7 Best Saris Bike Racks of 2024 Reviews (Everything You Must Know)

Bicycling is a fun outdoor activity and can be great exercise. If you’re an avid biker or just a novice you’ve probably heard of Saris Bike Racks. Having a dependable rack to transport your bike to far off places or to your favorite trail is a great way to get more enjoyment out of your bicycle, not to mention having a safe, out of the way place to it. Bicycles can be expensive pieces of outdoor equipment, so you’ll want invest in a bike rack that not only meets the needs of whatever bike you own, but is safe, durable, and convenient. There are a lot of Saris Bike Reviews out there but for this one we’re going to compile our list of the top 7 best Saris bike racks, along with everything you need to know when making that important purchase.

Comparison Table

The Saris Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack largely considered the forefather of the modern rack for your trunk. The sleek stylish design coupled with solid sturdy construction makes it still one of the best bike racks on the market even after two decades. The arc design makes it mountable to most sedans SUVs and minivans and with a total weight of 70 lbs it can hold two bikes with ease. This is the ideal bike transport for novice and professional bikers alike.

Before we dive into our list, lets answer some of the common questions bike owners may have about owning a bike rack, particularly a Saris bike rack.

Is Saris a Good Bike Rack?

Many people consider Saris the go to bike rack for transporting your bikes from place to place. Not only has Saris been around a long time, but making bike racks is what they do. Saris began over two decades ago with the original Saris bones bike rack and has been innovating ever since.

Many of their bikes are surprisingly durable and lightweight thanks to the injection molded arms and arc based design. All of their racks feature high quality construction powered by years of market research and studying user feedback.

Beyond the legacy and construction, many users note that Saris bike racks are less expensive and higher quality than their competitors. Not only are they are superior choice for carrying bikes, they stand behind their products offering a lifetime warranty in most cases.

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Saris Bike Racks Reviews

Now we will dive into our list of The 7 Best Saris Bike Racks of 2023 Reviews (Everything You NEED To Know). In this list we chose the top bike racks for each type and those that were budget friendly and easy to mount. By the time you finish reading our list you’ll know everything you need to know about Saris Bike Racks.

1. Saris Bones 2 Bike Rack – Top Pick

The Bones 2 is the top selling bike rack for a reason. It has been around for over two decades and its style and function have stood the test of time. The entire saris bones line is known for their sturdy construction and style. The bones 2 is is capable of supporting both road bikes and mountain bikes and features a standard arc mounting bracket design. The moveable horizontal injection molded arms allow each bike to be held securely in place and the three additional straps attach to the seat and horizontal piping. The support arms are adjustable so that the rack can fit multiple vehicle types from cars to SUVs. The additional protection holds your bikes to the rack and eliminates worry.

The rack itself is made of sturdy injection mold plastic and is suitable for one bike or two up to 35 lbs each. The system is easy to mount and requires no tools or assembly. This makes it a snap to use even for the novice biker. Simply clamp it to your trunk and you’re ready to hit the road. You can’t go wrong with a bones rack.

Features:

Arc shaped mounting system with total capacity of 70lbs, additional straps provide secure storage, fits most vehicle trunks

Pros:

• Effortless Install
• Carries 2 Bikes up to 70 lbs
• Arc mount system fits most vehicle trunks and trunks with spoilers
• Saris backed warranty

Cons:

• Not suitable for excessive speeds (But we’re not putting a bike rack on a race car now are we?)

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2. Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack – Best Hanging Hitch Rack

Another saris bones rack, this one is a hanging rack for the hitch on your sport utility vehicle, minivan, or hatchback. Towing your bikes is a secure and easy way to transport multiple bikes at once and prevents damage to your vehicle from bike movement during transport. This particular Saris model is not only sturdier than its competitors thanks to the injection mold plastic build, it is also up to 25% lighter as well

The hitch comes pre assembled so all you have to do is follow the convenient instructions to install it to the back of your vehicle. It comes with a universal hitch mount so that it fits almost any vehicle. This hitch rack can also be titled downwards allowing you to access the rear of your vehicle. This is a rare feature among hitch racks, most take up the entirety of the back of your vehicle and block access once mounted. It also features anti sway bars to keep bikes from touching during transport and multiple tie downs. The ratchet straps are made well so as to ensure the safety of your bikes and protect their finish.

Features:

Universal hitch mount system, hanging hitch is designed to allow access to vehicle rear, holds 3 bikes securely.

Pros:

• Sturdy construction holds bikes securely
• Dual molded straps secure bikes to the rack
• Pre-assembled easy to mount rack
• Downward pivot allows for rear access while still carrying bikes

Cons:

• Costs a bit more than a trunk mounted rack (But for the value and security it’s a great deal)

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3. Saris Solo 1 Bike Rack – Best Single Bike Rack

This one is for the avid biker who doesn’t want to bother with a bulky trunk mounted system but still wants something to transport their bike to their favorite spot. According to Saris, the solo is the only trunk mounted one bike rack on the market and also the best. It also practical if you’re on a small budget. The injection molded arms and secure straps make it a solution for bike storage. Also, unlike the saris bones rack series, the solo is shorter and makes parking your vehicle easier. You can also open and close your trunk with the rack attached. Fits to most any vehicle.

