Saris Bones 3 Bike Carrier

msloan

hi folks i am looking at getting a bike carrier so as i can go further a field and the Saris Bones 3 is one i have found that looks practical, stylish and will not break the bank too much. the thing is i have been looking on the web at reviews regarding this specific model and the Saris Bones 2, even though most of them are from the states theres quite a mixed bag of opinions.

i was wondering if theres anyone on here that has got one or had any experience with them. i am being rather wary as a) i dont want to be wasting £110 on a load of rubbish or b) something that is going to wreck my car and c) i want to be able to trust it holding upto 3 bikes on the back of the car.

your help, advice and opinions are much appreciated.

Anonymous

just got one the other day.
It's pretty well made.
It won't wreck your car.
it will safely hold three bikes, although it you have an odd-shaped frame, you might need one of their bike beams - or a competitor's - to fit your bike on the rack. With the bike beam, the bike doesn't seem to be held as securely, but mine certainly stayed on for two hours on the weekend.

Of course b) and c) are moot points, if you're a knuckedragging buffon who struggles to open a packet of cerial without ending his/her own life, which is where, I suspect, most of the bad reviews come from

timmys

I bought one and used it once as I didn't feel particularly confident in it (particularly so having to use a bike beam with one of the bikes.)

I flogged it on ebay and got most of the money i spent back - put it towards some roof bars and thule proride 591's. Much happier now, 30 seconds to put the bikes on the car versus about 20 mins to put the saris and bikes on and the bikes seem a lot more secure to me.

msloan

The bike it will hold most often will be my own kona cindercone (hardtail) and most of the lads that are likely to venture out with me also have hardtails so I guess there shouldn't be any problems with regards to holding them

.blitz

Got a Bones 2. It's versatile and nicely made but it's not rock solid. It has carried my bike to Wales and back (100 mi each way) but I wouldn't trust it with three bikes. It likes a nice, big bumper to sit on but forget about it if your car has a plastic high-level tailgate spoiler or brake light housing. The straps that basically stop the Bones falling off backwards hook into the gap between the roof and the tailgate - if there's a spoiler in the way, no matter how much you tighten the straps it won't feel solid.

Alternatively you could drive a bit slower and just get used to seeing your bike swaying around in the rear view mirror =]

rh-keith

Who sells SARIS in Ireland and UK? Im intrested in the T-Bone

msloan

There's several suppliers around the uk, google is the answer lol.
With regards to fitting issues I'm not sure if the spoiler on my car will affect the fitting of a bones carrier or not. Here's a pic of my car that it will be going on if that helps,

.blitz

I'm guessing the rear window is part of the tailgate in which case you should be OK. You could adjust the Bones so that your bike is high and flat-ish or upright but hanging off the back more.



Allegedly the upper feet are only there to provide stability and not intended to carry any load.

Anonymous

timmys wrote:

about 20 mins to put the saris and bikes on and the bikes seem a lot more secure to me.

:shock:
Takes me about 10 seconds to get the rack on the car, and less than a minute to get three bikes on the rack, two with the bike beam, and one funny shaped bike that goes on at a strange angle. I usually take a bit longer to lock the wheels from turning with a bungie than I do everything else, and even that takes no time at all.
What the hell were you doing?

timmys

yeehaamcgee wrote:

timmys wrote:

about 20 mins to put the saris and bikes on and the bikes seem a lot more secure to me.

:shock:
Takes me about 10 seconds to get the rack on the car, and less than a minute to get three bikes on the rack, two with the bike beam, and one funny shaped bike that goes on at a strange angle. I usually take a bit longer to lock the wheels from turning with a bungie than I do everything else, and even that takes no time at all.
What the hell were you doing?

Well perhaps I was being paranoid but I just found it took ages to do all the things that made me feel reasonably confident in it, which included; getting the tension in all the straps equal, tying up all the loose ends to stop them flapping about. Finding places for all the straps required to stop wheels turning and bars/pedals moving to protect the car, then tie up all the loose ends from those straps! Drive for about 15 min, stop, retighten the straps, check everything, drive on.

As I said I was probably being over cautious, and I could have got quicker with practice, but I just found it a complete hassle compared to slapping bikes on top of the car.

.blitz

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Takes me about 10 seconds to get the rack on the car

I'm guessing you don't fold your Bones up when you take it off the car?

.blitz

timmys wrote:

I just found it took ages to do all the things that made me feel reasonably confident in it, which included; getting the tension in all the straps equal, tying up all the loose ends to stop them flapping about. Finding places for all the straps required to stop wheels turning and bars/pedals moving to protect the car, then tie up all the loose ends from those straps! Drive for about 15 min, stop, retighten the straps, check everything, drive on.

+1

Anonymous

.blitz wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Takes me about 10 seconds to get the rack on the car

I'm guessing you don't fold your Bones up when you take it off the car?

Nope. if I do, for some reason, then add a handful of seconds to that.

msloan

thanks for the input guys, i think i will wait till pay day then pay a visit to the shop and see if they will do a trial fit before i buy. i have also been looking on the saris website and they recommend using the 'hatch hugger' straps on my car instead of the standard straps so we will see, not sure what the difference is with these other straps.

andy46

i use one of these on my citroen saxo and i have no complaints at all,about 10-15 minutes fitting and double checking and i'm away.

i have only had 2 bikes on mine though but thats because most of my mates are lazy

tricky_dicky

looks like the saris bones 2 will hopefully fit my car then - hallelujah!

fletch8928

I got one last year, its just great. very easy to fit and bikes all seem secure, does a 200 mile round trip every 4 weeks. Your motor wont be a problem as it fitted a mates Mazda6 MPS which has a boot spoiler similar to yours.
Only thing i would say is be carefull not to strip the threads on the plastic screw thingies. I use strap lengths to fasten the wheels then roll the rest up and tuck inside the main tube.

I would also place a bet that you can see your number plate and lights clearly even with 3 bikes on

tricky_dicky

Try a Peruzzo Milano 3 - went to my LBS last night and they got it out and it fits my compact perfectly!