I began a quest this morning to find a bike rack for my impending country lap. Europeans take note: in the next 3 weeks, I'll cover over 6000 miles without repeating terrain, while going through less than one-third the states. This is why we yanks gripe when gas prices rise, this place is huge. Hamburg to Seville is roughly a fourth of what I'll drive, and with no checkpoints.
This post is largely intended to help the fellow motorers who, like me, would give up their left, uh, toe before parting with their MINI. However, we do wonder which accessories fit our diminutive rides and how well they do it. In my search today, I couldn't find a picture of the rack I wanted on the car I have. Worse, the manufacturer's site was a little inclusive, casting enough doubt that it wasn't worth losing the cost of shipping if the thing didn't fit. Heaven knows that there just isn't a perfect match for carrying a bike on a MINI.
After a reasonably impatient search, and an obligatory swing by the local bike shop where I picked up a couple of insulated water bottles (more on those later), I settled on either a low-end Bell trunk rack or the Saris Bones 2. It took more than 2 seconds, but less than 5, to decide I wanted the Saris, if I could get a deal on one. Although the bike shop had only Yakima racks to show me in person, I called back to see if they could order a Saris. Lo and behold, I overheard the friendly mech say, "Justin? Tell him he can have my old one." (Price not disclosed.) Take note people, this is why you schmooze, talk, and otherwise design t-shirts for free for your local bike shop.
Here is the Saris Bones 2-bike rack.
The top arm doesn't actually touch the spoiler. It does rest on the lip; I'm not sure how that works over 2000 miles, but I'll be trying a few adjustments.
The following words are gratuitously included so that fellow motorers can have what I didn't: pictures of an '06 Cooper S with a Saris Bones 2 on the back. Saris, Bones 2-bike, Mini Cooper S, Mini Cooper with Saris Bones, Bones on Mini, Bones 2-bike, 2006 MINI bike rack, rack options for Cooper S, Mini trunk rack, Saris Bones 2-bike rack on 2006 Mini Cooper S.
10 comments:
Killer find! It's official you've discovered the ultimate MINI bike solution!
Finally, this is what i have been looking for! Does it seem very sturdy on the car? Is there much movement?
I haven't done a long term test yet, but so far it's as sturdy as any other trunk rack I've used.
The big question will be how it holds up over time since the top arm doesn't sit against the window but against the plastic lip, so it's not flush.
Yes, finally found a bike rack that is supposedly compatible to the MINI. Please tell me how it has held up since you installed it. . .
Unfortunately, I haven't done much hard carrying to say definitively that the Bones is particularly superior. However, for the short (10-20 miles) jaunts I have taken it on, it's doing fine.
I should note that the pictures show the rack installed incorrectly. The bottom feet should rest against the bumper, not the hatch.
Kyality now has one, too. For anyone visiting, feel free to bookmark this article; I'll be updating it with information and feedback as such become pertinent.
It looks like you do not have the bottom hooks attached, is that correct? I have mine hooked up but do not know if that is okay, or a hazard since the muffler is right underneath that area. Any ideas?
@drkarri,
The bottom hooks are attached on the lip of the hatch. So, of the 6 hooks, the top 2 are on the black roof lip, 2 are on the hatch sides, and 2 are on the hatch lip.
I find tying the loose straps to each other or the bike will keep them from flapping.
Yeah, I usually tape the straps down or do velcro strap thing to strap the straps on my Saris Rack and it usually takes car of the problem. Saris racks are totally reliable and an awesome alternative to yakima and Thule. The trip sounds fun!
I've had a Saris bones bike rack for about 4 1/2 years and haven't found any others I like more. It is easily adjusted and stored (as your pictures show)! For the straps, once you've tightened them again (with the bike mounted), I usually ball them up, stick a rubber band around them and put them in the ends of the main tube.
I've posted a follow up here.
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