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Submitted by
Arn
a
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere in cali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | very secure | | Weaknesses: | takes time to assemble, bottom "feet" of rack will leave depressions on plastic bumpers. | | Bottom Line: | Good if you don't mind slight dents and scratches on your trunk and bumper. My rack was set up on a sedan so other type of vehicles may not have this problem. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harry
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | bought used | | Strengths: | Many different options for installation. Lots of straps for stability. Bikes are well-secured to rack. | | Weaknesses: | A pain to set up initially. Don't like how the central tube that the straps pass through can slide back and forth (a problem if you can't rest the rack on the bumper). Bottom straps should have clothes hanger style hooks (not wide flat hooks) that can grab towing loops & other undercarriage openings. Present bottom hooks can't grab anything but edge of flimsy plastic bumper cover | | Similar Products Used: | Bard-Wyers Stealth--great design (doesn't touch paint & sedan trunks can be partially opened with rack) but requires a sturdy bumper. | | Bottom Line: | My 2-bike model worked well on my 97 Accord that I owned before I bought a Forester. Not ideal for the steep Forester hatchback because the top arm brace rests on the window when the bottom arm braces rest on the bumper. The alternative placement that I use has the bottom arm braces resting on the paint midway down the hatch with the top arm brace basically resting on the roof. In this configuration, the rack tends to lean a bit to the side with the most bike weight. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Versatile and strong. | | Weaknesses: | Scratches frame at contact points. | | Bike Setup: | Road bike and mtn bike both with regular top tubes. | | Bottom Line: | This is a really versatile rack and I would buy it again. I selected it based on my LBS' recommendation. The LBS mounted it on the trunk for me and showed me how to clamp my bikes in it correctly. (From other's comments, they may have saved me from picking my bikes up from the side of the road, who knows.) I must admit that fastening the straps securely would be confusing if you didn't know beforehand. My only complaint is that the straps scratched the frame until I put some self-adhesive 'foam' on the face. I had to contact Graber for two replacement thumbscrews which they promptly sent without any questions except who I was and where to send them. One thing I do like is the compact size when folded. Unfolded, there is a number/sticker combination that you use to 'find' the old arm angles, a pretty slick idea. HINT: That's also in the owner's manual. :)
Bottom line, good rack, good company, and I recommend it - just read the manual first.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mirek
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Waterdown trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Friendly bike store | | Strengths: | Easy set up and take down. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Bikes get loose and fall of on highway (twice). Most recently it was on a multi-lane (4 each way) highway. I saw the bike bounce across all three lanes and being hit by a minivan and finally stopping on the raised median. Luckily no-one got hurt. Not to mention the bike was ruined.
Paint gets scratched up on long rides
Hard to get the bikes out in colder weather. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500, Trek 7000, or Specialized RockHopper | | Bottom Line: | Good for short, non-highway rides.
Avoid like the plague if you are going on a highway! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Depot | | Strengths: | Sweet design, fits on my Accord with spoiler perfectly.
I have the 3 bike design, it easily holds my GT XCR 2000
and my girlfriends GT Aggressor 1.0 without any problems.
Was nervous about bike rack dumping my bikes on the highway
and then I drove around with the 'bones'. This thing is
solid, no more worries. Unless your driving behind a someone
without a 'bones' rack. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing that I've noticed so far. The price is alittle high
but you get what you pay for. I was willing to trade cost
for peace of mind. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried various racks and read reviews, nothing matched the
'bones' | | Bike Setup: | 1999 XCR 2000 FS with XT everything and Specialized Body
E. Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet Rack .. I have to give it 5/5 chillis .. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sourav
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fantasy Island, Tucson AZ | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$109.00 | | Purchased At: | Budget Bikes Expo | | Strengths: | Super strong, easy to mount, stable, anti-sway rings | | Weaknesses: | The bars that hold your bikes sway just a tad in heavy wind, price | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | GF supercal | | Bottom Line: | This bike rack is the best. I just got back from a trip from madison, WI to Tucson, AZ and i was pretty confident in it, i just checked it when filling on gas. The unit itself does not move at all on the car and was eazy to switch between two cars.
Only the bars that hold your bikes sway a tad in high wind. Even when "Screwed in" the bars can be jerked a bit, perhaps they can fix that later on..
