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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.
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (181 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.It’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.
First trip with 3 bikes. Nary a wobble. The anti-sway strips appear to make a big difference.
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.
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 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 - 09/15/2021Fits 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.
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.
It’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.
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
Easy 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.
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.
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
Pete B - 05/11/2018got 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 - 09/29/2016One 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.
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.
Solid and sturdy.
Christian a - 01/11/2022I 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.
Simply put: great rack!
Was a bit concerned after reading some of the less-than-positive reviews how the rack may come off etc. However, had no issues at all (have been using it for over a year now). It even takes speed bumps surprisingly well!
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!!
Easy to use with reliable and confident attachment to hitch
William - 06/16/2019The 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 - 07/27/2016Very 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 .....
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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