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<\/a><\/p>\nSaris MHS Duo 2+1<\/p>\n
The MHS is the tray-mount style bike rack from Saris. It\u2019s not just one bike rack, though. There are a few versions, depending on your needs. A single rack, double rack, triple rack or this 2+1 option all work off a similar base and the same design. With the 2+1, you can extend the rack to add a third tray. There\u2019s even a basket option for non-bike weekends.<\/p>\n
As far as bike racks go, it has some hefty towing capabilities. It can hold bikes up to 100lbs \/ 43kg each (or 80lbs each in the three-bike configuration). It\u2019s also quite versatile, with the arms adjustable to hold wheels from 20-29\u2033 \u00a0and up to 5\u2033 tires for the fatbikers out there. It will fit bikes up to 53\u2033 \/ 1,346mm long, handily covering the longest of long XL bike\u2019s I\u2019ve tested over the years.<\/p>\n
One interesting feature is that each tray has a built-in cable lock, so you can lock your bike to the rack (which also locks to the hitch) while running errands on the way to\/from a ride. Or stop for a recovery beverage without being so stressed about having to park in eyesight of your bike.<\/p>\n One thing to note is that the MHS Duo only works with a 2\u2033 hitch.<\/p>\n Saris offers the MHS Duo for $1,670, though seems to be online for less in some places.<\/p>\n Saris stands up to daily use over the long haul<\/p>\n I\u2019ve had the MHS Duo on the back of my vehicle for over two years now, probably closer to three. After some initial qualms about the weight (this thing is a beefy 72 lbs), am more impressed with each passing month.<\/p>\n Tray racks are, I think, the way to go for modern mountain bikes. Frame shapes are weirder than ever, carbon frames are prone to scratching, especially when covered in dirt, and you just don\u2019t have to lift the bike as high as for vertical racks. For all those reasons,\u00a0I like a system that holds the bike securely without touching the frame (or fork crown). And, while North Shore-style vertical racks are also great, Saris adds a slight vertical stagger to the MHS that makes loading multiple bikes together easy. You also don\u2019t have to worry about pedals touching your neighbours expensive carbon fibre frame. Vertical racks have tray racks beat for carrying four or more bikes but, unless that\u2019s your plan every weekend, I think trays are great.<\/p>\n Compared to other tray-mount systems (think 1Up or Rocky Mounts), the overbuilt style of the MHS Duo is heavy but has proven far more weather resistant. I\u2019ve left this on the back of my vehicle for two straight years. We can ride year-round here on Vancouver Island, but the riding gets sloppy and the dirt roads throw up a lot of crap. With other, lighter racks that\u2019s led to the tray sliders getting gunked up. Saris uses a covered design that has the MHS arms spinning free and easily, even while caked in FSR grit. Those arms also work with a wide range of tire sizes. I\u2019ve thrown 27.5\u2033, MX or 29\u2033s in without adjusting them. At the other end, I\u2019ve carried drop bar cyclocross tires in there with no concerning wobbling at highway speeds. That little diamond-shape in the wheel block helps minimize wobble on a range of tire widths.<\/p>\n The one thing I do wish was slightly different is the handle. Even after two years, I still can\u2019t easily operate it with one hand. Sometimes, but not all the time. It\u2019s so close that it feels like it should be possible. And, when you\u2019re holding your bike in the other hand, it would be really nice if one hand was enough.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve had a few tray racks over the years and, when they were less common, they always got comments at parking lot trail heads. One of the most common questions was \u201cCan you roll the bikes right on?\u201d This question makes a lot of sense. Bikes are awkward to lift, especially if you have any kind of shoulder injury. Even light eMTBs are heavy to lift even when you\u2019re young and healthy. With the MHS Duo, the answer to that question is finally, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Saris offers an optional ramp add-on for the MHS duo. It\u2019s designed to fit securely onto the end of the tray so you can roll the bike from the ground directly onto the rack. It doesn\u2019t live on the tray, so it is an extra piece you have to carry in your trunk. But that means you only need one ramp to load two or three bikes.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t say I used this all the time but, when I did need it, it was hugely helpful to have. I\u2019m no longer young or always healthy. Whenever my shoulder injury flares up, I\u2019m glad I have the ramp option. It\u2019s a bit of fuss to use, but worth it to get the bike on the rack without lifting.<\/p>\n At $265, it\u2019s a bit pricey. The handier among you could probably fashion something similar at home, if motivated. But Saris\u2019 version makes it easy to adjust the length to match the height the trays sit off the ground on your vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>There are two upright positions. One vertical, one at a slight angle to better clear bumpers<\/p>\n<\/a>Obviously the dad-van is low to the ground. But the Xterra made better use of the ramp feature
\nThe ramp add-on<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n