Saris Freedom 2 Bike Rack Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Saris Freedom 2 is a solid buy for most drivers with a 2-inch hitch receiver who want a platform rack that holds bikes by the wheels with no frame contact. Skip it if you drive a 1.25-inch receiver or only need a rack for one bike.
On this page (9 sections)
- The Saris Freedom 2 at a glance
- Who the Saris Freedom 2 suits
- Specs that matter in daily use
- Setting up the Freedom 2 on your vehicle
- Loading and carrying bikes safely
- Care and storage for the Freedom 2
- Trade-offs to weigh before buying
- Alternatives to the Saris Freedom 2
- Verdict: is the Saris Freedom 2 worth it?
The Saris Freedom 2 is a strong buy for drivers with a 2-inch hitch receiver who carry two bikes and want a platform rack that never touches the frame. It holds bikes by the wheels, folds up when empty and tilts out of the way so you can reach the trunk.
The main reason to skip it is a 1.25-inch receiver, which it does not fit. Trunk-rack shoppers should look at the Bones EX or the Allen Premier instead.
The Saris Freedom 2 at a glance
The Freedom 2 is a wheel-tray platform rack for two bikes. Adjustable rubber holders and ratcheting straps pin each wheel down, so the rack never leans on the frame, the cables or the paint.
Saris Freedom Hitch Rack: Best for everyday two-bike transport
- Fits 2-inch hitch receivers
- No frame contact
- Anti-wobble
- E-bike compatible
- Foot-pedal tilt
A platform hitch rack that holds two bikes by the wheels and folds up against the vehicle when empty. Its anti-wobble build and e-bike support make it the pick for most drivers with a 2-inch receiver.
Pros
- No frame contact, so paint and cables stay clear
- Foot-pedal tilt opens the cargo area without unloading bikes
- Handles e-bikes up to 60 lb on the inner trays
- Folds up against the vehicle when not in use
Cons
- Only fits 2-inch hitch receivers
- Weighs 54 lb, so it's a two-person lift to install
- Load rating drops to 35 lb per bike on the outer trays
The rack weighs 54 lb and folds up against the vehicle when it's empty. That keeps it out of the way in parking lots and means fewer bumps when you reverse.
Its total limit is 190 lb. The inner trays take bikes up to 60 lb each and the outer trays up to 35 lb each.
Plan your mix around those per-tray numbers rather than the total alone.
The frame is alloy steel and the color is carbon black. Saris backs the rack with a lifetime warranty for the original owner, which tells you it's meant to live on the vehicle rather than come off after every ride.
Saris also builds the Freedom in a four-bike form. The two-bike version reviewed here shares the same tray-and-strap design, so the loading habits carry over if you step up later.
Who the Saris Freedom 2 suits
This rack fits the driver who leaves a rack on the car all season and wants quick loading. The wheel trays mean you set each bike in place and strap the wheels, with no straps pulling on the top tube.
It also suits anyone with an e-bike. Saris rates the inner trays for 60 lb bikes, and many e-bikes land in that range.
Keep the heavier bike on the inner position and a lighter bike on the outside.
It's less suited to someone who parks in a tight garage. The 54 lb rack plus two bikes adds real length behind the bumper, so measure your parking space first.
If you only ever carry one bike, a lighter single rack makes more sense. Our roundup of the best single bike hitch rack covers the smaller options.
Specs that matter in daily use
The number that matters most is the per-tray weight limit. Two inner trays at 60 lb each and two outer trays at 35 lb each add up to 190 lb, but the split shapes what you can carry.
Receiver size comes next. The Freedom 2 needs a 2-inch receiver, so check yours before you order.
Most SUVs and trucks have the 2-inch size, while many sedans and crossovers use 1.25 inches.
The folding design matters on the road. With the rack empty and folded up, the vehicle stays shorter in tight parking spots.
That's a real help in city driving.
