How do you get your bike in your car ??

[Tiger-G]

Hi ,

For those who put their pedal bikes in the car, I was just wondering how you go about doing it while leaving enough room for other stuff like tents, storage boxes, sleeping bags, quilts, pillows, etc ??

I've taken my xxl hybrid out in my Allroad on camping holidays, and when it's in the car, there's not room for anything else. I put the back seats down, take the front and rear wheels off, turn the handlebars 90 degree's, then lay the bike in the back and put the wheels on top. That takes up nearly all the load space .

Anyone managed to find a way to sit a bike upright when its in the car ??

Before anyone asks.......I won't put it on a cycle rack on the back or on the roof, because the way I drive, it wouldn't stay on there very long !! And there's the obvious security issue.

 

[ToadConsulting]

I only use fork mounted for the roof and never in 20yrs ever had a problem regardless how I drive, also locked on. Mate of mine had a similar thing for his boot so you could look at that option to bring some order.

 

[Tiger-G]

Thanks for that reply, but I want the bike in the car for security, and as the bike weighs a tonne, and I only travel rural A & B roads, and I'm always doing between 60-100mph, I just don't think the outside of the car is the place to be for it.

Any other idea's ??

 

[spartacus 68]

I don't know what your personal circumstances are, but I think you're chasing the holy grail. The very nature of bikes is they are awkward (even with wheels off), when trying to transport them in the car. The take up space, deposit oil and chain marks on upholstery and inevitably mark something regardless of how careful you are.

I cycled a couple of days a week, dumping the car at a park and ride outside town and doing a 12 mile return trip to the city centre office loaded with panniers, my laptop, change of clothes, wet weather gear, puncture repair, and anything else I can squeeze in! The first obstacle I have is the obligatory (anti-Transit van) low roof barrier at the park and ride, so the bike (a late 90s Trek 850) that transported my butt across Canada comes off the Thule roof bike carrier. It whistles on anything over 50mph while in transit, yes I went for the aero roof bars, but let's face it, it's like mounting a clothes horse on the roof of your car.

I worked late tonight, not through choice, but the nature of my job, so the thought of a nice chilled glass of Pinot Grigio on getting home spurred me on once I was back at the car. I was doing 70mph on A-class roads. I have a panoramic roof, so a upwards glance confirmed the bike was still on the roof! I agree regards security, the bike roof racks are basic. If in doubt, stick a decent rope lock through the factory roof bars and around the frame if you're leaving it even for 20 minutes.

 

[Tiger-G]

Ha, I've seen bikes on roof racks mangled by low height barriers, and I can see me doing the same !!

There are a few video's on YouTube of people modifying their cars to take bikes, but nothing for an A4 specifically. It's usually a case of putting the forks down where the rear passenger footwell is, or cutting a panel to fit where the spare wheel goes and putting the forks in there.

My bike's got panniers and mudguards on, so it makes it more difficult to find a solution

 

[SteveMcB]

Pricey (if you haven't already got one) but IMO a tow bar rack is the best option.

 

[coullstar]

I run roof bars all year round and have had 4 mtb's on before so I don't think putting it on the roof is a real issue. Security wise its fairly easy to get round it with chain/padlock if need be. Ive been doing this for 10 years and never had an issue so I think your making a problem that doesn't really exist to be honest.
Towbar mount is another option as said. Basically your not going to get your bike inside the car in a neatly packaged way.

 

[HertS3]

Sorry to revive an old thread but I'm shortly swapping my S3 for an S4 Avant, anyone got bicycle carrying tips? Saris website shows a lot of options for the B8.5 but would these also on work on the S4? I'm a complete noob to this car so don't know if the rear spoiler is the same.

 

[PenttisHSR]

Thule towbar mounted rack is the most expensive but best possible way IMO.
I regularly take three bikes to France and drive as fast as possible, solid.
Rack can be folded down even when full to access the boot.
I run two Thule cable locks through all wheels, frames and rack.
Also the rack comes with a lock to stop it being removed from the car and it also comes with locks on the clamps that hold the bike frame.
Really easy to load and unload.
Only negative is that the rack is heavy off the car, but it will collapse down and fit inside the car (or under the static caravan in our case).
You can use the Audi detachable-ball towbar, mine is a permanent ball "Tow Trust" and needed a small trim in the plastic bumper at the very bottom.
It integrates fully with the canbus car electrics and displays on the dash that it is connected and working.
Bulb warnings will show up if a rack bulb is out. The lighting is LED and built in.
I regularly go mountain biking and use the rack even if I am on my own because it's so easy and saves mud etc. getting into the car.

 

[HertS3]

Interesting, didn't think S cars could take tow bars, my S3 couldn't due to the exhaust being in the way.

 

[PenttisHSR]

Interesting, didn't think S cars could take tow bars, my S3 couldn't due to the exhaust being in the way.

