A8 roof bars & cycle carriers

[crush123 0]

now that the kids are getting bigger, i want to carry 3 bikes on my A8.

i tried a couple of 3rd party rear mounted carriers, but they dont attach very securely.

i talked to the dealer about the roofbar with cycle carrier attachments, and although weight would not be an issue, he wouldn't confirm if i could get 3 bikes on the roof.

As the bars are over £200 and the cycle carriers £70 each, i dont want to fork out the money unless i'm confident i will get a result.

[nicknick 1]

Get the audi a8 detachable towbar (A8 Parts is your best bet ?) - from what I've read on here all A8's are prepped for a towbar.

Once you have a towbar you can get a thule towbar mounted bike rack.

I have a 9403 but there are a few others that Thule do which are even simpler. Best thing about towbar racks is nothing touches the car, no lifting the bikes, reduced drag etc...

[crush123 0]

i talked to my local audi dealer and an independent audi specialist for a detachable towbar for the A8. around £300 for the towbar and 5 hours labour charge (audi). The independent quoted even more labour time.

[las247 10]

I have a set of Thule roof bars on mine and I'm pret ty confident you will fit the bike holders on. I'd suggest having the outer ones facing forwards and the centre rack facing rearwards. I've seen this configuration on many a car when I was cycle racing so the '8' should manage it easily.

The A8 is a great load carrier, I regularly carry 1 or 2 15 foot plus open canoes on the roof of mine and will be extending the bars to fit both boats side by side for an upcoming Scottish expedition.

[crush123 0]

Thanks for the reply.

the parts guy from dealership suggested the 2 forward and 1 back option, and he said he didn't forsee a problem with racing bikes but wasn't sure about mountain bikes.

(though widthwise, i cant see much difference)

[las247 10]

The widest part would be the peddles, the difference between a racing bike and an MTB would be negligible. The handlebars wouldn't figure if you had the centre bike facing rearwards. I can't see any problems.

[AndrewGray 10]

anyone got any pictures of D2 A8's with roof-wear?

[sloss 0]

I hate cyclists...... especially in busy traffic and the ones that wobble along between slow traffic on a dual carriageway.....

I don't mind the guy (girl) who can't afford an A8 but these lycra clad a'holes with the better than thou expression.....

Rant over

Stew,

[las247 10]

anyone got any pictures of D2 A8's with roof-wear?

Not so much of a close up of the bars but you can see the type of load that can be carried 120lbs of canoes.

[AndrewGray 10]

Nice one!

I'd love a bars, rack and fairing setup

[crush123 0]

Got the audi roof bars & 3 cycle carriers, 2 from fleabay, 1 from audi.

Much happier with transporting bikes now.