The Best Audi S5 Bike Rack

By Matthew Czok on 31 May 2021 / Leave a comment Updated on: 31st May 2021

Two wheeled adventures are always more fun among new scenery. The chance to experience new roads, tracks and trails is an opportunity easily grasped with a simple bike rack for your Audi S5. The ability to take a bike to any corner of the country, without having to ride all the way home again, opens a whole new world of opportunity for adventure.

Many cars will, at a push, be able to take one of two bikes in the boot/ interior. This however, not only compromises space but could also prevent the opportunity of taking along other necessities. Without the boot space there is no room for tents, cameras, clothes etc, key ingredients for a day/ weekend of adventuring and cycling. All this plus the fact that muddy, dirty bikes can stay on the outside of the car and not damage or corrupt the perfectly nice interior.

Types of Bike Racks

With vehicles coming in all shapes and sizes, there is no one size fits all methodology with bike racks. Whether roof mounted, rear mounted or towbar mounted, modern bike racks allow for safe and secure transport, when bikes are mounted correctly.

Roof Mounted

Racks mounted above the vehicle take out any concerns with vehicle length while parking and manoeuvering, lifting bikes above the vehicle also stops them blocking rearward visibility.

The only downside with roof mounted units is the extra height added to the vehicle, which can become an issue getting into height-restricted areas, such as car parks and small car ferries. Some also believe that they are less reliable than bike racks mounted behind the vehicle, due to the extra force of the wind hitting the bike directly but, manufacturers assure users that bikes will be safe and secure if mounted correctly.

There are 2 types of roof mounted bike racks:

Roof Bar Mounted

Roof mounted bike racks are a much cheaper option if you already have roof bars fitted and they can be used in conjunction with other accessories such as a roof box.

Suction Mounted

The main benefit of suction mounted bike racks is that they can fit on cars that don’t have the option of having roof bars. The suction cups can even attach to glass as well as metal.

Rear Mounted

Mounting aft of the vehicle, usually secured onto the boot lid and/ or roof with included straps and rubber mounting feet. Often the most adaptable type of bike rack, rear-mounted products can often be adapted to suit nearly any vehicle style, offering a safe and secure solution for bike transport. Rear mounted units do not add much complexity or require any additional hardware to install.

Downsides for rear mounted units are that they can restrict rearward visibility and may make it difficult/ impossible to access items in the boot area without first removing the bikes and bike rack. They are, however, highly affordable and easily capable of carrying two or more bikes, tucked safely out of the wind.

Towbar Mounted

Arguably the most secure bike rack solution for any vehicle equipped with a tow bar. The physical mounting and locking to the vehicle ensure a solid mounting point for bikes, which are also often locked into place on the rack. Towbar bike racks are mounted low on the vehicle, meaning minimal disturbance to rearward visibility and ease of unloading/ loading. These products are usually the go-to for those wanting to take three or more bikes at once thanks to sturdy construction.

The major downside of a towbar mounted bike rack is the additional length added to the vehicle, which could make manoeuvering more difficult in tight spaces. Access to the boot may also be restricted or prevented with the rack in place.

There are 2 types of towbar mounted bike racks:

Platform

Platform bike racks make loading and unloading your bikes much easier as you don’t have to lift the bikes as high. They also fit a wide variety of bike styles. The drawback is they are much larger and heavier making them harder to install.

Hanging

Hanging bike racks are lighter and easier to store due to the way they fold up. However it can be challenging to get multiple bikes on the rack without touching and potentially causing damage to the bike.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Vehicle Compatibility

While some bike racks can be specific to an individual vehicle, most have large levels of adjustment to allow them to suit a multitude of different shapes and sizes of car. This not only allows for manufacturers to focus on just a handful of products but, also makes it much easier to pick the right product to fit any car.

As mentioned, most bike racks are adjustable and should suit a multitude of vehicles, meaning a new car does not always need a new bike rack. Not only this, but due to their solid structure and adaptability, bike racks can often be sold on second hand to recoup some of the initial purchase price.

Disclaimer: We have done our upmost to ensure these bike racks are suitable for the model and year listed below, please check carefully however when purchasing to ensure the product is correct to your specific vehicle. Manufacturers are happy to help with any fitment questions in our experience.

The Best Audi S5 (All Variants) Bike Racks On The Market

The Best Audi S5 (All Variants) Roof Mounted Bike Racks on the Market

Roof Bar Mounted Type

[apidisclaimer]

Thule FreeRide Bike Carrier 532

Check the latest price on Amazon

Swedish brand Thule are well known and highly experienced in the outdoor and adventure marketplace. Their products offer quality fitment, durability and competitive pricing for anything from bike racks to roof boxes and even travel tents. Thule’s quality standards are second to none, while their product range is also highly impressive.

