Suzuki Swift with Menabo Mistral bike rack on the tailgate or boot lid

On a Suzuki Swift we fitted a Menabo Mistral bike rack, mounted on the tailgate or boot lid, in our SuportBicicleta.ro shop at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift debuted in Europe in October 1988 at the Brussels Motor Show, after being developed on the GM M platform with the help of General Motors. The first Swift built in Europe came off the line at the Esztergom plant, Hungary, in September 1992, and production there continued until 2003. The model was offered as a 2-door convertible, a 3-door or 5-door hatchback and a 4-door saloon. The last version in the range was the 5-door, until March 2003.

The roof of the car in the photo is plain, with no roof rails, so a rack on the tailgate or boot lid needs no roof bars. With a tailgate rack, the shape of the rear of the car matters more, because the rack is fixed with straps in the rear area. The Menabo Mistral is made to fit on the tailgate or boot lid, and the straps in the package secure it during the journey.

What we fitted on this Suzuki Swift

We fitted the the Menabo Mistral bike rack for 3 bikes, mounted on the tailgate or boot lid. The rack is foldable and is secured with the straps supplied in the package. The contact points with the car are rubber with rubberised paint, which does not scratch the bodywork, and the rack is certified and ISO tested. It has 6 fixing points on the body.

The Mistral carries up to 3 bikes and takes a maximum load of 45 kg. The bikes touch each other, so before the journey check that they do not knock against each other. The rack measures 52 x 67 x 10 cm and is made of steel.

For quick fitting, check before every journey that the straps are tight and that the rack does not move on the tailgate or boot lid. The Mistral is simple to fit, and folded it takes little space when you are not using it.

Video: Menabo Mistral bike rack on the tailgate

Technical details and what to watch for

• Capacity: up to 3 bikes, with a maximum total load of 45 kg.
• Dimensions: the rack measures 52 x 67 x 10 cm.
• Compatibility: The Mistral takes fat bikes, but is not compatible with e-bikes.
• Anti-theft lock: the rack has no lock, and no bike lock is included in the set.
• Fitting: the instruction manual is included in the pack. You will find the fitting instructions below as a PDF.
• Folding: the rack is foldable, which helps with storage when you are not using it.
• Visibility: bikes can cover the number plate or the rear lights, so check that they stay visible.

Instructions and documents

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

Frequently asked questions

How much weight does the Menabo Mistral rack take?

The Menabo Mistral rack takes a maximum load of 45 kg and carries up to 3 bikes, mounted on the tailgate or boot lid of the Suzuki Swift.

Can the Menabo Mistral rack be fitted on a Suzuki Swift without roof bars?

Yes. The Menabo Mistral fits on the tailgate or boot lid of the Suzuki Swift with the straps in the package, so it does not need roof bars. The tailgate fitting steps are described in the fitting guide for rear-mounted bike racks.

Can I carry an e-bike on the Menabo Mistral?

No. The Menabo Mistral is not compatible with e-bikes, but it takes fat bikes. For fat bikes, read the guide on the fat bike rack.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

We are waiting for you in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania, where we help you choose the right rack for the Suzuki Swift. See bike racks or tailgate racks. Contact 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: Suzuki Cultus (Wikipedia): European debut October 1988, GM M platform, Esztergom production 1992-2003, 2/3/5-door bodies and 4-door saloon · Tailgate rack fitting guide · Bike rack guide on fat bikes · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro