Bike Rack or Bike Rack Adapter Compatible with OEM Roof Rack on 2011 BMW 128i

Question:

Thanks Kyle... Do you know whether I will need an adapter to make Thule Domestique TH513 work on my bmw roof racks!?

asked by: Peter

Expert Reply:

There is a bike rack compatible with your OEM roof rack but there is not an adapter for the now discontinued Rhino Rack Discovery bike rack made for the factory crossbars of your 2011 BMW 128i; the only adapter for this rack is the Fit Kit for Rhino-Rack HD Cross Bars # RBCA003.

For a new bike rack which is going to work on your BMW's roof rack I highly recommend checking out the Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier # Y02103 because its wheel-mount design makes it easy to use, it has a wheel tray which slides to accommodate different size bikes and comes with an integrated cable lock which you can use to secure your bike to the rack, helping protect your investment. You will need to install the the Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores # Y07202 to utilize that cable, and the other lock core will lock the carrier to your roof rack.

The FrontLoader has been confirmed by Yakima as a fit for the factory crossbars on your '11 BMW, fits tires up to 3" wide and comes with a lifetime warranty. I have added a photo that a customer sent in which shows this rack in use, as well as links to video reviews of the FrontLoader # Y02103 for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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Peter

2/13/2019

Thanks Kyle... Do you know whether I will need an adapter to make Thule Domestique TH513 work on my bmw roof racks!?

Kyle S.

2/13/2019

I spoke with a representative of Thule who said that the Thule Domestique Fork-Mount Bike Carrier # TH513 would work on your 2011 BMW 1 Series so long as you used the Thule Ride-On Adapter - Factory Roof Rack to Thule Bike Rack Adapter # TH532. Your other option for a fork mount bike rack, if you did not want to use an adapter, would be to use a rack from Yakima, the Yakima ForkLift Roof Mounted Bike Carrier # Y02098. Yakima has confirmed this as a fit on the factory crossbars of your '11 BMW 1 Series. I have added links to video reviews of both the Ride-On Adapter as well as the ForkLift for you to take a look at.