HoldUp

The red ratchet button on the bar that holds down the front wheel, rubs against my fork and scratches the sticker. Not cool. This happened as a result of the bike rocking back-and-forth, which can happen when I hit bumps. I might heed another reviewer’s advice and use Velcro straps on the front wheel to the front wheel tray. Otherwise a great rack, except it weighs 1,000,000 pounds, especially when you add the two bike extension to it.

I just recieved my rack and installed it today so my review will be very specific to my experience so far. This is the 3rd Yakima rack I have owned and I have been very pleased with their products. I also work in a bike shop and we sell several of the leading brands of bike racks, they all have their good and not so good points. My review and comments are meant to address some of what I have read on reviews of this rack in particular. Specific to this rack, despite what others have written I had no issues with my 29x2.6 MTB tires, they fit perfectly. I have four bikes with tires from 700x25 to 700x35 to 29x2.6 to 26x2.35, three of which are heavy ebikes, there are no issues with any of them.

I've had this rack for a couple of years now. Right off I noticed my 29" wheels would not stay in the front wheel holder when the "strong arm" grip was tightly pushed down on the tire. The tire would roll right out while moving! Go figure?! Yakima could easily solve this situation. A strap similar to the rear wheel needs to be supplied. I solved it by putting a Velcro strap on the front and rear portions of the holder and my tire. That worked perfectly.

Mostly writing this review because I saw some reviews complaining about their 29ers not fitting. My procaliber 9.5 frame size M/L with 29x2.2 XR2s and my Fuel EX 8 frame size M/L running 29x2.4 XR4s or 29x2.3 SE5s has no issues fitting in the rack. Hope that's helpful!

My only complaint is the locks are only good enough to keep someone from stealing the bikes in traffic. Even then, you'll probably need to throw the car in reverse and knock the would-be thief over. Easily picked, easily cut. I'd love a welded hitching post where I could put a decent lock and chain. The lock on the hitch attachment itself is also easily picked but I am generally less concerned about a thief carrying the entire rack plus two bikes around.

Love this rack, just wish there was a way to attach a ramp to it.

This rack does its job well but, as the description says, it will not fit chonky 29er tires. Even with a 2.4" Vigilante, I have to force the arm over the knobs. I'll be returning it for that reason. Otherwise, no complaints.

I've been using my holdup and holdup +2 attachment to carry my family's 4 bike for 7 years now with no issues. Of the three hitch bicycle carriers I've owned, my holdup is easiest and quickest to use, most stable (doesn't rattle around), and has the best quality construction. It easily carries my XL mountain bike with 29 inch wheels, my wife's mountain bike with 26 inch wheels, and my son's bikes with 16 inch wheels. To carry the 16" bike, you simply rotate the handlebar 45 degrees and ratchet the front carrier arm down onto the handlebar or frame instead of the front tire. The poster who stated that this carrier can't carry a 27.5 or 29 inch mountain bike clearly has not tried to. My 29" mountain bike is huge (XL frame), heavy (ebike - specialized turbo levo SL), and has fat tires and it fits great in the holdup carrier. My buddy's bike has 2.8 inch tires and the holdup carrier transports his bike just fine too. If this one ever wears out I would buy another one to replace it (if available).

Great rack no problems putting on my 27.5 rocky mountain growler powerplay. Would definitely recommend this rack.

This rack works for the small 20-26in bikes; however, anything 27.5in and up this rack has a hard time fitting its wheels in the front slot. My 29in Mtb rocks forward and backward while driving.
I must say that the quality of the rack is great when it is fresh out of the box. The swing arms seem to be strong and would probably last a few years at least. Long story short. This rack *doesn’t fit* bikes with wheels that are 27.5 or bigger.

So I purchased my HoldUp 2 (1.25" - gray color) back in about 2009. No issues ever except the arm caps coming off, which Yakima replaced at no charge. I secured the new ones with a few carefully placed wraps of gorilla tape and hasn't been an issue since. Have kept the rack clean and stored inside and it still looks almost new. Works as new too. Back then Kuat was making a bolt-on adapter to fit the Kuat Trail Doc integrated work stand to the end of the HoldUp spine - slides in and out of the HoldUp spine just like the NV. Best of both worlds - great Yakima rack and a built-in worksstand when need a quick tune or adjustment. (Kuat wisely stopped making the adapter 'cause I'm sure they lost a few rack sales because of it.) Just bought a new vehicle with a 2" receiver. Have a 1.25" > 2" adapter, but since Yakima is still selling spare parts for the HoldUp, I bought a new 2" tongue and the 11 year old rack is still diligently working away. Probably will for another 10+ years. Now that's value! Also have a Yakima roof system to back up the HoldUp when there's more to carry. Common SKS lock system makes keeping it all Yakima and easy choice. Might even purchase a plus 2 for the HoldUp to make it a 4-place rack. Great company ... great products.