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Yakima TerraFirma 4 Bike Hitch

MSRP $ 249.00
# of Reviews 7
Average Rating 4/5
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Submitted by Dan a Cross Country Rider from Carson City, Nevada USA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:Mt Rose
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $250.00
Strengths:Swing away design for rear vehicle access
Weaknesses:The bikes we have do not fit
Bike Setup:Ellsworth ID, Truth, Klein Palamino, Gary Fisher Suger 2+
Bottom Line:I borrowed this rack from a friend and road tripped to Moab for a week of riding with four adults. We spent about 45 minutes loading or unloading all four bikes. The bikes smashed into each other and were scratched. By the end of the week three out of four bikes were being crammed into the back of my SUV as the klein is the only bike that actually fit on the rack.

May work well for road bikes or hard tails with large triangles.

The swing away function allowed us to get the rack out of the way so that we could access the trunk to actually get our bikes out of the truck.

Full suspension mountain bikes with small triangles do not fit.

Not recommended.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Kathy a Cross Country Rider from Laramie, Wyoming
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $240.00
Purchased At:REI
Strengths:Easy access to vehicle hatch. Easy loading, even for us short people.
Weaknesses:In high winds and at highway speeds, the cradles shift and flex. We've even had our bikes come partially out of the cradles.
Similar Products Used:Just a cheap trunk rack.
Bike Setup:Giant NRS2 and GT Agressor
Bottom Line:It's not really a 4 bike rack unless you place buffers between the parts of the bikes that rub to prevent paint loss and are willing to spend time to continually adjust the cradles to fit all 4 bikes.
While it does provide easy loading, it's not great for smaller bikes and lowering/raising it with more than one bike on is a two person job.
The cradle flex and bikes leaving the cradles in high winds is a big negative. Have contacted Yakima on this recently.

Overall it's a decent 2-3 bike rack but would recommend something more stable if you live in a windy area.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Kartheek Hirode a Weekend Warrior from ID
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $260.00
Purchased At:George's bikes
Strengths:Lifesaver for someone who is paranoid about damaging valuable things. This rack is great. Once you figure out how to assemble. Sturdy, easy to install. The stabilizers are just great, would not advise buying any rack without the stabilizers (the anti-sway things). 80-90mph, no rocking, no bike damage, nothing.
Weaknesses:3rd bike challenges, 4th bike mesmerizes. The 4th goes inside my truck, 'coz I can't handle bikes touching and scratching each other up.

The stabilizers could be a little bit longer so that the women's bikes can be fastened better.
Similar Products Used:none
Bike Setup:UHaul hitch.
Bottom Line:Money well-spent. If you like taking good care of your bikes and at the same time want a rack that is easy to work with, buy this one.

Eas of carrying my bikes around and not having to look over my shoulders how they are doing makes this really worth it.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Funsie a from Las Vegas, NV
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:Gooseberry Mesa
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $250.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:Very sturdy when driving. Bike Clamps hold hardtail with no problem. Swaying elimanated with ROC Sway device. New models don't need device. Gate is very handy with a dog.
Weaknesses:Heavy. Placing the rack into hitch cumbersome.
Similar Products Used:Yakima Roof Systems
Bike Setup:DEAN Scout. XT throughout, King Headset, Avid Sub 7, Mavic 517, Titec Stem, Salsa Shaft, and WTB Seat.
Bottom Line:Great Rack. I feel more comfy with a rack on the back instead of on top especially if you go the Visitor's Center Parking Garage at Mt. Rushmore. Very easy to swing out with two bikes on. Wife can do it with ease.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by jason a Cross Country Rider from NC
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:beech springs
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $217.00
Purchased At:lbs
Strengths:very solid bike rack that will fold down for easy access to the back of your vehicle. easy to adjust and tightenall the parts. holds bikes securely (even at high speeds).
Weaknesses:holds most hardtails without a problem...but if you own a full suspension bike, or a smaller (15 or 16" hardtail) bike with a bottle holder...buy a different rack. also, this bike can hold 2 bikes with ease, but three gets tricky. want to load on four bikes? strong problem solving skills is a must!
Similar Products Used:yakima
Bike Setup:gary fisher, manitou xs-r shock, blah blah blee
Bottom Line:great hitch rack for hardtails. actually getting 4 bikes on this rack is tough, especially if the bikes have different frame designs.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Love my ride a Weekend Warrior from Provo, UT
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $225.00
Purchased At:Local bike shop
Strengths:Easy to attach. Easier to load on tall vehicles than a roof rack. (My wife can load her own bike). Holds bikes firmly without sway even at freeway speeds. Simple and secure integrated locking system. Has tightening mechanism to secure into receiver so the rack does not rattle in the hitch.
Weaknesses:No tie downs for front wheels.
Similar Products Used:Owner of several different Yakima roof rack systems. (I still prefer the rook rack on less tall vehicles).
Bottom Line:Top quality. Nearly as secure as roof rack. Always ask your retailer for a discount!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Steve a Weekend Warrior from Alpharetta, GA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:Oak Mtn/AL
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $249.00
Purchased At:REI
Strengths:Had Yakima "Lock Jaw" hitch prior, yet jaw was eating up my frames, so I switched, based on stability of frame and quality of workmanship. Slides easy into 2" hitch, secures with tightening lever and holds 4 bikes with ease. Soft clamps which hold bike to hitch are heavy duty and inside frame support mechanism keeps bike from swaying on hwy @ 80mph!
Weaknesses:Loading 4th bike towards back of hitch.
Similar Products Used:Only Yakima
Bike Setup:Giant NRS Air
Bottom Line:Great value, proven performer. They may be more expensive set ups, yet for the money and guarantee of performance, especially since I purchased from REI, I will not have any issues....other than not having the chance to ride enough!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5






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