Review -

Team Tested: Yakima Holdup 2 Bike Hitch Rack

Bike racks are pretty simple in what they are supposed to do. Carry bicycles from point A to point B. But certainly how they differ is how easy to use they are, and can you trust your bike for the given trip? I used the Holdup from Yakima for eight months recently. Read on to find out if it did it’s job.

The Holdup is the fastest, and easiest, way to carry bikes from the Yakima line.
The Holdup is the fastest, and easiest, way to carry bikes from the Yakima line.

The Holdup is Yakima’s top of the line hitch receiver rack. While roof racks dominated the scene for many years, because of their complete security and versatility, hitch tray type racks have come on strong the last couple years for a couple reasons. As bikes progressed in design, frames fit less and less on hanging frame type hitch racks, and were never secure enough for some people’s tastes. Roof racks were difficult to use for some people, and affected vehicle mileage enough to be a factor. As companies like Yakima perfected hitch tray designs to carry a huge multitude of bike styles, they grew in popularity.

Pictured here without bikes in the folded up position, it snugs up closely to the rear of the vehicle.
Pictured here without bikes in the folded up position, it snugs up closely to the rear of the vehicle.

Details and Specs

  • Weight: 49.00 lbs.
  • Dimensions: L 34.50″ X W 64.00″ X H 12.00″
  • Capacity: 2
  • StrongArm™ design enables you to load your bike quickly whether it’s a 20” wheel or a 29’er
  • Zero contact with the bike frame. Accommodates carbon road bikes as well as disc brakes, thru axles and full suspension bikes.
  • Tilts down with bikes loaded for rear of vehicle access
  • Comes with fully integrated security. Locks bike to rack and rack to vehicle (SKS Lock Cores included).
  • MSRP: $449
Bike trays can slide left or right to accommodate different bike configurations.
Bike trays can slide left or right to accommodate different bike configurations.
The StrongArm design quickly cinches onto the wheel, holding sizes from 20" to 29".
The StrongArm design quickly cinches onto the wheel, holding sizes from 20″ to 29″.
The StrongArm only touches the front wheel and fork, thereby staying away from the frame. Less contact=less scratching. Note cable lock in "storage" position.
The StrongArm only touches the front wheel and fork, thereby staying away from the frame. Less contact=less scratching. Note cable lock in “storage” position.
Cable lock is stored cleverly inside arm, but comes out quickly to secure bike.
Cable lock is stored cleverly inside arm, but comes out quickly to secure bike.
Cable lock in "locked" position around fork. It is a thin cable lock, not Fort Knox.
Cable lock in “locked” position around fork. It is a thin cable lock, not Fort Knox.
Lower front wheel arm folds closed when not in use.
Lower front wheel arm folds closed when not in use.
Underneath vehicle, the rack can be locked into place, securing it to the car.
Underneath vehicle, the rack can be locked into place, securing it to the car.

What’s the Deal?

Some background on testing this rack. It was used over the course of 8 months, and 20,000 miles driven. Colorado mountains to California shore. To and through the desert of Moab, sand, grit and torrential rain in windy Fruita. A long road trip to Sun Valley, Idaho, and all over the gorgeous mountains of Colorado. The rack saw sand, dirt, wind, heavy rain, and some snow. It was also completely bounced around on the back roads that many mountain bike trails start from, and sat in the smog and fuel of many a highway mile.

It performed pretty darn well over all that. Bikes are easy to load and cinch down onto the rack. If you carry two bikes most of the time, you set the trays in position and lock down, and loading and unloading is really a quick ordeal. Less than 30 seconds for both procedures. If you have different bikes, you might need to adjust a seat height, as handlebars will inevitably collide with saddles.

The integrated cable locks work well, although the get stuck in the holding arm at times. Once you learn how to twist and turn to take cable out, or put back in, it’s not a problem, but it did give me concern the first couple times I used it. Now, here is where everyone speaks up. “Argh, that little tiny cable isn’t worth a crap!” And to a point, I agree. I would not leave my bike, locked on the rear of my vehicle, overnight, in a bad neighborhood, with only the cable lock on it. In fact, I basically only use it when I’m going into a restaurant or grocery store, for less than 90 minutes. The lock is easy to use and will prevent the grab and run theft, and is always there, with the rack. But if you trust it for anything more than that, well, that’s your fault. On the note of security, the rack itself can be locked to the vehicle, which is a nice thing should you find yourself in really shady neighborhoods.

It’s been mentioned that the rack is heavy. If you take your rack off and on constantly, or on a daily basis, the Holdup is not the rack for you. Yes, it is heavy compared to a cheaper and lighter trunk rack. But for those of us whose lives pretty much revolve around mountain biking and playing outside, this is a great choice. I see heavy as being secure, durable and safe. Put it on, and pretty much forget about it.

As so many rides end with a cold beverage, Yakima added a nice bottle opening touch to the Holdup.
As so many rides end with a cold beverage, Yakima added a nice bottle opening touch to the Holdup.

At $449, the rack is certainly an investment, or some would say, “Not cheap!” Not, it’s not. Sure, the manufacturer will argue about trusting your bike to a good rack, or a cheap rack, and which one do you want to do. Well, I gotta agree. If you have $20,000 worth of bikes riding back there, down some middle of nowhere road in Nevada, and something goes wrong, and a semi crunches your bikes, you won’t be too happy. My feelings are this. Get a good rack. Find one on sale, but buy a quality rack, and the Holdup is good quality. I have absolutely no qualms or funny feelings loading up my bikes on the holdup rack. Not a question in my mind will the bikes be safe.

There are Yakima people out there, and there are Thule people. And they usually don’t get along. As you may be able to see on some of the photos, I also use a roof rack, and it’s been in use for almost 16 years, and it’s Yakima. I have nothing against Thule or any other rack company out there. I have friends that have been using different brands for that long, and they speak highly of them. My point is this. I’ve been using Yakima for a long time, and trust the high quality that comes with the name. I’ve never had a problem. And the SKS lock cores have remained the same for that long. I have one key controlling all the locks. Bonus!

Bottom Line:
The only thing that (kind of) makes me think twice about this rack is the price. Beyond that, I have no problem recommending it to anyone. If you’re truly a multi-sport person (biking, skiing, kayaking) definitely go for a roof rack. But for ease and quickness of use, holding capabilities, and fuel mileage gains, I love this rack. I can’t wait to put it back on the vehicle (after winter) because that means bike season is back! Get a good rack once, and be happy for many years.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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