Yakima Products, Inc., the innovation leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions, is focusing on versatility with its 2018 bike rack collection, with new offerings for both cars and trucks that accommodate a wide spectrum of bikes, from downhill and fat bikes to carbon fiber road and mountain bikes. The 2018 collection also includes updates to classic best-selling racks for even more versatility and easier to use key functions.
Joining the bike rack line-up is Yakima’s first single-bike tray rack, SingleSpeed; the HoldUp EVO and HoldUp EVO +2, a premium version of the brand’s popular tray rack; the new BackSwing, which transforms any hitch rack into a swing-away hitch rack; and GateKeeper, a full-featured tailgate pad.
Spring 2018 Bike Racks:
SingleSpeed
A new single-bike hitch rack for fast and light solo travel, theSingleSpeed carries any kind of bike and is super-easy to install and remove, making it great for urban dwellers and smaller vehicles. The StrongArm design secures bike at wheels, protecting paint jobs and carbon frames.
It’s the first single bike tray that comes with a full locking package: SKS Locks are included, which lock both the rack to the vehicle and bikes to the rack.
Key features:
- StrongArm hook secures bike at wheels, protecting painted surfaces and carbon frames
- Tool-free locking SpeedKnob™ makes installation and removal fast, easy and secure
- Folding wheel cup and compact design keeps the rack out of your way when not in use
- Fits most bikes, including fat-tire, mountain, road, hybrid, women’s specific, e-bikes (under 40 lbs.) & BMX
- Accommodates disc brakes, thru-axles, boost hubs, and full suspension bikes
- Fits 20” to 29” wheel sizes and tires up to 5” wide
- Integrated SKS (Same Key System) lock included for added bike security
- Fits both 1.25” & 2” hitch receivers right out of the box
- Weight: 20 lbs.
- Compatible with 2” and 1.25” hitch receivers
- MSRP: $259
HoldUp EVO
Fast, secure, and easy to use, the HoldUp EVO is built to handle new bike standards, like fat tires and boost hubs, but it easily carries the classics too. The StrongArm hook secures the bikes at their wheels, protecting carbon frames and painted surfaces. Tilt the rack with bikes loaded for quick rear-of-vehicle access using the new, easy to reach tilt lever and KickStart™ foot pedal. The super-simple locking SpeedKnob™ makes install a tool-free breeze and included SKS bike locks keep your mind at ease.
Key features:
- New easy-access tilt mechanism and KickStart™ foot pedal make raising and lowering the rack a breeze, even with bikes loaded
- New tool-free locking SpeedKnob™ makes installation and removal fast, easy and secure
- StrongArm hook secures bike at wheels, protecting painted surfaces and carbon frames
- Easily adjust trays to reduce bike-to-bike interference
- Fits most bikes, including fat-tire, mountain, road, hybrid, women’s specific, BMX, kids’ bikes, & E-bikes under 50 lbs.
- Accommodates disc brakes, thru-axles, boost hubs, and full suspension bikes
- Fits 20” to 29” wheel sizes and tires up to 5” wide
- Integrated SKS (Same Key System) locks secure rack to vehicle and bikes to rack
- Available in two sizes: 1.25” hitch receivers & 2” hitch receivers
- Carry up to four bikes with the addition of the HoldUp EVO +2 (compatible with 2” version only)
- Load capacity: 50 lbs/bike
- MSRP: $499
HoldUp EVO +2
Great for families, double dates, or bringing your entire bike quiver, theHoldUp EVO +2 turns the 2” HoldUp EVO into a four-bike hauler. It’s versatile enough to handle most bikes, from BMX to fat tire bikes. The StrongArm hook secures the bikes at their wheels, protecting carbon frames and painted surfaces. The whole unit can still tilt down and out of the way with bikes loaded, for easy rear-of-vehicle access, and the empty trays fold up and out of the way when not in use.
Key features:
- Attaches to the 2” HoldUp EVO to carry two additional bikes
- StrongArm hook secures bike at wheels, protecting painted surfaces and carbon frames
- Trays easily adjust to reduce bike-to-bike interference
- Tilts down with bikes loaded for rear-of-vehicle access
Fits most bikes, including fat-tire, mountain, road, hybrid, women’s specific, BMX, kids’ bikes, & e-bikes under 50 lbs. - Accommodates disc brakes, through axles, boost hubs, and full suspension bikes
- Fits 20” to 29” wheel sizes and tires up to 5” wide
- Integrated SKS (Same Key System) secures rack to vehicle and bikes to rack
- Compatible only with 2″ version of HoldUp EVO
- MSRP: $369
BackSwing
The BackSwing extension gives hitch-mount racks the freedom to swing out of the way, allowing for easy tailgate access. A breeze to install, it locks in place while you’re on the road, then unlocks so you can swing your fully-loaded rack a full 90-degrees out of the way to grab your gear, cooler, dog – or just sit and enjoy some post–ride “trailgating.”
Built strong, the BackSwing can hold up to 250 lbs, and works with just about any hitch-mount rack using a 2” receiver.
Key features:
- Hitch extension converts most 2″ hitch products to a swing-away rack
- Provides easy tailgate access – even with a rack fully loaded with bikes
- Easily swings open 90 degrees and locks in place with the simple to use release lever
- Safety latch secures the rack closed while you’re on the road
- Secures to any 2″ hitch receiver using a threaded pin
- Included SKS (Same Key System) lock keeps the rack secure
- 250 lb. maximum load capacity (rack plus gear)
- MSRP: $299
- Available: May 2018
GateKeeper
Inspired by Yakima’s much-loved CrashPad, the new GateKeeper truck tailgate pad is designed for throw-it-in-and-go bike transport. Ready for shuttle days, it has superior bike protection & back-up camera access.
The GateKeeper brings tailgate pads to a new level with the addition of two innovative features: cushioned SitTight™ bike cradles that give each bike a safe, comfortable spot to be strapped in, protecting both the bike and the truck’s tailgate, and the HindSight™ tuck-away cover that opens the view for the truck’s backup camera.
Additionally, the durable nylon exterior protects your bike from your truck’s tailgate while the soft felt backing keeps your truck’s paint protected.
Key features:
- New cushioned SitTight™ cradles protect bikes from shifting and sliding
- New HindSight™ cover tucks out of the way so your back-up camera can do its job
- New Velcro® cradle closure system is easy on carbon bike frames and painted surfaces
- Rugged nylon outer material resists abrasion and weather damage
- Extra soft felt backing protects the truck’s paint job
- Integrated strap management system keeps the pad tight and secure on the road
- Medium size has a 5-bike capacity and fits mid-size & some older full-size trucks
- Large size has a 6-bike capacity and fits most full-size trucks
- Medium dimensions: 53″ long x 5″ wide x 17″ tall
- Large dimensions: 62″ long x 5″ wide x 20″ tall
- MSRP: $139 (Medium), $149 (Large)
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor