The Yakima FrontLoader bike carrier is really easy to use, securing the bicycle securely by the front wheel and avoiding potential frame damage, and it easily accommodates different wheel sizes.

Unlike racks that clamp onto the frame, the FrontLoader has a two-piece contraption that at the front expands and wraps around the front wheel, while the rear section is preloaded by the large red dial, effectively clamping the front wheel in place. The rear wheel is clamped down onto a moveable tray with a ratchet strap.

It creates a very secure and stable setup, so the bike doesn't wobble about. To avoid theft, or at least delay an attempt by a would-be-thief, a cable lock attached to the front section can be looped around the frame. The rack also locks to the roof bars for further security.

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The bike carrier is easy to fit to the car. It comes out of the box already assembled, so all you have to do is slide it onto your roof bars and lock it in place. There are instructions, but really it's so simple they're not necessary.

It's easy to adjust the rack to accommodate different wheel sizes, from 20 to 29in. Tyre width is limited to about 2.5in, though, which rules out fat bikes, but road and cyclo-cross bikes, and regular mountain bikes, are just fine.

Lifting a bicycle onto the top of a car isn't always that easy, especially a heavy touring bike or mountain bike. The Yakima helps here as the front wheel easily and quickly locates into the front hoop, and the rear hoop just needs to be pushed against the tyre. It's then held in place enough for you to concentrate on tightening it up.

The Yakima is a really easy way to carry a bike on the roof of the car. It's stable and secure, there's no potential for frame damage, and it'll more easily accommodate any odd bicycle designs than racks that use frame clamps.

Verdict

Simple, clever,secure, and easy to use bicycle roof rack

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road.cc test report

Make and model: The Roof Box Company Yakima FrontLoader bike carrier

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Roofbox Company say: "Yakima's FrontLoader is their most versatile bike rack. It fits virtually all cross bars and takes a massive range of bikes. The bike is held on by the wheels so it's a great option if you need to carry bikes with carbon frames or other bikes that won't fit in a standard rack

This carrier fits around bars up to 88mm wide by 44mm deep, so it will fit all our roof bars."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The adjustable wheel tray takes a range of wheel sizes, including deep section wheels up to 70mm.

Takes tyres between 20' and 29', as well as 700c road tyres.

Accommodates disc brakes, thru axels and full suspension frames.

An integrated cable lock secures your bike to the rack while another lock secures the rack to your roof bars.

The arms fold flat when you are not carrying a bike.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Super-easy use and very stable.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Brilliantly easy and stable, and there's no potential frame damage. Plus it's not limited by odd frame designs.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Easy to set up and a doddle to use.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not very aero when folded down without a bike on top – the front section is quite bulky compared with a similar Thule roof rack.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Smartly designed and easy to use roof rack

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking