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This 4-bike rack comes fully assembled and installs quickly without the need for tools. Removable ZipStrips let you easily load bikes without bulky straps getting in your way. Tilts with bikes unloaded.
Features:
Specs:
Dual Folding Arms with Anti-Sway Cradles
The Yakima RidgeBack has dual arms that provide excellent support for your bikes. They slope up to provide ground clearance for steep driveways and bumpy roads.
To fold the arms down, pull up the TriggerFinger lever at the top of the mast. This leaves a smaller footprint, so you can keep the rack on your vehicle to park in your garage. And when stored in this configuration, it doesn't take up as much space in your garage.
Each set of anti-sway cradles have two ZipStrips that secure your bike along the top tube and one that secures the seat post or downtube. This multi-point contact helps keep your bikes from rocking back and forth, reducing bike-to-bike contact.
Because the ZipStrips are removable, the RidgeBack is easier to load than racks that have integrated straps that get in your way when you slide your bikes over the arms. To load your bikes, press the quick-release levers on the sides of each cradle and remove the ZipStrips, slide your bikes onto the rack, and re-insert the strips, pressing them firmly against each bike's frame. To remove your bikes, simply remove the ZipStrips.
Easy Tilting for Cargo Area Access
The rack tilts down without your bikes loaded. This means you won't have to remove the whole rack to access your cargo area for grocery runs and other errands.
To tilt the rack, pull the lever on the front of the mast and lower the mast. When you're ready to go, lift the mast up until it snaps into place with an audible click.
The rack quickly installs in your hitch receiver, without the need for tools. Just slide the shank into your hitch and turn the knob until snug. Turning the knob deploys an anti-rattle wedge in the shank to help take play out of the hitch connection. Insert the hitch pin into the hole to secure the rack to your receiver. The pin is tethered to the rack, so you won't lose it.
You can install the rack in a 1-1/4" hitch or in a 2" hitch. To use it in a 1-1/4" hitch, simply remove the adapter with the included Allen key.
A lock on the hand knob secures the rack to your vehicle. Once locked, the hand knob will spin freely so a would-be thief can't operate it.
A HandCuff cable lock kit (sold separately) is available to secure your bikes to the rack. Unlike a standard cable lock, the HandCuff lock attaches to the Ridgeback with included hardware. Once attached, the cable threads around your bikes' frames and inserts into the lock at the end of the right arm. The cable stores inside the mast when not in use. Same Key System (SKS) locks (sold separately) let you make all your Yakima products keyed alike.
If you have a women's bike, kid's bike, or any other bike without a straight, horizontal top tube, you will need an adapter bar (sold separately) to properly mount your bike. The bar fits between the seat post and handlebar stem post of your bike to create a top tube so your bike hangs level on the rack.
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (190 Customer Reviews)
This 4-bike rack comes fully assembled and installs quickly without the need for tools. Removable ZipStrips let you easily load bikes without bulky straps getting in your way. Tilts with bikes unloaded.Check out my other review on the hidden hitch for a 2015 BMW 4 Series for the majority of the review, but this thing is great. Easy setup and install, does all the things it's supposed to do. Mounting and removing bikes is a snap with the included clips (big difference from some of the cheaper variants with nylon ratchet straps). Fits very snugly in my 2" receiver, and pretty solid on the highway and over bumpy roads.
Good - will hold 4 bikes. the tie downs are easy enough to use. The folding portion helps to get it out of the way when opening the tailgate.
Bad - after 10,000+ miles with 4 bikes the portion that hooks to the hitch bent under the weight. Kids bikes are heavy but it should have stronger material. Don't expect to take it on and off as the multi-size hitch is a pain to use on larger carriers. Getting women's bikes on are difficult. Had to flip it upside down to get it to fit.
Descent overall. most of it is built sturdy. I've seen a lot worse for same or more money. I'll likely cut off the bent portion and weld on a new larger receiver hitch that won't bend.
Jenny N - 08/09/2022 Jenny N - 08/09/2022It’s relatively heavy but super easy to install and use. No rattles from hitch or bike areas. Red Yakima stickers on the vertical beam are low quality, not firmly attached, and I expect them to peal off. Otherwise, very happy with the rack.
Shopped around for different bike racks at different places locally and online. Prices varied quite a bit. I decided to check Etrailer because I have ordered from them before, they have a great selection and their prices are fair and quite often, as low as any you'll find. In this instance, their price was the lowest and they offered free shipping. And for a bike rack, shipping costs are not insignificant. This Yakima RidgeBack4 turned out to be a good choice and I have been extremely satisfied with it. I also purchased the HandCuff Bike Lock as an accessory and it was easy to install on the rack. I would without question recommend Etrailer for your next purchase.
First trip with 3 bikes. Nary a wobble. The anti-sway strips appear to make a big difference.
I have the Yakima fullback trunk bike rack and it was really good for my Honda Civic. Now when I traded in the rhe civic for an MDX i need a hitch trailer and a new bike rack. Luckily I find both in etrailer and ordered them. I’ve been using them for a year now and so far it was good. I only use two bikes for this rack so far. I made a mistake because I didnt know there was a full version of this similar to my other trunk bike that comes with built-in security cable. Next time i have to do more research. But dont get me wrong. This is a good tilt bike rack too. Check out the yakima swing arm also.
Bryan G - 09/15/2021Fantastic unit! Only 4 stars because the Yakima sticker continues to peel away and require reapplication to every couple of months. Get 3 months in between if I use a heat gun. Other than that this is trouble free and works great with both 1.25” hitches and 2” hauling 2 adult road bikes and two kid mountain bikes with ease.
