Roof Mount Bike Rack Recommendation for 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 with OEM Crossbars

Updated 02/20/2023 | Published 02/18/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack - Frame Mount - Clamp On or Channel Mount - Aluminum

(32)

$278.95

Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack - Wheel Mount - Clamp On or Channel Mount - Aluminum

(45)

$335.96

Question:

2019 Volkswagen GTI 2.0 Vehicle is currently equipped with VW OEM Base Bars and attached is a Thule Proride XT bike carrier. I recently upgraded my mtb and unfortunately the current bike carrier won’t properly hold the frame. When I clamp down the frame it gets pushed forward too much and the front wheel hangs off the rail. I need a new bike carrier and was looking into the Yakima HighRoad bike carrier. I would like to know if this bike carrier will work well with the VW OEM base bars or, alternatively, is there anything I could do that would allow my Thule Proride XT to clamp on frame? Perhaps an adapter of some sort. Thanks

asked by: Mike C

Expert Reply:

The Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack # TH598004 is a great rack but if the frame design of your new bike is making it so the bike is off the the rack then you'll need a new bike rack. Unfortunately there aren't any adapters to help with different designs.

The Yakima HighRoad # Y75FR is an excellent alternative that's pretty easy to use but if you like this design I actually recommend checking out the Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack # TH599000 instead. This rack uses the same basic features but it also is a bit easier to get your bike in place and it comes with mounting hardware that will either wrap around the crossbar or with T-Slot hardware.

I'm attaching some videos of the bike racks for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G