General Cycling Discussion - Anyone drive a Mini Cooper?

I'm wondering if you can fit a bike inside one with the front wheel off. (mtb and road) Might be a tight fit. I searched the forums but I couldn't find this specific piece of info. :)

I'm wondering if you can fit a bike inside one with the front wheel off. (mtb and road) Might be a tight fit. I searched the forums but I couldn't find this specific piece of info. :)

Yes my road bike fits but I take off both wheels and cock the handlebar full lock. I have a Saris but for one bike it's easier to drop the rear seats and take the wheels off.

Do you mean a REAL Mini Cooper or the re-issue? EDIT: rehash actualy.

Chalk and cheese realy.

Regards, Anthony

Yes, I fit my 7300 FX w/ the front wheel off. But, the fenders, brakes, and sometimes the handlebars need a little tweaking afterwards because it just doesn't seem to ride as smoothly; plus, I have to put the passenger seat down so that it is just the driver in the car.

This might also be some help:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228096

Chalk and cheese realy.

Okay, you got me. What the heck does "chalk and cheese" mean?

it means they are two different things, not really comparable. The original Mini Cooper is much smaller than the current BMW produced car styled after the Mini.

Why not a bike carrier? I use the same for my chalk and cheese Pontiac Vibe, as I do for my BMW Mini.

I like the security of keeping the bike locked up inside while I'm at work. Currently I have a Grand Cherokee but it's circling the drain and I want to replace it with something more fuel efficient and sporty. I'm looking at the BMW Mini.

It can be done, but it is kinda of a pain in the neck...

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/7480/0901061002za4.th.jpg (http://img50.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0901061002za4.jpg)
You will have to take off both wheels.

Mike

A friend manages to put his 60 cm Orbea in the back of his Mini Cooper with the rear wheel off and the passenger seat tilted forward. Obviously no room for anyone else.

I like the security of keeping the bike locked up inside while I'm at work. Currently I have a Grand Cherokee but it's circling the drain and I want to replace it with something more fuel efficient and sporty. I'm looking at the BMW Mini.

Thats why I use the Vibe I suppose. I don't use it for much else besides transporting bikes and dogs. :o

But the mini is a great car. Mine is 4 years old and my total maint cost is $40. Even the oil changes are covered.

I got the MINI rack base installed at the dealer and use that with Rocky Mounts fork-mount trays (wheels go in bags in the boot).

My girlfriend would birth a kitten if I tried to put a bike inside.

real Mini's don't have hatchbacks.....they have "boots" and noth much more than the battery, a small tent, a sleeping bag and a few other little things fit in there. of course most of them weren't mini "coopers" they were either Austin's or Rover's. I believe my brother's '78 was made when the company was owned by Rover. sorry for being anal about this, but some people (not me) get offended easily when people start throwing that "cooper" word around. although maybe a folder would fit in his boot....

I like the security of keeping the bike locked up inside while I'm at work.

careful with this, make sure the bike is out of site. I have seen things like iPods, Cd players, purses, etc that have gotten stolen by people that just smash the hell out of the car window to get to the stuff inside. Them you're not only out a bike, but also the $400 dollars it would be to replace the window.

Just unloaded the bike from the mini. With 2 people in the car I have to remove both wheels but its still faster than strapping on the saris.

of course most of them weren't mini "coopers" they were either Austin's or Rover's.
While searching ebay I found a couple made by Morgan as well. From what I gather, John Cooper was a tuner of original minis and when bmw started making them they just kept the name because it was associated with performance.

Way late, by several months, but thought I would add my 2 cents for anyone else considering a Mini Cooper. I put my bike inside my car, a 2003 Cooper S, regularly by folding both rear seats, pushing/tilting the front passenger seat forward as if someone is climbing in the back, and then taking off the front wheel. I insert the bike rear wheel first with the handle bar cocked to the side. It is not necessary to remove both wheels, only the front one.

You might want to wait for the traveller version coming to the US next year. It will be a little stretched at the rear with a bigger interior volume. Supposedly there is also a turbodiesel version in development as well, but whether that is being marketed in North America is less certain.