Your MINI and your Bike.

Sections: Uncategorized Apr 20th, 2003 13 Comments

This weekend I invested in a new bike and Yakima bike rack. I was very opposed to drilling holes in my roof and didn't trust the roof racks that attached to the black plastic rain gutter. What I found was the Yakima “Mo Joe”. It fits the MINI perfectly, holds three bikes, and retails for only $130.

I'll give it 4 out or 5 stars for it's good fits and easy installations. The only downside is that it's not as secure traveling at highway speeds during windy conditions as it did tend to sway just a bit over some larger bumps with two bikes. Other than that the car doesn't seem any worse for the wear after a three hour trip.

Written By: MF Staff

Deborah

While I'm glad you like your bike rack and jealous that it cost so little compared to mine, I still prefer my MINI hard-drilled rack even though it is really noisy. I can use it for lots of extra luggage too, not just bikes. It's rock solid and it's value was proved 10 times over on the 3200 miles out to Yellowstone in back. It nice for folks to have choices though! : ) Is it just that picture or does the Yakima rack seem really big in comparison to the car?
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

I think it must be the picture as it looks like a typcical bike rack size in person.
http://www.geocities.com/blue_mini_cooper_2003/ drew

Everything seems really big in comparison to the car :)
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

True.
David

Gabe, I'm with you.I bought the Mighty Joe a few weeks ago and used it extensively over the past week. It's a pain to get on and off, but far better to me than noise and drilling. Are you sure you should have that mount resting on glass?! Mine rests on the MINI logo and on the bottom of the rear plate.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

The place we bought it recommended it up there. The Yakima regional rep actually sent a picture of a MINI with one instaled to show us how to do it so we based our installation off of that. Is yours very stable with the two points so close to each other? I suppose I could give that a try on my next trip.
David

Well, I have to admit yours is the only way that the mount arms actually point slightly up like they are supposed to. I'm just worried about all the pressure on the glass. That said, though, the way I did it seems okay–it was very stable (although the third bike would ride only about 6 ins off the ground). Yakima actually recommends doing it the way I do, but specify the arms to be 23″ apart. WTF? Yakima is on crack. They should send photos of the rack on a MINI, because there really are 5 different ways to do it. Maybe I'll try it your way!
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

LOL – lets switch techniques and get back with each other in a couple weeks :)
Ellis Dionisio

Nice shot too…BTW Gabe, you were quoted in the MINI article of “Crains's Chicago Business” 4/21 Issue. Congrats! :)
Jam Jar

I starting reading this on the “lets switch techniques” and wondered if i was on the right page! LOL Thanks for the bike rack info as I was just going to start looking for a rack and all your info proved to be quite helpful… once again.
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http://www.phillymini.org Henry

I have always used Thule and when it came to buying one for the MINI I ordered the new aero style with the quick clamp fork mount. Granted, I was a little hesitant when I first put it on that it was only held tight by the gutter. After the first time, I can say I am confident in it. I’ve hauled two mountain bikes on it without any fear of losing them. Also, I take the rack off when not using it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=534667919 Kevin Leung

I’ve got an 04 MCS and I have the Yakima Copperhead bike rack on the Q Towers system. I have had no issues whatsoever and it is solid even on highway travel.

The only downside is the price, the whole kit and kaboodle will set you back nearly $600 bucks. But if you carry bikes around a lot, this rack is worth it.

And personally I think it looks pretty cool.

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