This carriers bolts directly to almost any roof rails, allowing for transport of one bike at up to 17kg (covering almost all bikes). Adjustable straps on the carrier allows for quick fitment of nearly any bike, without the need to remove wheels or any other parts for that matter. The bike is then locked to the carrier, preventing any chance of the bike leaving the roof at high speed on the motorway.

The carrier is built from aluminium to allow for a light weight and excellent strength, without the risk of corrosion associated with other metals. Most roof rails will allow for up to three of these carriers to be mounted at once, giving the ability to further expand bike carrying capacity.

Part Reference: 532
Bike Capacity: 1 per carrier
Weight Limit: 17kg per bike

Pros:

• Well established outdoor activity brand
• Highly adaptable to suit almost any roof rails
• Strong aluminium construction
• Safely locks the bike to the carrier and the carrier to the roof rails

Cons:

• Height could cause difficulty when loading heavy bikes

ETC Grand Tour Bike Carrier RR030

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Aimed squarely at the budget end of the market, ETC’s products may not provide all the bells and whistles but promise to get the job done and allow for safe and effective bike transportation. The company provides a wide variety of bike transportation products, receiving good reviews for durability and quality at a budget price point.

This simple 1-bike roof bar can be attached to nearly any roof rails, allowing for easy expansion with the purchase of one or two more carriers, for more bikes. The provided clamp secures the bike to the carrier, preventing the bike falling while travelling, it is also highly adjustable for almost any bike frame. Adjustable straps and the gutter channel allow the carrier to adapt to wider and narrower wheels also.

Lightweight construction makes removal and installation of the carrier much easier. The central clamp folds flat when not in use to minimise wind noise/ disturbance or just to enable easy storage when off the vehicle.

Part Reference: RR030
Bike Capacity: 1
Weight Limit: Not stated

Pro

• Least expensive of all roof-mounted products listed
• Capacity can easily be increased with extra carriers
• Adapts to almost any roof rails
• Adjustable clamp to safely hold bike in transport

Cons:

• No rating for maximum bike weight

Summit Bike Carrier SUM-603

Check the latest price on Amazon

Our last offering comes from the Summit brand. While they do not carry the prestige of other brands, Summit do well to spread their product across the market, available in lots of countries and for extremely competitive prices. Customer reviews signal good faith in the brand, giving them the edge over most other budget competition in the bike accessories sector.

This simple, inexpensive bike carrier will mount to almost any roof bar and allow for safe transportation of one bike up to 15kg. Adjustable straps for the wheels and an adjustable central clamp for the downtube allow safe mounting for almost any size and shape of bike. Handily the clamp can also be folded flat for easy storage when off the vehicle.

Despite its budget price tag this carrier appears well made and of decent quality, making it an excellent buy for those looking to transport a bike on a budget. The narrow dimensions mean that capacity can be expanded with one or two more carriers bolted alongside.

Part Reference: SUM-603
Bike Capacity: 1
Weight Limit: 15kg

Pros:

• Least expensive of all roof bar mounted products listed
• Will fit to almost any roof bars
• Adjustable to suit nearly any bike
• Can be folded flat for off-vehicle storage

Cons:

• Finish and plastic quality will lack that of higher end products

Suction Mounted Type

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RockBros Suction Bike Rack XP1002

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German brand Rockbros was founded by cycling enthusiasts to produce solutions for their fellow enthusiasts. Though only trading for five years, their innovative products and high-quality offerings have spring boarded them into the global marketplace. Everything is built and designed with passion, to promote all their customers to have the best and most exciting adventures with products they can rely on.

This uniquely designed bike carrier does not use traditional roof rails, instead using suction mounts that attach directly to the vehicles roof. This not only negates the need for roof rails in the first place but, also allows for fitment to vehicles where roof rails are not available/ cannot be fitted. Up to three bikes can be fitted to the largest variant, with a combined weight of up to 20kg. This realistically means two mountain bikes or three road bikes.

Synthetic suckers are used to prevent any damage to vehicles paintwork, while lightweight construction makes installation and removal extremely simple to perform. Minimalist construction also makes the carrier highly portable and amazingly easy to store.

