nosaj

Does anyone own Audi's roof-top bike rack? If so tell me what you think of it

Thanks

Clyde

We had the rack on our A4 and now have it on the new A3. Basically you get the rails from Audi and then the Thule (also dealer-available) racks fit on the rails. You can get different styles, front wheel on or off racks and other racks for snowboards, etc. Very easy to install.

nosaj

Is it easy to remove the rails when they are not needed? or is it better to leave them on? Which of the Thule (wheel-on) racks do you reccomend

Clyde

We have the racks which require you to remove the front wheel. It's a pain but they seem to be more secure (and lower) than the ones that you just set the bike in. The racks take about 5-10 minutes to remove or install, same for the rails, easy.

tiptronic

Here's my set-up below. Before i got these OEM racks,i was looking into the Thule Aero-kit, but a friend gave me his A3 oem racks.
Although Audi OEM looks good- some parts (specifically- the little end caps) are flimsy- but i have since found a solution to keep them on the racks.
It also came with two bike racks (fork mount for the front wheels)

Installing the base and bike racks takes me no more than 15 minutes, likewise taking them completely off the car.

I would suggest though on getting some clear 3M(or similar) paint guards for the roof rack foot, which are only painted black with a piece of rubber pads. This is to prevent scratches on ur car's paint job.

Clyde

And what was your solution for keeping the end caps on? Please do tell us.

tiptronic

black straps made with interlocking material (kinda like velcro) see the pic of the front footmount

Clyde

Tiptronic,
Is that a wind deflector on the front bar? As well it serves an advertising purpose I'm sure. I'll keep an eye out for loose end-caps. We just got the A3 and my wife drove it home from Calgary with the bars on, no problems yet.

bvillega

think there will be a problem if i put these on mine and i have an open sky sunroof?

Clyde

No, no problem. I have a set if you want, brand new, driven home from the dealer and removed, in storage ever since. Send me a PM if interested.