Submitted by
Misssha
a Weekend Warrior
from Detriot, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2011
Strengths: Loved, loved, loved my Saris Bones 3. I traveled from Detroit, MI to New York and 2 months later did Detroit to Las Vegas to California and back with no problems at all. I will be buying another one soon.
Weaknesses: The only drawback is the nylon straps that proved to be quite easy for some idiot to cut and steal the rack
Bottom Line:
I will always have a Saris Bones but will put it in the trunk when not in use.
Submitted by
therblig
a Weekend Warrior
from jersey city, nj
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2011
Strengths: strong, lightweight, stays put
Weaknesses: none really
Bottom Line:
worked great on my saturn wagon and didn't skip a beat when moved to a malibu. straps are well marked and easy to cinch. when it's attached and i grab it, the whole car rocks. this baby doesn't move.
Bike Setup: sette reken hardtail, trek 820, giant yukon - holds all three no problem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Shane
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2011
Strengths: This is the only trunk rack out of a half dozen I tried that fit my 2006 Honda Civic. It is solidly built even give the only two design flaws I can see (easily overcome), when installed properly you might think it was an included accessory with the car itself. My bike does not move when it's on this rack, I've taken it over 1000 miles on highways as well as rutted roads with a single bike or two and it's performed fine. For what it's worth, it hasn't scratched MY paint.
Weaknesses: The plastic screws, of course. Out of the box, one of my screws was stripped, and the replacement stripped immediately as well. I think I'll take the advice of a previous reviewer and just replace with metal lugs the outer screws which never really need adjusting once set to fit your car unless you REALLY need to fold it up completely. Even with a stripped screw, however, if you tension the straps correctly, this thing is mega solid - the arms lock onto the grooved shaft and the feet are solid against your car.
Bottom Line:
If you are an avid sportsman, a roof rack might be better; if you have an SUV or a truck with a tow ball socket, that could also be better... but if you're on a budget, doing only bikes, and want something light, solid, and absolutely functional - this is definitely a rack I would recommend.
Similar Products Used: Half dozen various Thule, Yakima, Bell trunk racks
Bike Setup: GT Transeo Hybrid
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
RDTigger
a Weekend Warrior
from PI, SC
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2011
Strengths: Fully adjustable to fit all types of vehicles. I have a sedan and can easily carry my 29er and a 26er MTB. I have the Bones3 for added space. The bike latches in fairly well and the straps are great to tie down wheels and such. I also have a few small bungees to hold moving components in place. Light and versatile enough for the smallest of cars.
Weaknesses: Not as permanent as a hitch, but not all vehicles have one so this makes the Saris versatile enough for the smallest of cars. Wish the foot holds had better cushioning to protect a paint job but no marks as of yet.
Bottom Line:
Great piece of equipment built from rugged plastics and just enough aluminum. Folds down for storage and extremely light considering you can carry up to 2/3 bikes at one time. They don't come any more versatile for the family with different types of vehicles with the turn of a few screws.
I would suggest this to anyone who does not have a trailer hitch.
Submitted by
piperdardo
a Weekend Warrior
from La Floresta, Canelones, Uruguay
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2011
Strengths: Easy to setup, excellent construction. Very easy to mount.
Weaknesses: Metal clams do not have at least a thin rubber protection to avoid scratching the edges of your trunk.
Bottom Line:
Excellent product. Exactly what I needed to carrry my bikes in a secure and efficient manner with my Peugeot 206.
I cannot think of ANY car or SUV where this rack would not work...Overall? Excellent!
Submitted by
Kase
a Weekend Warrior
from Timpson, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2011
Strengths: Good price, stable
Weaknesses: not idiot-proof
Bottom Line:
I'm happy with my Bones 3. There you go. It only took about ten minutes total to set up the first time right out of the box. Setup was easy and the rack functioned well. I've had my bike on it at 70 mph on the highway with 25 mph gusting crosswinds and the bike never so much was twitched. This is a good, solid rack and easy to use provided you take time to actually read the instructions and don't go all Hulk Smash on the tightening screws. Also, I can't see how this would hurt a car if employed properly. I have it on a Toyota Yaris hatchback and it works wonderfully.
The few reviews I've read here lead me to believe that people screw this rack up because they either don't read the instructions, get stupid over-tightening things or plain old don't use the rack properly. I love mine and plan on using it for as long as it holds out.
Similar Products Used: cheap hitch rack from WalMart
Bike Setup: Specialized P1 All Mountain
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2010
Strengths: Securely holds bikes, very easy to adjust and install the bikes, so far it has lasted me three years (and probably about 5000 miles of driving - with much interstate driving) without showing hardly any wear, very easy to install the rack onto the car.
Weaknesses: Plastic screws
Bottom Line:
I do not know what the immediate reviewer is complaining about. This bike rack rocks. I've used the Bones 3 about three years now and the only problem I've had was one of the plastic screws stripped. I called the customer service department and they sent me out numerous replacements screws and have not had a problem since. I can install this rack onto my car and have two bikes placed and secured on the rack within 10 minutes. My car has not been scratched and my plastic bumpers are not damaged in any way. The straps that secure the bikes to the rack keep the bikes firmly secured and have not scratched the bikes whatsoever. What more do you want from straps. I am positive this rack with last me years to come with flawless operation.
Submitted by
jah1545
a Cross Country Rider
from Fredericksburg, Va
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2010
Strengths: Strengths? You're kidding right!
Weaknesses: Pretty much everything about this POS sucks.
Bottom Line:
Saris employees must be up here posting the good reviews. That, or people who bought this POS and want to feel good about it and convince themselves it is nice.
Let me say this right off, there are much better racks for less money! Don't get caught up in the looks, this rack is a POS!!! I avoid all Saris products now.
I bought this thing at Performance without any recommendations or any research. Won't do that again! Adjusting this thing to get it on the vehicle is not a quick or easy process. The footpads will damage your paint and the bumper if used for any period of time. It is not designed for cars with plastic bumpers, which includes almost all of todays vehicles. The thumbscrews that tighten the legs/arms are extremely cheap plastic and can EASILY be stripped out on the first try. The straps that attach to the seat tube and top tube feel cheap and the buckles are also very cheap plastic. The arms wobble even after being tightened with the ridiculous plastic screws. There is no way this POS would last, it is cheaply made and poorly designed. I felt like I had been ripped off as soon as I attached it to my vehicle. Thankfully, Performance refunded my money with no hassle at all. Seriously, save your money, there are much better racks out there. This POS is all looks and no substance.
Submitted by
dsw1204
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfield, OH USA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2010
Strengths: Sway control for all 3 bikes, very flexible design...can hold many different types of bikes, awesome to see on back of car, holds bikes solidly on rack. Customer service is top notch.
Weaknesses: Tightening screws seem to strip easily, but has only happened on the inner arms of the rack which is less vital than if were on either of the outer arms. I've had to replace them twice, but the customer service dept. was very helpful in getting me the replacement screws. New ones are supposed to be more durable...we'll see later.
Bottom Line:
This is one excellent bike rack. I've only had two bikes at the most on this rack(it's a Bones 3), but it has held them very solidly with no movement or swaying whatsoever, even on the highway going 300 miles to Chicago. It is easy to install and easy to take off, especially once you've done is a couple of times. People who have had problems with this rack have probably not followed directions properly. Do follow the directions and this bike rack will not let you down.
Submitted by
Calgal
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2010
Strengths: Bones 2 is an excellent rack and performs well. Bikes do not move around on the rack in traffic. Highway travel is great also. Folds up nicely and stores well when not in use.
Weaknesses: Have to take it on and off the car so it isn't ripped of by someone who won't pay for their own rack! Not a big deal, it's super easy to use and only takes a few minutes to re install. It was a bit expensive.
