Recommended Bike Carrying Options for 2012 Mini Cooper Hardtop

Question:

what is the best bike rack for a 2012 Mini Cooper hard top?

asked by: Mari L

Expert Reply:

We do have several trunk mounted bike racks that are compatible with your Mini Cooper. You can see them by clicking the link I have provided. Of the available choices, I really like the Thule OutWay, part # T45JV for a 2 bike capacity or # TH56BV for a 3 bike capacity. Rather than the 6 strap and buckle fastening arrangement used by other racks, the OutWay uses only 2 rubber-coated straps making installing and removing the rack ridiculously simple. This rack also includes locks for the rack and the bikes to deter theft where many other carriers require them to be purchases separately.

Because the exhaust pipes discharge at the center of the vehicle right under the bumper, a hitch is not available for your 2012 Mini Cooper, which means that using a hitch mounted bike rack would not be an option.

To carry women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.

I have linked you to some product demonstration videos, one showing the Raceway 3 bike model, the other showing how the frame adapter bar works.

expert reply by: Mike L