Anyone w/ a rear hitch bike rack...does the rear hatch clear the bikes when opening? I'm trying to decide how to order my Q5 (hitch or no hitch). I'd rather not use a roof rack since I'm a normal height (5'7" lol :)), so reaching on top would require the use of the door sill...plus racks are noisy and run the risk of a garage/bike encounter. With the rear opening w/ a push of a button, I want to make sure it can't contact the bikes.

if you cant reach the roof without the use of sills hydraulic lifts are available to help load the bikes on the arm comes down to the side of the vehicle,you secure the bike to the holder and it lifts onto the roof.have got mine just need my q5 to hurry up now!!1

Anyone w/ a rear hitch bike rack...does the rear hatch clear the bikes when opening? I'm trying to decide how to order my Q5 (hitch or no hitch). I'd rather not use a roof rack since I'm a normal height (5'7" lol :)), so reaching on top would require the use of the door sill...plus racks are noisy and run the risk of a garage/bike encounter. With the rear opening w/ a push of a button, I want to make sure it can't contact the bikes.
I considered a roof rack...for about 2 seconds. Knowing I was going to be towing a trailer, it was a no-brainer. The trailer-hitch bike rack I have is a Thule. It works great with few exceptions. My wife's bike would not fit on the carrier. It does not handle traditional women's bikes(with the drop frame). This carrier supports bikes with a horizontal(or close to horizontal) bar only...so keep that in mind. It also does not handle small kid's bikes very well. It must be tilted down in order to open the rear hatch. Tilting it down with bikes in place can be done but it's more trouble than it's worth as the bikes are usually strapped to the carrier and as a unit the carrier with the bikes installed can be quite heavy and cumbersome to drop and lift. Note what will and won't fit...
<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/hoscarnag/roadflypix/RA_2010_Alysa-FT2_PearlBlue.jpg">
<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/hoscarnag/roadflypix/RA_09_MD_Eva-3-Rubycopy.jpg">
<img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/hoscarnag/roadflypix/RA_09_MD_Coasting-W-aqua-oprahcopy.jpg">

You need one of these for your wife's bike:

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-982.html


I use the Audi rack-mounted bike carriers and they do OK. They say they won't carry tires wider than 2" but they do fine with my fat-tired 29'er. The wind noise is a pain, but I just keep the radio up!

You could also get the Thule 916 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GT2W0G/ref=oss_product), which is what I purchased for use with my (hopefully) soon-to-arrive Q5 with tow hitch. It holds the bike by the wheels/tires (without removing them), does not come in contact with the frame, and thus will work with just about any bike you can think of, including a Zipp 2001 time trial bike.

Zipp frame w/ HED wheels? That's a bit blasphemus isn't it? That's like putting BMW wheels on a Q5!

Not my actual bike, but do I have a problem mixing my Zipp rear disc with a HED H3 front wheel? Nope!!

Zipp frame w/ HED wheels? That's a bit blasphemus isn't it? That's like putting BMW wheels on a Q5!

the Thule fit a fat bike? :)

the Thule fit a fat bike? :)

OT: Doood...sweet bike!

thanks! Bike is soooo fun :)

Thanks for the replies. Just picked up my new black Q5 Prestige. I decided on the hitch rack...think it will be easier to use than the roof rack. I paid for the hitch, but got the dealer to throw in the installation:).