Part Reference: XP1002
Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
Weight Limit: 20+kg

Pros:

• Innovative suction cup design
• Lightweight and highly portable
• No need for additional roof rails
• Simple to install

Cons:

• Most expensive roof-mounted bike rack featured

SeaSucker Mini Bomber Bike Rack SSUBM2006

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As the name suggests, SeaSucker are all about suction cup mounts. Designed with vehicle roof mountings in mind, this highly niche product has become an international phenomenon thanks to a huge range of applications, suited to many outdoor pursuits. Their products can carry anything from bikes to kayaks on any car with a solid roof. Over 12 years of thinking has gone into their latest products to ensure quality and effectiveness with minimal chance of failure.

This is SeaSucker’s mini bomber rack, designed for use with 2 bicycles, front wheels removed. The impressive suction cup technology allows for safe mounting of bikes up to 20kg, with the mounts being tested to over 140mph! The suction cups will attach to metal, glass or fibreglass meaning they can be adjusted and mounted in just the right spot for maximum visibility and ease of bike mounting.

High density polyethylene is used in part construction, giving exemplary strength while also allowing the rack to conform to the roof shape and profile.

Part Reference: SSUBM2006
Bike Capacity: 2
Weight Limit: 20kg per bike

Pros:

• Brand that specialises in suction cup mountings
• Safely holds two bikes up to 20kg each
• Tested on racetracks at over 140mph
• Strong and flexible materials allow for mounting to any car with a solid roof

Cons:

• Most expensive suction mounted bike carrier listed

TreeFrog Elite 1 Bike Carrier ME0001

Check the latest price on Amazon

The UK equivalent to US-based SeaSucker, TreeFrog racks have been designed for ultimate versatility and produce seriously high-quality products. Their aim is to provide simple to use solutions that take minimal time to install, safely hold items to any vehicles roof and do so without causing any damage to the precious paintwork.

This model is TreeFrog’s ultimate product for single bike carrying applications. Designed specifically for road bikes (hence the 12kg capacity), this mount will not let expensive two-wheeled possessions loose on the motorway, with each suction cup rated at 110kg. The front fork mount requires the front wheel of the bike to be removed but guarantees a strong and secure clamping of the bike and gets the bike down out of the wind.

Weighing just 3.4kg, this bike carrier is easy to remove and small enough that storage isn’t an issue either off the car or in the boot when not being used. High quality materials guarantee durability and good longevity

Part Reference: ME0001
Bike Capacity: 1
Weight Limit: 12kg

Pro

• Specialist suction cup brand
• Each suction cup rated to over 100kg
• Will fit onto any vehicle with a solid roof
• Easy to install, remove and store

Cons:

• Can only carry one bike

The Best Audi S5 (All Variants) Rear Mounted Bike Racks on the Market

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Saris Bones 2 Bike Rack 805BL

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The first of our rear mounted bike racks comes from the infamous Saris Bones brand. Specialists in bike accessories like bike racks and stationary trainers. All products are designed, engineered, built and tested in the USA, Saris aiming for quality and consistency across its entire portfolio. Their years of experience and passion for cycling are instilled into their products, creating excellent quality and well-made accessories, sold across the world.

This two-bike rack is suitable for nearly any vehicle, including the Audi S5. It can safely hold two bikes, weighing up to 15kg a piece, easily enough to cover most modern bikes. The arc design not only gives great strength but also fits over smaller spoilers and arced boot lids. The parts are injection moulded for strength, while all contact points use rubber pads to prevent damage to the vehicles paint.

Plastics used are made from 100% recyclable materials, ensuring no waste. Plastic also gives the benefit of lightweight (the rack weighs less than 5kg) and having no rust or corrosion issues.

Part Reference: 805BL
Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
Weight limit: 15kg per bike

Pros:

• Highly regarded bike accessories brand
• Safely holds two bikes
• Strong and corrosion resistant plastic construction
• Arc shape fits over additional, small spoilers

Cons:

• Most expensive bike rack featured here

Schwinn Bike Rack 170T

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Formerly World Bikes, Schwinn is a US-based bike brand that has experience spanning back over 125 years. Their illustrious history includes many records for world’s fastest pedal-powered bikes and famous models like the Stingray. Naturally, a brand so invested in bikes has a vested interest in offering accessories too, designed and manufactured to match the company’s existing, industry-leading quality standards.

This two-bike rack promises fitment for almost all vehicles, including the Audi S5. This unique design allows the unit to be folded flat for efficient storage, while offering good strength to prevent unwanted failure on the move. Extra straps provided secure the rack firmly to the boot. The rack also includes space and mountings for accessories like helmets and cycling packs.