The rack itself weighs only two pounds so that it is easy to store away when not in use. It also includes rubber feet to protect your vehicle’s finish. Like every Saris product it includes a lifetime warranty. Installation is as simple as hooking two clips into the top of your trunk, fastening them down and then hooking in the bottom clips and strapping in your bike with additional strap.

Features:

Slim easy mount rack, holds one bike up to 35 lbs, mounts to any vehicle, Saris lifetime warranty

Pros:

• Easy installation
• Weighs only 2 lbs
• Shorter to allow for easy parking
• Fits any vehicle

Cons:

• Bike may rattle at excessive speeds (But we’re not speed demons so it’s ok!)

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4. Saris SUPERBones 3 Bike Rack -Best Multipurpose Rack

You’d be forgiven for wondering what sort of rack this one is. Saris designed the SUPERBones as the culmination of its over 20 years in the marketplace. This one is perfect for occasional use or for those who don’t need access to their trunk but want a secure place to store their mountain bikes. The uniquely shaped injection molded arms are designed specifically to fit as many vehicles as possible. It can fit hatchbacks, sedans, or even flat backed vans. It is a perfect option for a non hitch vehicle.

The system is a snap to mount, simply fit the top and bottom clamps and use the lever in the center to reel in the straps. The rack is light, weighing just 35 pounds, but easily fits up to 3 bikes up to 35 pounds each. It comes with 3 sets of anti sway clamps and an additional cradle for the seat of your bike to ensure a secure hold.

Features:

Unique shape fits most every vehicle, locking mechanism holds bikes in place, able to fit up to 3 bikes weighing 35 lbs each

Pros:

• Specially designed to fit nearly any vehicle
• Locking mechanism secures bikes to the rack
• Additional straps and padding for added bike and vehicle protection

Cons:

• Can’t access your trunk (But it’s easy to unmount when you need your trunk again)

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5. Saris Bones 3 Bike Trunk Rack – Best Multi Bike Trunk Rack

Not as obscure as its cousin the SUPERBones, the standard bones is a traditional trunk rack great for transporting 3 bikes wherever you need them. It can store three bikes on different levels so that there’s space between them to prevent damage. One nice bonus as that this rack comes in different colors for the fashion conscious biking enthusiast. The arc design fits over spoilers as well so that even a small sedan with a spoiler can support this rack.

Unlike it’s bulkier cousin, this rack weighs only 11 lbs and uses tension mounted straps to secure your bikes in place. It even features the same quality injection molded arms of other models. The rack has all the features of other models including anti sway straps for secure transport and even features nylon clamps and foam or rubber feet prevent damage to your vehicles finish. This slim down rack is a great inclusion in the bones line and a great choice for transporting multiple bikes.

Features:

Arc design, tension based strap system secures bikes in place , rubber feet and vinyl coated clamps prevent vehicle damage

Pros:

• Lightweight multi bike rack
• Mounts to any vehicle trunk securely and without damage
• Tensioner straps make securing the rack and your bikes easy

Cons:

• No real drawbacks

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6 Saris SuperClamp – Best Platform Hitch

The saris SuperClamp is for the ultimate biking enthusiast. One of the first things you’ll notice about this rack is that it is surprisingly small despite being a 4 bike platform hitch rack. Not only that but it has a maximum weight capacity of 190 lbs and can support bikes up to 60 lbs each. This is like the industrial equivalent of a bike hitch. The rack is easy to install, it simply slides into your hitch. This system includes a lever that tilts the rack away from your vehicle so that you can access your trunk.

The wheelbases on the bike platforms will fit almost any bike size and the bars that separate the platforms are elevated to prevent the bikes from touching during transport. The system uses unique umbrella clamps to lock your bikes in place and is a great deterrent to theft once the bikes are fitted snugly in place. This heavy duty rack is great option for carrying bikes anywhere and everywhere.

Features:

Total carry weight of 190 lbs, sleek design and tilt away lever allows access to vehicle trunk, umbrella clamps lock securely and help prevent theft

Pros:

• Lightweight for a platform hitch
• Holds 4 bikes, up to 190 lbs securely
• Tilt away to access vehicle trunk
• Keeps bikes locked in place and separated during transit

Cons:

• Only fits 2″ hitches (However I hitch adaptor quickly solves that issue!)

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7 Saris Sentinel 2 Bike Rack – Best Budget Rack

Our final option is not a bones rack but another option for the budget conscious, out of the long line of Saris products. This one is an affordable option for two bikes and is good option over other more expensive bike racks. Unlike other bike racks on our list this one is designed to fold flat when not in use making it great for putting on and taking off when you need your trunk or want to carry your bike.

This system uses wraps to protect your bikes from rubbing each other and prevents movement during travel. Installation is relatively simple and takes less than 10 minutes total. The unique feature of this rack is the adjustable cradle system that adjusts to fit bikes of different widths. This is a perfect option for a weekend bike trip. It holds two bikes weighing 35 lbs each, up to a maximum of 70 lbs. A great option for carrying bikes without a ton of commitment.

