Bike and ski carrying systems

[minirog]

Apologies if this has been done in the past but I can't find any recent threads on this topic.

I'm looking for a bike carrier for my MINI (R53) and already have the Mont Blanc roof bar system. Would I therefore be better off getting a carrier I can clip onto my bars and carrying the bike on the roof or is there a rear mounted system that's a practical alternative (and most importantly not going to damage my paintwork itself or allow the bike to dameage the paintwork).

Looking around there seems to be a new system from Mont Blanc, the Barracuda, anyone know if it's suitable and any good?

Also, because as a novice at this game I'm puzzled, how the heck do you haul a mountain bike onto the roof of a car without a) giving yourself a hernia and b) dropping it and damaging the car and the bike?

Lastly, anyone care to recommend a decent ski rack as well

[minirog]

Blimey - has nobody got any advice?

[beken]

Sorry. For bikes, I fold down the rear seat, remove front wheel from bike and stuff bike in boot.

For Skis, I picked up a set of adjustable roof ski racks that fit the MINI perfectly. The mounting pads sit on the edge of the sunroof so if I get any scratches from it, it is not noticeable.
The best part about it is I picked them up at a garage sale for $2CDN for the set.

[Greenie1]

Halfords must do a bike carrier that goes on the back. Trouble is, on my old car the bike used to move about and scratch the paintwork.
Hoping my bike will fit in the back (back seats down).

[spacecowgirl]

First off, - Hello. I'm new here, - about to buy myself a Mini, but hoping to get some advice before I do...

I'm planning to go and buy a Cabrio, - as I discovered from my friendly dealer that I can buy a rack that will (somehow) attach to the boot and allow me to carry either a bike or two pairs of skis.

Has anyone seen these, used one, own one or in fact know anything about them? My dealer here only frowned, said they were very expensive and are not easy to get on and off. But he didn't really know more than that.

I can't find them on the UK site, so they may be a European thing where skis and convertiables are more likely to be combined, but here is a picture:



Any information on this would be hugely appreciated. I've really wanted to buy a Mini Cabrio, but thought I couldn't because I also wanted to carry skis. (I live in Munich about an hour from the slopes). This looks like it could be the answer, but if it really it the worst thing in the world to use, I may have to re-consider.

Thanks,
Libby

[mpkay]

Brilliant to use, made right to fit right, cost about £750 plus £500 fitting. If you want a snowboard/ski rack upgrade that'll be an additional £350. Like your dealer said they are expensive!!!!! Uk dealers can get them, takes about 3 - 4 days once you've paid up.

[jamesw24]

Hi,

I have the mont blanc system 3000 on m y roof, i use thule bike racks that i 'borrowed' from my dad. these are the older design, no the newer streamline ones. they fit fine i've had no problems, had two bikes on a few weeks back.

The difficult bit is the mont blanc roof bars once you have those sorted any bike rack should fit, i'd definately use a roof nmounted one since you already have the mont blanc bit, the bonus is you can get locks to secure your bike to the roof, with a rear one this isn't so easy.

as far as putting it up there, if you have a light enough bike its not too difficult, i hold the down tube and the front forks and lift it above my head bringing the wheels down to sit in the grooves on the rack. usually have a second set of hands to strap it on whil i hold it steady.

hoep its helpful

jamesw24

[Fevs]

can you post a picture please of how this is secured to the roof and where it clamps round the window fittings?

i am intrested in the mont blanc 3000 system