ways of transporting Mountain bike

[Pickle1970]

I'm a keen mountain biker and getting a bit fed up with throwing my muddy bike in the back of car.

Unfortunately I don't have roof rails but has anyone else fitted a roof rack or towbar carrier to their A3?

Mine is an S-Line so I'm not sure if I can fit an aftermarket towbar? If anyone has and not had to cur the bumper valance then please point me in the right direction.

 

[DW81]

What about a rhino boot liner these are custom made to your vehicle. I use one to transport my fishing kit and tools great but if kit.

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwiNgca3rZPZAhXIchQKHW-8APcQ0QwIIg&adurl=

 

[Pickle1970]

They are actually really cool, thanks. I'm looking at maybe transporting a few bikes though and ideally wanted to use a towbar one.

The roof racks scare the life out of me and look like they'll scratch the hell out of my roof.

 

[vamos]

Roof rack - run the risk of dropping the bike on the top of the car and denting, lots of crap falling off the bike on to the top of the car and finally the low height restrictions which can spell death for your bike, car, rails etc.
Tow ball is the way but pretty expensive.

 

[Daveotto]

Went through the same thought process and discounted roof mounted racks.

I am sure there are several rear mounted versions for multiple bikes that don’t require a tow bar, try places like Evans cycles, Chain Reaction, Wiggle and of course Halfords.

I only ever transport one MTB so even in a saloon it’s easy to pop off the front wheel and slide in the bike through the boot, helps when total bike weight is only 12kg though

 

[Pickle1970]

Well I was contemplating a small van or car just for cycle trips so I think a towbar and Thule rack will be cheaper.

Looking around I think it'll be about £600 for the towbar fitted then £200 for the rack, expensive I guess but I think it's a better way to transport them.

 

[Audi Bairn]

My rack is the one that "hangs" off the boot.
Only downsides are I need to put an old towel between the rubber pads and the paintwork to avoid it marking it and you need to be careful not to hide the back lights.
Not sure if it would be suitable for a SB or hatch though.

 

[jungle650]

As with most things there are several ways to tackle bike carriers. Here are my thoughts...

Rear deck bike carrier

The old style racks which sit on the glass and boot you need to be careful with in my opinion. Both from a weight perspective, damage perspective ( damage to car paintwork, damage to spoiler, glass and rear deck ) and obstruction of lights etc. Yes they are cheap, but If you have a rear spoiler you probably cant use one. I have one and would not use on my current car. When I did use it, I always had to check the front tyres werent rubbing on the rear quarter, quickest way to loose some paint!!

Tow bar bike rack

A tow bar solution is the most effective if you want to carry more than 2-4 bikes, and the ones which swing down and out of the way enabling you to gain access to the boot are superb. Downsides are you need a towbar which are not cheap to buy or have professionally fitted and they can cause havoc with parking sensors and rear visibility. They are also relative big units which you need space to store when not on the car.


Roof rack

I know you do not have the roof bars, but you can still buy racks which fit to the door seals. For carrying 2-3 bikes this is probably the cheapeast and simplist solution. Fitting a roof rack takes just a couple of minutes once you have mastered and you keep the full use of your boot and all visibility. On a normal height car ( ie not a 4X4 ) I dont see you having any height issues, unless you really do enter some super low car parks, in which case its a 2min job to drop the bikes of the car. Take a look on Ebay for a used set of decent Thule bars. The plus side of a roof rack is you can also fit a box or use them to carry other items other than just bikes.

Also take a look at www.roofracks.co.uk , as they sell all of the options listed above, as well as take a good look at Halfords offerings.

I personally have the roof bars and make full use of them with the Thule bike carriers, which are super easy to fit and do everything that I ask of them. I can put the bars and bikes on the car now all within about 5-7 mins on my own. The new version carriers can also cope with mountain bikes, and oversized tyres and are easy to reverse to carry bikes opposite ends.

Heres a pick ( not mountain but road bikes ) making full use of the ‘Sportback ‘.

 

[testcard]

When I transport my hybrid, the front wheel comes off, I drop the rear seats and throw in a yoga mat for protection. Bike seems happy to travel like that.

 

[Phutters]

Looking around I think it'll be about £600 for the towbar fitted then £200 for the rack, expensive I guess but I think it's a better way to transport them.

You've probably thought of this already - and if you have, I apologise - but if you're thinking of going the aftermarket towbar route, don't get it fitted by a dealer. Almost without exception they'll farm the job out to a specialist towbar fitter and then mark it up.

Considerably.

If I was in your position, the very first thing I'd do is call PF Jones. A top outfit and no mistake.

They've forgotten more about towbars than all of us on here put together can remember.

.

 

[Ormesome]

Pretty sure there is some warning not to carry the rear boot mounted bike carrier on the A3 because of the top mounted spoiler? I know with my 3 door when I tried my bike rack it looked like any small amount of pressure and it was going to snap off. The holding parts that are supposed to go at the top of the rear hatch couldn’t fit in properly because of the size of the spoiler. it would only attach to the spoiler and not the metal body part. I carry mine in the boot as I’m also scared of the height issue. Tow bar is the best option but pricey.

 

[Pickle1970]

You've probably thought of this already - and if you have, I apologise - but if you're thinking of going the aftermarket towbar route, don't get it fitted by a dealer. Almost without exception they'll farm the job out to a specialist towbar fitter and then mark it up.

Considerably.

If I was in your position, the very first thing I'd do is call PF Jones. A top outfit and no mistake.

They've forgotten more about towbars than all of us on here put together can remember.

.