Features:

Lightweight design holds two bikes, Unique adjustable cradles hold a variety of bike sizes, folds flat for easy storage when not in use

Pros:

• Easy 10 minute installation
• Affordable
• Secure wraps prevent damage
• Adjustable

Cons:

• Doesn’t have sway straps (But the bikes are held securely so there’s no need to fret)

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Why Are Bike Racks So Expensive?

The short answer to this question is that bike racks are expensive because they must be made sturdy enough to hold your bikes while moving down the highway at high speed. However, there are a number of factors that contribute to the cost of a bike rack.

The first contributor to the cost of your bike rack is the overall construction. Stronger materials generally cost more and therefore the price of the rack goes up. That’s where Saris bike racks have an edge. Saris uses injection molded plastic in many of their designs which provides excellent durability without the price tag of other materials such as steel. Furthermore, these other materials are heavier and can be cumbersome to mount onto cars or SUVs.

A second factor that contributes to the cost of your bike rack is the number of bikes it is designed to transport. One bike racks are generally less expensive than multi-bike units. It’s important to choose a bike rack that suits your needs. Saris offers a number of options from one bike trunk mount racks to multi-bike platform hitch racks. Another type of bike rack available in the market is roof-mounted, you can check our recent post about roof mounted bike racks review. Also, we have put together the some of the best inside car bike racks for your reference.

Lastly, the different types of bike racks have different cost points. Car trunk racks are usually less expensive options than hitch mounted systems for your SUV, Minivan, or Hatchback. There are also single arm and dual arm designs. The more complex the design, the higher the cost. It is important to mix secure storage with utility.

You may also like: Bike Racks for Prius

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What Are The Best Bike Racks For SUVs?

When choosing a bike rack for your SUV most often you’re going to want a hitch rack. Many Saris bike racks are universally mountable to the hitch of your SUV.

There are two types of hitch systems. Hanging rack systems support your bike with a bike beam that holds the bike up by the body and straps down with anti sway straps to hold the bikes in place. The benefits of these systems are that they are generally the cheaper of the two types and the hanging system often has a swing out or lowering system to allow you to access the rear of your vehicle.

The second type of hitch rack is a platform rack. These systems are ideal for carry bikes long distances. Platform systems are made to hold bikes in place by supporting each bike on its own individual tray. The bikes are anchored in place and are much more resistant to sway and bike to bike contact during travel. The downsides to these systems are that they are generally the most expensive type of bike rack and accessing the back of your SUV is difficult once one of these systems is mounted.

For more in-depth information about SUV bike racks, you might want to read our recent post.

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Which Hitch Bike Rack is Best?

The answer to that question depends on your needs. Hitch type rack systems are great for transporting your bike safely over long distances or when you need to carry several bikes. There are a few considerations when choosing a hitch bike rack. First off, how much are you willing to spend? Hitch racks tend to be more expensive than trunk style mount racks. For an avid biker, the extra cost is often worth it as hitch racks tracks transport your bikes securely.

More expensive road bikes or mountain bikes are worth protecting, in this case the security of a platform hitch rack is ideal. Not only can you transport multiple bikes, a platform hitch secures each bike individually and prevents bike sway during transit. However, if you are often in need of accessing the back of your vehicle, then a platform will be less convenient.

In these cases it is better to go with a hanging hitch rack. Hanging systems use a mounting bar and support arms to hold up your bikes by the body. They come in single or dual action arm systems and most hanging systems have anti sway straps included to prevent movement. Many of them also raise and lower to allow access to the back of your SUV or minivan. Great for the occasional biker needing to transport a couple of mountain bikes to their favorite trail.

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Why Do I Need A Trunk Rack?

Trunk racks are a great option for when you don’t have a hitch or don’t want the hassle of a hitch system. Saris makes a wide variety of trunk racks for single or multiple bikes. Their most popular is the saris bones series, built for a wide variety of bike styles and budgets. The bones rack in particular has a long legacy is one of the most popular the world over. What’s more, trunk racks can fit almost any vehicle. They are typically easy to install and easy to use. These systems typically mount to the trunk lid of your vehicle using a series of clamps and hold the bikes in place using a series of anti sway straps. They can be mounted at different levels and the arc based design on many saris models allows them to be mounted over spoilers if your car has one. Racks that strap to your trunk eliminate the need for internal storage and if you’re looking for a rack for your trunk the bones line from Saris a good choice. You might also want to opt for a Graber bike rack if you want to experience a quality bike rack without spending too much money.

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Final Thoughts

Now that you’re read our Saris bike racks review you’re got a good idea of the quality that Saris puts into their products. Bike racks can be handy tool to have for the novice or avid biker. Whether you’re looking for a hitch rack or a system for your vehicle’s trunk, Saris has the right product for you. With a brand that has been around for decades and a guarantee for quality, you can’t go wrong with a Saris product. All of the bones products are a great option for your trunk, however, we can’t deny that the Saris Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack is our top pick and the best selling bike rack in the world for a reason and one that you’ll not go wrong with. Make sure to check it out!