Mini Coopers are known for their excellent mileage, convenient size and peppy performance. For bicyclists who have Mini Coopers, finding a way to haul your bike on vacation or day rides is problematic, unless you have a bike rack. The three principal types of bike racks, trunk mounted, hitch mounted and roof mounted will work on Mini Coopers, but you should consider how they will impact your car and your wallet.
Trunk Mounted
Trunk-mounted bike racks use straps and aluminum arms to attach to the hatch of your Mini Cooper. Trunk-mounted racks are typically the most affordable bike rack available and can hold up to three bicycles. Trunk-mounted racks are also the least invasive, in terms of making permanent physical changes to your Mini Cooper. However, trunk-mounted racks do block access to items stored in the hatch of your Cooper.
Hitch Mounted
Many Cooper owners would never consider installing a tow hitch on their cars. However, a hitch mounted rack is one of the most effective bicycle transportation systems. Hitch mounted racks can hold up to six bikes and some models are set on swinging arms, allowing you to move the rack for access to the hatch. Hitch-mounted racks are more expensive options because you will need to install a hitch and invest in the rack itself. Also, many Mini Cooper owners value the small footprint of their car. A hitch mounted rack, especially those built for multiple bikes, add significant length to the Cooper.
Roof Mounted
Roof racks can hold up to four bikes and consist of two central components; the roof rack itself and the attachments for securing bicycles. As of 2011, Mini offers three different bike rack styles as optional accessories on new Coopers, including one that offers a lift-assistance feature for helping you get your bikes on top of your Cooper. In addition to factory-added roof racks, after-market rack companies, like Yakima and Thule, make racks that work with Mini Coopers. Keep in mind that roof racks will decrease gas mileage more than any other type of rack, a deal breaker for many Cooper owners who chose their car for its excellent fuel economy.
Considerations
There are several options for each type of rack for every model of Mini Cooper. However, you should always check compatibility between your specific Cooper model and the model of rack you are considering. You may also want to consider the security of your bikes on the different types of racks. Trunk mounted racks are the least secure, followed by hitch racks and finally, roof mounted racks. Security refers to how firmly the rack holds the bikes in place while you are driving.
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