The Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack is considered one of the best platform hitch bike racks on the market right now. The rack is very fascinating with unparalleled utility and compactness. One of the advantages of platform hitch bike racks is ease of use. The Saris EX 4 is super-easy to use. With it you can forget about heavy lifting overhead, reaching across the top of your car, or using top-tube adapters to hang bikes with sloping top tubes. What’s more, you wouldn’t experience frame contact or bikes clanking each other.
The Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack sets itself apart from other platform hitch racks with its 2 shepherd hooks for each bike. One is meant front wheel, and the other for the rear wheel. Another unique thing about it is that 2 bikes can share one of its horizontal rack base and pivoting arms. This Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack Review has all the nitty gritties of the famous platform hitch bike rack. Read on to find out if it’s what you are looking for.
The Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack Review has a lot of rave going on about its sturdiness and efficiency. It is the ultimate bike rack for everyday use. Loading it up is a breeze, even a 10-year old can manage to mount their bike on it. The bike rack packs a punch with numerous amazing features. Here are some of them in details:
The Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack stands out among its high-end peers with a unique and convenient design. The design allows you to place the bikes closer to each other so that the entire rack, whether loaded or unloaded has a much shorter profile and is more compact. The rack is remarkably lightweight yet durable. It is guaranteed to last a lifetime owing to its rugged steel construction.
The rack features two shepherd hooks for each bike’s front and rear wheel. This is way better than other racks that only have a hook over the rear wheel. Its horizontal rack base and pivoting arms are also shared by 2 bikes.
Mounting a bike on the rack is such a breeze. You simply need to place the bike’s wheels in the tire trays which you can adjust on the bottom horizontal bar according to the wheelbase. Next, you adjust the rack arms forward or backward to sit over the tires. Finish by cinching down the hooks until thy make contact with the bikes’ tires.
You can loop and tighten the wheel strap over the rear wheel for added security. The entire process of loading a single bike should not take more than a minute. If you have 3 or 4 bikes to load you will spend less than 5 minutes.
The Saris Superclamp EX series has 2 versions so far, one that can carry 2 bikes and the EX 4 which can carry 4 bikes. Unfortunately the 2-bike version does not have an expansion kit like other brands within its range. If you want to transport more than 2 bikes, you have no choice but to get the EX4.
The EX 4 can carry a total of 190 pounds. Like with all the other bike racks, it is recommended that you mount the heaviest bike closest to the car. For this reason, each of the 2 trays closest to the car have a weight capacity of 60 pounds. The last 2 each have a load capacity of 35 pounds.
The Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack is very versatile when it comes to bike compatibility. It can fit various 20-inch and 50-inch wheelbase bikes without the need of any adapters thanks to the shepherd’s hooks. The only caveat is that you have to be extra keen on aligning the bikes right so that the shepherd’s hooks can securely clamp down on the tire. It especially becomes an issue when you are transporting a 20-inch kids’ bike.
As for the tire width, the rack has tire trays that can accommodate tires up to 4 inches. Technically, it can accommodate most bikes. If you have a bike with fatter tires, you can get fat tire wheel holders to accommodate your bike.
Further, the Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack offers ample bike spacing that can accommodate different types of bikes including road bikes, hybrid bikes Trusted Source How to Choose Hybrid Bikes A mix of mountain, road, and touring designs, hybrid bikes mash up specific features to create do-it-all bikes with a wide range of uses. www.rei.com and kids’ bikes with narrow handlebars. It also great for mountain bikes if one or two of them are kids’ bikes. 4 adult mountain bikes can be done, but it requires some technique.
The Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack is compatible with any kind of passenger car. Saris have a rack fit guide that helps you establish if the rack is the right fit for your car. This helps you avoid unnecessary inconveniences. They also have a list of rack fits for different vehicles on their website.
When it comes to durability, it is hard to beat the Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack. It comes in a lightweight build yet it is guaranteed to last a lifetime. It is made with solid stainless steel that can hold up well to regular use and can withstand any kind of weather.
Moreover, the racks undergo thorough testing in Wisconsin and the manufacturer maintains that if they can survive in Wisconsin then they can survive anywhere the compass leads them.
The rack come with a few accessories that increase its value. One of the accessories is a bottle opener integrated into the tilt handle. You can have your cold beer or soda after a long ride. It also features reflectors on the outside wheel trays that provide extra visibility in low light conditions.
Other important accessories are the locking hitch and locking cables. They allow you to store your bike safely when you rush to the store. Although the locking cable and hitch come in handy at securing your bike, a thief seriously intent on stealing your bike can easily cut through them in no time. If you are highly concerned about the safety of your bikes then take extra measures.
Like its high-end peers, the Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack can be tilted forward when fully loaded to allow you to open the rear hatch and access whatever you need from the back of your car. Do note that you can only pull this off if you have great upper body strength.
Saris offers a lifetime warranty for this bike rack. This speaks volumes about its quality. The warranty covers everything except damages on the mounting surfaces or any other normal wear and tear expected in the use of the product. In case you notice your rack has failed as a result of a defect in workmanship or materials, you can return it and get a replacement free of charge.
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
Our detailed Saris Superclamp EX 4 Bike Rack Review depicts it as a reliable high-end platform-style hitch bike rack. It stands out with its lightweight and compact build that is built to last a lifetime. Its adjustable arms and wheel trays make it highly versatile as it can fit different types of bikes Trusted Source Types of Bikes | Mountain Bike vs. Road Bike Use this handy guide to find the type of bike that best suits you and your riding, whether it’s a classic road bike, a new e-bike, or something in between. www.bicycling.com . What’s more, with the bike spacing, you can accommodate a wide combination of bicycles. Overall the Saris Superclamp EX 4 is a prime choice for anyone looking for a bike rack that can carry any type of bike, including a 24-inch kids’ bike, and has a low profile that makes storage super easy.
