If you have a bike and are really into biking, then you are aware of the fact that having a suitable bike rack is essential. You need to get one that loads easily and is versatile.
Yakima is a brand that produces such bike racks and is known for its reliability and trustworthiness.
Hence, we will be discussing two of the most popular bike racks by this brand.
In our Yakima King Cobra vs. Front Loader comparison, we have mentioned the core differences, and we have also focused on which rack adheres to certain requirements.
We have also included adequate details regarding both the products so that you will have enough information regarding both of these.
Yakima King Cobra vs. Front Loader – Comparison 2020
Yakima King Cobra
When it comes to bike racks, you should be choosing one that is effortless to load and has an ergonomic design.
Fortunately, here’s a product that offers both of these aspects at a very reasonable price, along with other amazing features that will make you love it.
This tool is one that is very effortless to handle so that you won’t be facing any hassle with it.
The hands-free adjustment feature will enable you to make changes according to your convenience.
To make sure your bike’s paint job remains intact and unscratched, the rack grabs into the bike’s front wheel.
This aspect of the product makes sure it does not touch the bike’s painted surfaces; hence you won’t have to worry about it.
When it comes to versatility, this tool will surely amaze you. It works with a bike’s thru-axles, disc brakes, and funky suspensions to make sure you face no hassle when using this rack for your bike while allowing you to use it on multiple models.
On the other hand, this rooftop bike mount can conveniently fit round and square crossbars.
This aspect of the tool makes it suitable for a wide range of bike models; hence, you won’t have to worry about whether or not this would be suitable for your vehicle.
In fact, the product can fit any bike with 20 to 29-inch wheels. Therefore, it is suitable for bikes of various sizes.
Moreover, you will also be getting a security cable with this tool, so you won’t have to make extra purchases.
One of the major drawbacks of this product is that it cuts down miles per gallon significantly, so you can’t drive at high speeds with this.
Moreover, it takes a little while to roll forward, which may be frustrating for some users.
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CONS
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Yakima Front Loader
Are you looking for a bike rack that is easy to assemble and offers top-notch mileage?
In that case, you have just stumbled across the ideal product for yourself. This tool contains other fantastic facilities, which you will get to know about in this review.
What makes this tool really convenient for the users is that you can easily load your bike on this wheel-on mount.
In fact, this tool will hold your bike steady while you secure it, which will make the task much more hassle-free for you.
If your bike has a carbon fiber or custom paint job, then you don’t have to worry about the tool scratching its surface.
That is because, it holds the bike by its front and rear wheels, which makes sure the painted surface remains intact and unscratched.
One of the major attractions of this product is its versatility. It can fit multiple types of crossbars — square, round, factory, and aerodynamics.
This aspect of the tool sets it apart from the rest of its counterparts because it’s unmatchable in the sector of diversity.
On the other hand, this tool can fit absolutely any type of bike. Whether you have a thru-axle, disc brake, or full suspension bike, this product will be suitable for it.
Hence, you won’t have to worry about compatibility before getting the tool.
Moreover, the tool can conveniently fit wheels of 20 to 29 inches and tires of up to 3 inches.
So the product is suitable for bikes of different sizes; hence, you won’t face any hassle when installing the tool on your bike.
However, the locks are sold separately, which can be quite inconvenient for the users given the price of the product.
On the other hand, it is difficult to the get the bike on because the tool does not have much of a channel.
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CONS
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Yakima King Cobra or Front Loader Bike Rack?
Are you confused about two of the popular bike racks discussed in this article? Well, that is quite normal, because both of them are excellent.
But to help you get rid of your confusion, we have compared them so that you can choose the more suitable one for yourself.
Ease of Loading
The King Cobra comes with an ergonomic design, which provides quick and effortless loading along with hands-free adjustment for more convenience.
You can load your bike fully assembled on the Front Loader, and while you secure the tool, it will hold your bike upright.
Versatility and Bike Size
Both of the tools are suitable for any type of bikes. You can use them on disc brakes, full suspension, and thru-axle bikes without any trouble.
On the other hand, both of these racks can fit wheel sizes ranging from 20 to 29 inches. However, the Front Loader is suitable for tires up to three inches as well.
Type of Crossbar Required
When it comes to crossbars, both of the racks can fit round and square ones. But the Front Loader can fit factory and aerodynamic crossbars as well.
Frame Contact
One of the major advantages of Yakima bike racks is that they avoid making frame contact to protect the bike’s carbon fiber or paint jobs from scratches.
For that, the King Cobra grabs onto the bike’s front wheel, whereas the Front Loader grabs it by the front and rear wheels.
Mount Type
The King Cobra has a rooftop upright mount type, whereas the Front Loader has a wheel-on mount type.
Mileage
The Front Loader has an advantage over its counterpart in this sector because it provides top-notch mileage to a bike, whereas the King Cobra cuts it down.
Extra Tools Included
You can purchase separate locks for both the tools. However, the King Cobra comes with security cables, which already provides a form of safety to the users.
Unfortunately, the Front Loader comes with no such extra tools.
Pricing
The King Cobra is reasonably priced and provides excellent value for money to its users. However, its counterpart is a little more on the expensive side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will having a bike rack ruin my bike’s paint job?
This aspect depends on which part of the bike the loader grabs on to.
For instance, both the King Cobra and Front Loader grab on to the wheels of the bike and so, they don’t contact the frame of the bike. As a result, the vehicle’s paint job or carbon fiber remains intact.
Which mount type do I need for my bike?
This factor depends on which mount type would be compatible with your bike.
For that, you should go through the manual of your bike and the rack to check if they are compatible.
Do I need to get a lock for the King Cobra or Front Loader?
The King Cobra comes with a security cable, which does the job of a lock and so even if you don’t purchase a lock for it separately, that’s alright.
However, for the Front Loader, you will surely need to get a separate lock, as it does not come with a security cable.
Among King Cobra and Front Loader, which one should I get at a lower budget?
If you are looking for a bike rack that will provide better value for money, then the King Cobra would be a better option for you.
This one is more reasonably priced, and hence would be more suitable for you.
Is the King Cobra more versatile than the Front Loader?
Not necessarily. In fact, it could be the other way around as the Front Loader can fit more types of crossbars. Other than that, both the bike racks are quite versatile.
Conclusion
With our Yakima King Cobra vs. Front Loader comparison, you will be able to conveniently choose the one most suitable for you.
However, if you are still having trouble, then focus on your bike’s specifications and its requirements before selecting the right rack.