The Ultimate Guide to Saris Bike Racks: Trunk, Hitch & Specialty Options

Finding the right bike rack for your car can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options on the market. To help you choose the best Saris rack for your needs, start by considering three key things:

1. Your vehicle: Make, model, and year all influence rack compatibility. 
2. Your setup: Did your vehicle come with a hitch? Are you driving a truck with a tailgate? Where would you prefer to carry bikes on your car?
3. Your bikes: Are you transporting road bikes, eBikes, mountain bikes, or bikes for kids?
   

This guide will walk you through our line-up of trunk, hitch, and specialty racks to help you choose the right one for you with confidence.

Types of Car Racks

Explore the three main styles of Saris bike racks - trunk, hitch, and specialty - and use the comparison chart below to find the best type of bike rack for you and your ride.

 

Trunk Racks Trunk-mounted racks attach to your car using straps and hooks. They're lightweight, budget-friendly, and don’t require a hitch receiver, making them a popular choice for casual cyclists.

 

Hitch Racks Hitch racks attach directly to a vehicle's hitch receiver. Doing so allows hitch racks to carry heavier bikes and be more stable while traveling down the road.  Available in platform and hanging styles, some are even able to work with vehicles with spare tires.

 

Specialty Racks Our specialty racks are designed for vehicles like pickup trucks or vans, such as tailgate pads and interior truck-bed fork mounts.

Compare Types of Bike Racks

Type of Rack	Type of Bikes	Type of Vehicles	Pros	Cons
Trunk	Traditional bikes that weigh up to 35 pounds; includes kids, road, gravel, commuter, cruiser bikes	Fits a wide range of vehicles without hitches	* Affordable and lightweight   * Easy to install, remove, and store   * Hitch receiver not required	* Limited bike weight capacity   * May obstruct rear visibility   * Potential for paint scratches (if not installed correctly)
Hitch	All bike styles, including eBikes	Vehicles with pre- or post-market hitches	* Higher bike weight capacity   * Easier loading and unloading   * Won’t touch vehicle’s paint	* Requires a hitch receiver   * Higher price point   * Heavier, bulkier; more difficult to store
Specialty	All bike styles; primarily used to transport youth and adult mountain bikes	Limited to pickup trucks	* Tailored fit for specific vehicles   * Secure and stable transport   * Transport 5-6 bikes at once (Tailgate pad)	* Limited to certain vehicle types   * Loading and unloading bikes may be physically demanding

 

Trunk-Mounted Bike Racks

Trunk racks are great for cyclists who don't have a hitch or want something that’s as easy to use as it is on the wallet. Here at Saris, our bragging rights belong to the Bones: the best-selling trunk rack of all time. Plus, the Bones EX fits up to 90% of the most popular vehicles in the US market, including those with spoilers. 

 

Trunk Rack Accessories
Since there are many things to think about when transporting bikes with a trunk rack (Spoilers! Glass hatches! Odd-shaped frames!), you may need to consider the following accessories:

• Hatch Huggers: For glass hatchbacks, spoilers, or funky fits. If your vehicle needs hatch huggers, the Saris fit guide will let you know.
• Bike Beam: For step-thru frames, kids bikes, and non-traditional frames
• Trunk Rack Lock: For securing the bike rack to your vehicle
• Wheel Straps: To keep the wheels from turning while in transit

Curious to see how all of our trunk racks stack up? Take a look at the comparison below or browse the Saris trunk rack catalog.

Trunk Rack	Bike Capacity	Pros	Cons	Ideal Use Cases
Bones EX	• 2- and 3-bike versions available • Up to 35 lb per bike	• Fits 90% of the top-selling vehicles, including those with spoilers and glass hatches • Anti-sway straps to keep bikes stable • Built-in system manages excess straps • Premium bike hold downs that are gentle on paint	• Cannot transport eBikes • Not ideal for step-thru frames	• Families • Hatchback owners • Couples • City riders
Bones	• 2- and 3-bike versions available • Up to 35 lb per bike	• Fits wide range of vehicles, including those with spoilers • Anti-sway straps to keep bikes stable • Most affordable of the Bones line-up	• Does not fit as many vehicles as the Bones EX • Cannot transport eBikes • Not ideal for step-thru frames • Straps must be tied down	• Families • Hatchback owners • Couples • City riders
Guardian	• 2- and 3-bike versions available • Up to 35 lb per bike	• Budget-friendly • Simple set-up	• Fits fewer vehicles than the Bones EX • Limited adjustability	• Casual cyclists
Solo	• 1-bike only • Bikes up to 35 lb	• Super light; built for a single rider	• Only fits one bike	• Cyclists who’ve just purchased a new bike and need to get it home • Single riders

Want even more detail? Compare all Saris trunk racks

Don’t forget: Use the Saris Fit Guide to check if a trunk rack fits your vehicle.

