Has any one been able to get a bike rack that mounts off the back doors of the Clubman? I would like to go that toute, as I only occassionally use a bike rack and only need it for short distances to carry two bikes. Therefore, I don't want to go to the expense of adding a roof rack or a hitch mounted bike rack. My Saris, which I use on our BMW 525it, indicates it will not work on the back of a Clubman. In fact, I have found no bike racks that are listed as fitting off the back of a clubman. Anyone know of any work arounds.

Thanks

 

You may need to just try it yourself and see if it works.

 

Hanging extra weight off your doors, regardless of how long you intend to do it, might make you very unhappy in the long term. I would hate to see my rear doors misaligned, not latch, etc.
You might look into the "vertical" mount racks that load the rear bumper and point the forks to the sky. If a mfr has produced a mount to work somewhere on the back of a clubman, it is probably you best bet.

 

Can you -make- it work? Yes(with some fanagling cause usually the rack's belt requires some part to loop over. You can also technically carry a couch by tying it to a car's roof. But -should- you? I believe not ;p

 

I got a Clubman so I wouldn't need a bike rack.

 

That was my thought too but there are days I come out of the woods that I wish I hd a bike rack.

 

I hear and understand.

have you considered getting an inexpensive tarp to put in the back to protect it from dirt and grease? MINI sells an expensive cover for the back (often re-sold for a lot less), but a $10 blue tarp ought to do the trick.

I hung a Rhode Gear carrier off the rear hatch of my Scirocco, but it was a lot more rigid than the Clubman's door frames are. I also used the trunk lid of my Mondeo, but I got a slight deformation of the lip.

 

I used a Saris Bones 3 for our 2 MTBs on my R56 and R50 and it worked fine, now on the R55 it just doesn't seem as secure with the flat back. I will be putting the Saris on CL soon as I recently installed a hitch for a hitch mounted rack. I still haven't used the hitch yet but when I need to it'll be ready.

 

So I looked at the hitch and one thing I can't figure out is once its on, the receiver hides behind the plate. You move the plate, put in your accessory, ball or bike rack but how do you put in the pin that holds it on. Is there access from underneath the bumper?

 

With my hitch, and I'd bet all, you have to reach around/under the bumper to install the pin. It's just awkward enough that I have to lie down to accomplish it. Not a biggie, though, since I'm always installing the ball when the car's in the garage. Never had any illusion about taking the bike inside the Clubman, though; we pull a SportsRig trailer for our tandem recumbent. Still room in the car for 4 or 5 days' stuff for 2 people.