Review: Yakima's $849 StageTwo Hitch Rack
In an ideal world we'd all have access to an endless network of amazing trail right from our front doors, eliminating the need for fancy bikes racks, expensive shuttle vehicles, and all the other accessories that go along with transporting bikes to trailheads. That's unfortunately not the case for most riders, which is why there's no shortage of options for hauling bikes around.
I've used a carboard bike box as a shuttle pad in the back of a pickup truck plenty of times, but at a certain point a purpose-built rack makes a lot more sense. Especially one that doesn't get soggy and fall apart in the rain.
I've used a carboard bike box as a shuttle pad in the back of a pickup truck plenty of times, but at a certain point a purpose-built rack makes a lot more sense. Especially one that doesn't get soggy and fall apart in the rain.
StageTwo Rack Details
• Available for 1.25” & 2” hitch receivers
• Fits wheelbases up to 52"
• Offset, tiered bike trays
• Max bike weight: 60 lb (27.2 kg)
• Tilts up and down
• Off-road rated for bikes up to 36 lb
• Weight: 66 lb (30 kg)
• Price: $849 USD (rack) / Light kit: $219
• yakima.com
• Available for 1.25” & 2” hitch receivers
• Fits wheelbases up to 52"
• Offset, tiered bike trays
• Max bike weight: 60 lb (27.2 kg)
• Tilts up and down
• Off-road rated for bikes up to 36 lb
• Weight: 66 lb (30 kg)
• Price: $849 USD (rack) / Light kit: $219
• yakima.com
The rack tips up when not in use, and can be tipped down even when fully loaded to access the back of the vehicle.
Theft-resistant bolts help reduce the chances of someone taking the rack apart to snag a bike.
ASSEMBLY & INSTALLATION
The StageTwo comes partially disassembled in one giant box that weighs almost 70 pounds – be sure to say thank you to your delivery driver. Most of the tools to assemble it are included, including the wrench needed to tighten the theft-resistant bolts. I'd say put aside 30 minutes to get it all up and running, which is in line with other similar racks.
Once it's all together, the easiest way to get it onto the vehicle is with it in the folded position, so that it forms an L-shape. Carefully pick it up (remember, it's pretty heavy), and then slide it into the vehicle's trailer hitch until the hitch pin holes are lined up. The little hitch pin is just a backup safety feature – it's the StageTwo's expanding wedge system that holds it into place. A large knurled knobs pushes the wedge out, and once the rack is wobble-free turning a key in the knob deactivates it, which means that if someone tried to turn it and remove the rack it would just spin without doing anything.
The SafetyMate brake light kit is easy to install too, although I do wish it was slightly better integrated. The wires load into the top, center portion of the rack, and it ends up looking like that add-on that it is. It's also expensive, especially compared to some of the trailer brake light kits that already exist. It is bright and effective, though, and it's nice to have more visibility, especially considering how many distracted drivers are out there trying to do a TikTok dance, change lanes, and finish their latte all at the same time.
LOADING & UNLOADING
There aren't any surprises when it comes to loading and unloading bikes with the StageTwo. The offset tray design works as advertised, and I haven't had any issues with bikes contacting each other. The ratcheting arm that holds the front wheel has a very positive click at each position, making it easy to tell when it's locked into place. It does takes a little while for the arms to break in – they required a decent amount of effort to move into place at first, but they're now operating smoothly.
The rear wheel holder slides to accommodate different bikes lengths, with a maximum recommended wheelbase of 52”, or 1320mm – that's in the realm of what a modern XL bike measures. As far as wheel and tire clearance goes, the rack can fit wheels from 16” to 29” and up to a 3.25” tire. There's also a fat bike kit available that allows the rack to work with 5.0” tires for all the snow and sand riders out there.
Yakima also offers an e-bike ramp kit that makes it possible to roll heavy e-bikes into place rather than lifting them. I know, it's easy to flex those muscles and scoff at the fact that such an accessory even exists, but you're not the target market, tough guy. E-bikes, whether a commuter or an eMTB, are heavy, and not everyone want to fight to lift a 50 or 60 pound bike a few feet off the ground.
When it's not in use the StageTwo can be folded up by squeezing the handle at the end of the rack. This was the source of my main sticking point with the rack – the handle isn't that easy to activate, especially with one hand. Kuat's NV system is much easier to use, especially since it can be activated by foot. On the Stage Two, it's more of a two handed affair to fold it up, or to tip it downwards to gain access to the back of a vehicle.
The plastic mount around that handle also doesn't seem to fit in with the idea of a 'premium' rack – it doesn't sit that securely into the steel frame, with more side to side motion than I would have expected.
BIKE RETENTION
I've used the StageTwo to haul all sorts of bikes, everything from dirt jumpers to heavy e-bikes, and they've all remained securely in place. Every time I looked in the rearview mirror they were right where they were supposed to be – there wasn't any worrying swaying or wobbling. It's a very solid rack, and even on rougher dirt roads there was minimal side to side movement - my shitbox of a van was bobbing and weaving way more than the rack was.
SECURITY
Leaving a bike unattended on a rack for an extended amount of time is a risky proposition, no matter how many locks you secure it with. The StageTwo has a cable lock that extends from each arm and around a fork or headtube. It's not going to stop a thief for very long, but it's a good extra measure for those times when you need to leave the bike for a minute or two – running into a gas station, dropping off a package, etc... There's also a bracket in between the two trays that can be used with a burlier chain lock for extra security.
The rack itself requires a key to remove from a vehicle, and the theft-resistant bolts are used to attach the arms and trays, which means it's less likely that you'll return to your car to find the entire rack missing.
The SafetyMate add-on brake / blinker lights rotates so that it'll work with the rack up or down.
The tilt mechanism is a little awkward to use, and doesn't feel as robust as the rest of the rack.
DURABILITY
The Stage2 has seen a mix of road and off-road miles, and everything has remained tight and fully functional. It has developed a slight squeak when raising and lowering it, likely due to the steady rain that it's been subjected to. I'm sure a little grease will quiet that down; other than that there aren't any issues to report so far.
COMPARISON
Yakima TwoStage: $849 USD / RV compatible / bikes up to 60 lb / 1320mm wheelbase / 66lb rack weight
Kuat NV 2.0: $849 USD / not RV compatible / bikes up to 60 lb / 1270 max wheelbase / 52 lb. rack weight
1Up Heavy Duty Double: $685 USD / RV compatible / bikes up to 50 lb / 1371 max wheelbase / 46 lb rack weight
Thule T2 XTR: $799.95 / bikes up to 60 lb / 1270 max wheelbase / 52 lb rack weight
I'm not convinced that there's one perfect rack to rule them all, despite what the diehard 1Up fans who are undoubtedly already proselytizing in the comments may claim. Yes, the 1Up racks are US made, less expensive than the other options on this list, and have a very appealing utilitarian look to them. They're also more awkward to load and to fold up, and don't have as extensive of a feature list as the StageTwo. Does that matter? It depends - every rack has its pros and cons, and it's a matter of choosing which features you prioritize the most.
Pros
+ Very solid, wobble-free platform
+ Design limits bike contact and provides good ground clearance
+ Multiple anti-theft features
Cons
- Expensive, although it's in line with competitors
- Heavier than similar options
- Tilting system isn't that easy to use
Pinkbike's Take
 | The StagetTwo is a solid, secure hitch rack that has all the features you'd hope to find at this pricepoint. It looks good too, at least according to more than one passerby who asked about it. Of course, that could have been because it was so much shinier and sleeker than my van. I do wish that the tilting system was a little more user-friendly, but otherwise the StageTwo is up to the task of hauling bikes from one adventure to the next without any issues. |
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And the Quick R Stuff rack (from the 1UP inventor) appears to be superior, just super hard to get. I'm #504 on the list (down from ~750 when I ordered)...
My Saris Superclamp has been rock solid, and does not fall out of the hitch.
They also have fender guards you can buy if your worried.
OneUp vote for RockyMounts. I have their simple Monorail 2” and it’s been flawless for $350. I like that it’s 40lbs, and their customer service is outstanding. Like all manf. they are coming out with the tray style soon called the “GuideRail” and it look great for $850 and 50lbs, hopefully coming to REI so can snag at 20% off for $680.
rockymounts.com/hitch-racks
My only ask would have been the ability to convert between 1 and 2/3 trays easily like the Quik Rack Mach2, as then you can keep the single always on and it doesn’t interfere with the rear door/gate, then quickly add more trays when needed.
Talking to the guy at the shop he agreed it's the best bang for the buck. After I pointed out there is a lot of built-in stress relief in the design he said a couple of shop employees purchased one of the fancier Kuats, both of which broke at the same spot: a "reinforced", weld junction.
You can make a rack that doesn't move but is that a good idea really?
I know there are other benefits of the one up style. But in my day to day they don't matter?
Until my current Kuat dies the only thing that would get me to buy a new rack is a Kuat cinch and strap rack with the swing out built into it like the rocky mount one. You can get the swing adapters, but they make the whole rack stick further off the back of your vehicle which I don't want.
I ride 5 days a week and want a super low fuss Thing to hold my bike that's Fast.
Maybe you get used to how tight it needs to be on the one side to know how much to close it before you go to the other side and close it and it tightens JUST RIGHT...? But I still seemed to have side to side play after redoing it all.
I four wheel all the time with my bike on the Kuat and there is almost zero play from the bike in the rack. The only movement is the frame from the suspension going up and down...
BUT I will accept that it all could have been user error...
Commercial or van body?
Pros: simple as an S10 pickup, have the utility of a work van, the size of an S10 Blazer
Cons: the crashworthiness of a Tata Nano, the fuel economy of a V10 F250, and rustproofing of a 1st gen Mazda 3
You know, countable nouns 'n shit...
rust and corrosion can ruin a rack in a year. Is corrosion an issue with all aluminum 1UP racks?
When will makers of tray racks figure out that the 1up design of being able to place the bikes anywhere you want along each tray is far superior than a fixed spot on 1 side for the wheel and a hook on the other? You never know what weird size and shape bikes you're going to put together on the rack and how they might make contact, so being able to move any of them whatever way you want is best.
They might show well on a short term review but long term I wouldn’t trust it.
If I could do it all over again I’d go 1Up and VelociRacks.
Interesting bit about the lighting and license plate holders - in Europe, that's absolutely required, and you'll get ticketed/fined if you don't run those. In the US, it seems like we've gotten away without them for a good long time. I'm curious to see if that'll hold, or whether eventually the increasing numbers of hitch rack users will turn it into an issue of emphasis for law enforcement.
I might just sell it though...still don't trust it.
The 1UP racks certainly look far more appealing these days with Yakima/Kuat/Thule jacking up prices 20-25% in the last year. However, the reason I rarely see 1UP racks in Canada (I believe) is lack of distribution. By the time you pay the exorbitant courier fees to bring it across the border (shipping, brokerage, advance fees), the 1UP ends up more expensive than the Yakima/Kuat/Thule, even at their newly inflated prices.
If 1Up could find a Canadian distribution network that can sell their racks in Canada at their US prices (converted of course)...just like the big rack companies...the 1UP would be a no-brainer for sure.
What's worse is that this rack is $850 and the license plate mount looks like they forgot about designing it, so they just bolted a piece of plastic to it at the last second. "Whew, almost forgot that piece!"
Also, 1Up is awesome
I think a 1310 may juuust fit on a Kuat NV but you’d want to double check their spec sheets.
Also why I put my bikes INSIDE the van and don't use motel rooms.
As far as awkward loading, the Thule racks (that this looks eerily similar too) is way more awkward than loading a 1up
Yakima hitch racks were pretty good until then, but I’d be reluctant to buy one of these until they’ve been in the wild a few years.
Oh yeah, I owned a Yakima rack once too. I try not to think about that. Dark times.
My XL Norco Range actually fits on this rack, so that's a big win. It can be a bit dicey navigating narrow streets with such a long bike perpendicular to the direction of travel though.
The worst thing about the Yakima (and probably the Thule) ratcheting arms on these bike carriers is that no one can take the outer casing off. It's pretty much all pressed in or rivetted. If one decided to take things apart, it's guaranteed you won't be able to put things back together again. The good thing is, since the racks are warrantied for life, you can contact the store you bought it from and Yakima will send you a brand new tray with the ratcheting arm. I've had both trays on mine replaced. The inner one twice. They don't last long - probably 2 years before they need to be replaced. The other bad thing is, I don't even know where the un-usable trays go for recycling. Hate for them to go to the landfill.
For the 1up fanboys , each additional tray is also higher.
these manufacturers need to come up with something new after 15 years.
Its incredibly easy to use, exponentially easier to use than the old Holdup rack
Been using Thule or similar since the mid ninties when I started driving and its never failed me.
Mugs game. Its not even like its a boutique rack thats makes your ride so much better. Its just a friggin’ bike rack. Financial priorities check required!