suggestions for 2001 audi a4 avant roof rack

[matteo]

I was hoping I could get me some suggestions or recommendations for a bike rack for an 01 Audi A4 Avant. This car comes with factory racks, but not the crossbars. I would like to get the cross bars as well for putting cargo on top when bikes arent up there, but I just dont really know where to start. I'd like to spend around 300-400 for the setup, so if anyone has any ideas of whats good or popular choices, I would really appreciate it...

[bonnieLASS]

For the 2001 Audi A4 Avant I'd recommend either Thule Racks 450R Rapid Crossroad system or 450 Crossroad rack system. Both attach to the factory rails (aka Euro rails) on your wagon. The difference between the two boils down to appearance on the vehicle. The 450 Rapid CrossRoad is designed for an upscale appearance on a vehicle whereas the regular 450 CrossRoad is more about ultimate utility and function. Both will allow you to carry bikes and cargo boxes, but you will need to use Thule Xadapts to attach bike carriers to the 450 Rapid Crossroad load bars.

As far as bike carriers, you’d need to decide if you wanted to carry your bikes fully assembled (upright; front wheel on - more convenient) or not (fork mount; front wheel off - slightly more secure connection; favored by road bikers). All of Thule Racks roof mount bike carriers work on both the regular square Thule load bars used with the 450 CrossRoad system and the elliptical Rapid Aero bars used on the Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad system (most of the Thule bike carriers will require the use of the Thule Xadapt adapters when connecting them to the Rapid Aero bars).