Saris Superclamp 4 Ex

You can strap your bike to the roof of your vehicle, find a way of fitting it in your trunk, or, if you’ve got a tow hitch and actually like your bike, you can try the Saris Superclamp Ex 4.

Carrying your bike between trails and on vacation should be easy. You need to be able to load it in seconds and hit the road. But, you also need to know that your bike is secure and will still be on your rack when you reach your destination

Above all, you want to be confident that your bike will arrive in the same condition as it left in. A good bike is an investment and not something you want to see the paint scratched off after a 20-mile drive. You’ll also find that your car stays in good condition!

Don’t forget to check out this list of the best bike stands. They’ll ensure your bike is well looked after when you’re at home. If you have children you’ll already appreciate that this can be harder than you think!

Saris has been trading since 1989 and believe that a bike is an essential companion on your life journey. It isn’t just for commuting or riding the trails. With this in mind, they’ve focused on creating the very best quality bike racks and accessories. If you have a bike, they have a rack that will carry it safely.

Let’s take a look at what the Saris Superclamp 4 Ex has to offer:

The Specs

• Weighs just 63lbs

This may seem heavy but it is actually the lightest 4 bike hitch rack currently available.

• Lifetime Guarantee

For as long as you own it you’ll have the benefit of a guarantee against anything not connected to wear and tear.

• Steel Construction

Ensuring the rack will last you for years and won’t buckle when you add your bikes to it.

• Can Carry Any Type Of Bike

It doesn’t matter if you have a road bike, mountain bike, electric bike, beach bike, or even a kids bike; it will fit on this rack.

• Maximum Carrying Weight 190lbs

It’s worth noting that the outer two bikes should not exceed 35lbs each, leaving you 120 pounds for the other two, (inner), bikes.   

• Integrated Locking Cables & Hitch Pin

Advantages

The Saris Superclamp 4 Ex is an impressive bit of kit. Check out the range of positive features associated with it:

Ease of Installation & Loading

Hitch mounted bike racks tend to be easy to attach. You simply slide the attachment into the hitch and lock it into position.  The lightness of the Saris Superclamp makes this extremely easy. You’ll be comfortable doing it by yourself and be ready to go in less than 5 minutes.

It’s worth noting that the hitch has an anti-rattle bolt. This reduces noise and wobble while driving.

Once you’ve slid the hitch in, you simply slide the pin in place and lock it into position. No one is removing the rack without your permission!

The trays at the bottom of the rack are designed to accommodate almost any size of tires. They can be adjusted to fit the wheelbase of your bike. A simple strap goes around the base of each wheel, holding it securely onto the tray.

The top clamps slide upwards, allowing you to lift the bike into position. These then slide back down and fit snugly over the top of your wheel.  This ensures the wheel is locked into position and cannot move while in transit.

It should be noted that the Saris Superclamp 4 Ex is designed to be used only with 2” hitches.

Quality Of Build

The rack weighs just 63lbs but is made from steel. This is a testimony to Saris’s commitment to maximizing quality and ease of use.

The steel is powder-coated to ensure it will withstand the elements for many years. The brackets are also case hardened to ensure maximum strength throughout the rack. This is one accessory that is unlikely to fail.

Security

It’s great to see the inclusion of a hitch lock and integrated locking cables. This will ensure the bikes are secured to the rack and the rack is secured to the vehicle. You won’t be able to remove it without the key, so don’t lose it!

Trunk Access

Most hitch bike racks now offer this feature but it is still worth mentioning. If you’ve ever used a trunk bike rack you’ll know how difficult, and often impossible, it is to get into the trunk of your car once the bikes are in place.

This isn’t an issue for the Saris Superclamp 4 Ex. Simply push the lever at the rear down and the rack will tilt away from your trunk, at a 45° angle. You can then easily access the trunk and put things in and out.

This makes it easy to store your bike gear or get ready for the family vacation.

Carries Almost Any Bike

It’s not often that you find a bike rack capable of carrying virtually any bike on the market.

Thanks to wide, adjustable trays, and the adjustable over wheel clamps, you can slide almost any bike onto the rack and secure it safely.

The trays can accommodate a wheelbase of up to 50” as standard. You can also pick up extension jits and even holders to accommodate fat tires. Saris really have thought of everything!

The great thing about the sliding wheel trays and clamps is that you don’t need any extra straps to secure your bike into position. You can literally lift t onto the rack, secure the clamps and wrap the locking cable around the bikes in just a few minutes. That’s impressive!

It Looks Good

You should also note that the Saris Superclamp actually looks good, with or without the bikes on. When not in use it is possible to fold the padded arms down, minimizing the space that the rack needs.

Of course, you’ll need to remember it’s on the back of your vehicle when driving or parking

Disadvantages

There are always a few things that you need to be aware of when buying equipment and accessories. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy an item, just that you’re well informed before you make your decision.

Cost

This is not the rack for you if you’re considering a family vacation and need a rack for little else throughout the year.

In short, this is an expensive bit of kit. But, if you’re going to use it regularly, want to protect your bikes, and need a rack that will give you years of service, this is the right bike rack for the price.

It should be noted that this is not the most expensive rack on the market, but, it is significantly more than some offerings. However, they say you get what you pay for…

Backup Camera

This isn’t an issue that will affect everyone but it is something you should be aware of. If your vehicle has a reverse camera, to help you back up safely, there is a good chance it will be constantly telling you that there s something in the way.

There is little you can do about this except put up with the extra beeping when reversing and pay attention to what is around you. The camera will still show you an image but the distances to objects will not be correct!

Of course, if you don’t have reverse sensors or camera this won’t be an issue!

Final Thoughts

The Saris Superclamp 4 Ex is not the cheapest rack available but it is a great option for anyone who takes their bikes out on a regular basis.

It’s not just a practical solution, it’s well built and its claim to be the strongest and lightest 4 bike hitch platform on the market appears to be true. This is a worthwhile investment if you need to carry 3 or 4 bikes regularly. You’ll be hard pushed to find a better rack on the market.

Hitch mounted bike racks do make life easier and the Saris Superclamp 4 Ex is one of the best available. It’s a quality bike rack from a reputable manufacturer with a solid guarantee. You will not regret your purchase!