 

Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks

For frequent riders, families, or eBike owners, hitch racks are the cream of the crop. They’re convenient, stable, and tout higher bike-weight capacities which means more flexibility to accommodate most styles and combinations of bikes. Platform racks like the Edge, SuperClamp, and Freedom (new) offer no-frame contact loading and are ideal for carbon and electric bikes, while hanging-style hitch racks are more budget-friendly.

 

Hitch Rack Accessories

These accessories are made to make your life with a hitch rack a bit easier.

Want to see our most popular platform hitch racks side-by-side? Check out at the comparison below or browse the Saris hitch rack catalog.

 

Hitch Rack	Bike Capacity	Pros	Cons	Ideal Use Cases	eBikes	RV Rated
Edge	• 2-bike • Up to 80 lb per bike	• Raised wheel block and fixed arm position ensure no frame contact • Multi-angle tilt away, with or without bikes; good for vehicles with spare tires • Tool-free installation	• 2-bike only • Premium pricing	• eBike riders • Mountain bikers • RV travelers	Yes	Yes
MHS System	• Modular system; 1 to 4 bikes • Up to 100 lb per tray	• Fully customizable • Multi-angle tilt away, with or without bikes; good for vehicles with spare tires • Do-it-all system; haul bikes or gear	• Heavy	• eBike owners • Mountain bikers • Gear-haulers	Yes	Yes
SuperClamp (2025)	• 2-bike	• Platform style; no frame contact • Spring-loaded, fixed arm for easy and secure loading • Tool-free installation	• 2-bike only • Higher price point versus previous SuperClamp generations	• Cyclists with carbon frames • Bike enthusiasts with many types of bikes (road, gravel, hybrid)	Yes	Yes
SuperClamp (Legacy)	• 2- and 4-bike versions • 35–60 lb per bike (depending on model and placement)	• Platform style; no frame contact • Can accommodate longer wheelbases or larger tires (with additional accessories)	• May need to adjust wheel trays when loading	• Cyclists with carbon frames • Gravel or road riders • Families	Yes	Yes
Freedom (2025)	• 2-bike	• Most affordable platform style hitch rack; no frame contact • Low-profile design • Made in the USA	• Does not fold-up or tilt away	• Cyclists with carbon frames • Bike enthusiasts with many types of bikes (road, gravel, hybrid)	Yes	Yes
Freedom (Legacy)	• 2- and 4-bike versions • 35–60 lb per bike (depending on model and placement)	• Versatile, fits many different types of bikes	• Loading can be time-consuming • Touches the frame of the bike • Does not fold-up or tilt away	• Couples • Hybrid bike riders • Families	No	No

 

 

Want to dive even deeper? Compare all Saris hitch racks, including hanging hitch styles.

Reminder: Check out the Saris Hitch Fit Guide to check if a hitch rack is compatible for your vehicle.

Specialty Transport Racks for Bikes

 

Our specialty racks offer unique transport solutions, including:

See the full Saris specialty line-up here

 

Specialty Rack	Bike Capacity	Pros	Cons	Ideal Use Cases
Tailgate Pad	Up to 6 bikes	Quick setup, threading tools included	Limited to pickup trucks	MTB riders with pickups
Traps Single Track	Up to 2 bikes	Compact, customizable	Requires drilling	Inside vans or trucks
Traps Triple Track	Up to 4 bikes	Higher capacity, customizable	Needs more interior space	Gear-heavy travel setups

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve been in the bike rack business for over three decades. During that time, we’ve been asked a lot of questions. Below you’ll find our answers to common questions about bike racks. Got more questions? Drop us a line – we’re happy to help!

 

What's the difference between trunk-mounted and hitch-mounted Saris bike racks?

Trunk-mounted racks attach with straps to the rear of your vehicle and are generally more affordable and lightweight. Hitch-mounted racks connect to your vehicle’s hitch receiver, offering higher weight capacity and ease of use but require that your vehicle is equipped with a hitch.

 

How do I secure my bikes on a Saris rack?

