Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier, Mounts 2 Bikes, Black – Durable, Rust-Free, Anti-Sway Straps, Fits Most Vehicles, Made in USA, Arc-Based Design, 100% Recyclable Materials review

Saris Bones Car Trunk is worth considering if you need a trunk-mounted carrier for two bikes and your vehicle passes Saris’s fit check; the Amazon listing price is $189.8, and the manufacturer specifies a 35 lb limit per bike Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier… Compare Bike Racks – Saris. The sources also leave practical questions open: fit isn’t guaranteed for every car, reports on stability and durability are limited, and the rack has no security features according to one review.

• The Saris Bones 2 carries 2 bikes, with a maximum load of 35 lb per bike, and the manufacturer lists its weight as 9 lb Compare Bike Racks – Saris.
• The Amazon listing says the 2-bike product weighs 11 lb, differing from the manufacturer’s 9 lb specification Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier… Compare Bike Racks – Saris.
• The Amazon listing shows a price of $189.8 and a list price of $199.99 Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier….
• Saris directs buyers to its Trunk Fit Guide for vehicle fit tips Compare Bike Racks – Saris.

What’s the difference between the Saris Bones 2-Bike and 3-Bike racks?

The Saris Bones 2 holds 2 bikes, while the Saris Bones 3 holds 3; both have a manufacturer-listed maximum load of 35 lb per bike Compare Bike Racks – Saris. The shared per-bike limit matters: the extra position on the 3-bike model doesn’t raise the listed allowance for an individual bike.

The listed rack weights differ. Saris specifies 9 lb for the Bones 2 and 11 lb for the Bones 3 Compare Bike Racks – Saris. Both models use ratchet straps, according to Saris Compare Bike Racks – Saris. The available specifications don’t establish further differences in their features.

There is a separate figure to keep in mind when shopping for the 2-bike model. The Amazon listing says the product weighs 11 lb, whereas Saris lists the Bones 2 at 9 lb Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier… Compare Bike Racks – Saris. Those sources disagree; the available information doesn’t resolve the discrepancy. Treat each figure as its source’s stated specification, not as a measurement made for this review.

Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier, Mounts 2 Bikes, Black – Durable, Rust-Free, Anti-Sway Straps, Fits Most Vehicles, Made in USA, Arc-Based Design, 100% Recyclable Materials

$199.99 $189.8

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Which cars and hatchbacks fit the Saris Bones, and how can I check?

Saris describes trunk racks as an option for vehicles without a hitch receiver and directs buyers to its Trunk Fit Guide for fit tips Compare Bike Racks – Saris. That guide is the sensible place to check your specific vehicle before purchase.

The review says the Bones 2’s adjustable support arms fit a wide range of vehicles, but that is a review finding, not a guarantee that every car or hatchback will fit Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. The Amazon listing separately claims compatibility with most vehicles, including vehicles with spoilers Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier…. A broad claim like “most” can’t settle whether your particular hatch, trunk, or spoiler arrangement is compatible.

The available sources don’t provide a definitive list of compatible cars or hatchbacks. Check the fit guide for your exact vehicle rather than relying only on the listing’s general compatibility language. The sources don’t confirm a fit for any vehicle not specifically covered by that guide.

How much does the Saris Bones cost, and what parts or accessories are available?

The Amazon listing shows the Saris Bones 2-bike rack at $189.8, with a list price of $199.99 Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier…. A separate review source records a $200 price Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. These are different reported prices from different sources, not a single verified current price; the review source’s figure shouldn’t be treated as the present listing price.

For a bike with an unusually shaped frame, the review says Saris recommends a Bike Beam, which creates a straight tube for the rack to hold Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. That’s the accessory information available here. The supplied sources don’t provide its price, a complete accessory catalogue, or prices and availability for replacement parts.

If you need a replacement component or want to know whether a particular accessory is included, the available evidence doesn’t answer that. The listing description names straps and rack features, but it isn’t a complete parts catalogue. Check what the seller or manufacturer provides for the exact item you’re considering.

How do you install and adjust a Saris Bones on a car trunk?

The review says the rack comes ready to attach and requires no assembly out of the box Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. Attaching it uses six points: three straps are threaded through the rack, and each strap has a hook and cam-lock buckle at each end Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated.

Positioning matters. The review’s guidance is to set the lower arms against the vehicle’s bumper, not against the hatch or trunk lid Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. That gives you a specific adjustment point to check as you place the rack; the supplied sources don’t provide vehicle-specific installation instructions for every car.

