Intensity

I looked at Thule and Yakima where they seem easy to take on on off and use as needed (Instructions say after the initial adjustment, reinstallation is simple - just put on and snap/lock in place).

Is is just as easy for the Audi lifestyle rack System (4B0-071-126)? I want to use the rack on weekends and take it off Sunday night. I do not want to take 30 mins to do it, just 10-15.

Anyone use it? Easy? The new bike (Baracuda) holder looks great. How is this compared to fork mounts?

Please let me know. I am deciding between Lifestyle and Thule (which supposedly makes it for Audi)

Thanks

Thomas

Plano-4.2

I have the rack and the baracuda bike holder on my A8L (look in my pic poster for a shot of it). Once the rack is set up, it takes me about 15 minutes to completely install it and the bike holder. It isn't too hard to put the bike into the holder.

A few things I've noticed over the 8 months I've used this system: The rack uses a special torque wrench to tighten (for security), and over time the it's starting to get stripped. It's a bitch to tighten the rack when it's dark out, which leads to wear on the wrench/bolt head. I tend to leave the rack on longer and just remove the bike holder when not using it.

With the baracuda on the highway, I notice the bike rocking side to side when I get behind a truck or with crosswinds. I kinda wish I'd done the fork mount holder instead, but I don't know if it would be any better.

I have a hybrid bike which doesn't fit into the trunk like it could in my old A6, which is why I had the rack added as part of the deal for the A8. I've just gotten a road bike that just barely fits into the trunk, so for short trips I'll probably use the rack.

Overall the rack is pretty good, just take care of the torque wrench when installing the rack. The baracuda rack would probably be better for a mtn bike. I hope this helps.

Gerry

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2251/dcp_0118.jpg"></center><p>I haven't had the wrench issue mentioned in another post but one could substitute just about any allen wrench for it once you got a feel for the torque. I think ten minutes is about right for set up. I like the bike racks a lot, particularly in how quickly they adjust to different size bikes.

Audi_RKT....(Bedros)

very easy to install/remove 10-15 min

schwank

They have the Crossroad unit that uses rubber straps to mount to the existing roof rails of the Avant, no towers needed. The Obviously that would not work for a sedan, but it was ideal for the wagon. Can have the rack AND the 16cu ft. roof box on or off in 10 minutes no problem.

<a href="http://www.schwanks.com/images/audi/miles.jpg">New Thule Setup</a> (BWW -1600x1200 img)

Intensity

Any comments on your experiance with the lifestyle rack?

Audi_RKT....(Bedros)

as I said, very easy to install and remove. I keep the base bars on my car at all time (despite the noise they make) and install the bike holder every time I go mountain biking.

I got both from clairparts.com

base bar 4B0-071-126 and bike holder 8E0-071-128