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Showroom: Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania
We fitted the Menabo Mistral tailgate and boot-mounted bike rack on the boot of a first-generation Renault Clio Symbol. The fitting was done in our SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.
In brief
- Car: Renault Clio Symbol, 4-door saloon built between 1999 and 2008, facelift version after 2006
- Fitted: Menabo Mistral, bike rack for the tailgate or boot lid
- Capacity: up to 3 bikes, maximum 45 kg, any frame diameter
- Fitting: the rack sits on the boot lid and is tightened with the straps supplied
About the car: Renault Clio Symbol (1999-2008), facelift series
Renault started production of the Clio Symbol at the end of 1999 in Turkey, as the saloon version of the Clio II. The model was not sold in Western Europe. In Romania it carried the name Clio Symbol and, from the first half of 2005, simply Symbol. The first generation stayed in production until 2008, on the Renault A platform (X65). The car in this fitting is from the facelift series, which appeared in Europe in autumn 2006, with body-coloured bumpers and the Renault badge built into the boot handle.
The Clio Symbol roof has no roof rails, so any roof accessory would first need roof bars. If you only carry bikes now and then, the boot is the quicker solution: the rack sits on the lid and is fixed with the straps supplied, and it folds flat when you take it off. On a saloon with a boot lid, rubberised contact points and well-tightened straps make the difference between a stable rack and one that moves.
What we fitted on this Clio Symbol
The Clio Symbol got the Menabo Mistral bike rack for 3 bikes, a foldable steel rack that is secured with the straps supplied in the box. It has 6 body contact points, and the contact surfaces are rubber with rubberised paint to protect against scratches.
The bikes are held by the frame with clamps, and the Mistral takes any frame diameter and fat bikes. The maximum load is 45 kg. It is not compatible with e-bikes and has no lock for the rack or the bikes. The product is certified and ISO tested, and its product page has a presentation video.
Video: What the Menabo Mistral bike rack looks like and how it attaches
Technical details and what to watch for
- Menabo Mistral: 3 bikes, maximum load 45 kg. With two bikes of 15 kg each you are at 30 kg, which leaves 15 kg in reserve.
- Steel, black, foldable for easy storage.
- Bikes are held by the frame with clamps; the bikes touch each other, so use frame protectors.
- The rack has no anti-theft lock; when you stop, secure the bikes with a separate padlock.
- After loading, check that the bikes do not cover the number plate or the rear lights of the Clio Symbol.
- The list of compatible cars and the fitting instructions are on the product page.
Instructions and documents
- Menabo compatibility list for bike racks (PDF)
- Fitting instructions - Menabo Mistral (PDF)
- Specifications - Menabo Mistral (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need roof bars to carry bikes on a Renault Clio Symbol?
Not necessarily. The Renault Clio Symbol has no roof rails, but a boot-mounted rack such as the Menabo Mistral attaches with straps directly to the boot lid and carries up to 3 bikes. The advantages of each option are explained in the guide Bike rack on roof bars vs. tailgate bike rack.
Is the Menabo Mistral bike rack compatible with e-bikes?
No. According to the product page, the Menabo Mistral is not compatible with e-bikes. It does take fat bikes and any frame diameter, up to 3 bikes and a maximum of 45 kg.
Does the Menabo Mistral bike rack scratch the car body?
The Menabo Mistral has rubber contact points with rubberised paint, designed not to scratch the bodywork. On the Renault Clio Symbol, as on any car, clean the boot lid first, because dust or sand left under the rack can leave marks. Details in the guide Fitting steps for tailgate bike racks.
We are waiting for you in the showroom
Want to carry your bikes on your saloon without roof bars? We are waiting for you in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania See our tailgate and boot-mounted bike racks and we will tell you which one fits your car. If you prefer, you can also reach us here: contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].
You can also message us on WhatsApp.
Sources: Wikipedia - Renault Symbol (Clio Symbol, first generation) · SuportBicicleta.ro guide - Bike rack on roof bars vs. tailgate bike rack · SuportBicicleta.ro guide - Fitting steps for tailgate bike racks · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro
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