S3 has an exhaust box running horizontally across the back of the car.
S4 has two boxes running one either side.

 

[HertS3]

I see, those might be coming out to make some more noise! I found it a bit quiet for my liking but we'll see

 

[PenttisHSR]

I see, those might be coming out to make some more noise! I found it a bit quiet for my liking but we'll see

What ever you do, do not remove those rear boxes as they are also resonators, Find another way.
It will drone like mad at 1800 - 2400 rpm, i.e. when you are driving "normally" with the kids in.

 

[HertS3]

Got it - thanks for the tip. I believe the exhuast isn't valved which is a pain, saying that my S3 is resonator free and valved disabled. Does drone on the motorway but sounds awesome the rest of the time

 

[ld2130]

4 bikes on towbar bikerack on S4 ready to hoon to the Netherlands.

I've had 4 full size bikes on there as well

 

[HertS3]

Awesome, how much does it cost to add a tow bar?

 

[ld2130]

I think it was around the £400 mark, but then you also get to be able to do this
Now if only I could work out how to keep the kids out with their grubby little paws.

 

[HertS3]

Yeah handy, also if you find out the answer to that question let me know! My kids insist on resting their shoes on the back of seats, not gonna fly with the super sport seats I'm getting!

 

[PenttisHSR]

4 bikes on towbar bikerack on S4 ready to hoon to the Netherlands.

I've had 4 full size bikes on there as well

Like it.
I have a handy little trailer too. Also able to tow a car about if required (borrow a car transporter/trailer).

Don't tell me you added the 4th FULL-SIZE bike by strapping it to the 3rd (like the kiddie bike in the photo)!
I've got the add-on piece to make four rails and straps with the extra clamp which goes between the last two bikes.
Currently I'm carrying three ELECTRIC bikes on mine - I think that's the (safe) limit!
I remove the batteries to help with the weight on the rack.
Thule is amazing quality & function.

 

[PenttisHSR]

Here's mine in France, with the rubber donuts in the springs.

 

[ld2130]

Like it.

Don't tell me you added the 4th FULL-SIZE bike by strapping it to the 3rd (like the kiddie bike in the photo)!

Nope that was a borrowed rack, I bought the 3 bike one with the 4th bike adaptor. Yep Thule FTW

 

[Jon B]

I guess it depends how many passengers you have in the car.

I’ve been to France for two weeks, just me and my wife in an A3 Sportback with the seats down, road bike in with the wheels off and full of luggage.

Now I have kids I transport like this...

 

[MattS5]

Here's mine in France, with the rubber donuts in the springs.

View attachment 204646

Rubber donuts? (I’m unfamiliar with those)

 

[PenttisHSR]

Rubber donuts? (I’m unfamiliar with those)

Sorry, "Grayston spring assisters"
http://www.grayston.biz/spring assisters page.htm

 

[HertS3]

I guess it depends how many passengers you have in the car.

I’ve been to France for two weeks, just me and my wife in an A3 Sportback with the seats down, road bike in with the wheels off and full of luggage.

Now I have kids I transport like this...

I'm in the same boat, moving from S3 sportback to an S4 Avant.
I've got roof bars and a cycle carrier for the S3, need to work out if I can take feet out (it's the OEM Audi bars for cars without rails but made by Thule) and get new ones for the S4. Will have to have a chat with Thule me thinks.

 

[Jon B]

I’m actually going to be getting rid of my A4 at the end of the year for a C7 A6. So will be looking to sell my genuine Audi bars, if you’re struggling with your option.

 

[HertS3]

Hmm could be interesting. I've emailed a roof box company to check whether I can re-use the aero bars I got for the S3, they're a bit longer than the S4 (127 cm compared to 118 cm) but I think they should be OK, better too long than too short!

 

[ld2130]

If its the Cruz one, then I just bought the new adaptors and kept the bars from my old car. Works a treat.

 

[HertS3]

it's the OEM Audi ones which are made by Thule

 

[MattS5]

Sorry, "Grayston spring assisters"
http://www.grayston.biz/spring assisters page.htm

View attachment 204705

I towed a caravan (only a couple of times a year) with my S5 and never bothered with anything like that, albeit I did try and keep the noseweight to 85KG as per the maual and towbar recomendations

 

[PenttisHSR]

I towed a caravan (only a couple of times a year) with my S5 and never bothered with anything like that, albeit I did try and keep the noseweight to 85KG as per the maual and towbar recomendations

Yes you can manage OK. I was just referencing the Rear Auxillary Springs Installation Guide (for towing and heavy loads) thread.https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...tion-guide-for-towing-and-heavy-loads.411708/
3-Bike rack, 3 people, bedding, towels, clothes, food, beer,wine etc. car is sat on it's haunches.
I had a slight problem with a speedhump in France and the ferry at low/high tide, found these gave me that extra inch of clearance. No problems since.