General Cycling Discussion - Saris Bike Racks

Hi all, new here and was looking for some recent info on Saris Bones 2-3 or RS. I used the search function but found all of the info was 3-4 years old. I'm looking for opinions, info etc. on the ease of use and features of these products. My wife and I just purchased two Trek 7100's and need a way to transport these home this weekend. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks..

Saris Bones are good racks. I used one for about three years before I got a hitch rack and had no problems with it. My rack stayed on the car 100% of the time.

With any trunk mounted rack, you need to take care loading the bikes and use some padding to prevent the bakes from scratching each other. A few bungee cords or nylon straps is also helpful.

IMO Saris racks are excellent. I carried 3 bikes 1000's of miles on mine - on interstates and gravel roads - and never had any problems. I recently sold it on CL for $50 because it doesn't fit my new car :( - but the fact that someone paid $50 for a 7-year-old rack is pretty good evidence of their value.

I just purchased a Saris Bones 2 bike rack about 2 months ago, I love it. It's very light, sturdy & really configurable for all kinds of bikes & vehicles. I have a hatchback & the rear is almost completely vertical, the Saris Bones is the only trunk rack I've found that works so well with it.

The straps are very easy to tighten down & are clearly labeled "top, side & bottom" to avoid any confusion. Make sure you tie off each strap to prevent any accidental slippage. No square knots or such, just a simple overhand loop that you can untie easily but won't come undone on its own.

The nylon straps for holding the bikes are a real cinch to use & very secure, think of a very large zip-tie. They have a strap to hold the seat-tube so that your bike won't sway away from the vehicle. All the parts are made from aluminum, nylon & plastic so it won't rust when/if it ever gets wet.

The screws for tightening down the arms once you have them in place are plastic. Be very careful to not over tighten them or they will get stripped. Just hand tighten them enough to keep the arms from slipping. I placed a cut-off sock on the legs to keep them from marring the bumper & rear window. As supcom stated use some bungees or nylon straps to keep the front wheel stable. I run a nylon strap through both wheels.

Here is a video (http://www.orsracksdirect.com/saris-bones-3-trunk-bike-rack-video-demo.html) showing the installation & use of the Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack.

I love my Saris Bones. In addition to the good advice offered from everyone else here (eg, bungees & extra padding), I would suggest that if you do have a choice, get the 3-bike rack rather than the 2-bike. First of all, you never know when you'll have a friend who wants to ride with you....but more importantly, it's much easier to fit 2 bikes on the 3-bike rack than the 2-bike rack.

Thanks, I've seen that mentioned several times already, mounting the bikes in the "one and "three position on the rack. Will the bikes get scratched or damaged if they're mounted next to each other? You would think that space would be engineered to be appropriate. Also a few inexpensive velcro straps to keep the front tire stationary should work?

Thanks, I've seen that mentioned several times already, mounting the bikes in the "one and "three position on the rack. Will the bikes get scratched or damaged if they're mounted next to each other? You would think that space would be engineered to be appropriate. Also a few inexpensive velcro straps to keep the front tire stationary should work?

We have carried our bikes thousands of miles on a Saris Bones 2 with no damage to the bikes. We do use a short section of rope to tie the wheels so they don't swing. We are also careful when loading the bikes to ensure the pedals of one don't get into the spokes of the other.

I just returned from a trip to Georgia from Chicago with our two bikes on our Saris Bones two bike rack. I generally check the straps about an hour into the trip, but usually never after that. It just works. I use a couple of nylon bungees to keep the wheels from spinning. I can't say enough good about this product.

torgrot

I leave my saris bones rack on all the time. I have it mounted slightly different from the instructions (bottom rubber pads turned to press against vertical section of trunk lid instead of bumper) which lets me still use the trunk.

I got the 2 and the 3 bones...eh
I hate the fact that the upper arms lift up during travel and it IMO useless > I put a cannondale carbon road bike and a trek 4300 on the saris 3...its not rocket science but I have no idea what Im doing wrong here...

I don't understand what you mean when you say "the arms lift up during travel" If you position the arms and tighten the thumb screws nothing moves anywhere. Could you explain a little more what problem you are having?

torgrot

heres the deal...(on a car trunk-accord and also an acura mdx)
everything is like the video when I setup right? all the arms are on contact...rack arms are in the desired angle...check....put on the bikes...cannondale...check (no arm lifting yet)...cannondale on innermost position...next trek 4300...on outer most slot...check....then...upper arms lift due to weight...wth Ive strapped this thing tight-really tight and still...too heavy??? >>>I mean Im all coolbeans coz the hooks are the ONLY TRUE things strapping the rack...but those 2/1 upper arms dont stay down due to the weight---ive tried smaller and bigger angles...no dice...maybe I should angle the carrying arms higher...hell

I'm lost here, all the arms, top, bottom, and bike support are locked into grooves on the main bar assembly. There is no way for them to move. Unless the straps on the trunk top are too loose and the entire rack is moving?

ok let me be clear....it has nothing to do with the arms but more of the whole rack shifting forward....in fact it is super stiff which is saris strength...nothing about that...Im talking that when it is loaded with the bikes the weight (I guess) presses down on the feet while the upper feet (the one leaning on the upper trunk) /due to the weight/ the whole saris rack will shift forward....then you will see the upper arms not touching the trunk/window anymore instead the upper hooks (usually the most important hook/support) prevents it falling down even further....again> when I set this up I make sure its tight.....but hell Ive tried in two cars I guess the bumpers are just to flexy----bottom line I still think its the best rack out there...easy to install and easy to take the bikes down and up from it...just make sure you secure the frame (bottom strap) I read a post here about his bike coming off the saris coz the plastic thinggy broke...but I guess he didnt use the 3rd strap for the vertical frame post