Summer's coming, and you're wondering where to put the bikes again – on the roof or on the towbar? Both have their advantages and drawbacks. It's a question we get asked a lot at Das Auto Service. So let me walk you through what I look for when comparing a roof vs towbar bike rack, and why the most important things are what kind of bikes you own and how often you take them out.
When is a roof bike rack worth choosing?
- Nothing gets in the way at the back, so you can open your boot without any trouble.
- It'll work with any car, as long as you've got the right roof bars.
- Lifting a bike that high isn't easy. Especially an electric one.
- You'll notice more wind resistance, and your car will use more fuel.
- Your car will be taller. Be really careful in underground car parks and garages. It's surprisingly easy to forget you've got bikes up there.
What about a towbar bike rack?
- You load the bikes at a comfortable height, without having to lift them over your head.
- There's less wind noise, and fuel consumption is lower than with bikes on the roof.
- You can carry heavy electric bikes too, provided your towbar is rated to take the weight.
- You'll need a towbar, and once the rack is fitted, your car will be longer at the back.
If you've got electric bikes, I'd almost always choose a towbar-mounted rack. Just imagine lifting a 25 kg bike over your head every single time you head out or come home. It's no fun at all. And after a full day of cycling, it's even worse.
Be really careful about your towbar's maximum permitted vertical load. You'll find it in the owner's manual and on the towbar's rating plate. And remember – you need to count everything: the rack plus all the bikes. If you exceed the weight limit, you could damage both the towbar and the rear of your car. I'm telling you because it's simply not worth taking that risk.
What do I check when choosing a towbar bike rack?
- First, I check how much the rack itself weighs and how many bikes it can carry.
- I make sure it has its own lights and a place for the number plate. Both the rear lights and the registration plate need to be visible.
- I check whether you can tilt it backwards and open the boot without taking the bikes off.
- It's worth getting one that folds up. That way, it won't take up unnecessary space when you're not using it.
Your car doesn't have a towbar – can you retrofit one?
Of course you can. Your car doesn't need to have left the factory with a towbar. At Das Auto Service, we retrofit towbars to factory standards, including all the necessary electronic coding. And that part really matters. Your car needs to know there's a trailer or bike rack attached at the back so the lights, parking sensors and stability control system work properly. It's not just a matter of bolting on a towbar and driving away.
What should you check before setting off with your bikes?
- After the first few kilometres, pull over for a moment and check that everything is securely fastened and tightened.
- Take it a little easier on the road, especially through corners and when braking. Remember, you're carrying extra weight.
- Never leave your bikes unlocked in a car park. Even if you're only popping away for five minutes.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: If you only take your bikes out a few times a year and they're not particularly heavy, a roof bike rack will be absolutely fine. But if you cycle regularly or have electric bikes, I'd choose a towbar rack. It's so much more convenient. And you won't have to lift those heavy bikes over your head every single time.
I hope you get plenty more time on your bike this summer and spend a lot less time struggling to load it onto the car. And if I've helped you decide, share this article with the friends you go cycling with. You might save them a fair bit of head-scratching too.
What have we picked out for our shop?
Black folding Audi towbar bike rack for 2 bikes
A black folding Audi bike rack for 2 bikes that mounts onto the towbar. When you're not using it, simply fold it up and put it away.
View in our shop
Silver Audi towbar bike rack for 2 bikes
A silver Audi bike rack for 2 bikes that fits onto the towbar.
View in our shop
Audi extension for a third bike
An extension that lets you carry a third bike on the Audi bike rack.
View in our shop
Audi A4 Avant roof bars (2016–2025)
Genuine Audi roof bars for the Audi A4 Avant. You can also use them as a base for carrying bikes on the roof.
View in our shopRead more
- Roof bars and bike racks in our shop
- Retrofitting (towbars and optional extras)
- Roof rack: how much weight can I carry?
- Skis in the car: ski bag, holder or roof box?
- Driving to the seaside: 10 things to check on your car
Frequently asked questions
Which is better – a roof bike rack or a towbar bike rack?
If you ask me, I'd go for the towbar. It's much easier to load your bikes, and you'll use less fuel too. Especially if you've got electric bikes. But if yours are lightweight and you only head out a few times a year, a roof bike rack will do the job just fine.
How much weight can a towbar carry with a bike rack fitted?
It depends on the maximum vertical load your towbar is rated for. And be careful here – you need to add up the weight of the rack and all the bikes together. Not just the bikes.
Can I have a towbar fitted if my car didn't come with one?
Of course you can. A towbar can be retrofitted. At Das Auto Service, we fit them to factory standards, including all the necessary coding of the car's electronics.