Hatchback Bike Rack

[SlowStig]

Evening all,

I am looking into getting a bike rack to fit the back of my F56 MINI, should only need to carry 1 or 2 bikes max but as I am still quite new to the MTB scene, I have no idea what to look for and what is a good brand etc.

Can anyone recommend anything, I don't want a roof carrier if I can help it because I doubt my ability to lift my bike without scratching the car with it after a day riding...

[pembo]

From what I remember MINI's are a bit of a pain for bike racks because you can't use a standard boot mounted rack due to the odd shaped spoiler on the boot.

No info in the UK but they do sell official ones through MINI Germany which attaché to the towing eye holes or something. The problem is they are E660!!

look for a Fahrradhecktrager (that last a should have an umlaut but I have no idea how to type those)

[yellowjack]

pembo said:

...look for a Fahrradhecktrager (that last a should have an umlaut but I have no idea how to type those)

Hold "Alt" and type "132" into your number pad, use that in place of the standard keyboard letter. There's all sorts of characters and pictograms available via "Alt codes"... http://www.alt-codes.net/german_alt_codes/


ie: Fahrradheckträger

[SixPotBelly]

yellowjack said:

Hold "Alt" and type "132" into your number pad, use that in place of the standard keyboard letter. There's all sorts of characters and pictograms available via "Alt codes"... http://www.alt-codes.net/german_alt_codes/


ie: Fahrradheckträger

Or do as Germans do online and substitute an e after the vowel. So it becomes Fahrradhecktraeger.

[pembo]

ä wow, magic, every day's a school day at PH!

After living there between birth and 10 I've worked out how to read and listen in German but writing and talking are a different matter, I'm like a German mute.

[Kell]

Just remember that whatever you buy, it's illegal to run with it if it covers up your lights and/or number plate - unless you run a light board.

http://www.whycycle.co.uk/cycling-advice/transport...

You can get ones that pull the bikes up high out the way of lights. I don't know if all new ones are like that, but might be worth considering if you're buying SH.

I know several people that have been stopped (and warned) for it by the police, but I don't know anyone first hand that's been given a fine.

That said, I was following a car through the New Forest a few months back and nearly ploughed into the back of it because I didn't see the brake lights come on because of the bikes.

[kaese]

SlowStig said:

Evening all,

I am looking into getting a bike rack to fit the back of my F56 MINI, should only need to carry 1 or 2 bikes max but as I am still quite new to the MTB scene, I have no idea what to look for and what is a good brand etc.

Can anyone recommend anything, I don't want a roof carrier if I can help it because I doubt my ability to lift my bike without scratching the car with it after a day riding...

We used to have an R56 Cooper S, and used a Saris Bones for carrying up to 3 bikes without issue:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/saris-bones-3-bike-rack/

Really solid piece of kit, can mount it on the boot in under 2 mins with a bit of practice. We've since adjusted the arms on it so it now fits our 3 series also.

[pembo]

kaese said:

We used to have an R56 Cooper S, and used a Saris Bones for carrying up to 3 bikes without issue:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/saris-bones-3-bike-rack/

Really solid piece of kit, can mount it on the boot in under 2 mins with a bit of practice. We've since adjusted the arms on it so it now fits our 3 series also.

That's my go-to answer but having checked on the Saris website apparently they don't fit :/

[kaese]

pembo said:

That's my go-to answer but having checked on the Saris website apparently they don't fit :/

That's strange indeed - we never had a problem, though Saris may be saying this due to the spoiler on the Cooper S. Ours was mounted something like this pic:

[upsidedownmark]

I have put my saris on several cars that it doesn't list as fitting, and it's been very secure.

Remember that we live in a litigous age - the modern mantra is 'if everyone hasn't signed off on it and agreed they'll take liability if something goes wrong, then it isn't possible', rather than 'unless there's a good reason why not, go for it'.

I.e. I strongly suspect saris only list what is 'officially' compatible / approved by manufacturers, who will also take a cautious view. I'd just do it.

Alternatively, I believe there is an official mini bike rack.

[SlowStig]

Thanks for the input so far guys, I know the spoiler is going to make things difficult but I was hoping there was a way to thread straps through the gaps in the spoiler to hold a rigid frame in place onto the back of the car.

I do like the look of that one posted earlier, quite a reasonable price although there will only usually be 1 or 2 bikes tops on it at any time.

[Kell]

Just remember what I said earlier about lights though.

The picture posted is of a bike illegally fitted to a car.