The tilt pedal matters at the trailhead and the grocery store. Press it and the rack swings away from the hatch so you can load bags without pulling the bikes off first.
| Detail | Saris Freedom 2 |
|---|---|
| Mounting type | Hitch |
| Receiver size | 2 in |
| Bike capacity | 2 bikes |
| Total weight capacity | 190 lb |
| Inner tray limit | 60 lb per bike |
| Outer tray limit | 35 lb per bike |
| Rack weight | 54 lb |
| Material | Alloy steel |
| Frame contact | None |
| Tilt | Foot pedal |
| Folds up when empty | Yes |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
The alloy steel frame and the lifetime warranty from Saris are the long-term facts. The rack is built to stay on the vehicle and take weather, so the lifetime cover matters more than it would on a rack you fit and remove each trip.
One spec worth noting is the fit type. Saris lists the Freedom as vehicle specific fit, because it depends on the receiver rather than the body style.
The rack is listed for cars, minivans and trucks, so the deciding factor is the hitch size, not the badge on the grille.
Setting up the Freedom 2 on your vehicle
Install the rack on the receiver and check that it's locked in and steady before you load anything. The anti-wobble design is there to stop side-to-side movement, but the fit still needs a quick tug at the start.
The rack weighs 54 lb, so line up a helper for the first fitting. Once it's on the hitch, you can leave it there for the season and just fold it up between trips.
Our walkthrough on how to use a Saris bike rack covers the fitting and loading steps in order. Start there if this is your first hitch rack.
Load the heavier bike first, on the inner tray closest to the vehicle. Set both wheels in the trays, then close the rubber holders and pull the ratcheting straps snug.
Check that the straps sit on the rim or tire, not on spokes or brake rotors. Test the tilt pedal with the bikes loaded, but keep the rack level while you do it.
Once the bikes are on, push the rack from side to side to confirm the anti-wobble fit is tight. A rack that shifts on the hitch will feel loose at speed.
Loading order for two bikes of different weights
Start with the heavier bike on the inner tray. The 60 lb inner limit is where an e-bike or a loaded touring bike belongs.
Put the lighter bike on the outer tray. That tray tops out at 35 lb, so a kids' bike or a road bike fits there while a second e-bike may not.
If both bikes are close to the inner limit, check the total against the 190 lb cap as well. Two 60 lb bikes sit under the total, but adding accessories or a heavy lock counts toward what the rack carries.
Loading and carrying bikes safely
Load wheels into trays and keep heavy bikes on the inner positions. That rule covers the weight split and keeps the rear of the vehicle from being loaded with the heavier bike furthest back.
Point the handlebars away from the vehicle body. With the bikes set in the trays, the rubber holders and ratcheting straps should press on the tires rather than the frame.
The no-frame-contact design suits carbon frames, bikes with fenders and kids' bikes. Saris lists all of those as compatible, so you don't need to worry about a clamp squeezing a thin tube.
Keep the straps clear of brake rotors and derailleurs. A strap that rubs a rotor can wear it or pull the wheel out of line.
Before you pull away, check each wheel in its tray and each strap. A short walk around the rear of the vehicle catches a loose holder faster than checking from the driver's seat.
The Freedom 2 handles up to four bikes in its larger form, so this two-bike version leaves room to grow. Our guide to the 3 bike hitch rack covers the step up if your family grows.
Care and storage for the Freedom 2
Wipe the trays and straps after wet or muddy rides and store the rack folded up on the hitch when it's not in use. That keeps the moving parts out of the way and reduces accidental knocks.
Check the rubber holders and the ratcheting straps through the season. Sun and grit wear straps over time, so look for fraying and replace worn parts before they matter.
The alloy steel frame is the part to watch in winter. Road salt sits on steel, so a rinse after salted roads helps the rack last.
The lifetime warranty from Saris covers the rack, though normal wear still shows up over years of use.
When you take the rack off for the season, store it somewhere dry. The folding design keeps it compact, and 54 lb is light enough to move with a helper and hang on a wall bracket.
