Saris Hitch Rack – MHS UNO and Duo Trays with a 2-Bike Receiver Base Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Hot!

• Components are customizable, so you buy what you need
• Sturdy construction for years of use
• Plenty of spacing between bikes, won’t scratch frames
• Duo tray arms never touch the bike frame
• Carries up to 3 bikes (with MHS Add-On) with the first two tray positions holding up to 80 lb. and the add-on position up to 35 lb (max weight: 195 lbs)
• Easy to engage the pivoting mechanism, and it tilts down to access the rear of the vehicle
• The rack moves smoothly up and down with not a lot of effort
• Integrated cable and lock in each tray
• A modular system allows for a range of MHS accessories

Not!

• Extremely heavy and not a rack you want to take on and off for each trip
• Requires large storage footprint due to the overall size of trays
• Blocks vehicle’s brake lights, need to purchase MHS Lighting Kit ($189.99)
• Pricey

https://saris.com/

Price: $199.99 (MHS 2+1 Base Only); $249.99 (MHS Uno Single Arm); $349.99 (MHS Duo 1-bike tray); $189.99 (MHS Lighting Kit) 

Receiver size: 2″

Weight: 38 lbs (hitch base); 25 lbs (Uno tray); 30 lbs (Duo tray)

Wheel sizes: 20 to 29″ 

Max tire size: 3″ (Uno tray); 5″ (Duo tray)

Max wheelbase: 50″ (Uno tray); 53″ (Duo tray)

Security: Integrated cable and lock on each tray

How obtained: Company sample

Availability: Online or retail

RBR advertiser: No

Modular Components: Custom Build Your Hitch Rack

The MHS, or Modular Hitch System, is Saris’s innovative solution, allowing you to customize your hitch rack. Start by selecting a base that can accommodate 1, 2, or 3 bikes. Next, choose trays that suit the specific bikes you plan to transport. Finally, enhance your setup with a selection of accessories. Presto, you have a customized rack that perfectly meets your needs and grows as demands change. 

For this review, Saris provided me with the MHS 2-bike receiver base and two different trays, the Uno and Duo.  

Unboxing and Assembly

The base and trays arrived via FedEx in three boxes, which was good since they were heavy.

The installation of the base was straightforward. It required greasing the threads of the hitch pin, adding two washers, and inserting the lock core into the lock cover. Conveniently, three lock cores were included in the package, allowing all components — the hitch pin and the tray locks — to be secured with a single key.

The only tool not provided was a 5/8″ wrench or socket to tighten the hitch pin. I used a socket wrench to get better leverage during this step.

Saris released a new O ring at Sea Otter that slides onto the base arm, making it easier to line up the hitch pin holes. I joked with the rep that I simply painted a line with pink nail polish on my other hitch racks. It does the trick and doesn’t add additional weight to the rack.

I secured the base to my vehicle’s 2″ receiver and then started assembling the trays. I installed the Duo tray closest to the car since it is rated for eBikes (max 80 lbs), and the heaviest bike should always go closest to the vehicle. There were only a few parts to assemble, and the most challenging part was securing the aluminum clasp that fastened the tray to the hitch base. 

The Duo tray weighs 30 lbs and fits tires up to 5″ wide, making it great for hauling fat tire bikes. It is also compatible with wheelbases up to 53″ and wheel sizes from 20 to 29″. 

Next, I attempted to install the Uno tray but realized this was a two-person job and solicited a friend’s help. Together we managed to attach the j-arm, but because of the location, we struggled a little to insert the screws. All the tools necessary for assembly were included except for a flathead screwdriver.

The Uno tray weighs 25 lbs, fits tires up to 3″ wide, accommodates a maximum wheelbase of 50″, and is compatible with 20 to 29″ wheel sizes. 

Loading the Bikes

Once the rack is assembled, loading the bikes is simple and quick. First, the fat bike is loaded closest to the vehicle on the MHS Duo tray. I had to adjust the wheel block positions to their highest point to accommodate the wheel size. The front and rear ratcheting arms move easily to adjust positioning to secure the front and rear wheels.

Saris offers an optional MHS Ramp ($189.99) that lets you roll a bike onto the tray. It’s perfect for eBikes since the tray is rated up to 80 pounds.

Next, I loaded a Salsa Cutthroat on the MHS Uno tray. The j-arm rachets in place with one hand securing the front wheel and then using the strap to secure the rear wheel.

There is plenty of spacing between the two bikes, making it highly unlikely to scratch a bike frame during transit. The bikes can obscure the vehicle’s brake lights, so the optional lighting kit for $189.99 is recommended. 

A cable and lock are integrated into each tray to secure each bike. As mentioned, the company sent matching lock cores, allowing one key to work in both trays and the hitch pin lock.

Bottom Line

The modularity of the Saris MHS hitch rack is perfect for someone who needs to haul a variety of bicycles. It is relatively easy to assemble and sturdy components that should give you years of service. The downsides to the MHS are its weight and large footprint for storing. I struggled to lift and maneuver the rack by myself. So it’s a rack that would stay on a vehicle all season and not be taken on and off.

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Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.