Racks are made from thin wall metal and are painted to establish a minor level of protection against corrosion in harsh UK winters.

Part Reference: 170T
Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
Weight limit: 15.9kg per bike

Pros:

• Bike brand with over 125 years of experience
• Sturdy construction
• Extra straps to secure the bike rack firmly to the vehicle
• Folds flat for easy storage

Cons:

• Metal construction could lead to corrosion

Summit Rear Bike Cycle Carrier SUM-613

Check the latest price on Amazon

Our last offering comes from the Summit brand. While they do not have the prestige of the aforementioned brands, Summit do well to spread their product across the market, available in lots of countries and for extremely competitive prices. Customer reviews signal good faith in the brand, giving them the edge of most other budget competition in the bike accessories sector.

This two-bike rack is designed to be sturdy and long lasting, strong enough to carry two bikes at up to 15kg each. The simple design may not have fancy holding features but instead allows for fitment of bikes in almost any shape and size, with adjustable straps to secure the bikes during transit. The entire unit folds flat for easy storage and simply unfolds when required again, no disassembly required.

The rack is made up of a painted metal frame and plastic connectors and adjusters, which promise to be sturdy enough but, may not instil as much confidence as the highly engineered products above, if using with heavier bikes.

Part Reference: SUM-613
Bike Capacity: 2 bikes
Weight limit: 15kg per bike

Pros:

• Least expensive bike boot rack featured
• No assembly required, simply unfold and install
• Generic shape allows for use with nearly any bike frames
• Strong metal frame to support bikes up to 15kg

Cons:

• Quality lacking compared with more expensive products

The Best Audi S5 (All Variants) Towbar Mounted Bike Racks on the Market

Hanging Type

[apidisclaimer]

Thule HangOn Towbar Bike Rack 970805

Check the latest price on Amazon

Swedish brand Thule are well known and highly experienced in the outdoor and adventure marketplace. Their products offer quality fitment, durability and competitive pricing for anything from bike racks to roof boxes and even travel tents. Thule’s quality standards are second to none, while their product range is also highly impressive.

This towbar bike rack is built to last and can safely hold up to 60kg, with capacity for up to 4 bikes. The useful tilt feature also sets this offering apart from cheaper options as it allows boot access without the need to remove the carrier from the towbar. Straps are included for extra safety along with handy reflective pads to ensure surrounding motorists can see the carrier in the dark. Simple straps on the carrier allow easy mounting of bikes with almost any size frame.

A five-year warranty cements Thule’s claims about product quality, alongside their commitment to meeting international “city crash” standards. The carrier can be easily installed and removed and can be folded flat for easy storage.

Part Reference: 970805
Bike Capacity: 3-4
Weight Limit: 60kg

Pros:

• Highly regarded outdoor adventure brand
• Capacity for up to four bikes
• Built to high quality standards
• Five-year warranty included

Cons:

• Included bike straps are flexible and may not give excellent confidence at high speed

ETC Deluxe 4 Bike Rack ERR027

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Aimed squarely at the budget end of the market, ETC’s products may not provide all the bells and whistles but promise to get the job done and allow for safe and effective bike transportation. The company provides a wide variety of bike transportation products, receiving good reviews for durability and quality at a budget price point.

This huge 4-bike carrier will allow for the whole family to take two-wheeled adventures together, without filling the boot space. The carrier can be easily folded down to allow for access to the boot without removing all bikes. When removed from the vehicle the rack can be folded completely flat to allow for extremely easy storage.

ETC promises that the lightweight construction makes installation and removal easy but does not compromise on strength or safety of the mounted bikes.

Part Reference: ERR027
Bike Capacity: 4
Weight Limit: 50kg

Pros:

• Most affordable towbar mounted product featured
• Allows up to four bikes to be carried at one time
• Simple to install and remove
• Tilting feature allows access to the boot without removing the carrier

Cons:

• Brand with less reputation than featured competitors

Aleawol Towbar Mounted 3 Bike Carrier AL-028-1

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Lastly, we have the little-known brand Aleawol. Though not a specialist brand, they do still attain good customer reviews for many of their huge product range. Their products promise good quality materials and construction, at an incredibly low price point.

This budget 3-bike carrier is a great entry-level offering to easily transport three bikes with a combined weight of up to 45kg. Adjustable straps mean that almost any size bike can be fitted onto the carrier with ease. Simple design makes putting the carrier together and installing on to the vehicle a breeze, also helped by the light weight of the bike rack itself.