Fits great, easy to install, fits my 2018 Wrangler with 35" spare mounted on back. Still can't access cargo area, but I assumed that going in.
We've been pretty happy with this rack. My main reason for giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that it doesn't really fit 4 bikes. We usually can get 3 on it and even then, we have to take off at least one wheel but usually 2. Once our 2nd daughter has a bigger bike (that we cannot fit in the trunk), we won't have a way to transport all of our bikes.
Sierra K - 06/08/2021 Caroline - 05/29/2022I am so impressed with this product. It is my second bike rack. Only reason I had to buy a new one with someone rammed into the back of my car and caused damage.
So far all is good. Easy assembly out of the box. Customer support from strainer is terrific. Had a question on modifying the adaptar to fit 1.25 hitch and they answered a call immediately. Product is sturdy. Looks great. And is very easy to operate. Highly recommend
I bought a 2015 Subaru Outback and had a Subaru factory installed 1-1/4 hitch added to my purchase. I did not know at the time that Subaru designed the hitch to fit basically only their branded products.
I went to several bike stores trying to find a 4 bike hitch supported by my Subaru. I even took some home and tried to get them to work and none did.
I went on the internet and googled some solutions that were either completely wrong or was a solution by some engineer who customized the bike rack.
Luckily I reached out to etrailer and spoke to their phone rep. He had heard about challenges with the Subaru hitch and recalled there were a couple of 4 bike hitches that would work. He said he would get back to me.
In about a 1/2 hour I got an email about the Yakima RidgeBack. I was hesitant because so many had failed but with the free return policy I gave it a shot.
I am not real mechanically inclined but in about an hour I figured out how to mount it on my Subaru (it takes less than 5 minutes now that I know how). I used the rack dozens of times, even hauling 4 bikes on it.
This is the second product I have bought from etrailer and could not be happier. They are fast, responsive to questions, and get it right.
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Pete B - 05/11/2018It’s was less than a 5 minute setup from taking out of box to placing into car hitch.straps are easy to use. Strong frame.
Excellent product. Put it on the hitch, loaded 2 bikes, and took a 3000+ mile trip from Illinois to Idaho. Absolutely no problems. I recommend this but, as others state, am not sure how 4 bikes would fit.
got the bike rack super fast. Had a ton of questions beforehand and etrailer staff were very responsive. The bike rack seems durable and does fit tightly in the hitch. My only concern is the obvious swaying of the bikes when they are attached to the rack - i expected them to not sway as much. We take it on our long bike trip this weekend so we will see what happens. Love that it locks into the hitch
Julie G - 09/29/2016Easy to use. Both with mounting on hitch and loading bikes. I’ve used half dozen times with 1 or 2 bikes and am very happy with stability of bikes and ease of loading.
Great rack! Even better customer service!! Had a problem with a missing key and etrailer fixed the problem, no questions asked. I will refer them to anyone looking for car accessories.
Easy to put on multiple bikes and seems to be very sturdy. No problems.
I was pretty disappointed with this rack from Yakima. Assembly was straightforward and the rack seems well made, but it did not meet my expectations as far as performance. I loaded up 2 bikes, a light road bike and a moderately heavy hybrid and drove for a few hours. The road bike flailed around on the rack despite being properly secured, and I ended up with scratches on the frame. For the drive home I switched locations of the bikes and tried to protect the road bike, but ended up with new scratches anyways.
I would NOT recommend this rack if you have a lightweight bike, are concerned about dinging your frame, or if you drive a sedan (maybe the airflow around an SUV would be less of an issue?). If you've got heavier bikes and you don't mind them taking a bit of a beating, this product is probably adequate.
Looks like a very good quality rack. Sturdy, very little movement, and no rattle at the hitch after tightening the hitch lock. 2 bikes (1 fat & 1 hybrid, 80 lbs total) went on easy, and tight hold-downs that also came off easy when I needed. Rotating hitch lock pulls a metal wedge inside the hitch to lock it in place pretty tight, and the partial hitch pin then secures it in place. This is a bit awkward relative to just securing with a full size RV hitch pin, but it's a tighter fit, and it includes the convenient lock, so a trade-off. I only have 2 bikes so no issue with loading 4 bikes, which would be tight. Both my bikes have angled cross-bars but loaded fine without adding tube top adapter. Tires easily clear the bumper and exhaust pipe of 2006 Pathfinder. Thanks to Linda H. for tube top research for my config, and modifying my order. Delivery to Dallas was 2 days after order was placed.
One year later and I am just as happy as I was the first time I used this bike rack. From roads bikes to my big fat tire bikes, this rack handles it all. Spending the few extra dollars to get this model has been worth every penny as I like being able to open my liftgate when the rack is on the car. I have recommended this rack to multiple people over the year and recommended etrailer due to the service I received.
Great product, great price. Rack is very easy to install and very well made, albeit a little heavy. No assembly required out of the box which is fantastic, plus a very informative how-to video on Yakima's website. Fast shipping from etrailer - would buy from again. Thanks!!
The Yakima Ridgeback bike rack is a top quality rack. It's a very sturdy rack, easy to put on and use. The transaction was very smooth and easy. I placed the order late afternoon and received a notice a couple hours later with the shipping info.
Kevin T - 07/27/2016I love the product, but etrailer.com was easy to use, competitive pricing and had a great [online] video on the installation of the product I purchased. Very impressive!
The bike rack is great quality. It’s exaclty what I wanted. It’s easy to install. The customer service at etrailer.com was excellent.
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