Comparing Installation of Saris Bones 3 To Yakima and Thule Trunk Mounted Rack on 2008 Lexus IS 250

Question

Question:

The loops that actually hold the bike seem to make attaching a bike easier than the rubber loops, but since they are plastic, has the buckle broken on some of them, or do they get loose? What if it does? Also, they seem spaced so close together - if you have three bikes, will they rub up against each other? Will they sway and rub up against each other if its windy? Will I need other straps or attachments to prevent this? What lock or cable can I use to prevent theft and is it easy to attach? You may have mentioned this, but there is so much info here! I am a small 5 ft woman - and I dont have a lot of arm and hand strength - how easy is the installation and attaching the bikes compared to the Yakima and Thule? I have a 2008 Lexus is 250, and need to get a rack and any needed extras before Jan 22. I have a womans and boys 14-yr, so not full-sized mtn bike to shlep, but want room for a third bike. Thank you!

asked by: Selene T

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I can help answer the questions you have about the Saris Bones 3 # SA801BL.

You are correct that the plastic ratcheting cradles will make attaching the bike to the rack easier than the rubber straps. Typically the rubber will stretch easier in warmer climates and loosen up after repeated use. You are also correct that because they are plastic they have a higher chance of breaking especially in colder weather conditions. We haven't heard of any cases of the buckle breaking or coming loose, but if the buckle or plastic breaks, we sell replacements right here on our site, and if you can't find what you need, feel free to ask.

The cradles on this Saris Bones rack are fixed to their position unlike some of the Yakima or Thule racks that can be adjusted. When you load your bike on the rack they should be opposite facing as the previous bike, so handle bars to the driver side on bike #1, then handlebars to the passenger side on bike #2, and again back to handle bars to driver side on bike #3. This will help prevent them from rubbing against each other. The Saris Bones 3 also has anti sway cradles which are mounted underneath the one side of the cradle for the bike frame to be secured. This will aid in keeping the bikes from rubbing or swinging and impacting each other. You may also want to use a bike tire strap to keep the handlebars and tires from coming in contact, like the # SR54FR.

Since you have a women's framed bike and a youth bike you will most likely need the bike frame adapter to accommodate the alternative frames, the Yakima # Y02531 will do that for you, make sure to get one for each bike if needed. If the frame is straight on the youth mountain bike, the nice thing about this Saris rack is that you can adjust the distance that the arms are from each other.

According to Saris, if you get the Bones 3-bike your 2008 Lexus IS 250, it needs the hatch hugger # SA3035 to replace the lower hooks so that they can be installed in the trunk of your vehicle. This will help deter theft of the rack because a component of attachment is within the vehicle. Saris also has a cable lock to lock the bikes to the rack # SA981. You would just weave this lock through the bikes and around the rack to prevent the bikes from being able to be removed from the rack.

The Saris rack is only about 13lbs. unloaded so installation and attaching the bikes should be simple and easy. The Yakima # Y02633 weighing 29lbs and the Thule # TH56BV weighing 18.2 lbs. are going to be similarly installed with Thule being the easiest and easy to load. The advantage of the Thule rack listed above is that it has a built in locking device to secure the bikes to the rack and they will also have the versatile spacing of the cradles. The Yakima rack listed also has locks for both the rack and the bikes. and has the adjustable cradles.

I have included a few videos of the different trunk mounted racks being installed on similar vehicles to your Lexus for you to check out.