Bottom Line:
When mounted properly according to the instructions, you can grab the rack and shake your whole car. Very solid and holds my two 30lb moutain bikes nicely. I am very particular about the finish on my car paint, no scratches or wear marks if you protect the foot pads with some tire tube scraps. I will be getting some 3M paint film soon to be permanent and much more convenient.
Very easy to set this rack up on your car, there should be no difficulties whatsoever for anyone who has a bit of mechanical abilities! Anything like this requires attention to detail.....do that and you will have absolutely no problems and a great bike rack at a fraction of the cost of any other solutions. If you take necessary measures to protect your bikes when hauling them, you should have no damages to bikes or car!
Strengths: Excellent rack and performs well. Bikes do not move around on the rack in traffic. Highway travel is great also. Folds up nicely and stores well when not in use. Superb product.
Weaknesses: Have to take it on and off the car so it isn't ripped of by someone who won't pay for their own rack! Not a big deal, it's super easy to use and only takes a few minutes to re install. It was a bit expensive.
Bottom Line:
When mounted properly according to the instructions, you can grab the rack and shake your whole car. Very solid and holds my two 30lb moutain bikes nicely.
I am very particular about the finish on my car paint, no scratches or wear marks if you protect the foot pads with some tire tube scraps. I will be getting some 3M paint film soon to be permanent and much more convenient.
Very easy to set this rack up on your car, there should be no difficulties whatsoever for anyone who has a bit of mechanical abilities! Anything like this requires attention to detail.....do that and you will have absolutely no problems and a great bike rack at a fraction of the cost of any other solutions. If you take necessary measures to protect your bikes when hauling them, you should have no damages to bikes or car!
Strengths: Strong and light Design that becomes very compact folded down, secures extremely well to vehicle and can actually hang my own body weight on it when on the car. Took three heavy DH bikes on a 1000 mile round trips on country roads and motorways with not even a worry sometimes even 85mph I mean 70mph of course :D
Tucks the bikes right down into the air pocket behind the car (especially if you take your wheels and seats off) so doesnt affect your fuel consumption in the way a roof system would and a lot less wind noise. Those roof racksreally pull yoru car around when you start getting over 50mph or a windy day where this doesnt!
Weaknesses: Those Thumb screws shredding and can pling your cables if then run under your top tube so use it as an excuse to buy braded hoses attached to a set of Hope V2's :D
Bottom Line:
This is an amazing rack and can be a second hand bargain which will obviously never rust. Ok it does have a few flaws but come on this could be the most perfectly designed rack in the world, if your putting a £2000+ bike on any rack and the rack onto a nice new car who wouldnt also take their own precautions anyway!!?? Stupid people thats who. I got some old gardening foam knealing mats and cut them to shape to fit between the rubber feet of the rack and my prescious car paint = no scratches then I got that Motrax motorbike web to wrap the strap hooks with = no scratches to prescious car paint. I wrap any point of my bike brame that come into contact with the rack or car with socks or old material = no scratches to prescious car paint or bike, I also take some extra lugguage straps and fasten them to the mail fram of the rack and to any bikes on there. Replace the Plastic with cheap metal thumb screws and you sorted. All this effort is not to say the rack is bad because I am over cautious and would do the same with any rack.
Anyone who doesnt do this regardless of what rack they have either doesnt care about their new car or expensive bike enough or are just too stupid to think they might have to put any effort into anything to keep their posessions looking nice so yea definately get this rack and then car for your bike and car by taking that bit of extra time and effort to make sure everything is safe and you cant go wrong with this so ignore the idiots who give this a bad rating.
Similar Products Used: Halfords own fold rack, various trailers and roof racks.
Bike Setup: Trek Fuel Ex 8 2010, Kona Stinky 06 with 2010 Fox 40's and DHX RC4 sus
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SAL9000
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle area
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2010
Strengths: Light, cheap.
Weaknesses: Brittle plastic, easily-stripped screws, scratches paint, bike hangs too close to car.
