Saris Freedom Bike Rack Review
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2015
- Get it here: amzn.to/1TGW420
Today, we’ll be reviewing the Saris Freedom Bike Rack, which is a 2 bike, universal hitch rack. What is meant by “universal” is that it can carry any bike, save for frankenstein bikes like recumbents and trikes.
Hybrid bikes, full suspension mountain bikes, and even beach cruisers are easy to carry with this setup. My last rack was a Saris Bones, which I would consider one of the best racks you can strap to a vehicle. It could carry none of these bikes.
The Saris Freedom rack is among many other more expensive universal hitch racks, and at price point below $250 it’s definitely one of the most affordable racks in the category.
All vehicles are different, but I had a 1 1/4” receiver installed on my Mazda CX5 for $175 at Uhaul. Since all I’ll be using it for is this rack, it’s perfectly sized and ready for use. If you have a larger receiver, an adapter is included to make it fit.
Compared to other universal hitch racks, I’d say the Saris Freedom rack is pretty much just as easy to use as anything else out there. There are three straps per bike, while some of the more expensive units have one bracket and two traps, or an entirely different restraint system altogether. All in all, we’re talking about a matter of seconds to mount or remove a bike, so to me it’s not very important.
I’d also like to mention that my rear lift-gate actually clears the rack somehow, which I never expected. Even my backup camera is still somewhat usable with two bikes mounted to it.
So when we consider the upsides, the rack is inexpensive, easy to use, stable, and versatile. So what are the downsides?
Well, it may be a matter of opinion but I think the rack looks kinda messy. If you’re leaving it on your car the bulk of the time it has a lot of straps hanging around, so it’s not a pretty sight. If you’re OCD, you could tuck them in and collapse the top part, which makes it look much neater.
The second downside is durability. The two tire trays on the front of the rack broke within the first 4 months of owning it. In all fairness one of them was definitely my fault, while the other one may or may not have been due to someone backing into the car in a parking lot. I didn’t see it break, so I’ll never know.
I called Saris, and without hesitation they took down my mailing address and sent me two replacements free of charge. I think it might have been the best warranty experience I’ve ever had. So, at least they stand by their products.
All in all, I would recommend this rack to anyone looking for an affordable 2 bike universal hitch rack. Considering many of us will need to lay out money for a receiver and a rack, a more expensive unit could quickly become a $600 investment. For me, the Saris Freedom does the job just fine. - Спорт
Product reviews aren't nearly as fun to make as product tutorials, but I hope they still help you guys!
Yes they do. I was looking for a rack and never owned one so i had questions. I was concerned about my wife and my mtbs which have slanted bars and didnt know how a hanger style would work. Mine is a small frame slanted like yours and hers being a womans has a hard slant. Mine has three cables under the upper bar that could end up getting damaged. This seems to be a awesome and pretty cheap solution. So thanks for the great review. Id like to get this or the superclamp buts its a little pricier.
This review convinced me to buy this rack. Thanks Seth.
I am watching every vid old to new
Me too!
So, I'm in the market for a good hitch rack for my Titus and I click on this one. Rack looks great, and the reviewer looks familiar...Hey, man! We went to high school together. Been binging on your videos - excellent channel, Seth. I remember jumping through campfires with you in seventh or eighth grade haha You've got new subscriber, keep up the great work.
How weird is that!
I have this rack for my pick up truck, when I carry everyones bikes, it works great and when I can put my gate down when you fold down the middle
Very helpful. I'd been thinking of the Superclamp version, but I found a used one of these that makes way more sense for the infrequent use that I'll put it to. Your review helped sell me on it!
This is a rare type of video from Seth's bike hacks
It's in 60 FPS !
Just found one for $150... thx for the review, it sealed the deal.
I've got the bones for 2 bikes. It's great! Will look into getting this one though.
For anyone looking at this rack, a 27.5 x 2.3 will barely fit on the tray (they did say its up to 2.25" though), will have to shell out extra for longer strap or a fat bike tray they sell on the site.
Thanks for sharing!
Needs chips and dip action in the background though, lol.