Yeah they're the company I've contacted, extremely helpful and have quoted £360 fully fitted with a 7 pin plug.

Looked around and I can pick up a 2 bike THULE carrier for £150 off chainreaction, so just over £500 all in isn't too bad really.

Although I did watch a video of a full fitting and it was like watching a horror film

 

[Fatbloke]

I got a towbar fitted to mine. There was only a Westfalia that fitted. It's the removable one. They did have to cut a bit out of the bumper but I have a plan to fit a metal plate to hide the exhaust. It's on a 2016 S line. I have not tried attaching a bike carrier yet but intend to if one will fit.

I got a discount on the first towbar they tried (still £500) but it didn't fit the newer model. The fitted the even more expensive Westfalia for the same price.

 

[Pickle1970]

Thanks for the reply Fatbloke, could you put up a picture of the cut bumper?

Do you have to inform your insurer that you've had a towbar fitted? does it class as a modification?

 

[Fatbloke]

Thanks for the reply Fatbloke, could you put up a picture of the cut bumper?

Do you have to inform your insurer that you've had a towbar fitted? does it class as a modification?

I think I did tell my insurance at the time.

Picture attached. I plan on widening out the cutout bit to the right to make it symetrical and then fixing a plate along the back maybe with a washer or 2 as spacers to move it back a bit to leave enough room to click the removable towbar up into the bracket. Will probably paint the plate black or the same as far bit of the bumper. This will hide the exhaust. Will also remove the rest of that section underneath so it's just a plain straight plate down to the same depth.

 

[scoss]

As with most things there are several ways to tackle bike carriers. Here are my thoughts...

Rear deck bike carrier

The old style racks which sit on the glass and boot you need to be careful with in my opinion. Both from a weight perspective, damage perspective ( damage to car paintwork, damage to spoiler, glass and rear deck ) and obstruction of lights etc. Yes they are cheap, but If you have a rear spoiler you probably cant use one. I have one and would not use on my current car. When I did use it, I always had to check the front tyres werent rubbing on the rear quarter, quickest way to loose some paint!!

Tow bar bike rack

A tow bar solution is the most effective if you want to carry more than 2-4 bikes, and the ones which swing down and out of the way enabling you to gain access to the boot are superb. Downsides are you need a towbar which are not cheap to buy or have professionally fitted and they can cause havoc with parking sensors and rear visibility. They are also relative big units which you need space to store when not on the car.


Roof rack

I know you do not have the roof bars, but you can still buy racks which fit to the door seals. For carrying 2-3 bikes this is probably the cheapeast and simplist solution. Fitting a roof rack takes just a couple of minutes once you have mastered and you keep the full use of your boot and all visibility. On a normal height car ( ie not a 4X4 ) I dont see you having any height issues, unless you really do enter some super low car parks, in which case its a 2min job to drop the bikes of the car. Take a look on Ebay for a used set of decent Thule bars. The plus side of a roof rack is you can also fit a box or use them to carry other items other than just bikes.

Also take a look at www.roofracks.co.uk , as they sell all of the options listed above, as well as take a good look at Halfords offerings.

I personally have the roof bars and make full use of them with the Thule bike carriers, which are super easy to fit and do everything that I ask of them. I can put the bars and bikes on the car now all within about 5-7 mins on my own. The new version carriers can also cope with mountain bikes, and oversized tyres and are easy to reverse to carry bikes opposite ends.

Heres a pick ( not mountain but road bikes ) making full use of the ‘Sportback ‘.

View attachment 148005

View attachment 148006

How long does it take to fit the Thule rack? I have roof rails and getting quite annoyed with putting a massive sheet in the car and putting the bike in. It does fit but it’s a right ball ache. My issue is I would not want the rack on all the time. Regarding the rack are they locked on to the roof rails? Preventing anyone walking up to it and stealing them?

 

[markwiggy]

I have always put mine in the car with a tarpaulin to cover the interior. Driving around advertising your nice mountain bike on the back of your car is asking to have it nicked, easy pickings they just follow your home. Just a thought.

 

[jungle650]

How long does it take to fit the Thule rack? I have roof rails and getting quite annoyed with putting a massive sheet in the car and putting the bike in. It does fit but it’s a right ball ache. My issue is I would not want the rack on all the time. Regarding the rack are they locked on to the roof rails? Preventing anyone walking up to it and stealing them?

As stated above the racks take less than 10 mins to fit including putting the bike carriers on. The first few times they take longer. Then once you have the nack, they go on / off fast. The racks and carriers lock, as does the new carrier to the bike. I would however not leave a bike unattended on the rack/ or leave it on the car overnight etx, that would probably be asking for trouble. If you have a Thule rack and carrier system you can also order a key to fit both units based on the serial number whixh is very useful. Take a look on Ebay at a used Thule / Audi or other makers set.

 

[scoss]

As stated above the racks take less than 10 mins to fit including putting the bike carriers on. The first few times they take longer. Then once you have the nack, they go on / off fast. The racks and carriers lock, as does the new carrier to the bike. I would however not leave a bike unattended on the rack/ or leave it on the car overnight etx, that would probably be asking for trouble. If you have a Thule rack and carrier system you can also order a key to fit both units based on the serial number whixh is very useful. Take a look on Ebay at a used Thule / Audi or other makers set.

Ok thanks, what’s the cost of your set up new out of interest? Is that the 598 version?

 

[jungle650]

Take a look at somehwere on line like roofracks.co.uk to price up new, or look on ebay. Audi do a set of roofbars as well specific to the car for about £250 new. Thule 598 is the bike carrier I use. The 591 is the older style and very similar for a cheaperr price if reqd.