A4 Avant bike rack options

[bluevortex]

Waiting for my new Chris road bike to arrive and need a bike carrier for my avant. Now, as I have chrome roof rails already what is the best option for getting a bike on top of the car? I googled and found a Mont Blanc Barracuda would suit my needs but how does this attach as the avant as it doesn't come with the horizontal bars?

Blue

[kodkod.84]

Hi I've not had experience with Mont Blanc racks but I have a couple of Thule systems.

For roof mounted you will need cross bars with compatible feet and also the bike carrier which fits on the bars.

In my profile is a photo of my set up- Thule Pro Ride on aero bars which look smart on the Avant

Best is the towbar mounted carriers as you don't need to worry about height restrictors, but only cost effective if you are planning on carrying your bike about a lot

[SebRogers]

You need a set of roof bars from ********* or the like. Thule make the neatest ones imho - you just need the right 'feet' to fit the Avant's rails.

If I were you I'd also consider a fork-mounted carrier for the bike. You need to remove the front wheel (and put it in the boot or ona separate wheel carrier, natch), but they're far more stable and secure than any roof mounted rack that doesn't require front wheel removal. Plus it looks way more pro :D

[SebRogers]

Best is the towbar mounted carriers as you don't need to worry about height restrictors, but only cost effective if you are planning on carrying your bike about a lot

Second that. I have a Thule towbar carrier which is utterly brilliant. Quieter and more fuel efficient than roof mounting too. But a bit spendy, and of course you need a towbar...

[Roonster]

Have a look at the Mont Blanc Eiger roof mount cycle carrier, They secure the bike with the Saddle and Handle Bars. Very stable.

[dbt07A4avant]

Here's a link to a very recent test of bike racks from a German TV channel (in English). It is a summary of tests conducted by the German motoring organisation ADAC:
http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_single_mediaplayer/0,,6560127_type_video_struct_9690_contentId_151880 78_start_1_end_243,00.html
Hope it helps

[bluevortex]

Thanks for the replies. I thought because the Avant has rails this would save me some coin but still basically now understand I need a full setup of feet, bars and carrier so looking at £250 all in.

I don't really want a tow bar on the car and the price is eye watering anyway so no an option.

I will fold seats down for the time being and put bike in the back. Not ideal but the cost of the bike and accessories my mrs is going to go nuts with me :(

Blue

[SebRogers]

Here's a link to a very recent test of bike racks from a German TV channel (in English). It is a summary of tests conducted by the German motoring organisation ADAC:
http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_single_mediaplayer/0,,6560127_type_video_struct_9690_contentId_151880 78_start_1_end_243,00.html
Hope it helps

Interesting viewing. Mont Blanc doesn't come out of the test very well...:eek: . The emergency manouevre tests are particularly eye-opening. It makes you realise how important it is to a. have a rack that's up to the job and b. secure the bikes properly.