Customer Reviews

Yakima BigHorn 4 Bike Rack

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am very pleased with Yakima for creating this rack. We downgraded cars which forced us to have a 1.25" hitch instead of an earlier 2" hitch. Our previous four bike rack was from Reese, which worked very well but was heavy and over built.

Yakima BigHorn 4 is lighter yet very strong. It is the perfect size while supporting four bikes. The assembly instructions were clear. The parts and box were nicely thought out. The bike mounting and straps are as good as any I used. There was not a large selection of four bike hitch racks for 1.25" and I was please Yakima still supported this need. It appears this rack is identical between the 1.25" and 2" hitches with only one part change. Well thought out design.

The only negative and the reason I didn't give it 5 stars relates to a plastic guide when lowering the rack. This plastic guide can pop off and needs to be pushed into placed when lifting the rack in the upright position. I don't anticipate lowering it often and with care it functions fine, but you do need to keep this in mind.

Do note that for 1.25" hitches, you do get more side to side sway compared to a 2" hitch but it is acceptable and the Yakima design is plenty strong enough.

We ride bikes several times per week. I say we meaning my me and my kids. So I carry 2-3 bikes on this several times per week. There are problems with heavy use. First of all, the pin that lets the rack fold down is 3/8 inch. Mine actually bent from running on the highway with 2-3 bikes. I drilled it out and put a 1/2 pin. Also, I didn't trust the threaded hitch pin that comes with the rack, it is also 3/8 inch and all that force is on the threads. If they break, by by rack. So I drilled it out to 1/2, used a regular class 2 1/2 pin and a product called a hich vise. $35 for the hitch vise, but the system works much better and is more stable. Finally, the sytem holds the bikes with flexible plastic pieces which slide on 1 1/4" metal poles. They hold the bikes well, but they also slide on the poles resulting in bikes ending up touching and rubbing paint off each other. Since I have no idea how anyone could fit four bikes on this rack, I went with mounts for three. You can remove a screw on the end of each pole, take the end cap off and slide off or on the pieces that hold the bikes on. I took one set off and then cut 1 1/4 inch PVC pipe to keep the other three sets equal distance from each other. This is dirt cheap and works extremely well, the bikes stay put on the poles and don't touch each other. Lots of modifications for this rack but it works well now. I think I would buy a more expensive one in the future but there aren't many choices if you need 1 1/4 and all I have ia a class 2 hitch so I can't use a 2 inch hitch.

This is a very nice bike rack for the money. I've been able to get my mother's bike on this rack without using an adapter bar. Sometimes it can be difficult to get some bikes on, but I haven't had a bike that I couldn't get it on it yet.

It does exactly what I needed it to do and I do not think I would have been more satisfied with a more expensive rack.

We bought this so that my husband and I could take our bikes and our two kids' bikes (both 20-inch) to local trails. The bike rack was reasonably easy to assemble, apart from getting the rubber straps that secure the bikes to the rack on. On the one hand, we didn't mind that so much as we knew that meant the straps wouldn't be likely to come off easily during use. On the other hand, we wondered how difficult it would be to secure and remove bikes once we'd put them on the rack.

We had to purchase adapters at $35 each for our two 20-inch bikes, so keep that potential expense in mind. The adapters were easy to use.

Once we began putting the bikes on, we quickly realized that securing the bikes and removing them with the rubber straps was going to be a big pain every single time. To load a bike, it's important to make sure the cradles and straps are positioned such that they don't get in the way as you are loading the bike. After more than one bike is on, getting access to the rubber straps and pins to which they are fastened is difficult. When not in use, there's no way to fold down the arms on which the bikes sit, so the choice is to have a many inch extension on the back of your vehicle or remove the rack, which is also kind of a pain as it screws into the hitch.

We were so frustrated with this bike rack that we decided to return it. In full disclosure, however, a large part of our frustration is that we have been using the SARIS CYCLE ON PRO HITCH RACK 2 BIKE for a few years. Use couldn't be easier, the bikes are secure, and the rack folds up when not in use. The one we have only holds two bikes, though, so we'll continue the search for a 4-bike rack.

This rack might be okay for long trips where loading and unloading would be infrequent, but for our planned use--regular trips to local trails, it just didn't make sense.

