Carrying bikes on a Mini?

[Gavstar]

Hi guys. I'm still waiting for the perfect Cooper to come up for sale, and am also about to buy a couple of mountain bikes for me and Mrs T. What options are there for safely carrying these on the roof or back of a Mini hatchback? I've read some worrying posts on other forums from a couple of years back that say basically the BMW option requires holes in the roof, and any other solution is a bit dodgy.
The Cooper I hope to get will be the old new shape - circa 55 plate, which i think makes a difference as there are racks for the post 57/08 plates.

[beeej]

Gavstar said:

What options are there for safely carrying these on the roof or back of a Mini hatchback?

mini.co.uk -> car accessories -> luggage/leisure -> bike racks

There are 3 to choose from!

[minimatt]

Gav,

I have a mini fitted roof bar system and the luggage tray. I was included in the sale when i brought it, but think it is about 400 quid fitted from them? As poited out they do several of their own, one being as elaborate as to have a winch type system for loading your bike.

I am looking for a thule one for my MTB at the mo too. Imagine it will slot onto the roof bars i have. When i get the time i'll take a photo or two of my rack.

[Gavstar]

That would be grand, Matt, thanks. Is it drilled in? Can you see the holes?
Looking forward to seeing the pics. I think I may end up going for a boot rack as it seems less intrusuve and won't mess up the handling of the car so much. Oh...I need to buy the car first of course. Looking at one on Saturday.

[esuuv]

if you have a look at mini2 there are quite a lot of threads about this.

I have a saris bones 2 that goes on the back of my JCW quite nicely - was about 90 quid from evans.

Only real issue as I see to look out for is that there is nowhere underneath to attach lower straps too that don't pull the bumper - so I just attach it to the bottom of the boot lid. You also need to be careful that the upper straps dont lever off the spoiler - the JCW spoiler has holes in it you can pass the straps through to attach to the top of the boot lid direct - this would have been an issue with the chilli pack spoiler on my old cooper.

[lardtastic]

Just put the seats down, cover the load area with news paper and an old sheet, remove the wheels and saddles from your bikes and you should get them in. It's an option worth thinking about.