Mountain Biking - Car Bike Racks

Anyone have an opinion on the the following car bike racks?

Saris Bones 3 Bike vs. the Saris Bones RS??

The RS appears to be easier to use, but it's 100 bucks more.

Any other good racks out there??

I have the bones 3. It works fine.

i've got a thule, but a few of my friends have bones 3s and they like them a lot.

I have the Saris Bones 3 and really like it. It is the first bike rack I have ever owned and it is very easy to use. It took me no time at all to get used to putting it on the car. Just my 2 cents.

do you guys have any problems with messing up the car paint or putting dings on the trunk lids? Would it also fit over a whale tail spoiler? (WRX)

Thanks

I bought a bones 3 about 10 or 11 years back to fit over the spoiler on my '90 prelude. Since then I have used it on a '00 Civic Si, an Acura Integra, A Daewoo Lanos (don't ask), a Scion tC and on my current 2007 Civic Si. The only problem I have had were with the hatch hugger straps on the tC loosening up constantly and trying to find a place for the lower straps to hook on the '07 Si (settled on the metal bumper support).

I would say go to a shop that has one and they will be able to do a test fit. If it is the stardanrd WRX spoiler it should fit with no problems, if you have the taller Sti spoiler the top legs will probably have to go under the spoiler. I would say if you are worried about damaging the paint, make sure that the rubber feet are extremely clean and put a few extra coats of wax on the areas that the feet will contact. Also adjust it so the straps won't rub and the adjustment buckles won't contact the paint. If there is any place that it rubs (most likely the rear bumper from the bottom straps) put a few extra coats of wax on those areas as well.

Thanks for informative reply! I was thinking about mask taping up all the contact points on the car prior to installation. I was thinking about 3m rockblocking film but cant seem to find any at a reasonable price (plus they are supposed to be permenant).

Would blue masking tape help prevent damage to the paint?

Never tried it but it should help. I would still wax the area and replace the tape after every use to make sure that it doesn't bake on to the trunk and leave a residue or discolor.

i have a saris bones 3.. just keep the contact points clean and it wont scratch the paint.. something to keep in mind tho: i dont like the way 3 bikes fit onto the thing, even though its supposed to be a rack that holds 3 bikes i just think of it as only having capacity for 2

i have a saris bones 3.. just keep the contact points clean and it wont scratch the paint.. something to keep in mind tho: i dont like the way 3 bikes fit onto the thing, even though its supposed to be a rack that holds 3 bikes i just think of it as only having capacity for 2

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I use it as a 2 bike rack with a space either between the 2 bikes or space between the bikes and the car.

Also don't forget to secure the wheels so they can't spin and the bars can't turn when you are driving.

I have the saris bones 3. No problems with it yet. Have to be careful on where it attaches to the car. While I have had no issues with it, given that the arms are held in place by quarter inch plastic screws sitting on threads, i am not all that crazy about putting my entire bike on it when going on long trips on the interstate. I mostly use it for in town trips. when i do go lond distances, i usually remove my wheels and just attach the frame.


maybe i am just being paranoid

I have used mine on 300 mile trips each way at speeds sometimes touching 90+ MPH with 2 fully assembled mountain bikes. These things are built like tanks. I wouldn't worry about them too much. Check the straps after 10 and 25 miles and then once about every 100 miles. Obviously if you hear anything strange or see movement then you will want to check them as well.

maybe it was my crappy plastic saturn that was givng me worries

maybe it was my crappy plastic saturn that was givng me worries

:roflmao: I have no idea why that struck me so funny, maybe it was the mudslides at dinner and the fact that it is so late. Yea, plastic tends to flex and is not a good solid mounting surface. Never had a problem on any of my cars with them. Haven't loaded them heavy on the new car yet ('07 Civic Si) but have a trip coming up in the next couple of months that is my normal summer riding area about 300 miles north so we will see how they do.

What do you do about keeping the bike and rack from getting stolen? Looks like all you'd need to do is release the straps and off it goes!

I usually pop mine off and put it in the trunk. Once it is adjusted to the car all you have to do it loosen it slightly and it comes off. When you put it back on the straps are already sized to the car so just tighten them down and secure them, put the bikes backl on and head out. I can put my rack on and have it tightened down in about 3-5 minutes. Usually when I use it I am headed to my favorite biking spot so I valet my car at the ferry terminal when we leave for the island. It is locked in a secure garage and has 24 hour security.

Thanks for informative reply! I was thinking about mask taping up all the contact points on the car prior to installation. I was thinking about 3m rockblocking film but cant seem to find any at a reasonable price (plus they are supposed to be permenant).

Would blue masking tape help prevent damage to the paint?

I would use a clear shipping tape before I would use masking tape. I used 3m Clear Mask on my Mustang and it is thick enough to protect for life and it can be removed but not reused. It is difficult to get in small supply for cheap.


I usually pop mine off and put it in the trunk. I can put my rack on and have it tightened down in about 3-5 minutes.

I have thought of getting one but I have heard some horror stories and it has to put some wear on the bikes themselves plus I don't want to leave it on at work all day. I just remove the front wheel and put it in my ZX3 Focus in about 1-2 minutes on the slow side.

Does the Saris bones require the additional front tire stabalizer to keep the wheels sinched so they don't wear on your bumper?

I received my Bones2 rack, and found that I needed to get an adapter for my dual suspension bike. I haven't tried it yet so I'm still not sure if the adapter would work well. For the wheel, Im just using a small bungie cord to keep it from moving, but there seems to be enough clearance that it should be fine without one.

This is going to be my temporary set up, I plan to do a hitch / rack setup in the future.

PS make sure you hold on to the arms when adjusting it on the car, one slipped out of my hand and it swung down hard into my trunk lid causing a tiny dimple, my fault.

i have a saris bones 3.. just keep the contact points clean and it wont scratch the paint.. something to keep in mind tho: i dont like the way 3 bikes fit onto the thing, even though its supposed to be a rack that holds 3 bikes i just think of it as only having capacity for 2

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