Sturdy, hitch-mounted rack carries 4 bikes on folding dual arms with anti-sway cradles. ZipStrip ratcheting cradle straps quickly and easily secure your bikes to the rack. Rack tilts for cargo area access. Tool-free installation with locking knob.
Features:
Specs:
Note: This dual-arm rack reduces the need for a bike frame adapter bar (sold separately) to mount a children's, women's, or alternative frame bicycle. However, to mount certain bikes or to keep your bike level on the rack, a bike adapter bar may be required. Most step-through bikes, dual-suspension bikes, and small children's bikes will require a bike adapter bar.
The sturdy, hitch-mounted Yakima Ridgeback lets you transport 4 bikes on the back of your vehicle. The rack has dual arms that offer excellent bike support and anti-sway cradles with ZipStrip ratcheting cradle straps for quick and easy bike loading. The mast tilts away from your vehicle for cargo area access. And installation is tool-free with an integrated anti-rattle device that locks the rack to your vehicle.
The Ridgeback's dual arms offer excellent bike support.
And they fold down flat against the mast for parking clearance and compact storage. To fold them down, pull the grey TriggerFinger control lever on top of the mast. When you're ready to load bikes again, simply lift the arms back up until they lock into place with an audible click.
The RidgeBack has anti-sway cradles that grip your bike frame at 3 different points - twice along the top bar and once along a downward bar, such as a seat post. This third point of contact helps to prevent sway and bike-to-bike contact.
Ratcheting ZipStrips let you quickly and easily secure your bikes in the cradles. These straps require none of the tugging and stretching that conventional straps require. Simply insert the strap into the buckles on the cradle, and push it down until it's snug around your bike frame. The ZipStrips can be removed quickly by pressing the release levers on the sides of each anti-sway cradle.
A layer of TPE padding on each cradle absorbs road shock and minimizes vibrations.
The Ridgeback has an integrated SpeedKnob that allows tool-free installation. The knob controls an anti-rattle wedge on the shank. Simply turn the knob to tighten the bike rack shank in your hitch receiver. This not only secures the rack to your vehicle, but also reduces noise and movement of the rack in your hitch. An included hitch pin is attached to the bike rack shank with a lanyard so you won't lose it.
The rack works with both 1-1/4" and 2" hitches. To use it in a 1-1/4" hitch, simply remove the red adapter and wedge extension with the included Allen key.
The Ridgeback's mast tilts so you won't need to remove the rack for rear hatch clearance. And the UpperHand control lever is conveniently located near the top of the mast, so you won't need to bend over to reach a lever or pin at the base of the rack.
The SpeedKnob includes a Yakima Same Key System (SKS) lock core. This lock prevents a would-be thief from being able to loosen the knob and remove the rack from your hitch. Add a HandCuff cable lock (Y02466 - sold separately) to secure your bikes to the rack.
SKS cores can be swapped out if you own other Yakima products and want to use the same key to lock them all.
The RidgeBack easily folds flat for compact storage. Use the TriggerFinger control lever to fold the arms down. Then use the UpperHand lever to fold up the shank.
The RidgeBack includes 2 built-in, machined-steel bottle openers in case your beverage of choice doesn't have a twist-off cap.
Installation Details 
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Speaker 1: Today, on our 2017 Toyota Highlander, we're gonna be test fitting the Yakima Ridgeback four bike rack for 1 1/4" and 2" hitches, part number Y02458. We already have our bike installed on our rack. Let's go and take a closer look here. Starting with our arms, at the ends of both of them, we do have the patented Yakima bottle openers. The cradles are gonna be stationary, meaning they can't move back and forth. But they do have this TPE padding here, which is gonna help absorb some of the shock while you're driving and help protect the frame of your bike.
The top portion of our zip strips here are also padded and again, that's for protection of your frame. It's gonna grip your bike at three points. So we're gonna have two zip strips up at the top and one off to the side here and that's gonna serve as an anti-sway cradle to keep the bike from moving too far back and forth and causing bike to bike contact.There's also a stabilization strap that wraps around all four bikes when they're installed to keep them nice and compact together while traveling and prevent too much movement. While this doesn't have any locks included for the bikes, you do have options. There is this plastic piece on the back here, which can be removed and replaced with the Yakima hand cuff lock, which is sold separately.
So let's go ahead and take the bike off and set it aside. Starting with the zip strips here, there are gonna be these tabs on either side of the zip strip. You push them in at the same time. That'll release it, very easy and then you can just lift the bike up and off. We'll put the zip strips back in just so we don't lose them.