All you have to do is pull the straps super tight (turn the top straps 1 turn to eliminate wind noise) and forget it.
Dont put your down tube too close to the arm or the plastic WILL sctrach the bike tube. Make sure you use bungees also.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Haluska
a Cross Country Rider
from Alfred, NY USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Harriet Hollister Spencer St. Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Man | | Strengths: | This thing kicks ass. Super strong. Super efficient. Incredibly flexible design. Holds bikes extremely well. | | Weaknesses: | Clips can mar trunk hood. Plastic bike clips are a weak point I think. No front wheel clip. Very easy to steal. | | Similar Products Used: | the inside of my trunk | | Bike Setup: | 95 Diamondback hardtail with Manitou SXR fork | | Bottom Line: | If you are in the market for a trunk rack look no further than this baby. You will not be sorry. Sure, you'd like to get the $400 roof rack, but you don't have $400. Buy this, save the extra $300 you would have plunked into the roof rack and pick up a decent set of XC wheels. You'll thank me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AjCoUhRnA
a Racer
from Greensboro, NC
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | New Asphalt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles deORO | | Strengths: | >No Paint to chip/flake
>Composit/Aluminum Materials
>large contact feet
>Sturdy straps and buckles
>Extremely versiatle | | Weaknesses: | >May have to buy extra parts for your application (i.e hatch hugger straps)
>May leave small contact mars on frame
>Little stickers to mark positions suck, come off | | Similar Products Used: | >My Hatchback
>Pick up truck fork mount
| | Bike Setup: | Bianchi Champione, secured PROPERLY to rack, thats secured PROPERLY to vehicle | | Bottom Line: | Ok,fist thing. You have to read the instructons for this thing. It is easy to get the plastic straps in the latches the incorrect way. Use some sence, and take your time to get things set up right to avoid damage to anything. The only real weakness I found is the rack itself has no way to secure the front wheel/handlebars. I use some velcro pump straps to secure it. Also if the "cradle" area sandwiches your bare brake cable between the frame and "cradle" Id put a washcloth betwen the cable and frame to prevent bike paint damage. Also Use a black sharpie to mark the settings on the aluminum cylnder, it dosent wash off or fade. Excellent product design! folds up niceley to store in trunk and small enough not to take up the entire space. I have a Civic hatchback, and it fits perfectly on the back of the car and inside of the trunk.
Highly recommended, not a single problem so far.
Use some common sence, read the instructons and your bike will not budge! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, TX
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cider Hill State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | much need gift | | Strengths: | super stong and sturdy, easy on, easy off, $. Dosn't let those mutha's move a bit. | | Weaknesses: | wasn't around when I first started riding | | Similar Products Used: | I've had two other bike racks that could both suck the chrome off a trailer hitch - the brand names don't matter | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized Rockhopper pro with rocket-pack option | | Bottom Line: | this is the best trunk mounted bike rack ever made, That's right - EVER! When I'm flying down the highway in my rocket-powered, monkey-navigated stud-mobile, I have the utmost confidence that my bike will never sway. The key is its thick plastic "arms" that rest on the bumpper. I havn't seen any other rack that is designed quite this way. This rack is SOLID!, even when I'm doing dounuts in my neighbors' yard, unlike my old one that spilled my friends' and mine bikes all over the highway doing 65! If your in the market for a good trunk rack, for god's sake please buy this one first. Don't be stupid like me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Weekend Warrior
from hibbing, mn. u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | the old hull road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | no rusting, easy setup, and brakedown.
cheap, 99 bucks is a good price for the two bike rack!
varied vehicle fitting | | Weaknesses: | my LTS frame sits kinda funky.
i can the straps wearing out quick.
| | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 97 GT LTS-3, with almost all new parts!! | | Bottom Line: | it's easy, a few twists and turns, and clamping and your ready to load up your bike, or bikes. i had no slipping and everything stayed tight until unloaded. we drove over two hours on bumpy bad roads, and a lot of dirt. i checked it twice. ok.......... maybe three or four times then!! also, we had no chipping of paint or scratches.
my LTS frame fit kinda funky, but the seat tube strap fit really snug.
for what i'm going to use it for, it was well worth 99$.