The Amazon listing calls installation quick and easy and describes ratchet and spring-buckle straps Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier…. That is listing language, not an independently verified finding here. The review’s account of no out-of-box assembly and the six attachment points offers more concrete setup details, but it doesn’t establish how easy installation will be on your particular vehicle. Follow the fit guidance for your car and check the lower-arm position before loading bikes.

What do owners and reviewers say about stability, ease of use, and durability?

One forum participant said they carried a roughly 40 lb e-bike and a 25 lb Raleigh on the rack without incident on an Accord or Camry. That’s an individual account, not a general capacity test or confirmation that those loads are within the manufacturer’s limit. Saris lists a maximum of 35 lb per bike Compare Bike Racks – Saris.

In a separate review, two plastic screws that hold the support arms in position stripped and became unusable during testing Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. That reported problem is worth weighing against the Amazon listing’s claims of a strong frame and rust-free durability, which remain manufacturer listing language rather than independently established results here Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier….

A forum participant also described reinforced sheeting they had bought as lasting through at least five years and multiple winter trips, while using about a quarter of the roll. That is the participant’s experience with the sheeting; it isn’t evidence about the rack’s durability. Taken together, these accounts are limited and don’t establish how the rack will perform for every owner.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How does the Saris Bones compare with Thule trunk-mounted racks?

The Saris Bones 2 provides a clear baseline: Saris lists capacity for 2 bikes, a maximum of 35 lb per bike, and a rack weight of 9 lb Compare Bike Racks – Saris. The Amazon listing gives a different weight figure of 11 lb for the 2-bike product Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier….

The supplied sources contain no Thule model specifications, vehicle-fit details, or prices. That means there’s no supported way here to compare capacity, fit, or cost across the two brands, or to say which is better.

For a fair comparison, you need the exact Thule model and its published capacity, per-bike limit, weight, fit information for your vehicle, and price. Until those details are available alongside the Saris information, a brand-level recommendation would go beyond the evidence. You can use the Saris figures as a reference point, but they don’t tell you what a particular Thule rack offers.

Can the Saris Bones scratch a car or leave bikes vulnerable to theft?

One forum participant reported no paint-chipping issues from the rack clips and said they place a folded wet paper towel under the two large rubber feet. That’s one person’s precaution and experience, not proof that the rack can’t scratch a vehicle.

The Amazon listing says the rubberized feet protect the car’s finish Saris Bones Car Trunk Bicycle Rack Carrier…. That is a listing claim; it doesn’t establish the outcome on every vehicle or with every installation. Fit and careful placement are still worth considering, particularly because the available sources don’t supply a universal fit list or a guarantee against paint damage.

Security is a separate concern. The review reports that the rack has no security features and leaves both the bikes and the rack vulnerable to theft Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated. The sources don’t describe an included security solution. Don’t treat the listing’s stability language as theft protection: it describes how the bikes are held, not a security feature. Consider that limitation when deciding where and how to leave the vehicle parked.

Are trunk-mounted bike racks banned anywhere, and how can I check local rules?

The available sources provide no location-specific rules and no evidence of a general ban on trunk-mounted bicycle racks. They also don’t establish whether a rack is permitted on a particular route or in a particular location.

That leaves a practical question for you to check before driving: whether the applicable local rules permit the rack in the place you plan to use it. The evidence here doesn’t name laws, authorities, or restrictions, so it can’t settle that question on your behalf.

Check the rules that apply to your route and destination before setting out. This review can describe the product specifications and the installation guidance in its sources, but it can’t confirm legal permission for any specific location. If you can’t verify that permission, the available information doesn’t support assuming the rack is allowed.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

What are people saying about the Saris Bones bike rack?

Reports are limited and mixed in what they cover. One owner described carrying two bikes without incident, while a review reported two support-arm screws stripping during testing Saris Bones 2-Bike Review | Tested & Rated.

What is the best bike carrier for the car trunk?

The supplied sources don’t compare enough trunk racks to establish which is best. The Saris Bones 2 is listed for 2 bikes at 35 lb per bike, but fit should be checked for your vehicle Compare Bike Racks – Saris.

Which is better, Saris or Thule bike rack?

The available sources don’t include Thule specifications, fit details, or prices, so they can’t support a brand comparison. You’d need the exact Thule model and its fit information to compare it with the Saris Bones Compare Bike Racks – Saris.

Why is there a bike rack ban?

The available sources provide no evidence of a general bike-rack ban or location-specific rules. They can’t establish whether a rack is allowed on your route or at your destination, so check the applicable local rules before driving.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.