Aleawol promises that high strength steel is used to make every carrier, with each unit being powder coated to protect from the harsh UK weather, preventing corrosion issues.

Part Reference: AL-028-1
Bike Capacity: 3
Weight Limit: 45kg

Pro

• Least expensive towbar mounted bike carrier featured
• Carries up to 45kg combined weight
• Simple to install and use
• Protected from corrosion with powder coating

Cons:

• Brand with an unknown reputation

Platform Type

[apidisclaimer]

Homcom Towbar Bike Rack B4-0094

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Though not widely known for their vehicle accessories, Homcom are making waves in the marketplace. They offer high quality products, well suited to the intended tasks and display rugged durability, even though the brand is mainly aimed at home furniture and decorations. Their wide range of products doesn’t stop the brand providing high quality offerings and excellent customer service.

This towbar mounted bike rack is built to last, with solid construction and sturdy materials. This carrier can hold up to 3 bikes, with a maximum combined weight of 45kg. It’s low height in comparison to the vehicle allows for easy mounting and unloading of bikes while central clamps and wheel chocks ensure bikes are mounted securely.

Unlike rival offerings, this carrier comes with built-in lighting units that can connect to the electrical outlet included on most towbar-equipped vehicles. This gives extra safety, allowing other road users to see the extended part of the vehicle, especially in the dark.

Part Reference: B4-0094
Bike Capacity: 3
Weight Limit: 45kg

Pros:

• Constructed from strong materials
• Easily carries three bikes
• Adaptable to fit almost any bike frame
• Equipped with in-built lighting unit

Cons:

• Most expensive towbar mounted bike rack featured

Auto Companion 2 Bike Rack AUTOC-18

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Unlike most rival offerings, Auto Companion’s products are created and designed by an automotive accessory brand exclusively for Amazon. They claim excellent value for money without a detrimental effect on product quality or durability. They offer a huge range of products to improve motoring and make transporting precious possessions much easier.

This 2-bike carrier is rated to an impressive 30kg and individually locks each bike in to place to ensure safe and secure mounting. The platform then locks onto any 50mm towbar to give a rigid platform, at an easy height to mount even heavy mountain bikes.

Boot access is made simple by way of the platforms tilting mechanism, allowing the boot to be opened on most vehicles without having to removes the bikes or the rack from the vehicle. Also included is a pre-wired lightboard mounted at the rear, with enough room between for a standard UK number plate.

Part Reference: AUTOC-18
Bike Capacity: 2
Weight Limit: 30kg

Pro

• Carrier created by automotive accessory company
• Easy returns and refunds through Amazon for faulty products
• Securely locks bikes in place
• Tilting mechanism allows easy boot access

Cons:

• Most expensive platform towbar mounted bike carrier featured

Witter Bolt-On Towbar Mounted 2 Bike Carrier ZX202

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Where better to look for a towbar mounted bike rack than the UK’s leading towbar provider. Witter Towbars have been operational since the 1950’s, initially providing towbars for early caravans and vehicle trailers. Witter now also provide a whole range of other vehicle accessories. Huge investment is constantly being piled into creating high quality products that are also safe and durable.

This 2-bike carrier is designed to be lightweight and easy to install, though still boasts a large 34kg load capacity, easily enough for two bikes and a few accessories/ spares. Adjustable wheel holders are used to allow mounting of almost any bike while the in-built tilting mechanism allows boot access with the rack and bikes still in place.

Like rivals, this carrier benefits from an in-built light unit, that can accommodate common 7 and 13 pin electrical outlets found on many vehicles towbars. The rear plate also allows for mounting of a standard size UK number plate.

Part Reference: ZX202
Bike Capacity: 2
Weight Limit: 34kg

Pros:

• Least expensive of the three platform-type towbar mounted bike carriers listed
• Easy to install
• Lightweight construction
• Built-in light bar with 7 and 13 pin electrical adaptors

Cons:

• Brand recognised for towbars, not necessarily for bike racks

In Conclusion

Having a bike rack attached to your Audi S5 can open a whole new world of opportunities for two-wheeled adventures. Not only does it save you from that 100+ mile ride home but can be the perfect way to get away for an adventurous weekend, with the boot space reserved for tents, bags or other supplies.

Simple, easy to install and cheap to purchase. Bike racks are a no-brainer for those who enjoy cycling as they can easily be removed when not in use and won’t cause damage to the vehicle when being used. Well-made, warrantied bike racks will last for years without any sign of degradation and can always be handed down, sold on or transferred to your next vehicle.

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