Mini – possible to get a bike in?

As above, we’re looking at the Mini, probably R53, and wondered if you can get a mountain bike in, wheels off?

I’ve had a brief look around and it looks like most people recommend a bike rack but this would be very occasional use..

Thanks…

Yes. Or at least probably.
Young Ms M managed to get 2 people, 2 bikes and a week’s worth of camping gear into a Micra so if the Mini is the wrong shape, buy a Micra instead.

If you can get 4 elephants in one then a bike should be no problem

I would say you are really pushing your luck. My wife had one and with the rear seats folded and wheels removed you may just squeeze it in. But it will depend on bike size bar width etc. We just upgraded my wife’s mini to the Countryman model as with two kids we had outgrown the old mini. The Countryman is a great car but bloody massive in comparison! Would easily take a bike with just the front removed I would say!

I had three R53’s and used to get a large SC Chameleon in the back with the wheels off. My seat was pretty far back too.

I think you’d struggle to get a DH bike in though.

If you can get 4 elephants in one then a bike should be no problem

That was the original mini though which is smaller, they might not fit in a bigger one.

My mate used to get his bike into the back of his 59 plate Mini.

It looked like a right faff though.

Bit of a faff but doable. Got a Thule roof rack and 591s for ours when needed.

Got a Marin b17 in the back of my wife’s R52 convertible and their even smaller than a R53

A convertible, now there’s an idea. All fine until it rains I suppose…:-)

I had one (R56) for a couple of years and could just about get my large Maverick ML7/5 in the back with both wheels off you had to load it front first and slide the bars down behind the front seats and the mech would catch in the tailgate unless you pushed it forwards.

Think you’d struggle with most longer slacker modern bikes. Was a total faff so I ended up just getting a Saris Bones RS carrier for the back (which I still have if anyone wants one!).

I used to get two in the back of my classic mini!

My mate used to get his full sus bike into his mini convertible. Now he’s got a normal Mini he carries it on the roof.

The Thule roof rack for an R53 is a bit of a faff to get on & off too, as it’s a bit more complex than your average roof bar setup. As above, Saris Bones seems a decent idea. I used to get a bike inside my R53 & R56 but it involved front seat shuffling and the rear mech clanging against the boot plastics.

Thanks for all of the replies, maybe we’ll start looking at alternatives.

‘Miss4real’, my GF can get either of her bikes into a mini and both are 29’ers.

It’s a cooper standard car and she only has to take the front wheel off but slide and tip the passenger seat forward, then put the bike in rear wheel first over the seat back of the passenger seat and tip bars slightly to clear the tailgate.

Fine occasionally and with just the driver. With both wheels off it would be simples.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/can-you-get-a-bike-in-the-back-of-a-mini

My Medium 29er fits in a Mini One with the just front wheel off easily, takes 10 seconds…

Got a 57 plate one i had my 09 think it was a large zesty in the back with 2 in the front . Not easy and even had to take rear mech of as boot would not shut without
So with the new breed of full sus bikes that are long and slack possibly not . Get a Sea sucker or bigger car .
Ps FOR SALE Mini copper 07 cream with black roof . High miles but drives brilliantly if any one interested

If it’s just one bike it does go once you know how to sit it. I’ve had 2 bikes in mine no issues but I do have my seat right back which doesn’t help the situation either.

If the bike is a priority I’d look elsewhere, that said they are ace to drive and have really enjoyed mine. Will be selling next week though to get something larger for work!

I can get a bike (either road or MTB) in the back of a 59 reg panda (like this one)

simple; rear seat down. Front wheel off. Goes in easily

I thought the mini’s had a rear mounted bike carrier that mounts onto bespoke chassis mounts so no need for a tow bar? A guy at work’s wife has one and has shown me a photo of his wife’s mini with such a rack. Probably not the cheapest option but at least you don’t have to faff dismantling your bike.

I’ve had a medium sized road bike in the back of a Fabia without taking any wheels off. As we seem to be straying from the point!

I’ve got a Mini One and regularly put my bike in the back. Both wheels off and seat right down (or off) and I don’t need to move the front passenger seat. It does go in easier one way round but I can never remember which…..

we have had 2 bikes p7 and superlight and two people in a mini 26inch wheels off. drove leeds to wales. bit cramped. I have a fiat panda and regularly get two bikes in (I took it home and checked on the test drive). in the panda I can also get the superlight in the front passenger seat when the boy is in the back in his child seat , or across the back seats when I cant be bothered to put the seats down.

I know some people will slate it, but I used to have a clubman and I loved it. Bike on the roof via whispbars and Thule rack. The open back doors made getting all my gear in and out dead easy and provided a useful a seating area for snacking and getting changed. I thought it looked great and it’s the one car I would definitely have again if I could (bloody baby ruining everything! 😉 ) And the bike did fit in the back no problem if I was so inclined!

Don’t know if it’s possible to reactivate this…
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/my-bike-in-my-car

wobbliscott – Member
I thought the mini’s had a rear mounted bike carrier that mounts onto bespoke chassis mounts so no need for a tow bar? A guy at work’s wife has one and has shown me a photo of his wife’s mini with such a rack. Probably not the cheapest option but at least you don’t have to faff dismantling your bike.

This is true but the car had to have ‘rack preparation’ at the factory when it was born. I need to try & get the fat bike in the back of my F55… 😯

+1 for the Clubman. Marmite looks, but loved mine – still miss it. Had a large Five and a medium Cotic Soul wheels off + kit in regularly. Most of the time used bars/591s – like jimwah says, r53 roof bars are a pain to fit as there’s no rear mount points, r56/55 bars are a doddle.

I used to get a 24 inch time trial bike on the back seat of a proper mini