Trade-offs to weigh before buying
The biggest limit is the 2-inch receiver requirement. If your car has a 1.25-inch hitch, this rack won't fit without a receiver change or an adapter, and adapters can affect the tilt and weight limits.
The second is weight. At 54 lb, the Freedom 2 is a heavy rack to lift on and off.
Leaving it on the vehicle solves that, but not everyone has the space or wants the look.
The third is the load split. The outer trays hold less than the inner trays, so two heavy e-bikes may not fit on the outer positions.
Put the heavier bike inside and plan the second bike's weight.
Finally, the tilt pedal clears the hatch, but it doesn't lift the rack clear of every bumper. Check the clearance on your own vehicle before you rely on the tilt to open the tailgate.
Alternatives to the Saris Freedom 2
Saris Bones EX 2-Bike Trunk Rack Bicycle
The Bones EX is the choice when there's no hitch receiver on the car. It weighs 11 lb and straps to the trunk lid or hatch, so you can fit it and take it off without help.
Saris says it fits 90 percent of top vehicles, including some with spoilers. The arc design separates the two bikes on different levels so they don't rub.
It holds bikes by the frame, so carbon frames or bikes without a horizontal top tube may need a bike beam. Paint care matters more too, since the straps press against the bodywork.
Read more in our MaxxHaul bike rack review for another trunk-style take.
Allen Sports Premier 2-Bike Trunk Rack
The Allen Premier is the budget path. It comes assembled and uses a patented quick snap setup, so the first fitting takes minutes.
It carries two bikes up to a 70 lb total on 12-inch carry arms. Extra-large pads spread the load, and left and right side straps add stability on the car.
Like the Bones EX, it holds bikes by the frame. If you want wheel trays and no frame contact, the Freedom 2 is the reason to fit a hitch.
Otherwise the Allen is the cheaper way onto the road.
Verdict: is the Saris Freedom 2 worth it?
The Saris Freedom 2 is worth it for most drivers with a 2-inch hitch who carry two bikes and want a rack that leaves the frame alone. The wheel trays, the 190 lb split and the tilt pedal cover daily trips and weekend rides.
Buy it if you keep a rack on the car and want e-bike support on the inner trays. Pick the Bones EX or the Allen Premier if there's no hitch on your vehicle or you want to spend less.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. On those terms the Freedom 2 earns a 9.7 for the platform hitch class.
Skip it if your receiver is 1.25 inches or you need a rack you can lift off alone. Otherwise this is the two-bike platform to start with, and the saris freedom 2 bike rack reviews above show why it leads the class.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Saris Freedom 2 fit a 1.25-inch hitch?
No. The Freedom 2 fits 2-inch hitch receivers only, so a 1.25-inch receiver needs a different rack or an adapter.
Check the receiver size on your vehicle before ordering, since the rack's weight and tilt design rely on the larger opening.
Can the Saris Freedom 2 carry an e-bike?
Yes. Saris rates the inner trays for bikes up to 60 lb each, which covers many e-bikes.
The outer trays hold up to 35 lb each, so keep heavy bikes on the inner positions and check your bike's weight first.
How much does the Saris Freedom 2 weigh?
The rack weighs 54 lb. Plan for a two-person lift when you install or remove it, and keep a spot to store it when it's off the car.
The folding design helps when it stays on the vehicle.
Can you open the trunk with bikes loaded on the Saris Freedom 2?
Yes, thanks to the foot-operated tilt pedal. Press the pedal to swing the rack away from the vehicle and reach the cargo area without taking the bikes off.
Check that your hatch or tailgate clears the tilted rack before relying on it.
What is the total weight limit of the Saris Freedom 2?
Saris rates the Freedom 2 for up to 190 lb in total. That figure splits into 60 lb on each inner tray and 35 lb on each outer tray, so plan your bike mix around those per-tray limits rather than the total alone.
