Having recently realised that there is no way i can fit my bike into the car, i have been looking at getting the Saris Bones rack (no hitch on the car) but after searching i've still got a few questions.

1. my coiler weighs in at 37lbs. should i really be putting that much weight on the rear bumper? has anyone put a heavy bike on a rack that requires support from the bumper?

2. how does everyone else transport their FR/DH rigs? or any other rigs that use bolt-through forks?

What kind of car do you have? The bumper is a strong point on a car however the rack will distribute the weight over a 4 point area. You shouldn't have any trouble.

I have a Bones rack and find it completely stable! I think its safe to say that both of my bikes together weigh more then 37lbs and its perfect! If you dod carry it alone Id stack it on the inner most carrier, then it wont ahve as much leverage on the entire assy.

I think youll be OK if ya install it right!

1. We've hauled three 30-35 lb bikes in Tropical Storm force winds at speeds up to 80 mph on a Saris Bones 3. Somehow I think you'll be fine if you attach it correctly.
2. While it's not a FR bike I use the Bones rack with a Bike Beam I'd suggest that you use one as well as it will make things MUCH easier for you

Saris also makes a Bones 2. Probably a little less bulky if you're only carrying one bike.

ChainRing is right, go for the inner position to decrease leverage.

From what I've seen of the rack, I'd guess with 37 lbs, you're only applying about 3-4 psi at the load points.

I got the rack and I carried 3 bikes (27lbs + 35lbs + 35lbs = 97lbs worth of bikes) on my MX6 for a 200KM trip yesterday with no problems. The rack is seriously one of the best you can get!

I just purchased a Saris Bones 3 Rack. I haven't installed it or used it yet. But once I do, I'll get back to you on how it is. I have a 2003 Jetta and they have one on a Jetta in the picture on their web site, so it should be all good.

This is the first time I'm using a rack. Does anyone know the best way to lock the bikes while on the rack so no one runs off w/ my bikes while my car is parked?

You can't even lock the rack down, let alone the bikes. I'd take your bikes with you

Thanks for the replies. I opt the 3 rack because i might be hauling my friend's bike too, and i've read all over how difficult it is to fit 2 bikes on the 2-rack. have definitley given thought to getting a bike beam but i'll see how it goes first since my suspension isn't fixed to the top tube. i'll have to find some long cable too to tie the whole thing down.

I just do the top 2 buckles and they seem to keep the bike down sturdy enough.

You're not going to fit the arm in there correctly. I'd just pop for the beam.
On to the other question:

If you look at the silver part in the middle of the second picture you'll see that it's a tube that the straps go through (as shown in the first picture). This tube has an interior diameter about the size of a soda can. What we do is lock a contractor grade cable to the frame of the car (at one of structural holes). Next we run the cable through the rack weaving it through the wheels frame etc then we use my Kryptonite EV disc lock to secure the other end back to the cable. When we take the bikes off to ride we just wind the cable around the rack to take up slack and lock it to the portion coming up from under the car. Yes we go through some (ahem) interesting neighborhoods, but with this setup we haven't had a problem even when we stop for lunch after a ride. Just be sure to use big intimidating locks not puny padlocks.

In case you're worried being rear-ended goes we have homeowner's insurance that will cover them if they are damaged, destroyed etc. If you have more expensive bikes a rider can be attached to your car insurance (it's not that much more).

sort of a side note: Where the cable would hit / rub on the bumper I slit one of those foam "noodle" pool toys down one side and slipped the cable inside (they have a hole that's the perfect size) a little duct tape and boom no girlfriend wigging out about roughed up bumper paint.

Nice. I've got a rack in the mail and this solves the problem of leaving my bike on the car while I'm at work.