Can Yakima Ridgeback Y02458 Bike Cradle Spacing on Rack Arms Be Adjusted

Updated 05/22/2020 | Published 11/26/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima RidgeBack Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting

(233)

$478.95

Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away

(52)

$698.95

Question:

Are the bike cradles on the rack arms able to be adjusted to allow different spacing between bikes similar to that of the Yakima Doubledown Ace?

asked by: RMC

Expert Reply:

The bike cradles on the Yakima RidgeBack 4 Bike Rack # Y02458 are held in place by a bottom set screw. So, while the cradles can be angled about 20 degrees (to adjust their angle and better conform to your bike) or removed (to allow them to be replaced if they should ever wear out), they cannot be adjusted front to back. The spacing between the cradles is set at 5.5" center to center.

Yakima does offer a bike rack with cradles that are specifically designed so they can easily be adjusted, the Yakima FullSwing # Y02465. With the FullSwing you do get some other upgrades, like the ability to swing the rack away from your vehicle, even with the bikes loaded, to gain full access to your trunk, tool-free installation with the integrated Speedknob that tightens the rack inside of your hitch and AutoPin that doesn't require the use of an extra hitch pin or clip.

expert reply by: Adam R

Steve A.

5/16/2020

I need a 4 bike rack but 90% of the time I will be hauling 2 or 3 bikes. Can I remove one set of saddles and space out the remaining three to make loading easier on the Yakima Ridgeback? Are there others that would work this way?

Chris R.

5/19/2020

Most bike racks do have fixed positions for their cradles, so the Yakima RidgeBack # Y02458 is really one of your best options for the kind of setup you're looking for. They can be moved around and a set could be completely removed to allow for even better spacing if desired.

Steve A.

5/19/2020

@ChrisR - thanks for reply but I just noticed in the installation instructions that this rack needs greater that 1.5” from receiver face to hole. OEM Toyota Highlander is less and I see no adapters or solutions to be able to use this rack. Any ideas?

Chris R.

5/22/2020

@SteveA Thanks for the additional information. Unfortunately there's just not a lot out there that will work with that shallow of a hitch pin hole dimension. Yakima voids the warranty when using hitch extenders with their racks, but you could go with a really nice Thule 4-bike model like the Camber # TH9056 and add an extender # 80307 to provide the right hitch pin hole depth. Just note that use of the extender will reduce our hitch capacity by 50 percent. I like the Camber for your application because the rack offers uniquely large cradle spacing - so while you can't move them along the bars, it does have a nice and roomy design.