Bike Rack Help

[GPWhite Boy]

Merry Christmas all!

Can any one help me with recommendations for a trustworthy bike rack for a Mini Coupe? It needs to be able to carry two adults mountain bikes (one girls frame). What are you using, how much, and where did you get it?

Thanks in advance.

[bga]

I've got a Saris Bones 3 which I used on my S2000 and my Golf until I got roof bars.
I can't remember exactly what I paid for it but it was approx £80 through my LBS.

[GPWhite Boy]

thanks bga, the saris bones looks like the best option, though for the mini, it looks like the bottom feet rest on the top of the bumper, and i wondered how much weight the mini bumper is meant to take? two bikes should be ok, shouldnt it? did the saris fit on your golf the same way? what were your reasons for going for roof mounted in the end?

[bga]

2 bikes were fine on the Honda and the Golf. The bumper does support a lot of the weight but you can also use the top straps to take some of it. I would recommend also asking this question in a mini forum as they may be able to give you more info on the specifics if using a rack with your car.

I went roof mounted because I found a rack to be a faff where as I usually leave the roof bars on for longer. There are also fewer worries about paintwork damage with bars - not that it happened with a rack

[.Adam.]

I use a Thule rack, see here(formatting doesn't like this address, so you might need to copy and paste)
http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage83154.aspx
excellent bit of kit, and depending on where your rear lights are, you don't need a lighting board. Cost me about £50 second hand.

edit: Link still doesn't work, if you quote this post, then you can see the proper address!

Edited by .Adam. on Saturday 27th December 18:32

[JPJ]

The Saris Bones is one of the best boot mounted racks you can buy, but my personal opinion is that boot racks aren't actually that much use. In particular, if you use a hatchback then you have to remove the bikes to get in the boot, which is where a lot of your kit will be.

Roof mounted options are often the cheapest and most secure. The tow bar mounted ones are fantastic, but the extra expense may not be worth it for yourself. If you're looking at roof mounted racks, either Thule or Atera make the best models.

[.Adam.]

JPJ said:

In particular, if you use a hatchback then you have to remove the bikes to get in the boot, which is where a lot of your kit will be.

With the Thule, you can still open the rear hatch with the rack attached, even if you have got bikes on it.

Edited by .Adam. on Sunday 28th December 16:54

[GPWhite Boy]

thanks for the advice with this guys. i wanted t go for the boot mounted because i thought they would be more secure then the roof mounted carriers, plus, for some reason that i cant quite put my finger on, the thought of two bikes standing proud on top of the car sounds more unsafe, though as i said, i have no experience of either, so am basing it on my rear view mirrior images of bikes bouncing down the motorway behind me and being collected under the front bumper of an arctic, or better still, causing multiple car and lane pile-ups, due to me choosing the wrong type of bike carrier. i'm not paranoid, but the voices keep making me think these things.

you can see why i need to get out more and exercise, cant you?

[Marcellus]

IMO given the choice I would go for the following order as the most secure;
> tow bar mounted
> roof mounted
> boot carrier

all have their pros and cons though and I bet anyone could tell you horror stories of each!!

(mine for example is forgetting I had my time trial bike on the roof and going into a multi story car park............. a £4,000 mistake!! )

[JPJ]

Completely agree with the order Marcellus has outlined in terms of performance and strength, and ease of use. If you do go for the boot mounted option, don't forget you need to ensure you are not obscuring lights and the number plate on the car, so you might need a lightboard to go with it which adds further expense.