Can the Yakima HoldUp 4-Bike Rack Be Converted Into a 2-Bike Rack Easily?

Published 10/31/2026

Question:

My wife and I usually take our bikes out on the weekends, but when the kids come along, we need room for all four bikes. Ive been looking at the Yakima HoldUp Y95MX and noticed it has a removable extension. Can I take the extra two bike section off when its just the two of us, or is it something thats meant to stay attached once its installed? Id rather not drive around with a huge bike rack when we only need half of it.

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

Hey Brian, you can absolutely remove the extra two bike extension from the Yakima HoldUp 4-Bike Rack # Y95MX whenever you don't need it! That's actually one of my favorite things about this setup. You're getting a two bike rack with an additional two bike extension, so when it's just you and your wife heading out for a ride, you can take that rear section off and use the two trays closest to your vehicle. Then, when the whole family wants to come along, you can reinstall the extension and you're back to carrying four bikes. It's a nice way to have the flexibility of a larger rack without always having that extra length hanging off the back of your SUV.

Another thing I like is that the HoldUp uses wheel mounted hooks instead of grabbing the bike frames, which is especially nice if anyone in the family has a carbon fiber bike or a custom paint job. The trays also adjust from side to side to help keep handlebars and pedals from bumping into each other when you're carrying all four bikes. And when you need something out of the back of your SUV, the rack tilts away with the bikes loaded, so you're not constantly taking everything off just to open the hatch.

Are all four of your bikes standard mountain or road bikes, or does anyone in the family ride an electric bike?

expert reply by: Heather A