A few questions have been popping up lately on how bike carriers fit to the factory roof bars. So I took some pictures to help out those who are looking to carry bikes on the factory bars. I will add this thread to the FAQ, so if you have other ideas and methods of carrying a bike on your TT, please post them here.

I've used several models of the Thule fork mount carriers over the years, which have all been very nice carriers. Thule continues to come out with new models (and I continue to get new bikes), so I've upgraded carriers every few years. They all have been able to work with the factory bars, but some take some additional hardware, which is available in a "VW Adaptor" kit that you can get through any Thule dealer.

When I originally bought the roof bars from the dealer (back in 2001, when you could still get them from the dealer), I also purchased a pair of fork-mount bike carriers at the same time. These were made by Thule but sold through Audi and VW dealers specifically for their roof racks. I think this was the original Velo Vise, which went through several revisions and is no longer available.

<img src="http://rsrc7.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/76/6feca61527ef16998df8fcb0f21eab914aaefaac/580x435/IMG-5536_580x435.jpg">

Here is how it attaches. It starts with two T-bolts that slide into the rail. Then a rubber pad is slipped over these bolts:
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/78/732d46a5179be0323319f7b4c8845694b0ed13c5/580x435/IMG-5539_580x435.jpg">

On top of that goes a metal bracket, then the head of the carrier bolts into that.
<img src="http://rsrc8.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/77/4aa5eb183aa69086fbe862592185f2f33c027294/580x435/IMG-5537_580x435.jpg">

The rear has a similar T-bolt that bolts to a metal bracket:
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/79/a96c40d46def9758c03a23749cbf3481700a7d8a/580x435/IMG-5540_580x435.jpg">

This was a sturdy, solid carrier, but it can't carry bikes with disc brakes. (The brake caliper would contact the carrier tray.)

So Thule came out with the V2:
<img src="http://image7.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/32/4e/aefae38860bb3d4b3009846ef21a9b7a97a5962c/580x435/IMG-5552_580x435.jpg">

This carrier has cutouts for the brake caliper:
<img src="http://rsrc3.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/6a/9f9af8d92a324847000d9552b6a7e666a3b9cd1b/580x435/IMG-5554_580x435.jpg">

The head, however, only has one bolt hole that lines up with the bar:
<img src="http://rsrc6.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/85/f0eec5eff00145f5458f92509c724da62b4a0b47/580x435/IMG-5548_580x435.jpg">

So you need a longer T-bolt, which comes in the VW adaptor kit.
<img src="http://rsrc5.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/84/a14fbfa46ae9f24b724d1a5e72f776989f130b82/580x435/IMG-5547_580x435.jpg">

It doesn't come with a rubber pad, however, so I used an old one from the Velo Vise and cut a hole in the center:
<img src="http://rsrc3.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/7a/e907578e9d096628cddec755395b87341949ebef/580x435/IMG-5541_580x435.jpg">

Slip the carrier head over the bolt, and screw on a washer and a nut:
<img src="http://rsrc7.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/86/615a419b615bcf20d8a0a23440ad27d8c7c61d57/580x435/IMG-5551_580x435.jpg">

The latest model is the Echelon, which has two bolt holes for the track and finer adjustment of the fork tension:
<img src="http://rsrc8.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/6f/41eadae5e0e1765c5a12d73a1962bf3c068c91b8/580x435/IMG-5527_580x435.jpg">

T-bolts from the adaptor kit:
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/70/f3335098811fbc0eac20ef5d416cf3089b43baf7/580x435/IMG-5528_580x435.jpg">

Rubber pad (not the in the kit but optional I suppose):
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/71/ad06e2936091c15ae4053496faca6ced018853c7/580x435/IMG-5529_580x435.jpg">

The rear is similar to the others, but includes a lever instead of a bolt to lock it in place (all available from the adaptor kit):
<img src="http://rsrc3.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/72/ffc11b8d8a66b6cae030f9d70d1c9865b19c581e/580x435/IMG-5530_580x435.jpg">

<img src="http://rsrc5.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/74/76722dc61cf1afd5f955512db83ccc976f21f3c3/580x435/IMG-5531_580x435.jpg">

It is a nice carrier but I find it a bit more difficult to get the bikes in and out without first loosening up the fork tensioner.
<img src="http://rsrc6.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/75/c774e6b14dab06f217b6d62f8430bc536ef53578/580x435/IMG-5534_580x435.jpg">

Want to carry wheels up top too? Thule makes a wheel carrier:
<img src="http://rsrc6.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/7d/a4f8e3af2949a774850b44b575f0cb09adfee92e/580x435/IMG-5543_580x435.jpg">

Thule tells you to load the wheel in the carrier straight vertically, but I have found it wobbles less in the wind if it is tilted slightly back. Just make sure to tighten the wheel skewer well so it doesn't fly out.

Here's how it attaches to the bar. (It also has a hole in the center, so you could use another T-bolt if you wanted, but I found this method to be pretty solid.)
<img src="http://rsrc3.bubbleshare.com/media/00/f5/31/82/2fd6310e3468c6ca9433d8bafca969b965c0c9be/580x435/IMG-5546_580x435.jpg">

Anyone have other methods? Post 'em here!

 

Very thorough...thanks. Mind checking how long the tension bolts are that attach the roof bar to the car's roof? I need to get replacement ones and don't know the length. I know they are 6mm allen head...would 30mm do the trick or longer?

 

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92244/06022008006.jpg"></center><p>
Yes, it does fit!