Cycle Rack - VW Roof Bars or Thule aftermarket?

[monsta]

So the official VW roof rack is £240 but aftermarket ones are are about £190.

Has anybody used either? This would be my first roof rack and I'm only looking at them so I can carry cycles on the roof instead of hanging them off the rear hatch.

Any other suggestions welcomed

[Hobojim]

Thule stuff is nice. Suspect the VW is just re branded Thule anyway.

[mcmaddy]

watch out for roof bars at lidl or aldi. exact vw fit for a fraction of the price.

[GtG]

Have been thinking about the same, do they come off easily though? I really don't want them on all the time.

[GolfTi]

The VW ones are excellent as you'd expect.

I did look into getting the Thule ones but the brackets for the mk 7 weren't available at the time.

Mk 6 bars/fittings do not fit.

[monsta]

Seems that Thule have Mk7 brackets now.  Might look for a second hand set of bars on ebay and get the feet £79.99 ish.  Especially if VW is just re-branded Thule.

[monsta]

Hmm in this thread http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=256473.0 there is talk of a magic towbar - check the cool video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdjyirbaQP0&nomobile=1

Now I'm thinking cool tow bar and one of those tow bar mounted bike racks - less chance of scratching my pant lifting bikes up on the roof!

[RikWebb]

I have the Thule for my MK6 - excellent (and hope they fit the mk7)

If memory serves me - VW re-brand Thule

[monsta]

I have the Thule for my MK6 - excellent (and hope they fit the mk7)

If memory serves me - VW re-brand Thule

Do you use it often? I worry it about it damaging the paint a little over time...

[RikWebb]

I have the Thule for my MK6 - excellent (and hope they fit the mk7)

If memory serves me - VW re-brand Thule

Do you use it often? I worry it about it damaging the paint a little over time...

Used 3 or 4 times - they have rubber to protect the paint, and also come with a re-useable rubbery / plastic sticker to protect the paint. In fact, I have just taken them off after a 2 week jaunt around France
Never had an issue with scratches or damage.