My 2021 MINI SE .... the project has started....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tifosi
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tint is 20%

I am not concerned about lowering. The springs and coil-overs are TUV approved and that is more than enough for me. Again, look at my M3. Its LOOOOW
 
Here are a couple quick pics with one of the bikes:

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Looks good! I find that Yakima roof rack so much easier to use than the hitch mount rack on my SUV. Very quick to secure the bike. I'm going to order a second one.
 
Yea, it is way easier than the Kuat Trio I use on the other car. I do prefer fork mount, but no way to make anything fit on this mini other than the one we both have!!!
 
LOL. That is my kiddo's bike and it just came back from the shop for a service. So, yes, clean - that is why I didnt use mine! Mine is always dirty. Cleaned every 2 weeks, but it seems to be ALWAYS dirty! (as it should be)
 
GvilleGuy said:
I find that Yakima roof rack so much easier to use than the hitch mount rack on my SUV
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Is it just the mechanism on the rack is easier to use? Or actually easier on the roof vs the hitch?

I've only ever had hitch mount racks (my current car doesn't have a "real" roof) but it seems like it would be a pain to lift my muddy 35lb+ mountain bike up to roof height instead of just 2ft to the tray style hitch rack.

Since there isn't an officially compatible hitch for the 2022 SE I was just going to make my own but am also considering a roof rack.
 
The mechanism on this particular yakima is the easiest I have every used. Much easier than my Thule hitch mount or the Thule or Kuat fork mounts on other cars.

I am used to lifting bikes to the top of an SUV! So putting them on the MINI is a breeze.

I also hate hitch mounts. I dont want to have to mount the rack 3-4x a week and then take it off. Dont want to leave it on all the time. They annoy me! lol
 
I guess I have also never had a hatch... Didn't think about the annoyance of the hitch rack being in the way of the hatch opening!

Has anyone looked into the efficiency/range difference between hitch and roof?
 
Way more efficient with a hitch mount.

But yes, it is a PITA if you ever want to get into the back of the car! We use it only on the SUV when we need 3 or 4 bikes. 2 on the top and then 1-2 on the back. Helpful for what it is. But it isnt used often. And then you have to store it in the garage. lol
 
Carsten Haase said:
Is it just the mechanism on the rack is easier to use? Or actually easier on the roof vs the hitch?
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There are a couple reasons I said the Yakima is easier:
1) I can't leave the hitch rack installed without interfering with my SUV tail gate, as well as parking in the garage. So I have to take the (fairly heavy) Thule on and off the hitch each time. Even if I take the Yakima off the Mini (which I have not yet), it is lighter to lift and install on the rails, and it is low profile when not being used.

2) The Thule also takes a little more effort to attach a bike - two rubber stretch straps plus a tie cable to be threaded through the wheels and frame. The Yakima involves turning a knob to tighten the wheel hoop and one strap on the rear wheel.

I worried about lifting my 28 pound bike on and off the Mini roof - but it is not a problem at all.

I'm not sure about the drawbacks of using a wheel-on rack like this. Any danger to the bike tire being in the hoop vise? Seems fine so far after three uses. But it's early.
 
Exactly.

No danger for the mounting. The bike is secure. A fork mount is the MOST secure, but this is clamping really well. The only real danger is having a front tire deflate, thereby effetely "unclamping" the bike. But for short/med trips - this is not a real issue IMHO.
 
Tifosi said:
WooHoo! The new shoes are finally on the car.
The fitment is perfect. I am more than pleased!

Came out perfect IMHO!!!!

Thanks

Brad
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Looks good! I especially appreciate the black beltline trim.

I wonder how the photo would look if you could afford more than black-and-white film? (Yeah, yeah, I know, "OK, Boomer").
 
@Tifosi - Looks great! I'm also looking at those Thule crossbars. I've got a set of Thule UpRide racks I'm unsure if they'll work or not, but the all-black look of the Yakima is quite tempting. Excellent work, looks really sharp.
 
Tifosi said:
huh? Clearly I am missing something. The pics are in color from an iPhone.
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I hoped in vain that mentioning "film" would give me away as not being serious about the reason your car is essentially grayscale. I forgot to add the :)
 
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