Saris introduced their MHS (Modular Hitch System) base racks a couple of years ago with 1-, 2-, and 3-bike lengths. The rectangular beam let you slide the desired attachments onto it, whether it was bike trays or, eventually, a cargo basket.
Now, the Cargo basket is official, shipping in October for $399, and there’s a new Uno bike tray that’s lighter and simpler than the Duo version it started with.
The Saris Uno uses a single (as in, one…as in, uno) sliding hook to capture the front wheel and stabilize the bike. A ratchet strap holds the rear wheel in place, working much like other racks on the market. The tray itself is simple and lightweight, and comes in two versions – a slide-on MHS version, and a bolt-on version that adds an extra bike to the end of the MHS platform. So, with a 3-bike beam, you could have four bikes total.
The design contrasts with the Duo, which uses two fully closed wheel cradles that open independently to capture each wheel without touching the frame. Those are $349.99 per bike, but the Uno comes in at just $249.99 per bike. The MHS base receivers range from $199.99 to $249.99, and you can mix and match Unos and Duos as you wish.
The Cargo Basket slides over the MHS base, too, taking up two bikes’ worth of space…so, get the 3-bike base if you want cargo plus a bike. It has 5.5 square feet of platform space and can hold up to 200lbs.
