Trunk Mount - Saris Bones 2 Bike Rack & New MT Bike

[kuyachris84]

Hey everyone, just wanted to share with you this trunk mount bike rack called the Saris. Rhymes with yaris... lol.

This is how I'll be transporting my bicycle from now on. :biggrin:

Anyways, here's some pictures and a link to the website of the product. The bike is a Mongoose Snare, bought at walmart. Nothing too hardcore, just need something to ride around the block or some trails to get some exercise.

http://www.saris.com/p-300-bones-2-bike.aspx

(Sorry for the bad quality pics, took it with my cell phone)


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[Revsson]

Thanks for the pics. I have a Saris Bones but with the ability to carry 3 bikes.
That carrier has 4 legs instead of three, which just seems more stable.
I haven't even tried it out yet on the Yaris. Usually, it is just my own bike, but I
thought I would like the ability to transport a couple of friend's bikes.
Only downside is that the 3 bike carrier sticks out farther. Perhaps I should trade
someone. My carpooling buddy with the Yaris has a bike carrier that is smaller,
(non-Saris), but I don't like the way it is secured to the car, and his has to be slightly
off-center due to the rear wiper. I like the way the Saris clears the wiper.

I had seen some posts from a year or so ago that used the hitch mount, which looked
rather clean. However, there was a lot of discussion, both pro and con about not
mounting a trailer hitch, even for a bicycle.

BTW, Saris is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. :headbang:
Just had a get a plug in for the Badger State !!

[kuyachris84]

i remember that post with the hitch rack, looks very clean. I've seen a red yaris in my area with a hitch rack. I'd go with one if I could. The Saris Bones 2 isn't a bad rack, but I wouldn't recommend it for long distance trips. It seems more for short distances.

[MadMax]

Be careful with that rack, if the bike swings it will do some nasty stuff to the plastics on your Yaris!

I have an old bike shuttle that holds the bikes vertically to the car (as opposed to horizontally) but I have yet to use it on the Yaris as I either steal the wife's minivan or take my Jeep when I haul my Cannondales! But now that we live within five miles of one of the largest natural areas in Texas, I can ride to some of the best trails in the state! Five miles in the other direction I can be at a city park that has an intricate network of trails that run along a creek valley for several miles in both directions.

If it just wasn't so dang hot here right now!

Cheers! M2

[MadMax]

BTW, Saris is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. :headbang:
Just had a get a plug in for the Badger State !!

I work with a guy who was Buckingham U. "Bucky" Badger when he was at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The funny thing is he worked with me in Sarajevo, Bosnia back in 1998, and this past year he took a job with our program. We are in different locations, but we talk all the time and I still refer to him as "Bucky" :headbang:

Cheers! M2

[kuyachris84]

I changed how the Saris is seated, in the instructions it says its suppose to have more of an arc... so I think the guy that put it on yesterday on my car didn't put it on right. Here's some pictures again with it reseated ... I think it's more stable now but it still worries me a little bit because the top arm that touches the windows leaves its spot a bit when a bike actually is hung on the rack. I'm not sure if it's suppose to do that...hmmm. You can see this in the last picture.. One problem I found so far is that there are black plastic screws to tighten the arms and I'm pretty sure they can be easily broken so I'll be checking a hardware store to see if I can find any metal screws which won't break. Even with the arm (top arm... touching the window) hanging away a bit, it seems pretty stable... haven't driven far with it yet... so we'll see. ^^

Here's some better quality pics.

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[CTScott]

That pressure point on the rear window doesn't seem like a good idea.

[cleong]

Plus the straps resting on your rear spoiler. It could end in tears quite easily.

[Mead]

Thanks for the pics, looks good.

[Revsson]

That pressure point on the rear window doesn't seem like a good idea.

I am not a mechanical engineer, but it seems that most of the weight
is going down on the lower pads. It worked well on my Geo Metro for
several years without trouble.



I changed how the Saris is seated, in the instructions it says its suppose to have more of an arc... so I think the guy that put it on yesterday on my car didn't put it on right. Here's some pictures again with it reseated ... I think it's more stable now but it still worries me a little bit because the top arm that touches the windows leaves its spot a bit when a bike actually is hung on the rack. I'm not sure if it's suppose to do that...hmmm. You can see this in the last picture.. One problem I found so far is that there are black plastic screws to tighten the arms and I'm pretty sure they can be easily broken so I'll be checking a hardware store to see if I can find any metal screws which won't break. Even with the arm (top arm... touching the window) hanging away a bit, it seems pretty stable... haven't driven far with it yet... so we'll see.

Actually, I think you had it right the first time, as there was an arc. As you
mentioned, with the weight of the bike, now you have that upper pad
coming away from the window. I wouldn't like that, though the straps are
still holding it in place. It also seems as though the bike is farther away from
the bumper, which could be a good thing.

I'll have to try mine out before I make too many comments, but I think I
might try to have the side straps go to the area above the tail lights for
more lateral support. :iono:

I haven't had any problems with those screws coming loose, but I do know
what you mean.

Also, looking at the upper strap hooks, your's looks different than mine.
Not sure how old your's is, but mine has the larger S hooks on the top.
Have a look at the pdf?
http://www.saris.com/pdfManuals/300.pdf

My buddy has an older one in grey, which I will have to check out the size
of his S hooks. If I get a chance, I'll take some pics.
Mine is blue and newer, (bought it used). I would think the grey would look
better with my MM HB, but I suppose it doesn't matter since I haven't used
it on the Yaris yet. :redface:

[Revsson]

I work with a guy who was Buckingham U. "Bucky" Badger when he was at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The funny thing is he worked with me in Sarajevo, Bosnia back in 1998, and this past year he took a job with our program. We are in different locations, but we talk all the time and I still refer to him as "Bucky" :headbang:

Cheers! M2

There is a television anchor for the Milwaukee FOX station that used to
be a Bucky Badger. Apparently, he is the only Bucky fired from that
position because he swapped mascot suits with someone as a prank. :tongue:
UW officials didn't like it I guess. :frown:

[kuyachris84]

k, thanks Revsson, I believe you're right. The first way was correct. So far its been holding up good the first way I had it.