[Closed] Saris bones racks and similar- any good?

Helitape the contact points on the top and bottom boot lid and it'll be fine. I've got a bones 3 rs that's surplus to requirements if you're interested? £80.

If it can't be clamped then a Saris Bones probably isn't the answer, as the bike is supported on the rack by the frame. You may need a tow-bar mounted rack?

And the Bones is a triumph of style over substance anyway - I had one, it was a PITA and I'm not sorry to see the back of it (and that was with normal hardtails & road bikes).

My Saris bones is ace, apart from the fact that the arms of the rack are too thick to clear the suspension gubbins in both of my bikes, so neither of my bikes will fit.

I bought the rack before my bikes BTW.

Next.

ive not had any problems with my bones2 one of these makes it easier to use on my FS bikes

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/frame-adapter-cycle-carrier-accessory-id_8357813.html

Hmm, yep I'm not sure my suspension bike would fit easily.

I'd love a tow bar mounted rack but the quotes for installing a towbar on my car were £1800+ :O

Never had much luck with mine on little hatchbacks with roof spoilers

Most of the weight is carried through the feet which rest on the bumper but it relies on hooks/straps on the upper edge of the hatch to keep it stable. If there's anything in the way which diverts the straight run of the straps e.g. a roof spoiler you'll spend the whole journey watching your bike and the rack sway from side to side

I used one on a trip to Wales . A saloon car and the bikes on the rack. Solid as a solid thing. I think they are ok.

Hmm, yep I'm not sure my suspension bike would fit easily.

I'd love a tow bar mounted rack but the quotes for installing a towbar on my car were £1800+

Oof, what car? I bought an 'own brand' PF Jones towbar that turned out to be Witter one. Spent an hour fitting it (surprisingly easy) and then paid a local towbar place £50 to do the electrics.

Well that quote was to get a proper BMW garage (4yr old 3 series touring) to do it as they refused to fit one without updating the inter cooler due to the supposed extra strain.

I've heard you can get them cheaper but apparently the rear bumper needs to be cut into and all sorts :-/

My neighbour has a Saris Bones and I'm very impressed with it; the three straps go right through the central tube meaning there are fewer places where the setup can fail. It's stable and the tie-down clamps are robust and the ratchets strong.

Well that quote was to get a proper BMW garage (4yr old 3 series touring) to do it as they refused to fit one without updating the inter cooler due to the supposed extra strain.

I've heard you can get them cheaper but apparently the rear bumper needs to be cut into and all sorts :-/

Ah, luckily mine went on without any cuts, that would have made fitting trickier.

Well you'd think a 181bhp bimmer would be OK towing a caravan without an upgrade anyway but yep- I'm just a but unsure about independent tow bar fitters!

These guys have fit two bars for me - one to our Nissan Xtrail and t'other to my T5. Both jobs done a treat in my driveway. They turn up on time, dont muck about on the job and clean up after themselves. The electrics all work fine and had no issues at all with the hardware either. Was about £300 for each.

http://www.towbarexpress.co.uk/

If you dont want to clamp your frame you can get roof bars that attach to the forks after you remove the front wheel. Dont leave it in a car park like Ive done though.

I have a bones 2 and bought the straps that have foam rollers on the end (boot huggers) to help make it more secure. Works a treat! The feet only mark the car if it's not clean. Just baby wipe the patch where the feet sit before fitting.

Not a huge fan of the Saris Bones, we have a 3 bike one for carrying the kids bikes while the adults bikes go on Ryde roof.

Getting my daughter's specialized Hotrock on it is a major pain in the arse.

Hmm , so mixed opinions!

Anyone got a pic of a vpp or similar suss bike on a bones?

I've got the Bones 2, my car has a spoiler that comes up at 50mph and the shape/adjustment on the Bones gives me half an inch of clearance - other makes didn't.

How many people use racks that cover or partially cover their number plates / lights?

I'm in the market for a rear rack for occassional use, but finding something thats going to clear my lights / number plate entirely is proving to be potentially expensive.

I've seen a Mont Blanc high rack that looks like it will do the job for £70 in Argos but it looks a little flimsy, alternatively there's an Exodus rack in Halfords that looks like the bikes will clear the number plates, but the lights may be covered by the wheels (however I'm sure they'll be visible).

How many people have been pulled over for not having a lightboard with obscured lights and what was the outcome?

Mine was great for a HT. very easy to fit and nice and secure

PITA that it doesn't work form my new(ish) FS. Tried the false cross bar thing but that dint work either. I hate having dirty bikes in the back of my car. Haven't found the solution for a FS yet as can't fit a tow bar style on my car.

You can get a full sus on. Put the arms at different heights. Grab bike by downtube and chainstay or shock body (if shock is under top tube).

I've had two full sus on a Bones 3 on my MX5

Hmm...any chance of a photo YGH? sounds

How many people use racks that cover or partially cover their number plates / lights?

Me! I wouldn't worry about it too much if you're only doing it intermittently.

Someone could possibly in theory say they couldn't see your brakes lights or something but..
- a. you can still see the brake lights
- b. you'll be driving really carefully anyway due to having your pride and joy attached to the back of your car with some straps and bungees

I've a Saris Bones, and it seems to be good considering it's a strap on, but I can't get it to fit my full-sus. I've not noticed any paint coming off but i'm not even remotely bothered about that sort of thing so haven't looked much.

If i was carrying bikes on a regular basis on the outside of the car I'd definitely get a roof rack or tow bar mount.