Energetic Gear Assessment is supported by its viewers. If you buy by way of hyperlinks on our website, we could earn an affiliate fee.
The Saris MHS 2 Bike Hitch Rack within the absolutely upright place for storage.
I’ll admit, I don’t see Saris racks almost as usually on the street as I do Thule, Kuat, or 1UP. However after spending time with the Saris MHS 2-Bike Hitch Rack, I’m questioning why. Saris has been making high quality racks, trainers, and storage methods for years, and so they nonetheless manufacture their merchandise in Madison, Wisconsin…which I respect from a high quality management standpoint. The MHS is a transparent instance of that craftsmanship: it’s rock stable, thoughtfully designed, and able to develop along with your wants.
The 2 bike set is available in 3 giant packing containers as a result of it’s a modular system.
Saris MHS Hitch Bike Rack Setup & First Impressions
Out of the field, this factor appears like a tank…in a great way. The supplies and development instantly gave me confidence. Meeting took me about half-hour solo, with easy-to-follow directions and no sudden hiccups. As soon as mounted, the rack sits securely and feels constructed to final. It’s not mild, particularly once you add the non-compulsory further tray, however the sturdiness is definitely worth the trade-off for my part.
Meeting was simple and the directions had been straightforward to observe.
Every little thing is nicely constructed and substantial.
Actual-World Modularity
One of the crucial compelling issues about this rack is its namesake Modular Hitch System. I began with the two-bike setup, however I like understanding I can develop it with an extra tray if wanted or adapt to new bike designs sooner or later. The system is designed with longevity in thoughts, and it exhibits. With a 100 lb. per bike weight restrict and room for wheelbases as much as 53 inches, I used to be in a position to load up some heavier e-bikes and long-travel mountain bikes with no second thought. It handles the load like a champ.
Loading Bikes on the Saris MHS Hitch Bike Rack: Safe and Body-Pleasant
That is the place the MHS actually shines for me: no body or fork contact. The rack holds bikes by the tires solely, which is big for carbon frames or bikes with delicate finishes. The clamping arms give a satisfying, stable click on when tightened, and so they lock the tires down with zero wiggle. I a lot choose this method to those who contact the fork. I’ve had so many forks’ paint jobs broken by supposedly non-marring rubber clamp holders. I additionally appreciated the provision of a fender adapter…a small contact that makes an enormous distinction for sure bike setups.
The rack doesn’t contact any a part of the body, solely the tires. 
Bike with fenders? Saris has a fendered wheel holder possibility you’ll be able to set up.
Saris MHS Hitch Bike Rack Usability within the Area
I’ve used fairly a couple of racks through the years, and I usually choose a tool-free hitch connection for ease of elimination and transferring them between autos. The MHS makes use of a threaded hitch pin that requires a 5/8” wrench—which is safer, however much less handy should you plan to take the rack on and off steadily. That mentioned, as soon as it’s on, it’s not going wherever.
Threaded wheel chock dimension adjustment.
Additionally, adjusting the wheel chocks takes a bit extra time than I’d like. You must unthread a pin, reposition the chock, and rethread it…not a deal-breaker, however positively slower than the pinch-lock methods I’ve used on different racks. Then again, it’s positively a extra sturdy methodology with much less plastic elements to interrupt down.
When one bike is mounted to the surface rack, I can use the lean operate to get entry to a truck tailgate. 
Tilting Function: Helpful however Barely Awkward
The lean operate labored nicely in follow. I used to be in a position to entry the trunk with bikes loaded, which is essential for longer rides or street journeys. I additionally preferred that the rack presents a number of tilt positions when empty, which is useful in case your trunk isn’t absolutely closed otherwise you’re carrying longer objects. Nevertheless, the lean deal with is in an odd orientation, and the primary time I used it, the rack dropped quicker than I anticipated. It’s not tough, nevertheless it does require a agency grip, particularly for anybody who isn’t anticipating the load shift.
The deal with for tilting pulls out ward as an alternative of a squeeze or lever motion like a variety of racks. It takes some getting used to.
Saris MHS Hitch Bike Rack Constructed-In Locks: Only a Deterrent
The built-in cable locks are straightforward to make use of and a pleasant contact for fast stops. However as with all cable lock, I wouldn’t depend on them in low-traffic or in a single day conditions. They’ll deter informal theft, however anybody with cable cutters would make quick work of them.
Ultimate Ideas on the Saris MHS Hitch Bike Rack: A Lengthy-Time period Funding
After testing the Saris MHS 2-Bike Hitch Rack on a number of rides…hauling e-bikes, mountain bikes, and one fendered metropolis cruiser…I can confidently say it’s one of the stable racks I’ve used. It’s not the lightest or the quickest to regulate, nevertheless it appears like a long-term funding that may evolve along with your wants. The modular design, excessive weight capability, and considerate frame-free clamping make it particularly interesting for riders with heavier or high-end bikes.
Should you’re after reliability, modularity, and made-in-the-USA sturdiness, and don’t thoughts utilizing a wrench from time to time, this rack is totally value a glance. The MHS 2-Bike Package deal is at saris.com and amazon.com.