With the bike rack in this position, I'd like to give you a couple quick measurements. Measuring from the edge of the bumper to our outermost point, there's gonna be the arm here. We've added about 24" to the rear of the vehicle.Our ground clearance is gonna be about 11" and the closest point to the bumper is gonna be about 7" to this edge here. Now looking at the mast of our bike rack, you can also see that it curves or arches outward. This is gonna provide better clearance between your bike rack and the vehicle.
But more importantly, when we tilt this away later, it's gonna provide extra clearance so you make sure you can get your hatch open once it is tilted away. The arms do fold down out of the way when not in use and this is good for your parking or putting in your garage situations or just putting it away for storage. You come to the latch at the top, lift that up, let it fold down and now measuring from the edge to the bumper, now we're only at 14 1/2". So that's quite a bit of difference there. This can tilt away by coming to the latch at the front. Pull that towards you. Let it come away and now we have full hatch access to get what we need and there's more than enough space on either side to do so.To put it back into its original position, just simply push up on the bike rack itself and how this attaches to the hitch is it's gonna be a tool free install. You just push the bike rack into position, push the red pin into place and then come to the speed nob at the end and you turn that to the right to tighten it up, which will take out the shake and play in the shank and then you can lock it down and it'll just free spin and be secure in your vehicle. There's also a collar on the side here that can be removed and you can utilize this with 1 1/4" hitches as long as they're class 2. So this can work with either multiple vehicles or if you get a class 2 hitch for your Highlander, this will work with that as well and there you have it for the Yakima Ridgeback four bike rack on our our 2017 Toyota Highlander.Here it is on our test course. We'll start by going through the slalom. This is gonna show us the side to side action, which simulates turning corners or evasive maneuvers. Next, we're at the alternating speed bumps, which we'll the twisting action. This will simulate hitting a curb or pothole or driving over uneven pavement. Finally, we have the full speed bumps where we'll see the up and down action, which is just like driving out of a parking lot, garage, or driveway.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (92 Customer Reviews)
Sturdy, hitch-mounted rack carries 4 bikes on folding dual arms with anti-sway cradles. ZipStrip ratcheting cradle straps quickly and easily secure your bikes to the rack. Rack tilts for cargo area access. Tool-free installation with locking knob.A very nice bike rack, great customer service and quick shipping. 274028
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 227525
Julie G - 09/29/2016I 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. 670545
I liked this rack for normal shaped adult bikes. Unfortunatley, kid bikes and several full suspension bikes are difficult or impossible to fit on this rack. It is also difficult to fit 4 bikes on the rack that are different shapes. Hindsight, I woud have gotten a tire mount rear bike rack instead. 388041
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. 152901
Easy to use with reliable and confident attachment to hitch 521542
William - 06/16/2019Shipped right away. No shipping charge. Arrived quickly. First time dealing with this co but not my last. 232204
A little difficult when multiple bikes are carried but still a good bike rack 361816
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. I 379249
Pete B - 05/11/2018Great 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!! 154002
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. 706200
This is really an easy rack to install and the lock mechanism is simple. What a great design. It took just a few minutes to set it up and appears sturdy and rugged. So far, I am very pleased. 700462
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. 603961
Nice and solid. Several thousands of miles traveled- no problems. 597663
Easy installation and take down. Very sturdy and reliable. Would purchase it again. 558634
Arrived. Looks great. Have not used yet. Quick delivery as always. 518066
Shipped quickly and was a great as expe cted 514358
We could not be happier with our Yakima bike rack. Easy to use and handles our 2 bikes with ease. A bit heavy for my wife to attach, but we get it done no problems. Additionally etrailer was great to work with and their website is fantastic. 505463
Excellent Price & services. Also came one day early. Great job guys Thanks..., 455649
Love the bike rack! Make sure you view the video on the rack before you install. 403411
Very easy to install !! and love that it folds down far enough to allow me to completely lower the tail gate on the pick-up ! Great site for shopping (great installation videos) ! Love that they offer lots of replacement parts ..... 357076
Secure easy to use. 319407
Great product and super fast shipping. 285331
Great product and, above all, excellent service from etrailer.com! 257782
Great prices and was delivered within 3 days and no damage to the boxes or equipment. I'd recommend this site to anyone looking for a great price and fast turn around service. Thanks etrailer 241329
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