I’m currently using a Thule trunk bike rack and it’s a little tight for my Cannondale Slice. I tried fitting my bike on it today and it scruffed the frame slightly. Anyone using a bike rack that is more suitable for TT/Tri frames? Any opinions on Saris Bones?
You could buy something like the Mud Sak and then put some foam on the side to protect it from other bikes on the rack (cheap foam pad for camping). Then you would be able to use a trunk rack. Otherwise you can use a fork mounted rack…but they are not sold often; as they are no longer made.
Stephen J
I’m looking for the same thing.
As far as I can see, the Saris Bones looks like the best bet so far. My Ordu will not fit on my hitch mounted rack and I have a week at the beach coming up soon.
-Steve
I have a Saris Bones 3 & love it. Piece of cake to install & holds tight.
I’ve only put 2 tri bikes on it…I wouldn’t do 3. I take some old socks or rags & wrap them around top tube where straps clamp, haven’t had a scratch yet.
If I were in the market now, I’d look at the Bones RS as well.
another vote for the saris bones. i have the 3 bike rack as well. my bike has never gotten scratched from it and i dont wrap anything around it.
just hitch it and go.
my trunk on the other hand does get scratched from the rack. but that has happened on multiple cars and racks that ive owned
I’m currently using a Thule trunk bike rack and it’s a little tight for my Cannondale Slice. I tried fitting my bike on it today and it scruffed the frame slightly. Anyone using a bike rack that is more suitable for TT/Tri frames? Any opinions on Saris Bones?
The Bones works fairly well. Just have a quick-tie (or something) handy for the seat tube to better secure it during travel.
Here’s how it looks on a Honda Insight:
No issues traveling to/from Houston (~180 miles, each way) at highway speeds.
Sounds like the Saris Bones is a winner. Why is the Bones RS so much more expensive? What’s the advantage?
The Bones RS attaches with a pair of clips to the trunk lip at the bottom and a pair of retractable steel cable straps at the top. VERY fast to attach than the 6 standard nylon straps of the standard Bones. Also more secure, as the steel straps are lockable so the rack can be locked to the car.
I have a cheap Graber (merged/bought out by Saris I believe) trunk rack. I just bought a bunch of foam pipe insulation (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100539941/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) and wrapped both the bike rack with it using electrical tape. I use some spare pieces on my frame to protect it. No scratches so far.
Just my 2 cents… I can’t imagine having a vehicle where I couldn’t fit the whole bike inside. My pickup slurps the gas, but bike rides in the covered bed like a baby in a crib. Put a nice blanket down for it. The only thing I didn’t do was give it a bottle of warm milk. With my 2-3 bags and boxes of gear, the bike never slides around.
Even fit my buddy’s bike in the cab after removing the front wheel and turning the handlebars - BARELY. But safe and snug.
Can’t take the front wheel off and fit it inside?!? I’m sure you tried…
Just my 2 cents… I can’t imagine having a vehicle where I couldn’t fit the whole bike inside. Can’t take the front wheel off and fit it inside?!? I’m sure you tried…
I have a 2000 Honda Civic Si 2-door and I can fit my road and tri bike in the trunck if I fold down the rear seat and remove the front tire. Theres plenty of room left for my helmet, shoes and backpack for my commute to and from work.
Can’t take the front wheel off and fit it inside?!? I’m sure you tried…
On that note:
My 58cm frame with giant aerobars fits in the back seat of my 2002 Subaru Impreza sedan (which is a very compact car) once I take both wheels off. If you’re only transporting 1 bike, I can’t imagine a vehicle other than a ForTwo which couldn’t accept a bike internally. It takes a bit more time to pack and unpack, but probably no more time total than installing and uninstalling the bike rack. Plus you get better fuel economy.
It has also fit in a 2002-2008 generation Corolla sedan.