on my Mini. I will be waiting now until the spring when boating season starts. I use them for kayak transport.

By the way - Thules are not cheap - Just for the Foot Package and Fit Kit I paid a total of $180 USD - Then you'll need to buy the 'crossbars' and the 'bike racks'.

To be honest with you - Check out the cost of a Thule set-up compared to the OEM Rear Bumper-mount bike racks that DEVO is referring to at your Mini dealer. I should think that would be the way to go if you wanted dedicated bike transport with option to do more.
It would not screw up your roof-line (both physically and visually) like the Thule would and could be very easily removed (much easier than the Thule) when not needed. I suspect the OEM Bumper mounted bike rack set-up will be more expensive than a Thule roof mount
set-up but in the long-run would prove to be perfect for transporting bikes.

[fred3]

The roof racks might be on the expensive side, but the ones on our Honda have worked great for about 5 years now and they lock.

[beegeema]

The OEM 'bumbper mounted' racks available at your MINI dealer will be kinder to both you and your car and as DEVO said - they also lock - -

[fred3]

Quote: Originally Posted by beegeema

The OEM 'bumbper mounted' racks available at your MINI dealer will be kinder to both you and your car and as DEVO said - they also lock - -

Do they also lock to the bikes to the rack itself?

[DEVO]

To be clear, the sports rack system will lock to the car so that nobody can take the rack off your car. As for the bikes being locked to the "rack" there is no locking mechanism for that. So far I haven't needed this but if I do, I will probabaly use my bike chain to lock it to the "rack".

[fred3]

Ahhh. Thanks for the clarification. I'll stick with the roof rack then. It all locks and as long as I remember to NOT try to enter the garage before removing the bikes I'll be all set.

[faster,Tobias!]

Better be quick if you decide on the rear mount 'Sport-Link' system - it was designed and manufactured for Mini by MiniFini, an independant company that has ceased to exist. IIRC, MotoringFile bought up a bunch of stock and may still have some available. As DEVO says, it is a great, multifunctional setup.

[DEVO]

Quote: Originally Posted by fred3

Ahhh. Thanks for the clarification. I'll stick with the roof rack then. It all locks and as long as I remember to NOT try to enter the garage before removing the bikes I'll be all set.

Yeup. I have no worries entering my garage. I also have no worry about scuffs marking up my roof either, and drag on the car when not in use. 3 major reason why i chose the bumper rack.

[beegeema]

During a visit to my Mini dealer for service today I checked out the 'Sport-Link' System with the Bike Rack. Here's what I found:

Sport-Link = $ 476 Installed
Bike Rack = $ 310 "
--------
Total = $ 786 Installed + Tax

The Bike Rack does lock to the Sport Link.
There are no Bike Locks on the Bike Rack, however, there is a loop in the rack that a cable with lock can be passed through - thus - locking your bikes to the rack.

Advantages:
1 - Extremely sturdy.
2 - No possibility of roof marks that will result from the Thule Mini Fit Kit.
3 - Bikes are visible while driving - Unlike on top of the car where you can't watch them.
4 - Bikes are right there in front of you and easily removed - Unlike on top of the car where they are much harder to get at and could scratch the car during removal.
5 - Much easier to remove the rack system from the car.
6 - If looks are important to you - Much more pleasing to the eye while they are on.
7 - Less wind resistance and most likely much quieter while driving at breakneck speeds.
8 - As DEVO said "I have no worries about entering my garage."
9 - How about low bridges, parking garages and low hanging branches & wires.
10 - I should think a Sport-Link, among other things, would have provisions for a trailer hitch. I've never seen a Mini pulling a trailer or a boat - but - Why not? You could be the first in your local area and post pictures on this Forum that we'd all love to see!

Disadvantages:
1 - A rear-end collision, even minor, would certainly take your bikes out of commission.
2 - Parking in a tight spot would not be quite as easy.
3 - More expensive than a Thule roof rack set-up.

[fred3]

All very good points and I appreciate the breakdown, but I already have a Thule on the roof of our Civic so it's only $45 to get the fit kit for the Cooper. Not worried about a few scratches from the aero feet and I've never dinged my wifes Civic when taking the bikes off. As for it being harder...well I'd disagree and I'm only 5'4" tall. It's a breeze. As for not being able to see them well that's not true. I have the moon roof. Not that it makes a difference though. I haven't lost a bike from the roof in the 5 years of use yet(knock on wood). Can't use a parking garage though, but all toll booths are just fine. Oh and it's easier to steal the seatpost/saddle/pedals/etc with a hitch rack.

A final note and it's personal preference here....it looks way cooler with bikes on the roof. :-)

[DEVO]

Some guy in Maine has the sport system and he tows his own glider. He made the trailer himself though.