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Saris Bones RS car rack review

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Saris Bones RS

BikeRadar verdict

4.5 out of 5 stars

"Secure and easy to use, but very expensive for a boot-mounted rack"

7 comments
Wed 2 Sep 2009, 1:00 pm BSTBy

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How much? Yes, £210 is rather a lot to pay for a boot-mounted bike rack, but then the Bones RS is really rather good.

What sets it apart from other good rear-mounted cycle carriers is the belt-and-ratchet system to attach it to your car in place of the usual straps and buckles.

The steel belts fit loosely, then the ratchet lever tightens them for a secure fit. Most importantly, the belts stay tight, and can be locked in position with a key.

In practice, we found the Bones RS secure and stable. Build quality is much better than that of most cheaper racks, and the lifetime warranty is reassuring.

It just comes down to how much you’re prepared to spend. The Bones RS is one of the best rear-mounted bike carriers available, but the Bones 3 is almost as good and costs £75 less.

What's the score with BikeRadar reviews? You can find a full explanation of our ratings here.

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User Reviews

There are 7 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 comments

  • Lots more money than 'standard' strap-on racks, but IMHO this must be the best rack I have ever had. It rock solid, easy to install, no flapping straps, just a couple of semi-ridgid, rubber coated metal straps. The ratchet system is great, easy to use and gives you a sense of security.

    About the only thing that one could moan about (apart from cost) might be the weight, it is pretty heavy. I find that a good thing, but others may not agree.

  • Same as the Saris sentinal that costs 35 quid then?

    I've done 140mph on French motorways with 2 bikes hanging off the back with no wobble whatsoever. Only thing with using on a saloon is if you have deep section carbon rims, they do have to be removed first as they catch the wind, and cost you fuel in the process.

  • Great product. It is expensive but if you assume that you will have it for at lease four or five years I think it is money well invested. I did 2000 miles over three weeks with three bikes on the car. It stayed true, didn't move and the bikes were undamaged. That said my fuel efficiency dropped by as much as 25%.

    In conclusion buy this for the long term for good bike protection, quick set up and ease of use, it won't disaapoint.

  • got one of these on my bmw 335 coupe...brilliant...

  • following on from above,make sure you go to the saris website where it tells you which rack suit's your car make and model.

  • erm, evans is doing it for £179 here http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saris/bones-rs-3-bike-rack-ec008399?query=Saris

    anywhere chesper?

  • will this rack fit a toyota starlet (small hatchback)??

    i take it you can hold three bikes securely without risk of them banging together??

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Specification

Name:
Bones RS Bike Rack
Built by:
Saris Cycling Group
Price:
n/a

Features:
Ratcheting System eliminates straps and fits a wide range of vehicles - Integrated locking system adds security
Bike Capacity:
3 Bikes
Car Rack Type:
Rear Mounted

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