I like it too. It's not too heavy. A bit pricey in 2021 - softened by the original owner lifetime warranty. Per my bike shop''s suggestion, used a piece of foam tubing on the middle strap since it rubs on the bike's paint.
Thanks for this! I currently have a Saris Bones which I loved and worked great on my Subaru, but doesn't fit so well in my newer Nissan Rogue. So I am looking for a hitch mount. I like that Saris is USA made.
Awesome product.
Thank you Seth..just bought this rack in Dubai and my only complain is that the rack is way far from the body of the car so i get worried that someone might hit it, and the car sensors keeps beeping when i reverse
HI Seth, I just wanted to give you a heads up, a good friend melted his carbon rims on a hitch rack, his exhaust pipe was about a foot from his rims but in a straight line. After this he made a change to his setup that moved the bike rack up about six inches. Just a heads up, yours looks fine from the video, take care
For some reason I find the center straps for both bike locations to be extremely difficult to loosen.
You should look at the Alta racks
They work very well
nice review. whats the weight cap per bike? thanks
does this scratch the frame? thanks for review.
Can you please do a review or showing of the chain device you use please!
Will Latham Are you referring to a chain tool? I do have a video demonstrating that with links. It's a small Park Tools chain tool which works on all bike chains: ua-cam.com/video/qgDcF0ReNaA/v-deo.html
If I had money I would buy that!
Do you think this will do a 50lb EMTB?, Is the plastic wheel tray strong enough?
do you think it is sturdy enough for downhill mtb?
+wendi adr Sure, in fact they make wheel scoops for fat bikes and bigger tires. What I have found is that if you adjust it to support the bike on the downtube instead of the tires, you'll have no issues. Since my replacement scoops I haven't had any issues.
Now that you have had this rack for 6 yrs, how is it holding up? Can you tell me approximately how many times you have transported your bikes? Have you seen any problems at any places on the rack with all the vibration when transporting bikes? eTrailer has recommended this rack for my situation. You r video was most informative and thank you for posting it.
It’s probably long gone man
Me watching this in 2021 realizing almost any decent bike rack is a $600+ investment now lol. Granted I need a 4 bike carrier for the whole fam but geez prices have skyrocketed
Yeah, he says in this video that it's below $250 . Now it sells for $379. Ouch.
Will this rack hold plus size tires? 27.5x3.0?
could a bmx fit on it
Great video! Honestly, I find it more efficient to get a pickup truck
I hear ya, but I have a big pickup and the sit down bike racks are so much easier and better for your bikes.
how has this held up in 2024?
So it doesn't fold up eh?
$250? I see these on Saris' website for $379
is there any way in which you can attach rear lights to the bike carrier as you tail lights are fairly obscured?
Eat poop💩
@@pppppaxton6983 great comment, moron.
You could buy trailer taillights and attach them to the rack and then get a trailer plug installed on your car
Does it fit 26 x 4.0
Dragster 988 they make fat tire tire trays but they're $50 a pair!
...You should've titled this one, "Seth's Bike Racks" 🤓
Your car looks like It just came out of the car wash
Close... just came out of a South Florida rain storm!
+Seth's Bike Hacks whats that every couple hours. I swear every time i visit FL it rains.
the asmr breathing tho
Gr8 review Seth👍
Check out this bike in India and plzzzzzzz tell me what do u think of it- Hercules Roadeo Motoroid
FUCK that bike for god's sake it is way too costlier at the price point of 26000 rupees I have a 25000 rupees bike and it has way better components, it has a lightweight aluminium frame and has shimano altus it is way better than hercules motoroid. Above the price point of 10000 hercules doesn't make any performance bikes the geometry of the bikes is just total $H!T and the frame of those bikes is made up of pure liquified garbage and see the front shock of that motoroid it is having just about 50mm of travel and my XC bike is having 100mm of travel. The shifters on motoroid are way too cheap they are shimano tourneys worst shifters ever made. So if you buy this bike you will be totally fucked up.
Please reply me and tell me what you think of that comment.
If it only folded up.
Epidemic?????
Yooo he forgot to censor his license plate
I am from India and I am 13 years I have buyed Scott aspect 665 i make a video on it please
Mahadevi G Bandi I hate dumb comments like this