Oley

I have read some threads about bike racks scratching your car but does it scratch your bike? My wife and I bought 2 new Trek Navigators and are planing on picking them up using a Saris Bones but I don't want to get home with 2 new scratched bikes. Are there any extra precautions to take? Thanks.

Retro Grouch 

You're talking about a cost/risk issue.

The truth is that you're risking scratches by using a Bones, or any strap-on or receiver rack that hangs your bikes from the top tubes. Top tubes aren't parallel with the ground anymore so your bikes are going to be canted somewhat on the rack. They are going to sway front-to-back every time that you start or stop your car. You need to be careful about the relative orientation of the pedals.

The solution is to buy a receiver hitch rack that holds the bikes upright on their own wheels but that's going to cost a lot more than a Bones rack.

Canker

On my home made rack I just pad everything and bought a pool noodle(pool toy) from Walmart for $2 and cut a short piece to bungie strap between the bikes. Keeps them from smacking into each other.

Retro Grouch 

Only to a degree. In the interest of full disclosure, I like Bones racks better than any other strap on rack that I've seen. Never-the-less, I would never recommend one for anybody who I felt had a greater than average concern about scratching either his car or his bike.

oopfoo

+1 to wrap the tubes

I use pipe insulation to wrap the top tube and the seat tube where the Bones' straps come in contact with the frame. It protects them from scratches AND makes the straps' connection a little more secure. Just make sure your wrapping material isn't going to scratch your frame in the first place. AND don't forget to secure that flopping front wheel.

Oley

Thank you all for your imput. I decided not to use the Saris and rigged a fork mount in my utility trailer to get the bikes home. I am building a trailer for carring the bikes but it is not done yet.

spinnaker

The seat tube will get scratched. At least mine did. You just need to make sure the seat tube does not contact the rack or better, wrap the tubes as recommended above.

xing79

It scratched my car more than it scratched my bike.

TiBikeGuy

Scratched not by the rack but by the pedals of the other bike. Anyway my hybrid bike already have so many scratches from all my travels abroad, so one more doesn't really matter.

Looigi

Dirt and road grit that gets between any padding and the bike (or car) finish and will cause scuffing or scratching. The only way to positively prevent this is by sticking on protective film over the areas of the car and bike that are contacted by the rack. Suitable clear protective film is available at auto stores and such.

xing79

The clear protective film is a good idea.

Will sticking felt pads to the feet of the Saris rack work as well? Felt pads as in those people use to stick onto furniture legs to prevent scratching the floors. (Example on Amazon)

Looigi

The felt may not scratch, but it will pick up dirt/grit and that will scratch. No matter what you use, if it can move against the paint, dirt, dust and grit picked up off the road can get trapped under it and cause scuffing or scratching.

Plastic film is the only solution guaranteed to prevent damage to the finish.