Saris Edge Bike Rack Review

Looking for a heavy-duty bike rack that can handle your e-bikes AND your RV adventures? The Saris Edge might just be your answer.

This burly rack is built for venturesome folks who need something that can handle heavier bikes, fat tires, and the rigors of adventure travel. I’ve been testing the Saris Edge for the last several months, taking it on some spring road trips (as well as adventures closer to home).

The rack is a top-of-the-line option for folks who take biking seriously– but it comes with a price tag to match.

Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

• Heavy-duty construction holds up to 160 lbs total (80 lbs per bike)
• RV approved (Class A, B & C), handles the extra forces other racks can’t
• Works with e-bikes, fat bikes, and bikes with fenders
• Included cable lock
• Tilts backward for hatchback access
• Super stable with zero wobble
• Limited lifetime warranty and 30 day return policy

Cons:

• Expensive compared to similar racks
• Sticks out further from vehicle when in use, and partially blocks taillights when folded
• Doesn’t fit 20″ or smaller wheels
• No option to expand to 3 or 4 bikes

Price: $999 List

Video Review

Built For The Heavy Stuff

The first thing I noticed about the Saris Edge is that it is heavy-duty. The rack is hefty (65 pounds) and built like a tank. It is cleary designed for durability and for protecting heavy loads. With an 80-pound capacity per tray (160 pounds total), the Edge can handle e-bikes, fat bikes, and whatever else you throw at it.

It’s also safe for use with Class A, B, and C RVs–so motorhomes and camper vans. Longer vehicles cause additional stress on a rack so it’s important to keep this in mind when choosing an option for camping adventures.

I did test the Saris Edge on our Ford Transit campervan, but since we have a family of 3 and the Edge only accepts 2 bikes, I primarily kept it mounted on our Ford Bronco Sport, which we use more frequently for just one or two of us. In fact, the biggest dealbreaker for some folks will be that this is only a 2-bike rack and there is no option to add an extension for more.

But, if you only need a 2-bike rack AND you value durability, I’d say the Edge is a good pick. It also has a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner, which helps add peace of mind on how it will hold up for the long term.

Works With *Most* Bikes

Our family has a bazillion different bikes and it can sometimes be a puzzle figuring out which rack will accommodate which bikes. The Saris Edge fits more than most.

It accepts heavy e-bikes, fat bikes, and even bikes with fenders (the swing arm secures the wheel further forward than the Kuat NV 2.0, for example). The only issue will be with kids bikes. The Edge does work with 24″ wheels but smaller bikes are out of luck. Some brands offer a modification kit to work with smaller bikes, but Saris does not.

The real bonus for us was the ability to use the rack for our fat bikes without any modification. Unlike our other tray-mount racks where we have to jerry-rig Voile straps or buy additional accessories, the Saris Edge just works with fat tires right out of the box.

Loading Bikes

Loading and unloading bikes on the Edge is a piece of cake. For folks who have experience with tray style hitch racks, this will all feel familiar.

Bikes are loaded in opposite directions from each other, with a swing arm securing the front wheel and a strap securing the rear.

The swing arm is a little unique in that it’s spring-loaded and ratchets down on its own. It automatically adjusts to maintain a tight grip on your tire, even if your tire pressure drops for some reason while it’s on the rack. As I already mentioned, it also secures the wheel in a position that’s further forward than racks like the Kuat or 1UP, making it compatible with a front fender.

The sliding rear tire strap is pretty standard fare, although the wheel riser block is unique. It’s supposed to prevent seat and handlebar interference by raising the rear wheel, but I can’t say I noticed much difference to be honest. We still had to drop our dropper posts to fit two bikes together comfortably. It may be helpful for some bikes, but don’t expect it to magically solve all bike-to-bike interference issues.

Rack Has Multiple Positions To Tilt and Fold

Like other premium tray-style racks, the Edge swivels to multiple positions. In addition to the travel position, you can tilt it backward to allow access to a hatchback door (it worked on my Bronco), or fold it up to take up less room when not in use.

One thing worth noting is that the rack sticks out quite a bit further than our Kuat or 1up. This didn’t bother me when in use, but meant I didn’t really want to leave it down when not in use, and when folded up obscured more of our taillights than our other racks.

Bikes Stay Put (And I Mean REALLY Put)

This rack is rock solid. Zero wobble, zero sway, zero worrying about your bikes in the rearview mirror. The anti-wobble hitch system really works, and as previously mentioned, the overall construction feels bombproof.

I’ve tested plenty of cheaper racks that had me constantly checking my mirrors, and let me tell you that the peace of mind with the Saris Edge is worth a lot.

Keep Those Bikes Safe

The Saris Edge has a built-in cable lock and it’s more substantial than many. While I’m not the most trusting of cable locks, the ease of quickly locking bikes while I run into the gas station and the peace of mind that I’ll never accidentally forget to grab a lock, make me highly appreciate this feature. Additionally, the rack comes with a locking hitch pin so you don’t have to worry about someone taking off with the whole darn rack.

Assembly And Install

My son and I tackled the assembly together, and it took us about 20 minutes from start to finish. Saris recommended actually assembling the rack while mounted in the hitch, so that’s what we did. It was quicker and easier than other racks I’ve assembled, but you’ll definitely want a second set of hands to hold pieces in place while you tighten everything down.

I tend to leave my racks on the car day in and day out, but if you frequently take a rack on and off, or switch it between vehicles on a regular basis, beware of the weight. At 65 pounds, this rack is no joke. If you’re planning to take it on and off frequently, that’s something to consider.

For me, the weight translates to durability and stability, so I’m okay with the trade-off. But if you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to handle solo (especially for smaller women like myself), this isn’t it.

The Price Question

Here’s where it gets tough. The Saris Edge is a premium rack with a premium price ($999). BUT when you compare it to other premium racks, it feels a little expensive. In terms of performance, I’d say it’s on par with the Kuat NV 2.0 ($898) or 1UP Extreme Duty ($850), but it has a higher price tag. For some, that extra cash might be hard to justify.

Bottom Line

The Saris Edge isn’t for folks on a budget, but if you’re looking for RV compatibility, regularly haul heavy e-bikes, or want something that works with fat tires without modification, this rack delivers. The build quality is excellent, the stability is impressive, and the lifetime warranty provides peace of mind.

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About The Reviewer