for what it's worth, Calvin, the owner of my LBS, said Saris is really good about sending out new straps.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy From The Outback
a Downhiller
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ohio doesn't have trails...? | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | - Soft pads to stop scratches on your car
- Plastic coating on brackets
- Wicked look to it
- Rock solid design | | Weaknesses: | - Slightly difficult to get bike off. (that's a good thing too though, at least your bike won't fall off)
- Small depressions in my car from opening the trunk. (My fault though) | | Similar Products Used: | Some metal thing that destroyed a friends bike a while back when it fell off the car. | | Bike Setup: | Custom freestyle bike, KHS FXT Team frame, RST shocks, XT components | | Bottom Line: | Condolences to those bikes who suffered a tragedy on the roadway from poor setup. I found that the rack, if setup right will work like a dream. I have driven highways, backroads, dirt roads and the rack doesn't loosen or move. It's nice to not have to look out the window and see your bike on the road behind you. I will be driving to colorado from ohio soon and that will be the long distance test for me.
TIPS:
- Don't open your trunk, the S-hooks on the roof dented my car. (still can't figure out why they put S-hooks for the roof straps)
- Buy some bunjy cords because the retension straps don't hold lateral movement well.
- When setting up the straps attached to the car...tighten them and then put a single knot in front of the clip to stop it from loosening up again. Just a safety precaution.
Final Thought :
Riders who want a funky head turning thing hanging off the back of their car should buy this rack. For an extra $20 it's worth getting the 3 bike version. Works on most cars...I have a Golf GTI and it works very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
farmanimal
a Weekend Warrior
from kansas city
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | adjustable from car to suv to mini van... really
rock solid stable at 80... i swear bikes dont even move
no metal to rust or hurt my 2 wheeled pal | | Weaknesses: | some may find it difficult whaen using non diamond frames... a little 3dimensional thinking goes a long way here
the trunk tabs could be a little tuff on your vehicle | | Similar Products Used: | various metal things | | Bike Setup: | no training wheels | | Bottom Line: | i have the 3 holer... it is most always on my car.. i have had friends borrow it, and all are impressed with its relative ease of use and STRONG construction... i have never ever had a bike scratchedn, nor have any of the numerous vehicles this rack been on ever been scratched or harmed... i have cruised at like 80-85 with my bike, and others nothing moves....got go 5 flaming burrotoes here... for those who cannt figure this rack out get a dick and jane book | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Paul
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | slick rock | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Similar Products Used: | When I go out of town I always rent the cheapest tube car rack I can get my hands on and these seem to work fine. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Pulse. If I ever get the chance to upgrade to an Attitude the rack is history. | | Bottom Line: | The rack ruined the paint on my Klein as well as my car. I tried to get someone from Saris to look at it but no one was interested. I now use it with socks wrapping all surfaces that contact anything and it does an adequate job. Find something else! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Relatively inexpensive, light-weight and portable. | | Weaknesses: | Does not discriminate between damaging bike or car - it damages both. | | Similar Products Used: | None (my first rack). | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Kona Blast (stock) | | Bottom Line: | When I first started looking for a rack, my primary concern was not having my bike fall off while I was driving (I had heard enough horror stories). In retrospect, I should've been more concerned with any residual damage that the rack may cause to my car and/or bike. After only one use, the rack managed to scratch paint off both my trunk and bike frame. Admittedly, the damage is relatively minor, but in my mind a rack should not leave a mark.
I guess, this rack is okay if you drive a beat-up car and you wrap your frame with cloth at any point of contact between the bike frame and the rack. Otherwise, I think it's worth it to spend the extra bucks for a roof rack.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | This bike rack looks really cool. It only takes a few minutes to set up, too. | | Weaknesses: | My bike fell off the rack! I assume that this is a problem with only a few defective racks, but unfortunately I got one of them. | | Similar Products Used: | None. This is my first bike rack. | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn frontier | | Bottom Line: | For most people this rack seems to work well. But here's what happened to me: A day after I first purchased the rack I noticed that my bike had shifted a little bit after a short drive. The straps that hold the bike in place had loosened, and after looking at them I noticed that they were pretty easy to pull off without pressing the button. But the bike had stayed on the rack at that point. But today--three or four days after buying this rack--my bike tumbled off the back of my car on the highway. It was terrifying. If someone had gotten into an accident trying to avoid the bike I could have been sued, or someone could have died. Tomorrow morning I'm going to call Saris to try to straighten the matter out. My bike is only worth $300, so I expect them to replace it. But until that point, they get one star from me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from San Marcos, TX
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, portable, cheaper than a roof rack. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first bike rack. I bought the 2-bike rack and I have nothing bad to say about it. It's not bulky, has no clanging metal, no sharp points. I'm using it on my 1991 Firebird w/ spoiler and it hooks up in about 2 minutes and stays snug in its place.
It is highly adjustable for whatever car you have, and, at least on my car, the bike doesn't even come CLOSE to scratching up the paint.. not even the pedals.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from Barberton, OH
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | +Bikes never fell off
+Great construction
+Easy to put on/off | | Weaknesses: | -Pricey
| | Similar Products Used: | Bottom-of-the-line rhode gear (horrible) | | Bike Setup: | The CAR setup is more important...it's on a 93 Escort wagon...and I've carried a ton of different bikes on it...Fisher, Specialized, yadayada.. | | Bottom Line: | Basically the best trunk rack available! Other racks might be $40-$60 but guess what? They are simply metal poles that you're supposed to trust your $1000+ beauty on at 65mph? I don't think so. And the good straps to put on so your bike doesn't fall off are at least $20 PER bike. So buy a rack for $60, add 3 strap things (rhode gear calls them "lock blocks" or something) and you get $120! The same price as the 3 bike Saris. This one is supremely adjustable and made very well and won't rust. Also, in a pinch, you can strap your bike down to the strap farthest-out from the car, and adjust the derailleurs and stuff easily. That's all for now! 5 stars overall&value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricahrd Roldan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, California, USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Daley Ranch, Escondido, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This bike rack can fit over a rear wing spoiler and adjust to any vehicle. | | Weaknesses: | Metal buckles rub against car surface. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh and Specialized | | Bottom Line: | The best for a rear trunk bike rack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from York, PA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lake Redman in York | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Durable materials (aluminum plastic), stability (6 straps), strength (100+lbs) | | Weaknesses: | I guess if you need to switch cars it would be a pain to adjust the arms every time. Price, but you get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | Racks under $50... | | Bike Setup: | 98 GT Lightning | | Bottom Line: | This has to be the best trunk rack on the market in most cases. I have the three bike version and it's one stable rack. You won't have the rusting that comes with a steel rack. The six stabilizing straps hold that thing down. The rubber foot pads don't slide like foam ones. I like the ratcheting straps. My GT is a pain to fit on because of the triple triangle. It looks pretty sweet too. I guess the price is about the worst thing. I got mine for $60 from a promotional bike show. Can't complain there! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff finn
a Weekend Warrior
from New Albany, IN USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | fort duffield | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | very sturdy, built strong, holds 3 bikes securely. | | Weaknesses: | bit of a pain if using on more than one car. i.e. from hatchback to sedan. | | Bottom Line: | very good rack. if mounted properly it stays on your car nice and snug! fits my hatchback like a dream! looks awesome compared to those other racks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic
a Downhiller
from Janesville, Wi
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Razorback | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -Fits every car in my family
-Secure
| | Weaknesses: | -If you use the rack on multiple cars its kind of a pain | | Bike Setup: | Fisher, Kaitai | | Bottom Line: | Seems to be a good rack. It holds the bikes really secure.
If you are using the rack on the same car it goes on and come off really quick and simple. It is a little more difficult if you use the rack on differant cars. Setting it up can become tedious. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Easy to set up on many vehicles.
Carries bikes securely(for trunk mount)
Looks as cool as a trunk mounted rack ever could | | Weaknesses: | It's still a trunk mounted rack | | Similar Products Used: | several different brands over the years. | | Bottom Line: | I've always believed one eternal truth about trunk racks. They all Suck! Well the Bonz rack is the only exception to this rule. It fits almost all cars very securely and holds bikes very well. The only problem I've ever had is the down tube strap doesn't work as well on GT bikes as on others due to the triple triangle design. It's still not very good if you're comparing it to a roof rack, but it's the best trunk mount I've ever used. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
new mt biker
a Weekend Warrior
from Haskell, NJ
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | materials, design, concept | | Weaknesses: | fit | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale, Trek and Giant (kids and ladies bikes) | | Bottom Line: | If you can mount this properly in your car, as specified in the manual, the support legs should rest on the bumper, then this is an excellent product. I searched and found this to be the best in the market right now. I am very mechanically inclined and cannot make this fit as it should on my 98 subaru legacy outback and 97 nissan altima. Fits my 95 porsche 911 but I don't drive it for bike rides so what's the use. If moving ladies or kids bikes are in your riding plans, then consider something simpler from other mfr. Bought the trailer hitch mount carrier instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | +Compatibility with most car makes
+Won't Rust
+Reasonably Light
+Secures Most Bikes Well | | Weaknesses: | -Seat tube strap is short
-3 bike version holds the first bike awfully close to the car | | Bike Setup: | 99 Giant Yukon SE Car Setup: 88 Merc Cougar | | Bottom Line: | I thought this rack was idiot proof until I read some of these reviews. If you can ride a bike without training wheels, you can set this rack up. It holds bikes securely, even at 75mph on interstate trips. Well worth the money. 5 flamin' chilis says I! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quint
a Weekend Warrior
from Waco, Tx
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cameron Park - Waco, Tx. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fairly light, parts won't rust | | Bike Setup: | 99 FSR | | Bottom Line: | My border collie decided to chew one of the straps when the
rack was on the floor and I didn't discover it until loading for a ride a week later. Well, the strap was ruined,
so I discovered the excellent customer service of Graber Inc. (the manufacturer). First they sent two replacement straps at no charge. After trying unsuccessfully to install
the straps (they're pressed in at the factory), I called
customer service again. This time they sent me an entire
arm with straps FREE. I haven't experienced service like that in years. Anyway, I think it's a great product for those who take the time to properly secure everything.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Kohn
a Cross Country Rider
from Merced, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | 007 near Bass Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Works Great, rack fits around the spoiler on my Neon, fits in the trunk, Great price. Paid 75 bucks for mine! | | Weaknesses: | Needs something to hold the wheels straight, so i don't have to use a bungee strap | | Similar Products Used: | Yakima Roof Racks | | Bike Setup: | Top end Giant Atx, Rigid by choice, Cantelevers by Shimano | | Bottom Line: | This rack is used weekly, rain or shine, has had bumpier rides than my Giant, and hangs on through the fastest corners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ashwin Amanna
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gap mtn | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Looks nice
reasonably priced
holds 3 bikes for | | Weaknesses: | Difficulty in getting it securely mounted
hard to remove straps that hold down the bike | | Similar Products Used: | Yakima roof rack, Delta Hunch rack | | Bike Setup: | regular hardtail mtn bikes | | Bottom Line: | After running bikes into the roof on two occasions, I decided that a roof rack isn't in the cards. Was using a Delta Hunch rack, which is AWESOME. Very secure mounting of the bikes. Only hitch was that it is difficult to hold the bike up while you mount it. My wife is fairly petite and she was having a hard time racking her bike. Reluctantly gave it to a friend for his vanagon.
Tried the Bones. It is for a 1998 Subaru Legacy wagon. It's okay. Takes awhile to get it set for your vehicle, and it still doesn't seem to be on there great. The straps that secure the top tube and seat tube are plastic and have ridges in them. Easy to tighten but a PAIN to undo. Just don't really like it.
