Using a Saris Bones 3 on a glass hatch?

andy46

Hi guys

I changed my car this week from a Citroen Saxo that I've had for the last 10 years to a Hyundai Getz (I don't really care what I drive)

Looking at it today though, it dawned on me that the top half of the rear hatch is mainly glass. This would mean that the 2 side straps would be directly on the window while the upper and lower straps will be on metal.

Will it be safe to use this rack with this car or could it break the rear window?

Does anyone else have this car or a car with a mainly glass boot?

I'm really hoping I don't need to buy a new rack :roll:

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

d87heaven

I wouldn't use the straps with them on the glass. Is it not sturdy enough without the side straps on? I forgot to do them up once and the bike rack was still there after about 10 miles. I did wonder what the occasional banging was though, those clips make a lovely noise on the bumper.

kinmofo

i have no experience of bike racks as i just chuck my bike in the boot (estate car FTW)

But...

if, it turns out its not really safe on the glass. can you not mcguiver it somehow? aka modify the bike rack / straps so it does work i'd do that before buying a new one.

andy46

d87heaven wrote:

I wouldn't use the straps with them on the glass. Is it not sturdy enough without the side straps on? I forgot to do them up once and the bike rack was still there after about 10 miles. I did wonder what the occasional banging was though, those clips make a lovely noise on the bumper.

Aren't the side straps there to stop any sideways movement?

Don't know if I'm brave enough to try it without them

andy46

Sorry to bring this old thread back up, I was in my local Halfords last night just having a look around and just happened to spot their high mount 3 cycle carrier.

On the box it shows it fitted to a VW Golf (mk5 I think) and this car has a boot lid like mine with no metalwork down the sides of the rear window, and this had side straps fitted to the glass just like my Saris would have to.

Does this mean it is safe to use these carriers like this if Halfords are willing to show it on the box of their product? Surely they would have been tested in some way :?

cooldad

You willing to take that risk?

Torres

Why not drop Saris an email? I imagine they're probably best placed to answer

andy46

Torres wrote:

Why not drop Saris an email? I imagine they're probably best placed to answer

Good idea, I'll do that thanks.

Can't believe I didn't think of that

andy46

cooldad wrote:

You willing to take that risk?

Hmmm :? not really without knowing more about it, just made me think with the Halfords rack having a picture on the box of the Golf which has the same sort of design.

Since I've had this car I've noticed quite alot of newer cars have the rear hatch this way (no metal at the sides of the windows). When I first realised my car was like this, and maybe it wouldn't be possible to use my Saris I thought no problem, we'll use my girlfriends Fiesta (58 reg) and when we looked at fitting it this also has the rear window like this. Had the car 18 months and never noticed!

Car makers should put more thought into transporting bikes

cooldad

They do, they call them vans.