Finally a bike rack for my '09 A4 Cabriolet

[Mark16q]

After much searching and frustration, found a rack made by Bird Automotive. I was searching for A4 convertible hitch receivers, which apparently don't exist. But when I did a search for A4 bike rack, Bird came up. It isn't cheap but reasonable for such a small niche part. It is scheduled to be delivered by Santa Claus in brown tomorrow and I'll hopefully get it bolted up over the weekend.

Mark

[fsttrp]

Does it work out?

[Mark16q]

it's first of my list of things to do over the Thanksgiving weekend. I've reviewed and familiarized myself with the instructions....just need an hour or so now to get on it. Will post pics once I'm done.

[AvanTTix]

Bird Automotive bike racks are pretty cool... I love mine and love the fact that I can get in the trunk even when the bike rack and a bike is on. The only scary thing was thrilling thru the floor panel. I drove it up to 80-ish MPH and that it's solid... it vibrates a little but it's not going anywhere...

[Mark16q]

Beautiful pics of the install! Bird should buy those pics from you...the one's on the site are pretty low-res. Work permitting I hope to get out soon and install mine. With the recent rains, the mountains are calling me to go get muddy. Time to ride!

[Mark16q]

Installed the rack over the weekend. To install the car receiver side took just over an hour, with the car up on Rhino ramps. Could've done without the Rhino's but access was much better this way. Reading the instructions and laying things out ahead of time helped me quite a bit.

Building the rack itself took probably another hour working slowly. Taking things out of the bags and looking at the layout made it pretty self-explanatory how to build. Any special tools needed are included, and you'll need a handful of other pretty standard size wrenches (11,12,13mm).

Very happy with how it looks and mounts up. Haven't driven with it yet but did load the bike up and took some quick pics.







mg

[Mark16q]

Looks like a new car will be in the garage soon, so I pulled the Bird rack off the car. Dealer didn't care if it was on there, so figured someone here might be interested in buying. If I shouldn't post this here, my apologies and will go figure out the classified section. But if someone is interested, let me know...make me an offer. I can take some pics too if needed, but it's all in perfect shape and used very few times.

[a4QUATTRO727]

didn't know they made em for TT's..nice

[wakesurfin]

did you ever sell the rack? I just bought a S5 and am looking for something like this.

[Mark16q]

still have it hanging in the garage. You'd need to check with the manufacturer to see what parts are compatible, but would imagine the rack and locks are the same, with the different being the receiver car side. Let me know if any interest in what I have. Thanks, mg

[wakesurfin]

hey can you email me direct? need to confirm you still have this, going to check with mfg and see if i can just buy the base piece - assuming the base is different on our cars but the upright arms should be the same... wakesurfin at gmail.com please.

[pearlescent]

After owning about 10 different bike rack solutions on 3 different Audi's this is hands down the best...IMO




http://seasucker.com/lifestyle/bike-racks

The suction cup idea takes a bit of getting used to....(will this actually hold my bike? or peal off and totally ruin my trunk?), but I assure you I've gone over 120 and done some canyon carving with the bike mounted like it is in the above picture with not even hint of budging. Each cup generates 200 pounds of suction.

I'm not using the product exactly how the manufacturer says, but given that I don't have a roof, I had to improvise. a 4th cup is included to hold down the rear tire of the bike.

[wakesurfin]

what other solutions did you have - aside from standard trunk mount? this looks pretty cool, but we have some pretty cool mountainous singletrack that always seems to have stream crossings so there's always some mud on my bike (and i kind of like that ; ). As well I'm guessing the suction cups require you to clean the trunk pretty well prior to locking them down? I want to find a way to use this type of rack for my 29" wheel MTB..... http://www.wildslobs.com/2011/08/kua...d-nv-2-add-on/

i will only carry one bike usually.... love the name of this guys site....

[auxnbus]

After owning about 10 different bike rack solutions on 3 different Audi's this is hands down the best...IMO




http://seasucker.com/lifestyle/bike-racks

The suction cup idea takes a bit of getting used to....(will this actually hold my bike? or peal off and totally ruin my trunk?), but I assure you I've gone over 120 and done some canyon carving with the bike mounted like it is in the above picture with not even hint of budging. Each cup generates 200 pounds of suction.

I'm not using the product exactly how the manufacturer says, but given that I don't have a roof, I had to improvise. a 4th cup is included to hold down the rear tire of the bike.

Sorry to revive this thread... but I've been researching bike rack solutions for my S4 Cab and this one looks promising. Pearl, how are you securing the rear wheel with this setup? It's hard to tell in the picture, but I think I see a strap...?
The Bird Automotive rack is my next choice, but I don't want to drill holes... not to mention it's more expensive than the Talon.

[pearlescent]

Sorry to revive this thread... but I've been researching bike rack solutions for my S4 Cab and this one looks promising. Pearl, how are you securing the rear wheel with this setup? It's hard to tell in the picture, but I think I see a strap...?
The Bird Automotive rack is my next choice, but I don't want to drill holes... not to mention it's more expensive than the Talon.

I'm using the rear seatbelt to secure the wheel. If you pull the seat belts out all the way, you can actually use the tensioners to tighten down the rear wheel. It takes a bit of creativity.

[auxnbus]

I'm using the rear seatbelt to secure the wheel. If you pull the seat belts out all the way, you can actually use the tensioners to tighten down the rear wheel. It takes a bit of creativity.

Super, thanks!

[Mark16q]

fwiw, I still have the Bird setup in my garage, and would give a great deal on it. Not doing me any good, used maybe twice, and should be put to use. Need to keep those bikes rolling :)

The holes that need to be drilled are minor and underneath. When I sold my a4, I covered them with some black weatherstrip adhesive and they were gone. Make me an offer.

[auxnbus]

fwiw, I still have the Bird setup in my garage, and would give a great deal on it. Not doing me any good, used maybe twice, and should be put to use. Need to keep those bikes rolling :)

The holes that need to be drilled are minor and underneath. When I sold my a4, I covered them with some black weatherstrip adhesive and they were gone. Make me an offer.

Cool, good to know. I'll PM you.

[auxnbus]

Well the torch has been passed. Thanks again, Mark!

Installed my Bird Automotive bike rack on the S4 today. Not too difficult, but some parts were a pain in the ass.


Notice the ability to open the trunk with the rack installed.

Nice low profile design.

[Mark16q]

Congrats...glad you were able to get it setup. Looks great, and many happy miles of riding to you! Fortunately, my house is now minutes from my favorite trails and canyons, so a bike rack hasn't been needed for any of my cars. So yes...torch has been passed :)

Mark