Am now looking into a hitch and the Hollywood Pro Rider rack. It's expensive because the cost of the hitch practically doubles to cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from Champaign, IL
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kickapoo State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks durable and went on my car without any problems | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't like GT frames... I have a GT Tempest mountain bike, and a GT Performer Pro freestyle bike and neither of them fit on the rack. The triple triangle screws everything up. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock GT Tempest | | Bottom Line: | As I mentioned above, I really think its a good rack, but it didn't accomodate my bikes at all. If anyone else has used a Saris Bones rack with GT's successfully, please email me and tell me I'm stupid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Erwin Park (McKinney) | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Rack looks cool, easy to setup and use. | | Weaknesses: |
The straps on my rack did not clamp properly. | | Similar Products Used: |
Old no name racks. | | Bike Setup: |
I had a pair of Trek mountain bikes on it. | | Bottom Line: | The first trip I took with this rack ended with both of my bikes bouncing down the highway. Luckily the bikes didn't go through anyones windsheild or anything like that. So my experience with this rack was horrible, it ruined both of my bikes and could have killed someone. I think they need to rethink the plastic straps on the rack, I had all six clamped tightly when the all just pulled out. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Slip_Kid
a Cross-Country Rider
from North Kingstown, RI
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
anywhere near the Beaches | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Strong...good clamps...great feet | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
Cheapo racks | | Bike Setup: |
Hybrids, MTB, and kids bikes | | Bottom Line: | I realty like the rack, it's very strong and stable. It fits most cars, at least the one's I have. There in nothing to rust and it folds up nice and small. I could not say enough good things about thei rack. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Okie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blanchard, Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Chicken Barn Road | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Fits most cars, relatively inexpensive, sturdy and secure! | | Weaknesses: |
Needs some sort of security for the rack.. | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Raliegh M80 stock, Ritchey Speedmax tires | | Bottom Line: | I love this rack, I got it from Slyfox on the trader page for $65 before shipping. Fits my 99 Ford Contour like a dream (althought it should, since the Contour is the car they use to demo it). Easy set up, and easy dismantleing. Great for short transits (120 miles and below), I am not sure how it would hold up for really long drives. Definitely follow instructions for use and check the straps, unless you do not care about loosing your bike. I have not had any problems but I can see where they could occur. Over all great deal in a trunk mount carrier. Innovative design, and great looks. I recommend you get one today. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jemster
a Weekend Warrior
from Montana
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
The Bitterroots | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Fits nigh any car, even some not listed.
Very simple to setup/takedown once you catch the trick of it | | Weaknesses: |
side straps could be a little longer
The stickers they give you don't last long | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
'99 Raleigh M600 | | Bottom Line: | This rack is very nice. I have the two bike version and it works very nice. It looks like an alien attaching itself to my car. At night, when I hit my brakes, the aluminum glows like two eyes, pretty impressive.Beyond aesthetics, it works great. It holds my bike rock solid. I have noticed that the platic bike restraints are easier to release if you have a big-tubed aluminum frame, they cinch down quite a bit on a chromally bike, which an make them hard to release. Push the tab until it clicks, and away you go.Setup is a cinch, you don't even need the directions really, except for proper alignment of the straps, perhaps. The trick for me is to put the arms up last, so they aren't in the way when I'm doing the straps.The side stabilizing straps could be just a little longer, it'd make it easier for me to tie the knots.Even if your car isn't officially listed, this may still fit it. I have a friend with a '93 Taurus, which isn't listed (though most other years are), and we tried it out on his car, the thing fit like it was made for it.They give you stickers to mark the settings for your car, but mine wore off after two months, I'd recommend using a sharpie instead.I can't recommend this highly enough, it looks great, it works great, five flaming chilis for the folks at Saris. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | I am a big fan, though sometimes I wish I had the three bike version (I bought the two bike version) other times I prefer the compactness of the two bike- it's easy to toss in the trunk as long as I don't have much back there.Using the metal tow loop below the rear bumper of my stratus has provided a very nice lock, as mentioned earlier. Don't use a spoiler if you have a tow loop. In my opinion there isn't much reason to lock through the aluminum. Just locking through the bottom of the bike frame seems to accomplish the primary purpose - securing the bikes. I also think on some trunks a small cable could pass inside the trunk for an internal anchor if you are really desperate to secure your bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
This rack LOOKS like it would last a long time (I had it for only one week). Its adjustability is a big strength. | | Weaknesses: |
It isn't made for my truck! (1992 4Runner) | | Bottom Line: | Even though my truck wasn't listed in the Saris Fit Guide, I tried my luck with this rack. It didn't work (shucks) so I returned it a week after buying it. I thought about fixing the rack so that it did fit my truck, but I've decided to just buy a hitch-mount rack (after I buy a hitch, that is).The cool thing about this rack is that you can adjust the rack's legs to easily fit different cars. I was able to mount the rack 4 different ways on my truck, none of which worked out. If it had fit correctly on my truck, I would have undoubtedly kept |
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$ 109.99
