Honda Civic Saloon with Menabo Mistral boot-mounted bike rack for 3 bikes

On a 4-door Honda Civic Saloon we fitted the Menabo Mistral bike rack, strapped to the boot lid, with no roof bars and no towbar. The fitting took place in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: Honda Civic Saloon, most likely the 9th generation (FB)

The 9th-generation Honda Civic was built between 2011 and 2016, and the 4-door saloon carries the codes FB1-FB6; the European saloon with the 1.6 engine appears as FB7. For markets outside North America, the saloon received a redesigned front end, headlights and boot panel, and reached Europe in June 2012. We deduced the generation of the car in this fitting from the body, not from a dedicated kit.

The car has a roof without roof rails, and on a saloon one option that needs no bars on the roof is a rack strapped to the boot lid. The Mistral rests on the lid and is tensioned with straps hooked onto its edges, so the shape of the boot must allow the pads to rest on it. For this reason, check the model in the Menabo compatibility list on the product sheet before buying.

What we fitted on this Civic Saloon

We used Menabo Mistral bike rack for 3 bikes, tailgate-mounted, a rack that is simple to use and quick to fit. It is made of steel, attaches to the car body at 6 points and has rubber contact points with a rubberised coating, so it does not scratch the paint. The bikes hang by the frame and are secured with clamps, and the rack is certified and ISO tested.

The Mistral carries up to 3 bikes and a maximum of 45 kg, accepts frames of any diameter and is compatible with fat bikes, but not with e-bikes. Because the bikes hang from the frame, they can touch each other. The rack has no lock, and when you are not using it, it folds and stores easily, for example in a storeroom.

Video: Menabo Mistral on the tailgate – video

Useful details

• Calculation: 45 kg divided by 3 bikes means an average of 15 kg per bike; two heavier bikes can use up almost the whole capacity on their own.
• For women's bikes with a low frame, racks that hold the bike by the frame need a frame adapter, as we explain in the comparison between a roof bar rack and a tailgate-mounted rack.
• Clean the boot lid before fitting, then check each strap and try moving the rack from side to side; the steps are in the fitting guide for rear-mounted bike racks.
• With bikes loaded on a saloon, always check that the number plate and rear lights stay visible and that the pedals do not touch the bodywork.
• If the edge of the boot lid is not metal, the Menabo packs include adapters for attaching the straps.

Instructions and documents

• Menabo compatibility list for bike racks (PDF)
• Fitting instructions - Menabo Mistral (PDF)
• Specifications - Menabo Mistral (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Can a bike rack be fitted on the boot of a Honda Civic Saloon?

Yes. On a 4-door Honda Civic Saloon we fitted the Menabo Mistral, which is strapped to the boot lid at 6 points. Before buying, check the exact car model in the Menabo compatibility list on the product sheet.

How many bikes does the Menabo Mistral carry and how much weight does it take?

The Menabo Mistral rack carries up to 3 bikes, with a maximum total weight of 45 kg. The bikes hang from the frame, and the rack accepts frames of any diameter.

Is the Menabo Mistral compatible with fat bikes or e-bikes?

According to the product sheet, the Menabo Mistral is compatible with fat bikes, but not with e-bikes. For an e-bike on a Honda Civic Saloon, if the car has a towbar, you can choose a towbar-mounted rack, as we explain in the guide to roof bar racks and towbar-mounted racks.

Does the Menabo Mistral bike rack scratch the car body?

The Menabo Mistral has rubber contact points with the car, with a rubberised coating, designed not to scratch the bodywork. For safety, clean the boot lid before fitting, so that sand or dust is not left under the pads, as we explain in the fitting steps for tailgate-mounted racks.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

Do you have a Civic Saloon or another saloon and want a simple bike rack, with no roof bars? Our shop is in Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania and we check together whether the Mistral or another model fits your boot. You can find more options at tailgate and boot bike racks, and for questions you can reach us through our contact page or at [email protected]. contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].

You can also message us on WhatsApp.

Sources: Wikipedia, Honda Civic (9th generation) · Photo of the fitting from suportbicicleta.ro · SuportBicicleta.ro guide: fitting steps for tailgate-mounted racks · SuportBicicleta.ro guide: roof bar bike rack vs tailgate bike rack · SuportBicicleta.ro guide: roof bar racks or towbar-mounted racks · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro