Yakima HighRoad Review

The HighRoad is a quality bike rack. When used on smaller vehicles with lower roofs, it is an excellent option for securely transporting one bike. Aside from the obvious need to lift the bike to roof level to load it, it is relatively easy to use. It is also impressively quick and easy to install/remove from the vehicle when not in use. This bike rack can hang with some of the top-rated competitors, and feel it is the best option for those who don't want to keep their roof rack on their vehicle at all times.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Everyday Use

The HighRoad is a mixed bag in terms of ease of use. On the one hand, the design is pretty slick. The bike is held securely without any frame contact, and the loading process is relatively intuitive. Since this is a roof-mounted rack, you'll have to to lift the bike to the roof level to load it, so it works best on vehicles with lower roofs and with lighter-weight bikes that are easier to handle.

Overall, the loading process is relatively straightforward. Yakima borrowed some design features from the popular Front Loader when they made the HighRoad. First, raise the front/larger wheel cradle from its folded down position up into the forward/loading position and open the ratchet strap for the rear wheel. Next, lift the bike up onto the rack by gripping the lower leg of the fork and the chainstays. The taller the vehicle, the more important it is to get your hand positions and bike balance dialed. With the bike resting on the rack, push the front wheel forward against the front wheel cradle. Next, raise the rear cradle up against the back of the front wheel. While supporting the bike with one hand, turn the wheel tension dial with the other hand until the front wheel is squeezed securely between the two wheel cradles. Lastly, secure the rear wheel with the reversible ratchet strap.

In some ways, this design is more user-friendly than fork-mount roof racks because you don't have to remove the front wheel or fiddle with adjusting the fork axle mount. At the same time, having the front wheel on the bike means you have to lift it slightly higher to load it. With the HighRoad, we found the bike hold to be very secure, plus it works well with a range of wheel sizes and tire widths.

The obvious drawback to this style of rack, and any roof rack for that matter, is the fact that you must lift the bike to the height of the roof of the vehicle to load it. We found it works best on sedans, station wagons, and similarly low vehicles. We tried it on a small/mid-sized SUV, the Ford Edge, and loading the bike was quite difficult. Likewise, the heavier the bike, the more challenging it is to load.

Ease of Removal and Storage

The HighRoad is exceptionally easy to install and remove. This was one of the most impressive aspects of the rack. Installation and removal are extremely quick and can be done in just a couple of minutes once you understand the process.

This rack attaches to the vehicle with a strap/clamp system that does not require tools. Simply flip up a lever to expose the tightening device, loosen the straps, feed them around your crossbar, and shut the clamping device. Simple as that. The design takes a little getting used to, but once you are familiar with the process, it becomes exceptionally easy.

The HighRoad is easy to store. In its most compact/travel form, it is long and thin and can be easily leaned up in the corner of a garage, shed, or closet without occupying much space. At only 18 pounds, it is also quite easy to handle and move around.

Versatility

The HighRoad is a relatively versatile bike rack that should work with virtually any adult bike. It works with wheels between 26-29 inches and width ranging from 23mm up to 4 inches with no adjustments necessary. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit wheel sizes smaller than 26 inches, so kids and BMX bikes won't work. With a max wheelbase length of 48 inches (Editor's note: now 52 inches with Yakima's latest 2024 update), it should work with all but the longest of enduro mountain bikes.

The biggest restriction will be the weight of your bike and the height of your roofline. Yakima doesn't specify a weight limit for the HighRoad, but heavier bikes, anything over 35 lbs or so, will be more difficult to load, and that limits its versatility.

Ease of Assembly

The HighRoad scored incredibly well in terms of ease of assembly. Why? The answer is quite simple. There was no assembly required. The rack is completely assembled out of the box, and there is nothing to do except attach it to your vehicle. Thanks to its tool-free installation design, this is a quick and easy process.

Depending on which side of your vehicle you decide to mount the rack, you might have to flip around the reversible rear wheel strap. This is an exceptionally easy and intuitive process.

Security

The HighRoad has an integrated cable lock that stows away into the tray. It is located at the rear of the rack. Simply pull the cable out, loop it through the desired area of the frame, and lock the cable to itself. The catch? The locking cores are not included. So, while it does come with the cable, you can't use the lock unless you purchase the locking cores. A two-pack is available on the Yakima website for forty bucks. Even with the locking cores, this cable lock is little more than a theft deterrent. We'd suggest adding a more robust aftermarket lock to the equation for another layer of bike security.

Durability

Throughout testing, we observed no significant wear, and we don't have any serious durability concerns. With some racks, we can pinpoint areas that stand out as concerning or are worth monitoring. That is not the case with the HighRoad rack, and everything seems to be quality and dialed.

The mechanism on the knob that tightens the rear hoop against the front hoop to secure your front wheel feels sturdy and robust. We tried over-tightening this system to see what would happen. We have nothing to report, and it still works swell.

Value

For the money, the HighRoad is in line with most high-end roof racks. While there are some considerations as to vehicle type, bike type, and user height, there is no doubt this rack works well. It delivers a secure hold of your bicycle, is exceptionally easy to install and remove, and has a built-in cable lock. We feel this rack is a strong value for the right buyer.

Conclusion