Each Saris rack includes integrated straps or clamps specific to its design. Regardless of which rack you’re using, always double-check connections and test for wobble before driving.

For trunk racks, you’ll secure the bike frame with adjustable straps. The Bones and the Bones EX have anti-sway straps that keep the bike secure and stable while in transport.

Hitch racks like the Edge, MHS, SuperClamp, and Freedom (new) use wheel clamps or ratcheting arms to stabilize bikes without touching the frame. Wheel straps are also used for extra peace of mind.

As for the moments when you’re away from your bikes and your vehicle, many of our racks come with integrated locks which secure the bikes to the rack.

 

Do Saris racks require professional installation?

No, Saris racks are designed for DIY installation. They come with easy-to-follow instructions and in most cases, tool-free assembly. Hitch racks may require lifting and aligning with a hitch receiver, but no specialized tools or expertise is necessary. Professional installation would only be needed if you needed to install an after-market hitch receiver on your vehicle to use a hitch-mounted bike rack.

 

What is the warranty period and what does it cover?

We offer a limited lifetime warranty on most racks, covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. It does not cover wear-and-tear, misuse, or accidental damage. For full details, visit the Saris warranty page.

 

Which Saris rack is best for families, solo commuters, or weekend warriors?

While there are many factors that go into picking the right bike rack for you and your needs, below are some quick picks to help you get started.

Can I use Saris racks if my car doesn’t have a hitch?

Yes, any of our trunk-mounted bike racks would be an excellent choice for vehicles without a hitch.

 

Are Saris racks safe for carbon frames or expensive bikes?

Platform hitch racks are great choices for carbon frames or high-end bikes, as many secure bikes by the wheels instead of the frame. Start your search by looking at the Edge, SuperClamp, Freedom (2025), and MHS racks.

 

Will a Saris rack damage my vehicle's paint or body?

When installed properly, Saris racks are designed to protect your vehicle’s finish. Trunk racks come with padded contact points, and accessories like Hatch Huggers can help avoid metal-on-glass contact. It’s important to clean both the vehicle surface and rack touchpoints (like the feet) before installation to prevent grit-related scratches.

 

What’s the weight capacity of each Saris rack?

We’ve created an in-depth bike rack comparison chart to help answer this very question. Generally, our trunk racks can support up to 35 pounds per bike, while our hitch racks can carry between 60 to 80 pounds per bike (depending on the model). The MHS system supports a whopping 100 pounds per tray.

 

Can I use Saris racks in the winter? Will they rust?

Our bike racks for cars are made with rust-resistant materials. Cleaning them regularly during the winter, especially after exposure to road salt, is recommended. Take a look at cleaning tips.

 

Can I leave a Saris rack on my car full-time?

While you can leave your bike rack on your car all year round, we recommend regular inspections. Exposure to nature’s elements can wear down components over time, so checking them periodically will help keep your bike rack, vehicle, and bikes traveling safely down the road.

 

Which Saris rack is best for electric bikes?

We’d recommend either the Edge, SuperClamp 2025 or the MHS System. They can carry heavier bikes, which is ideal for eBikes. The Edge can carry up to 80 pounds per bike, while the MHS can carry up to 100 pounds. Plus, the MHS System has a ramp to assist with eBike loading.

 

How does the tilting mechanism work, and will it allow easy access to my trunk or hatch?

Our tilting hitch racks like the MHS and Edge, feature a pivot system that allows the rack to tilt away from your vehicle, even with bikes loaded. This provides trunk or hatch access without removing the rack. Always engage the tilt lock securely before driving.

 

What’s the easiest Saris rack to install by myself?

Any of the trunk racks can be easily installed solo. The Bones EX has some bonus features that makes install a bit easier, so that’d be our top vote. As for hitch racks, the Edge and SuperClamp (2025) have the tool-free hitch tightener system.

 

What makes Saris racks better for tricky fits (spoilers, glass hatches)?

The Bones EX is specifically designed to fit over most spoilers and accommodate a wide range of vehicle shapes. When paired with the Hatch Huggers, the Bones EX can accommodate some of the trickiest fits including glass hatches.

 

What makes the Bones EX different from the Guardian or any typical trunk rack?

The Bones EX is designed to fit 90% of the most popular vehicles in the United States, including those with spoilers. This popular trunk rack includes anti-sway straps to keep your bike from swinging while in transit. The Bones EX also has more nice-to-have features, like integrated strap management caps to keep straps from flapping in the wind, compared to the budget-friendly Guardian.