Are you planning to take your bike along on a road trip? The Saris Solo trunk rack provides the solution to carry a single bike on the back of a car. While researching for the right bike rack, you will find numerous sedan bike racks for 2 or more bikes but not for a single bike.

Saris Solo is one of a kind and saves you a lot of money if you own only one bike. Because paying for a two-bike rack when you only own one would not be a good decision financially.

In this article, we have covered the different features and aspects of the Saris Solo trunk rack intending to help you decide if it is suitable for you. We have also ranked the rack based on our rack score so you can compare it with other trunk bike racks.

Our preference of 2022 hitchless bike rack for SUVs. Check them out if you want to consider other hitchless bike racks

Saris Solo Trunk Bike Rack

Rack score

It might be tedious to search through hundreds of bike racks to find one that is a great fit. If you are going through something similar, don’t worry because we work to make this judgment easier for you. We undertake considerable research on the various types of bike racks and present them to you in a way that will help you make the best decision.

We created a Rack score (R score)-an established rating system for several bike rack characteristics such as attributes, worth for money, compatibility, customer trust, security, aesthetics, and capacity. We rank every bike rack on a scale of 10 based on this score so you can simply compare them to other racks and make the best option.

Features of Saris Solo Trunk Rack

A bike rack’s qualities set it apart from the hundreds of other racks on the market. Saris Solo is constructed of plastic and weighs around 2 pounds. This makes installation and removal very simple.

This rack is a trunk mount rack that may be mounted using nylon straps. It is designed to transport a single bike weighing no more than 35 pounds. The rack may be fitted in a matter of minutes by simply placing it on the trunk and tightening the straps.

You may then place your bike on it and adjust the ratcheting straps. This rack also has anti-sway mechanisms to keep the bikes safe. Because of its small size, it can be conveniently kept in your car while not in use. This rack may be mounted on several cars and hold a range of bikes.

There are no mechanical frame changes required for the Saris Solo trunk rack. It is waterproof and may be utilized in adverse weather. It would not work with cars having spoilers. When the rack is mounted, you will be unable to open the trunk. For these features, we give it an R score of 8.

Are the customers happy with the rack?

We feel that no one can provide a better assessment of a bike rack than a regular individual who has purchased and used one. The more customer evaluations we read, the more we learn about how people feel about the construction and compatibility of a bike rack.

On Amazon, Saris Solo has a rating of 3.8 stars out of 5. A total of 444 ratings have been submitted to the product, with 66 percent of reviewers liking it and giving it a 4- or 5-star rating. We award it an R score of 6 for this rating.

Does Saris Solo have Value for Money?

A bike rack is not pricey if it protects your bike and vehicle from damage. If a bike rack adds value, the expense will be justified. The Saris Solo is priced at around $70. Now, this is a reasonable price for only one bike.

But there are some bike racks made to accommodate multiple bikes and the per-bike cost is even less than Saris Solo. Given that the rack provides an overall nice traveling venture without any harm to the vehicles, it appears to be a cost-effective choice. We give it an R score of 8 for this.

Security elements of Saris Solo

We place great value on a bike rack’s security features. There may be many times when you will have to exit the automobile while traveling, for example, you may wish to stop by a shop and purchase some refreshments.

This might lead to any security mishap. Thus, when purchasing a bike rack, ensure that it includes locking mechanisms or devise another method of securing the rack to the car and the bikes to the rack.

The Saris Solo trunk rack does not have any built-in locking mechanism. Also, it is very simple to install and remove. This means that it is also very easy to steal. So, there is a chance of theft when you leave your vehicle unattended for some time.

You can either get a locking cable to run around the rack and bike or we recommend that since it is very light in weight and easily removable, when not in use you can remove it from the trunk and keep it safe inside the trunk. It gets an R score of 6.

Capacity and Compatibility of Saris Solo with vehicles and bikes

This rack has a capacity for only one bike. It can accommodate different types of bikes, but they should not weigh more than 35 pounds. This means that the rack might not carry some heavier bikes such as electric bikes. But it’s better to check the weight of your bike before buying the rack.

For the Saris Solo, your bike must have a level-top tube. If it does not have it, you will have to buy a Bike Beam top tube adapter. This accessory will provide your bike with a flat bar so you can easily hang it. Without this adapter, you might damage your bike or vehicle because the hold-down straps would not load the bike evenly.

This bike rack is compatible with many vehicles. If you are thinking of purchasing this bike rack, we recommend that you should check the compatibility of the Saris Solo with your vehicle on the Saris website.

After some research, we have found that this bike rack is compatible with

• Mini Cooper without spoiler
• Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
• 2012 Toyota Camry
• Mercedes C Class
• 1995-2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
• 2000-2003 & 2009-2015 Nissan
• Volkswagen GTI Hatchback
• Pontiac G6
• 2016 Ford Fusion
• Dodge Durango
• Volvo XC90

While there are some vehicles that the Saris Solo trunk rack is not compatible with such as

• Honda HR-V
• Dodge Challenger 2019
• 2014 Ford Focus hatchback

For this capacity and compatibility with bikes and vehicles, we give Saris Solo an R score of 7.

Saris Solo is one of the best-looking bike racks

The aesthetics of a bike rack can add more grace to your vehicle or ruin its overall look. So, we recommend that, although it’s not the most important thing to look for in a bike rack, you should consider the appearance of the bike rack, so it does not look odd attached to your vehicle.

The Saris Solo has a black exterior made up of plastic. The fact that it is lightweight and compact creates a sleek overall look. It only weighs around 2.2 pounds and is 21.85 inches long, 19.6 inches wide, and 9.29 inches high. For this appearance, we give it an R score of 10.

Brand value

Brand value is important for bike racks because you would not want to buy a product from a brand that is not reliable. We do not give good scores only to old well-established brands that have a name. New and small businesses that are producing high-quality products also make it to the high rack score for brand value.

Saris is based in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. It manufactures bike racks for customers with diverse biking preferences. From hitch bike racks to trunk bike racks, it caters to both solitary bike riders and families traveling with several bikes. They use a material that can be recycled. Saris receives an R score of 8 for brand value.

Saris Solo trunk rack summary

Type	Trunk Bike Rack
Maximum Bikes	1
Rack lock	No
Bike lock	No
Brand	Saris
Bike rack weight	2.2lb
Load Capacity	35lb
Hitch required	No Hitch
Customer Satisfaction	66%
Price	Around $70
Rack Score (Overall)	7.4

Conclusion 

The Saris Solo trunk rack earns an overall R score of 7.4. It is a unique rack with a compact design. You do not see many trunk racks made for a single bike of such good quality and at a reasonable price. It is very simple to mount and unmount which is a plus point as well as a drawback since it can be easily stolen. So if you sort out a way to lock your bike on this rack, it can be a great choice.