Experience with Saris Bones?

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01-16-13 | 06:36 PM

#26

Ruby13

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 159

Likes: 0

From: Boynton Beach, Fl

Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse , M300 and Specialized Stumpjumper

I have a Saris Bones 2 also a Thule (forget the model) that holds 3 bikes and recently put a hitch mount on my Caddy SRX and fitted a Thule Swingaway that holds 4 bikes. I like extra room on the rack so the bikes don;t rub on each other. Without a doubt the hitch is the best of the three. The main reason I switched to the hitch was the amount of downward pull on the hatch which is either light steel or aluminum and having to drive 1300 miles to Florida with two bikes and having to constantly open the hatch to let out my dogs the hitch was a no brainer. Also I can "not" use the Saris or Thule rack on my Porsche Boxster as it will absolutely pull on the light weight sheet metal and my wife's car also a convertible based on design. Your other option since it's not a convertible is roof rack.

01-16-13 | 09:35 PM

#27

DGlenday

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 1,248

Likes: 3

From: Frederick, MD

Bikes: Cannondale, Trek

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeBMac

Regarding letting the bottom feet of the Sarris Bones 3 rest on the bumper rather than against the trunk:

No, there is nothing blocking the trunk from opening. The only negative is that the straps loosen a little when I open the trunk when I have it positioned with the feet resting on top of the bumper. But that's a small price to pay for the security of having the bumper take the weight rather than depend on the straps and buckles.

With the bottom feet resting on the bumper, all the straps and buckles do is keep the rack tight against the car rather than supporting the weight (which can probably be considerable when you have 2 or 3 bikes on there and then hit a bump).

Interesting. No matter how hard I tried, I could not open and close the trunk. But then - the Saris Bones 2 is not specifically approved for my car. Perhaps that's why...

I got around the problem by putting the feet against the bottom of the trunk lid. Now it works perfectly - trunk opens and closes, the rack has no effect, and the straps stay tight.

[QUOTE=AzTallRider;15164033]Just need to be careful, and (this is important) keep your damned head out of the way as you are closing it.
[QUOTE]

I made that mistake.

ONCE!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzTallRider

Oh, and take the bike off first. ;-)

Yah - I tried opening it with the bike on. No way it was happening...

01-17-13 | 02:00 PM

#28

Bob Ross

your god hates me

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 4,902

Likes: 3,572

Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse

Is it stable enough for longer trips (over 500 miles)? Yes

Does the rack itself leave any marks or indentations on the car? No

Does it hold the bike far enough away from the car that they don't bang into it? Yes

Is there anything else a prospective buyer should know? Certain frame sizes and shapes may not fit on the rack: Tiny (<50cm) frames can potentially be a problem, non-cyclindrical and/or steeply slanting top-tubes can potentially be a problem, if it's an S&S-coupled frame the rear brake cable coupler can interfere with the rack...

but it really is a very nice rack nonetheless.

01-17-13 | 06:14 PM

#29

J.P.

Retrogrouch

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 81

Likes: 0

I’ve used a Thule Speedway rack on my Toyota MR-2 for the past two years with no sign of damage to the car. I got the Thule instead of the Saris precisely because the feet on the Thule looked like they would be less likely to damage the car than those on the Saris. I did put mole foam on the straps where they contact the car to reduce the chance of damaging the paint.

01-18-13 | 08:45 AM

#30

Biker395

Seat Sniffer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 5,903

Likes: 3,037

From: SoCal

Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOS88

You hit the nail on the head. It's a new, Pearl White, Genesis R-Spec 3.8 Liter Coupe. It doesn't have a spoiler on the back, and Thule doesn't make a roof or trunk mount rack that will fit it. Yakima only makes a roof rack that fits it, and I wanted to avoid that is possible. The Saris Bones is listed as being a fit. However, given the posts affirming inevitable scratches, I may be looking to have a hitch installed.

Nice choice! Just out of curiosity, why are you avoiding the roof rack?

Roof racks are a love/hate affair with me. Love the versatility and the security. Hate the noise and the bugs on the bike.

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01-18-13 | 09:35 AM

#31

NOS88

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 6,489

Likes: 6

From: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biker395

Nice choice! Just out of curiosity, why are you avoiding the roof rack?

Roof racks are a love/hate affair with me. Love the versatility and the security. Hate the noise and the bugs on the bike.

I've been using a Yakima roof rack for years. For me the issue is the amount of time it takes to put it on and take it off. I really don't like leaving the rack on when there are not bikes to transport. My thinking was that with the Saris or a hitch rack attachment and removal would be much quicker.

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Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831

01-18-13 | 10:49 AM

#32

Looigi

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 8,951

Likes: 14

Curt hitches for 2013 Genesis Coupe: https://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/f...is&style=Coupe

You can find them cheaper on-line at dealers like eTrailer etc...