Roadcycling.com reviews the Yakima HoldUp Plus 2 4-bike hitch carrier.

My wife and I love to go biking (who doesn't) and some of the best times we have are biking with another couple.  There is the inevitable problem. HOW ARE WE GOING TO TRANSPORT 4 BIKES WITHOUT TWO CARS OR THROWING THEM IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP AND SCRATCHING THE %%$#%% OUT OF THEM?

Enter the Yakima HoldUp Plus 2 bike hitch carrier.  This is the Yakima HoldUp bike rack with the so-called 2-bike add-on. Four bikes (all different sizes and shapes) on the back of one vehicle ready to go - unheard of!  No more tangled bikes. 

Yakima claims you can load bikes on the HoldUp in seconds.  You know what?  It's absolutely true.  Throw away your collection of bungee cords and straps, you just don't need them.  The Yakima HoldUp Plus 2 has everything to safely haul 4 bikes on the back of your vehicle.  Yakima has included an excellent feature with the rear wheel tie down.

It has a built-in ratchet (and quick release mechanism) to speed up the loading/unloading process.  With the HoldUp bike carrier you spend your time enjoying your bike ride not getting frustrated loading and unloading it.

Yakima has even thought to include a red flag and a battery operated light for the rear of your vehicle so everyone can easily see your cargo---even at night.  Nice touch Yakima.  The "HoldUp Plus 2" 4-bike hitch carrier comes with a locking cable that not only keeps your bikes safe but it also loops through the receiver hitch so the whole assembly (plus bikes) are protected.

When you finish your ride with your friends and you don't need the extra 2 racks, they are removed easily by pulling the pin and sliding out the 2nd base.  Now you are back to a conventional 2 bike carrier that folds up on the back of your vehicle.  Need to get into the rear of your vehicle?  Again, not a problem.  The Yakima Holdup Plus 2 bike rack folds down to accomplish this.

You can use a 1 ¼" or 2" receiver hitch for the HoldUp but you will probably want to stick with a 2" receiver hitch so you can utilize the Plus 2 feature for adding a 3rd or 4th bike.  I used a 2" receiver hitch with the Plus 2 and the rack and all bikes road smoothly and none of the bikes touch each other at all.  Sweet!

Did I forget to tell you how easy the Yakima Hold Up was to assemble right out of the box?  Each tray is attached to the base by 2 bolts.  Yakima has included a wrench with 3 different sized opening.  The instructions tell you to use an adjustable wrench (crescent) but I found it to be more convenient to use a ratchet, at least for the assembly of the unit but definitely not a requirement.

I also found it convenient to use a rubber mallet to install the Plus2 portion and to place the unit in the receiver on the first time since it was tight.  After the initial hookup I haven't found it necessary to use the mallet.  I did have a little trouble with instructions at first.  The instructions came in English as well as Spanish and French.  Actually a pretty cool feature.

The bottom line is this marvelous bike rack helps to make the biking experience just that much better.  Remember Jethro Tull?  One line of lyrics in the song Son from the Benefit album says "And when you grow up, if you are good, we will buy you a bike."  So be good and maybe your parent will buy you a bike or better yet, a Yakima HoldUp Plus 2. Sooo-get out there, ride your bike and be good.

Visit Yakima online at www.yakima.com

Buy the Yakima Holdup Bike Rack in the Roadcycling.com bike shop.