What are peoples thoughts on this rack?

https://www.bikerackshops.com/SAR101K.html

I'm single and in college, my girlfriend doesn't bike, so I don't have a need for more then a one bike rack. I have a vw passat so I can't go any route but trunk.

I just got the Saris Bones 2 bike rack. Can't complain.

It's pretty easy to put on and take off once you fit it initially, and it collapses pretty well to just keep in your trunk.

I've only found 2 drawbacks. There's no way to really lock it to your car so if you're like me you'll be packing it up whenever you're not using it (would be seriously easy to steal). My front tire swings around on it, which can be bad when it whacks the rear bumper. The guy at the LBS told me some people can loop the stabilizing strap through the wheel to overcome this, but others need to use a bungee.


I like mine. I don't have enough need to get anything more, and I don't mind taking it off when I don't have a bike on it.

Add another drawback. It will scratch your car. Otherwise a great rack.

Next time I think I would spring for having a hitch installed and go with a hitch rack.

The rack linked by the OP looks as if it would put the pedal too close to the cars paintwork.

Where does it scratch your car?

Pretty sure it's where the rubber feet sit on the car. If you have any kind of dirt or debris on the car or the feet, it's bound to happen. It's something I kind of saw coming so I keep a rag to wipe each off... then again, my trunk is already a little scratched up so I'm not terribly concerned.

There are trailer hitches available for the Passat (e.g., https://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...+Trailer+Hitch). A trailer hitch mounted rack would be an option, although more expensive than a trunk mounted rack. The Saris rack you refer to looks very interesting, and the price is great. I don't see anything that would stop the bike from swinging forward and back, though, and possibly hitting the back of your car.

Bikes on the Bones 2 don't move. Even without using the "3rd loop" for each bike (meant to stabilize the bike), I didn't have any movement. It's pretty stable except for the front wheel (bought some straps to remedy this but haven't tested them yet). I was honestly worried about this same thing and was assured it wouldn't be a problem, and it hasn't been.

That rack lacks the extra strap, but I can forgo that strap as long as I just have one bike on the rack.