Recommend a good Golf compatible cycle car rack?

[Lean]

Hey all,

I just wondered if anyone has any idea of a good (if any) cycle rack for my goofy - I'm not keen on a roof rack option I'd rather have my mountain bike on the rear, having said that I'm a little worried about scratches from any hooks and the like!


Cheers   

[Steve Baker]

The Volkswagen oem one is Ok which fits on the rear hatch. There are two hooks that locate at the top of the door and two under the bottom of the door. Kit should come with clear vinyl pads to stick on the paint first to protect it. Hasn't damaged our GT and carries two mountain bikes.    Not sure it will fit a GTi though because of extra spoiler.

[Top Cat]

Have a scan through the for sale section, there was a chap who couldnt give his away a month or two back.
I think his user name began with, A 

[Lean]

ooooh, mind you I found a thread on ukmkiv/v and to say the least there wasn't much support for these cycle racks, I'm beginning to think I will put the back seats down and play it safe, still not keen on the rooftop version either 

[Toptrump]

I got the same speech from a number of rack makers trying to get a cycle rack for my Honda Civic Type R, which has a far bigger spoiler than the GTI.  In the end a chap at a Seat dealer sent me to a local bike shop in Congleton and I spoke to them and purchased a random fit anything rack.

It attaches with two straps between the roof and rear hatch, two down on the side between hatch and rear quarter panel and two straps under the bumper.  It had to large plastic bits on the metal that touch the glass and lower tailgate.  I have since had that on the Golf as well and had no problems with it at all.  It mounts the cycles quite high with the wheels being level with the glass and everything else being above the car.  Not the best for fuel consumption I know but it fits and it works.  Never had any problems with straps resting or putting weight on the spoilers.

I have seen similar in Halfords with the high level mounting.

[182_blue]

its roof version but http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3901.msg59786#new

[animal]

If you get a rear fitting rack as opposed to a roof one, be sure to get a light-board. You will get a ticket soon or later otherwise for covering your lights and/or number plate. The Police are tightening up on this due to increased use of ANPR.

[Lean]

Seems to me the thule aka VW high up boot rack is the better option - I'm gonna wait til my new bike arrives and test drive the easiness of putting inside the car than out.

I think my bigger problem will be protecting my lovely seats from mud!!! ANPR wise I agree but if I was to go for a rear rack I will opt for the type that raises above the reg and lights. 

Thanks for the info guys 

[Toptrump]

If you get a rear fitting rack as opposed to a roof one, be sure to get a light-board. You will get a ticket soon or later otherwise for covering your lights and/or number plate. The Police are tightening up on this due to increased use of ANPR.

I am lucky that mine sits above the number plate, so you can still see it and read it fully.  There is just a support bar that goes below it and sits on the lip of the bumper.  But it is a large loop do does not cover the number plate recess.

[animal]

If you get a rear fitting rack as opposed to a roof one, be sure to get a light-board. You will get a ticket soon or later otherwise for covering your lights and/or number plate. The Police are tightening up on this due to increased use of ANPR.

I am lucky that mine sits above the number plate, so you can still see it and read it fully.  There is just a support bar that goes below it and sits on the lip of the bumper.  But it is a large loop do does not cover the number plate recess.

It's the lights as well you need to worry about. This is something a lot of RPU officers have a real thing about and they will ticket for it 

[Toptrump]

Hmm will keep an eye on it next time I get to use it.  Well if I actually get it back from the ex anyway. 

[Golfgirl]

I'm after a bike rack for my car too.  I've got an old one from Halfords that goes onto the rear hatch, but unfortunately it doesn't fit a Mk 5 Golf because the clips that hook under the bootlid are too chunky and the boot won't shut.

My boyfriend enquired at the dealers (where he works) and they said that the only option from them was roof bars which I don't want. 

So I'm going to try Halfords again to see if they have a newer version of what I already have that will fit.

[animal]

I'm after a bike rack for my car too.  I've got an old one from Halfords that goes onto the rear hatch, but unfortunately it doesn't fit a Mk 5 Golf because the clips that hook under the bootlid are too chunky and the boot won't shut.

My boyfriend enquired at the dealers (where he works) and they said that the only option from them was roof bars which I don't want. 

So I'm going to try Halfords again to see if they have a newer version of what I already have that will fit.

Halfords do a range of roof rack systems, that include bike mounting systems, that vary in price including a pretty decent Thule one. The roof racks themselves are generic, you just have to buy mountings that suit your car. The MkV has been around long enough to be supported so shouldn't be a problem. The only problem I've ever come across is that a lot of the systems don't cater for 3dr cars which is a pain.