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Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09) | $159.99
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Saris Bones 3 Car Rack

BikeRadar verdict

45 out of 5 stars

"Extremely easy to use, well built and secure. Not cheap, but worth it"

By David Motton, Cycling Plus

The Saris Bones has been around for a few years, but the design still looks fresh. That’s not top priority when choosing a rack, but when most rear-mounted carriers look a bit agricultural, there’s no harm in a little bit of style – especially when the performance backs it up.

No assembly is needed – the Bones 3 is ready to use straight out of the box. Fitting it just requires loosening the arms and legs and adjusting them to suit the shape of your car.

The instructions are clear, with an easy-to-follow mix of diagrams, pictures and clearly written steps. Even the hooks (six in total) are labelled so you know if they should attach to the top, the bottom or the side of the boot opening. The Bones 3 can carry three bikes, and a lifetime warranty is included in the price.

Manufacturers description

# Injection-molded arms and legs are the strongest on the market. # Built with 100% recyclable, non-rusting materials. # Ratcheting anti-sway straps secure and stabilize bikes. # Arc-based design fits over most spoilers,and separates bikes on different levels.

User Reviews

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  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    I have had this rack for a couple of years and have found it to be excellent.

    It is quick and easy to fit to the car and is rock solid. I have used it on a Ford Focus and a Ford galaxy people carrier with no problems. I don't agree that it's fiddly to fit. For me it's fitted in no time and I'm away.

    The build qulity is excellent.

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    I bought this back in 05 in its grey incarnation. It has fitted everything i have put it on from small hatchbacks, people carrier, sports car and currently my saloon. Is really easy to fit to pretty much any vehicle. The ratchet straps alone wont lock the bikes very securely, but with the help of an obligatory bungee or two everything cooshty. I actually paid £45 for mine new from halfords on offer as it was the last one in the shop. Its strong too, my rig weighs close to 40lb and causes virtually no flex at all in the structure. Would recommend very highly but shop around. You can get them for much cheaper than the price quoted here.

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    It was a bit fiddly to fit the first two times I attached it but you rapidly learn the best way to install and now it takes next to no time to set up. So far I haven't had a need for extra straps or bungees, although I do use a bungee to stop my front wheel from spinning and my handlebar turning but that's just because I don't like to see any movement out of the corner of my eye, making me think the bike is coming off!

    It is quite adaptable and holds a small framed mountain bike and a regular road bike securely despite the big difference in frame sizes. It is was about the only removable option that would fit over the spoiler on my car (without having a tow ball fitted).

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    I too have found this rack to be exellent, sturdy even with 2 DH rigs attached..!!

    It also come with a Lifetime gaurantee so i feel very safe with it.

    The bikes dont swing into each other and get damaged so thats a winner if you ask me..

    And it folds up for easy storage when riding.

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    I got a Bones 3 for £90 from Winstanleys. Although it's well made and adaptable, the plastic cradles for the top tubes and the plastic stubs for the hold-down straps are moulded into the arms and prevented my full suss Meta 5.5 and my wife's small frame hardtail Trek from from fitting whatever we did with the arm spacing. A reasonable open framed hardtail should fit, as should most road bikes, but this carrier is just not suitable for full suss mtbs.......and it cost me 11 quid to send it back!

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    I've had this bones 3 bike for 6 months and love it. We regularly drive 3-4 hours with at least 2 full sus bikes on board and it's been fantastic. The straps lose no tension and when tightened up properly, which is a sinch, the bikes don't move at all. We own a new golf and it fits perfectly to it but we've also tried it on friends cars and it fitted perfectly to theirs as well. A brilliant option for those that don't want to buy roof fitted racks.

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    The rack itself was fitted in about 20 minutes the first time. After that though, it was literally 2 minutes to get on or off - dead simple.

    My road bike went on like a dream. Absolute piece of cake. My wife's "ladies" bike was quite tricky but I got it on in the end.

    BUT (and its a big but)

    it would not take my full sus mountain bike at all, no matter what I did. For this reason I returned it. If you have road bikes then its great. If you have a ladies bike then its fiddly or you can get another accessory that effectively creates a crossbar so its easy to fit. If you have a full sus mountain bike, theres a good chance its not going to fit (although some reviews appear to have managed to fit their bike - must depend on the shape) - so make sure you try first.

    Also - be aware that you will probably need a lighting board as on my car it concealed the number plate and lights.

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    Have used the saris 3 on my Golf for over a year now. First time was carrying 2 adult MTB's & i child MTB through the Highlands (over the Glenshee Road) held the bikes really well.

    Once piece of advice the upper straps have marked the paintwork slightly (this will polish out) but I'm going to put on some Bike tape (or helicopter tape) where the straps meet the paintwork for some added protection.

    Also the saris website has an installation video guide which is really helpful.

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    In regards to not being ideal for a full suss...it is a bit of a task, but I can fit on my Lapierre Spicy.

    I have to put it on before the other bikes (hardtails) and leave the arms loose until it's on to move them closer together, as the depth of the arms where the straps are is a tight squeeze between the top tube and the rear shock. To get past these i have to angle the bike backwards and forwards and wriggle a little (the bike not me)

    When fitted, and with the leftover of the straps tied around the wheels and handlebars, the bikes and rack are very secure on the road.

    It looks cool, is easy to fit to the car, and well built with a lifetime warranty.

    P.s. my petite girlfriend can fit it no probs even with her spaghetti wrists

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    Bit tight for 3 bikes but the fit is perfect for 2.

    Good attachments to the car mean no damage not like some others on the market. Easy to fit in only a few minutes & fully adjustable to suit most cars.

    5/5 - wouldn't swap

    0.3
  • User review of Saris Cycling Group Bones 3-Bike (09)

    very good, fits my full suss bikes with no more issues then any other bike carrier, rather expensive if you pay retail for it.

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
Bones 3-Bike (09)
Built by:
Saris Cycling Group
Price:
$159.99

Weight (g):
5000 g
Available Colours:
Blue, Green, Grey, Red, Yellow
Load Capacity (kg):
48 kg
Bike Capacity:
3 Bikes
Car Rack Type:
Rear Mounted

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