Bottom Line:
Don't cheap out - buy a hitch mount rack. This rack and the way it carried the bike scratched the Dickens out of the back my car plus it makes using the trunk all but impossible (charges which admittedly can be levied at most any trunk-mount rack I imagine).
Similar Products Used: Have since gone to hitch mount Thule.
Bike Setup: Trek Fuel EX8.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JamesCraig
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2010
Strengths: Light weight. Easy to adjust. Secure fit. Awesome customer service.
Weaknesses: If I had to name one, it'd be the thumb screws, although I've never stripped one.
Bottom Line:
Works like a champ unless you don't install it correctly. The rack doesn't move when its on my car. Scratches come from movement. Movement comes from a dirty car and/or loose straps. So many bad reviews due to user error or a bad fit on a car the manufacturer doesn't suggest. Entertaining to say the least.
The positions on the arms and legs are numbered so its incredibly easy to 'remember' the setup. Once my bikes are in the rack, the whole thing is incredibly tight. Re-cinch the straps and they stay for the whole 5/6 hour highway trip to the desert. I just set it up this morning and it takes 5 minutes tops. Easy. Its probably a bit high for price, but recyclable materials, USA made, awesome customer service, and ease of use...its worth it. Just make sure its a 'fit' for your car and follow the instructions.
Submitted by
isleblue65
a Cross Country Rider
from Plymouth, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2010
Strengths: Holds 3 bikes (Bones 3), but barely. Adjustability. Saris Customer Service
Weaknesses: Set screws stripped out first time. Straps are sloppy and cumbersome and rack is a pain to install.
Bottom Line:
I bought this rack brand new on Craigslist for $75 and sold it 5 months later on Craigslist for $90, so that's the only good thing about the purchase.
I have a Yakima roof rack, but a riding partner has a Bones 3 that my bike goes on when he drives. He spoke highly of it, and I bought mine impulsively after watching him install and remove his in the parking lot and put the bikes on and off. I envisioned losing the wind noise of the Yakima and improved fuel economy by not having it on the car, plus keeping the bikes out of contact with bugs and low garage doors in case I forgot they were up there.
What I didn't anticipate is just how much of a pain it was to install this rack every time before a ride. You have to find the right straps for the top, sides and bottom, and then untangle the mess of straps before you can install them. Then positioning the arms every time (because it wouldn't fit in my trunk unless I collapsed it down) was a real hassle to find the same positioning. Then the silly toy set screws made out of cheese-soft plastic stripped out the first time I tightened them.
After 3 or 4 uses I decided this thing paled in comparison to my good old 12 year old Yakima rack on the roof. I called Saris customer service and told them that my set screws stripped out and they happily sent me a complete set of new improved (harder plastic) set screws. I will give Saris props for great customer service.
I installed the improved set screws in my still brand new looking Bones 3 so that the next unfortunate owner at least wouldn't have to deal with that aspect of it, and put it up on Craigslist.
It sold within hours and as I watched the new owner driving away, I breathed a sigh of relief, and then glancing over at my old rusty Yakima on the roof of my car brought a smile to my face.
So I got a Saris Bones 2. Prtty basic, but very good quality. It is on the back of my 2000 Civic. I dod not want to outclass the car with a luxury rack.
My question is what are o Read More »
I had went over the bars maybe 5 weeks ago and landed hand first really jamming my palm. I dont think I broke any bones but my palm(hamate area) really hurts still 5 weeks later. I Read More »
Has anyone successfully installed a set of Extralite E-Bones in the BB-91 found on the 2010 Carbon frames? I have a 2010 SJ Carbon and want to install these cranks but want to be Read More »
Here's how one of these looks on the back of a Honda Element.
I need to find a better way to protect the paint under the feet. Right now I am using clear packing tape, but I Read More »
I bought a Bones 3 on ebay and realized the straps were incomplete and frayed. It was also missing a buckle.
Where can I buy just the strap? On the saris site, the straps ar Read More »
