Yakima SteelHead Bike Carrier

Price Paid:  $100.00

Summary:
I paid $100 each for 2 Steelheads at REI (got 10% back at the end of the year for the annual dividend), and they're worth it. I've had no problems with them, and they seem like they'll last forever. When I was shopping for them at REI, an associate told me that Steelheads are the most secure of all the bike carriers available, and I agree. I wanted to buy an upright carrier like Lockjaw or Anklebiter, but the associate talked me into buying the Steelheads.

Removing the front wheel every time a bike is loaded may seem cumbersome, but the bike won't wobble or shake as with upright carriers. For tall vehicles (e.g., an SUV), mounting the bike will require practice, but it's still very easy. Plus, a bike on a steelhead looks really cool.

A comparable inexpensive alternative is the Cutthroat or Copperhead, which can be upgraded with a locking skewer (standard on Steelheads).

Strengths:
Easy to mount, most secure, worry-free.

Weaknesses:
Cost. Compatible only with Yakima roundbars.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Summary:
Not cheap. I've seen Yak stuff on vehicle for years. My system is still working great after 4 years. Plastic does discolor some. It's an investment in solid equipment that will treat the buyer well.

Strengths:
They rule. The best product in it's class. Quick, easy to use. continually being refined. The newer ones have a nice finishing piece on the back of the tray. Cam works with just about anything. Easy to adjust from BMX to thick magnesium fork legs.

Weaknesses:
The threads are prone to dirt. Occasionally pull the skewer, lube it lightly and clean the threads.

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
I wouldn't buy anything but a Yakima rack system. The steelhead is the most sturdy of all of the Yakima bike holders. Only problem is that when you have a lot of parts on your rack system, it can get a little tight and you could have a problem with getting the skewer to tighten down (don't ask).

Strengths:
Holds the bike firmly in place.

Weaknesses:
The wheel clamp part hinge thingy tends to rust (need to use aluminum parts). The wheel holders need to have an indentation where you skewer the wheel down to it, so it can't slip out so easily if it's not cranked down.

Similar Products Used:
Just Yakima.

Summary:
I recently purchased two of these for my new SUV.
Paid $100 per each tray (one per bike). Prior to this I used a Yakima Getaway with a hitch on a coupe. I had read a lot of good things about them in bike magazines and from friends.

I also bought a Yakima Double cross bar system since you need a stronger system than the Jeep factory rack to hold heavier things like windsurfers and surfboards. They took about 20 minutes to install.

I loaded up the bikes and went for a mountain bike ride. After one day of loading bikes on and off I took them back and opted for a hitch system. Why? My back was pretty sore and I was envisioning lifting our two bikes on and off that thing six times a week for the next twenty years and I didn't want to do that to my back.

It's also a pain to have to take the tire off and put it back on every time and putting a muddy tire into your car and a muddy bike on your roof is not optimal either.

I prefer the hitch systems where you just lift it up, clamp it down and drive. Very easy and low maintenance and you don't need to worry about getting mud in or on your car.

Bottom line is that it's a solid, well engineered system as are all Yakima products I've experienced. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for anyone with an SUV - it was too hard for me and I'm an athletic 6 foot tall male. It would be impossible for my girlfriend to get them onto the roof.

To decide if this system is right for you answer the following questions:

-Are you fairly strong (so that lifting a bike onto your car is not a big deal)?
-Would you buy it for a sedan (it's too difficult for most people to load onto the top of an SUV)?
-Is taking the (sometimes muddy) tire off each time and putting it in your car OK with you?
-Do you prefer a roof rack to installing a hitch (cost of about $100)?
-Is it ok to spend a little extra time getting your bike ready for a ride?

If you answered yes to all of these questions than maybe this is a good solution for you. If no to any of them, I'd consider a hitch system on the back - much easier and lower maintenance. If you have an SUV - definitely go with a hitch system like the yakima getaway.

Strengths:
*Cool looking with bikes on the roof
*Holds bikes well
*Nicely engineered

Weaknesses:
*Have to lift bikes on and off
*Have to take front tire off and store in the vehicle
*Mud, pebbles and rocks may fall on your roof or the roof may get scratched while loading on and off
*If you drive under anything with low clearance you can mess up your roof and your bike (I know several people who have done this)

Similar Products Used:
Yakima Getaway Hitch system

Summary:
The steelhead is way better that the lockjaw. The fork attachment is very sturdy and secure. None of that wobbling at speed in the turns like the lockjaw. I didn't have any doubts about the lockjaw's security, but the steelhead has a more solid connection. The only advantage that the lock jaw has is that it's faster to take the bike off the rack and start riding.

That first guy must have skewed bars or something because when you use two the same mounts, the bars are at the same level, and since the bars are the widest part of the bike, you get clearance problems. How he managed to have a clearance problems with one lockjaw and one steelhead makes you shake your head. And fitting the forks into the clamp isn't a problem if the bail is open all the way. My road bike fork is harder to fit than either my old Rock Shox or my Marzocchi Bomber. If he's having that much trouble, then he should stay with the upright mount.

Strengths:
Stable, strong, uses only one SKS core

Weaknesses:
Nothing

Similar Products Used:
Lockjaw