Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader (Bike Carriers Compared)


Choosing the right bike carrier can make a difference in convenience, safety, and ease of use. The Yakima HighRoad and the FrontLoader are both great options.

The Yakima HighRoad has a no-contact mechanism that protects it from scratches because of the elevation from the ground. It can handle 26 to 29-inch wheels. The Yakima FrontLoader doesn’t require you to disassemble the bike before you load it onto the back of your vehicle. It can hold all types of bicycles.

In this review, I’ll provide a detailed comparison of these two devices, highlighting their key features and helping you determine the one that best suits your needs.

Comparing Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader Bike Carrier

ProductOverall ScoreBottom LinePrice
YAKIMA FrontLoader - Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader Bike Carrier
YAKIMA
FrontLoader
84No frame contact mechanism
to keep the bike and
carrier vehicle safe
Check Out On
Amazon
YAKIMA HighRoad - Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader Bike Carrier
YAKIMA
HighRoad
88Top Pick
Quick tightening knob for
safety and ease of use
Check Out On
Amazon

Detailed Analysis of the Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader

It’s important to keep in mind during your exploration of this comparison guide that both of these are incredible options to choose from.

But there are certain differentiating features that are worth highlighting as you’ll see below.

Without further ado, read on to find out what the best option is out of this Yakima Highroad vs FrontLoader duel.

1. YAKIMA FrontLoader Review

YAKIMA FrontLoader - Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader Bike Carrier Review

Overall Score: 84

The Yakima FrontLoader is an upright bike carrier that’s designed and constructed to handle heavy-duty bikes that are often too big for conventional bike racks.

It’s made to carry all types of different bikes from mountain and BMX bikes to daily commuting bikes and bikes that have thru-axles, full suspension, and disc brakes.

It can also handle bikes with tires that measure up to 3 inches, and wheels as large as 20 inches to 29 inches.

The great thing about the FrontLoader bike rack is that it doesn’t require you to disassemble the bike before you load it onto the back of your van or truck.

You can just attach it onto the mechanism and have peace of mind knowing that your bike is safely and securely fastened onto this mount.

The mount requires a certain type of roof rack with a cross spread measurement of 16 to 48 inches which is a pretty wide range.

Again, you don’t have to necessarily install or assemble this mount because all of that is done for you by the manufacturer and you don’t need any special tools in order to install it.

This mount is also perfect for those people that are really finicky about their bikes because they have a custom paint job or are made from relatively fragile materials like carbon fiber.

So, you can rest assured that this mount will enable you to safely travel with your bike without damaging it.

Advantages

  • The manufacturer assembles it for you so that you don’t have to.
  • There’s no frame contact mechanism required to keep the bike in place.
  • Keeps the bike safely secured in an upright position.
  • Allows you to effortlessly store your bike into the mount.
  • It’s designed to handle all types of different bicycles.

Disadvantages

  • It’s quite long.

2. YAKIMA HighRoad Review

YAKIMA HighRoad - Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader Bike Carrier Review
Top Pick

Overall Score: 88

While there’s no shortage of bike racks out there, many come with a hatch that makes it difficult to actually load the bike onto the mount.

What sets the Yakima Highroad apart is the fact that the former is uniquely designed to offer better loading.

Some of its notable features include a streamlined tray which helps to reduce the amount of hatch interference as you’re loading the bike onto the mount.

This makes it so much easier to load the bike in the first place and you don’t have to worry about the wheels jangling around or anything like that.

It’s worth noting that this bike carrier has the capacity to handle mountain bikes and road bikes alike, and it can handle 26 to 29-inch wheels.

Speaking of which, this bike rack doesn’t require you to adjust your tires in any way which makes for an even more convenient mounting process.

The mount itself holds your bike through a convenient no-contact mechanism that protects it from dings and scratches as it elevates it from the ground, making it ideal for custom-made bikes and models made from carbon fiber.

For the best results, it’s recommended to use a roof rack that measures 18 inches and 35 inches in order to effectively install this Highroad on top of your car.

Advantages

  • Comes with a quick tightening knob.
  • It’s already preassembled.
  • T-slot compatible.
  • Comes with a no-contact mechanism.
  • Features a low-profile tray.

Disadvantages

  • There have been complaints about the cable lock being fragile.

What to Pick Between Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader Bike Rack?

As you may have noticed, these mounts are manufactured by the same manufacturer. However, each one is quite unique as you can see in their names.

Here are some of the distinguishing factors of both the FrontLoader and the HighRoad bike mount:

Size

The FrontLoader is a versatile bike rack that you can use to mount any type of bike onto your vehicle. It can handle tire sizes of up to 3 inches, and wheel sizes that go from 20 inches to 29 inches.

The HighRoad, on the other hand, can only accommodate wheels that measure 26 inches to 29 inches.

This means that it’s not as versatile as the former model and cannot accommodate as many types of different bikes.

But, it’s worth noting that the FrontLoader can only handle tires that measure 3 to 4 inches, while the HighRoad is compatible with a wide range of tire sizes, from 23 millimeters to 4 inches.

Compatibility

As many Yakima FrontLoader reviews have shown, this mount can be utilized on most roof racks. In fact, it has a wide installation range of 16 to 48 inches which is quite impressive.

On the other hand, the HighRoad bike rack can only handle roof racks that measure between 18 to 35 inches.

This means that the FrontLoader is a preferable option for bikers that have larger vehicles such as heavy-duty trucks and vans.

Usability

You may have also noticed that thanks to the HighRoad model’s built-in tightening knob, it’s considerably easier to use than the FrontLoader.

There are several types of bike racks designed to meet various needs.

My guide on different types of bike carriers and their pros and cons will introduce you to these options and help you understand their benefits and drawbacks.

The Yakima Highroad Has an Adjustable Wheel Tray That Accommodates Various Bike Lengths…

After taking a keen look between the Yakima HighRoad vs FrontLoader it’s pretty clear who the winner is. Can you guess? Yep, it’s the YAKIMA HighRoad Wheel-On Mount Upright Bike Carrier.

We chose this bike carrier because it’s convenient and easy to use, and it comes with certain features that make it easy for you to travel with your bike safely.

It comes pre-assembled for your convenience, it’ll keep your bike elevated to prevent dings and scratches, and it’s perfect for carbon fiber bikes while making sure that the custom paint job on your bike stays the same while you drive through the countryside.

Another great feature of this bike carrier is that it’s very good at keeping your bike in an upright position, and it can handle all types of different bike sizes, designs, and types.

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with my pet bunny when not out cycling through the best routes, reviewing the latest gear, and sharing tips on everything biking.

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