With some refined tweaks to the traditional Bones design, the brand new Saris Bones EX affords all of the practicality of earlier fashions however now suits much more autos, together with these with rear spoilers. Add some upgrades, notably to the bike tie-downs, and you have got the most effective three-bike rear-mounted cycle carriers in the marketplace.
Pros: Now suits extra autos, new tie-downs defend bikes and work properly, nice construct high quality, very steady in use
Cons: Setting it up could be irritating, ‘strap administration’ Velcro straps are slightly fundamental, look ahead to rubbing on paintwork with lengthy-time period use
Anybody acquainted with earlier Saris Bones boot-mounted cycle carriers will not discover something too overwhelming with this new EX model. Indeed, the one main variations to earlier Bones three-bike carriers is a novel canine-leg design to the 2 higher legs with constructed-in strap guides – which permits it to suit on autos with spoilers – together with some premium bike tie-downs. However, that is not such a foul factor as the unique Bones design is a contemporary traditional.
Fitting
As the EX is so just like earlier Bones fashions, which means becoming is as easy – or as irritating – as at all times. I do know the fantastic thing about the Saris system is that it suits so many autos – and Saris says the EX will now match 90% of autos – however getting it sorted in your personal particular automobile takes a little bit of endurance, particularly as this model does not have the locking lever arms or built-in straps of the Super Bones Three.
The Bones EX includes 4 legs – two to relaxation towards the highest of your automobile’s rear, two to relaxation towards the underside of your automobile’s rear – and two arms to hold the bikes.
To transfer every of those legs or arms into the proper place, it’s a must to undo slightly black locking button, then slide the arm or leg to the central unsplined part. Put the arm or leg the place you need it, then slide it again over the splined part, and tighten the black locking button to maintain it in place.
No matter how properly you suppose you have acquired the legs positioned first time, I assure it will take you a few goes to get every thing good. At the top of the 4 legs are rubber toes, which make the precise contact along with your boot or hatch.
Emanating from inside the central cylinder are six straps and hooks, that are labelled and latch on to your boot or hatch rim: two on the high, two on the backside, and two on the aspect.
Put them in place, tighten the straps – which appear to take slightly extra pressure with this model because the strap ratchets chew very firmly when not pressed to launch – then use the brand new useful ‘strap administration system’ (actually, simply built-in Velcro straps) to tidy every thing up.
(Remember, if the bikes obscure your quantity plate, you will have to make use of an extra quantity plate board to remain authorized.)
Performance
In pure numbers, the Saris Bones EX Three-Bike can carry three cycles as much as 35lb or 16kg every, with a complete load of 105lb/48kg. That needs to be greater than sufficient for typical household bikes and even some pretty critical mountain bikes. Keeping the bikes in place on the carrying arm has by no means been higher, with the brand new premium bike maintain-downs being superb, providing wonderful cushioning for body and a safe maintain. The little finger loop to tug them tight by means of the ratchet clasp helps quite a bit, too.
As with all two or three-bike cycle carriers, it takes a little bit of juggling to load up a full complement, however the Bones EX is nearly as accommodating as you will discover. Remove the pedals, put a little bit of pipe lagging across the frames at seemingly contact factors, and you will not have any issues. On the street, other than a little bit of wobbling over street bumps and potholes, there’s by no means any want for concern – every thing stays impressively strong.
Value and conclusion
For individuals with even wider considerations than simply carrying three bikes in security, the Saris Bones EX has another bonuses. As it’s primarily constructed from rust-free injection moulded plastic, it is assured for all times. It’s additionally comprised of recycled supplies. It folds up small for storage (though which means you will must undergo the rigmarole of repositioning the legs and arms subsequent time you utilize it!). And its articulated rubber toes, Saris says, defend your automotive’s paintwork. That final declare I would take with a dose of warning. I’ve seen a Saris Solo 1 single bike service with comparable toes take the paint off a Nissan Micra with prolonged use, and the one evaluation of the EX on the Saris web site at time of writing complained of an analogous state of affairs, so be warned.
