Recommended Roof Rack and Bike Rack for 2016 Mini Cooper

Question:

Hi Guys, Im looking for the best bike rack for my Mini Cooper 4 door hardtop S 2016. I bought it knowing that there were no rails on the roof and that a hitch mounted rack was not going to work. Im hoping you have something that will work for me. Thank you in advance for your advice

asked by: Jennifer D

Expert Reply:

I have some great options for transporting bikes with your 2016 Mini Cooper.

If you are looking for a roof mounted bike rack, you will first need a roof rack that is compatible with your vehicle. I highly recommend the Thule WingBar Roof Rack, which consists of # TH711200 for the two 47 inch WingBar crossbars, # TH710501 for the Evo Clamp Feet, and # TH145005 for the Fit Kit. This system is confirmed to fit with the naked roof (no existing rails or crossbars) on your Mini Cooper and their aerodynamic crossbars will provide an extremely quiet system that cuts down on drag and wind noise. This roof rack has a weight capacity of 165 pounds but you will also want to check the roof capacity of your vehicle as listed in the owner's manual.

For a more economical option, I recommend looking at the Inno Square Bar Roof Rack, parts # INB117, # INSUT and # INK463. This system includes two 46 inch, square crossbars that have a weight capacity of 220 pounds.

Then for a roof bike rack, I recommend the Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack # TH598004. This will allow you to transport 1 bike on your roof rack without needing to remove the front wheel. It can securely hold a bike of up to 44 pounds. This bike rack features a nice torque-limiting dial that will prevent over-tightening that can lead to frame damage on your bike. I have attached a demonstration video on this bike rack for you to look at. I recommend adding the Thule One-Key System Lock Cylinders # TH450200 to secure both your bike and the rack.

Another, more economical option to consider for transporting your bike is a trunk-mounted bike rack. I recommend the Yakima FullBack 2 Bike Rack # Y02634, which is confirmed to fit your Mini Cooper. This is a hanging-style rack that can hold up to 2 bikes at 35 pounds each. If you plan on carrying any children's, women's, or alternative frame bikes, you may need to use an adapter bar like the Yakima # Y02531 to provide a horizontal attachment point.

I have attached video reviews on all of these products for you to check out.