I have now used this rack at least a dozen times over the last few weeks. First, I will tell you the types of bikes that I use on this rack.
1- 20" BMX style bike
1- 56" Trek road bike
1- 21" Trek Hybrid (no suspension)
1- 16" Trek step through frame ladies comfort bike)

I've put all 4 of these bikes on this rack with NO ISSUES at all. The first time you load the bikes on the rack, take your time and do it right. It took me a good 15 - 20 mins to find the perfect placement. I did need a cross bar for the ladies step through frame bike. I use a saris crossbar for that bike. I also use several bungee cords to keep the handlebars from moving back and forth.

The rubber straps that are provided work wonderfully and keep the bikes very secure with virtually NO play and no scratches on the paint.

The majority of the roads I have driven on are pretty much flat and smooth. There are a few roads that are brick paved and I have noticed very little if any rattling or shaking. This is a VERY SOLID carrier. The key is to simply read and follow the directions carefully and keep an adjustable wrench in the car so that the pin is always tightened each time before you mount the bikes.

All in all, I highly recommend this carrier! I paid $142 (shipped) through amazon.com and that was substantially less than the local bike shops in my area.

Doesn't fit on '09 Wrangler with 32" Spare, I had to modify the rack to fit. Otherwise, it works well.

This bike rack can fit 4 bikes really well. We can fit 2 adult mountain bikes, a beach cruiser, and a bmx bike. Now we can go biking just about anywhere!

The rack is great, but the 1.25 version does not fit my Honda Fit 2008 hitch.
The problem is that the receiver tongue is about 0.24 inch too long, so that I could not insert the pin.
Called Yakima. They were nice and mentioned: Known problem.
To their defense I found a statement on their website that stated that with this car it might or might not fit.
Guess I am in the might not fit category.

Anyway I looked at Thule and their receiver is about 0.5 inches shorter and can hold more weight. Also was easier to install.
Personnely I like the Thule better. The only thing I like better with the Yakima are the standard anti-sway cradles. They are awesome.
With the Thule you have to purchase those separately for 20$.

Great rack but didn't fit on Honda Fit 2008 hitch.

This bike carrier seems to be decent for the price. It will get your bikes to the destination and back.
Fairly easy to load, if your bikes are the normal triangle shaped frame. for dual shock bikes you will need the Yakima Tube Top Women's or Dual Suspension Bike Rack Frame Adapter, or you have to get creative in your loading.

I wish it had locking ability so that I can feel comfortable leaving the carrier unattended. You can order a pin lock from Yakima Yakima LockUp, but even if you get a pin lock a thief can unscrew the top bike holder, or the pivot point and take your bikes, but at least a pin lock would deter people from stealing the rack while youre biking.

Pros:
Sturdy construction.
Pivot for accessing your hatch door with the hitch installed. (if you have the bikes loaded its quite heavy)

Cons:
Doesn't come with the pin lock
Top does not pivot (depending on where you park, this could be an issue.

What you get for a little more
Folding top portion for people who like to leave the rack on their car when not in use. Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack

Conclusion:
This is a great carrier for people who occasionally take their bike out, and don't worry about their stuff being stolen. I will add a pin lock to deter thieves from taking the carrier.

We used the BigHorn to carry four bikes 6,000 miles on the back of our Honda Odyssey during a recent cross-country roadtrip from DC to the Rocky Mountains. Let me assure everyone that we put it through the paces and it performed as advertised. You will have to fit the bikes together closely if you need to fit four, but it is possible and not difficult if you have a little patience. Another tip, I used some short bungee cords to keep the wheels from spinning and foam pipe insulation from Lowe's to wrap portions of the frame where there was the opportunity for the bikes to come in contact while driving. These are both inexpensive, easy steps that will save you from potentially scratching your bikes and getting frustrated. I had no issues with the hitch pin or the pin that allows the rack to fold down. Just keep in mind that you can't fold the rack down with the bikes loaded. If that's important to you, go with the Swingdaddy. I gave the rack 5 stars because it does everything Yakima says it will very well. If you're interested, we carried a road bike, a mountain bike, and two children's BMX style bikes. I used Yakima Top Tube Adapters for the kids bikes which kept them stable and at the proper angles to fit with the other bikes. You'll also want to consider the Yakima Deadlock and hitch pin lock for security. I highly recommend this rack - actually all Yakima products!