That caveat apart, this can be a very full cycle service. Compared to the £310 Thule Raceway 992 or the £350 Saris Super Bones, this can be a extra easy setup and that reveals within the value. However, for all my moaning about getting the legs/arms positioned accurately, it nonetheless feels and performs like a high-class product. Indeed, in its personal approach, forgoing the refinements of the Super Bones (a product which I personal as properly) truly offers the Bones EX a barely extra strong, much less gimmicky really feel.
> Buyer’s Guide: 11 of the most effective automotive cycle racks
The Saris Bones EX Three-Bike has all of the qualities that made the unique Bones cycle carriers a legend, with a couple of alternative updates that work properly. And now it is appropriate with much more autos. Which means, placing my neck on the road, I would say that for £200 that is the most effective boot-mounted cycle service with the widest attraction you are more likely to discover.
Verdict
The greatest simply acquired slightly higher with enhanced compatibility for extra autos and a few efficient upgrades
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Make and mannequin: Saris Bones EX Three-Bike Carrier
Tell us what the product is for and who it is aimed toward. What do the producers say about it? How does that evaluate to your personal emotions about it?
The Saris Bones EX Three-bike is a boot or rear hatch-mounted cycle service that can settle for three bikes as much as 16kg / 35lb every.
Saris says: “What happens when you take the most popular trunk rack of all time and expand its vehicle compatibility by 20%? Spoiler Alert: you get the Bones EX. Cultivated in the mind of Italian designer Fabio Pedrini and brought to life in our Wisconsin-based facility, the Bones EX features a unique and game-changing leg. Featuring a leg that gracefully avoids contact with most plastic spoilers found on many of the best-selling sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs, the Bones EX now fits 20% more vehicles than its legendary predecessor. And that’s not all. We’ve decked out the Bones EX with premium bike hold downs and a handy strap management system in a shade that never goes out of style.”
Tell us some extra in regards to the technical elements of the product?
From Saris:
Carries Three bikes (as much as 35lb / 16kg every).
Unique dogleg design accommodates most spoilers, together with these on in style sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs.
Premium bike maintain-downs which can be straightforward to make use of and fast to load.
Integrated strap administration system supplies clear look and eliminates flapping straps.
Best-in-class ratchet straps speedily fasten bike to the rack.
Built with 100% recyclable supplies.
Rust-free injection molded plastic.
Articulated rubber toes to guard paint.
Arc–based mostly design separates bikes on totally different ranges.
Lightweight at 11lb / four.9kg.
Lifetime guarantee.
Rate the product for high quality of building:
9/10
Almost good building. I would solely complain in regards to the new strap administration Velcro straps, that are an added bonus however slightly fundamental.
Rate the product for efficiency:
10/10
Fantastic – tremendous-strong bike carrying.
Rate the product for sturdiness:
10/10
So easy and powerful, I can not see something failing for an extended, very long time. In any case, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Rate the product for weight (if relevant)
eight/10
Just underneath 5kg appears very affordable.
Rate the product for worth:
eight/10
£200 actually is not extreme for a product as properly designed and strong as this, particularly when in comparison with the Thule Raceway 992 or the Saris Super Bones, that are each dearer.
Tell us how the product carried out general when used for its designed goal
The Saris Bones EX Three-bike is solely excellent. Very steady and safe, and it takes care of your bikes.
Tell us what you notably appreciated in regards to the product
New canine leg design, new strap guides, new bike tie-downs and traditional Bones simplicity and stability.
Tell us what you notably disliked in regards to the product
Getting it fitted first time.
Did you take pleasure in utilizing the product? Yes
Would you take into account shopping for the product? Yes
Would you advocate the product to a good friend? Yes
Use this field to clarify your general rating
The Saris Bone EX Three-bike is simply in regards to the good rear-mounted cycle service, with the traditional Bones’ easy however extremely-steady design, now with some noticeable upgrades and enhanced compatibility for much more autos. As such, it is exhausting to seek out something to criticise, simply be cautious of paintwork rubbing with prolonged use.
Age: 39 Height: 6’zero Weight: 16 stone
I normally trip: Islabikes Beinn 29 My greatest bike is: 25-year-outdated Dawes Galaxy
I have been using for: Over 20 years I trip: Most days I might class myself as: Experienced
I commonly do the next kinds of using: commuting, touring, sportives, common health using, mountain biking, leisure
