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1up USA - the Best hitch rack

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43K views 65 replies 31 participants last post by  tednugent  
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#1 ·
I got a PM about my rack and I wanted to post this. These racks seem to be very well known by MTBers but not by many roadies. they are not the cheapest ones out there but I think they are the best made and the easiest to use. Since I have had mine a few of my friends have bought them. One literally took the box for his new rack out of the trash and ordered one. It takes 2 seconds to load a bike and the rack only touches the tires.

here is a link to a youtube video of the rack

1UP USA Quik-Rack Platform Bike Rack - YouTube
 
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#14 ·
froze said:
Sorry to bust your bubble but they still didn't build it to accept more then one bike, which is ok if you never plan on taking a friend and their bike; they didn't build it so you could open the hatch; they didn't build it so you could lock the bike to the rack; and they didn't build it so you could lock the receiver to prevent a thief from taking both the rack and the bike. There's one thing that is good about it, it does fold up quite compactly, but that feature alone is not worth buying it unless you need the ability to store the rack in the car, but if you could lock the rack to the receiver there would be no reason to lock it inside.

With the BoneLocker I have I can put as many as 3 bikes on it, I can open that car's hatch with the rack on and loaded with bicycles, the rack is built with a locking system so the bike can't be stolen.

Bonelocker: Premium Hitch Mounted Bike Carrier for your Truck, SUV, or Car Made in the USA
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That's funny... you go on your epic rant against 1up, when Donn12 posted a pic of two trays on mounted to his truck, prior.

The you mentioned you can't open the hatch... which I can with a bike on it.

Yes, you are correct, they didn't design it with an integrated lock for the arms to lock the bike to the rack.

But... 1up's security is the security hex key. (which is extremely difficult to find in stores and online catalogs, including snap-on, mcmaster, etc).... I can steal my co-worker's 1up rack easily...

2 lies out of 3 statements.... not bad.

Unforunately for me... my car didn't have a Class III reciever available.
 
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#3 ·
Sorry to bust your bubble but they still didn't build it to accept more then one bike, which is ok if you never plan on taking a friend and their bike; they didn't build it so you could open the hatch; they didn't build it so you could lock the bike to the rack; and they didn't build it so you could lock the receiver to prevent a thief from taking both the rack and the bike. There's one thing that is good about it, it does fold up quite compactly, but that feature alone is not worth buying it unless you need the ability to store the rack in the car, but if you could lock the rack to the receiver there would be no reason to lock it inside.

With the BoneLocker I have I can put as many as 3 bikes on it, I can open that car's hatch with the rack on and loaded with bicycles, the rack is built with a locking system so the bike can't be stolen.

Bonelocker: Premium Hitch Mounted Bike Carrier for your Truck, SUV, or Car Made in the USA
 
#6 ·
froze said:
Sorry to bust your bubble...
Click to expand...
Unless all of the reviews are wrong the 1up rack can do literally all of the things you claim it cannot. Up to 4 bikes, security keyed hitch, folds down, and a simple cable lock is plenty secure. Add to that the small folded size, lack of contact with the frame, light weight and incredible quality and it isn't quite the design failure you make it out to be.
 
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#5 ·
I don't like racks that attach to the bike frame but honestly the bone locker ladies tshirt and men's braclet have my attention. I think I will buy my wife a bone locker tshirt and see what happens.
To each his own but the thought of a carbon bike banging around on that makes me cringe. The top bar looks like it could be pryed off but I really don't leave my bikes on it when I'm not driving. If I have to go into a store or something I usually put my bike in my truck but I also have a big cable that can secure the bike to the rack and tow hitch.
From an engineering standpoint I prefer the 1up rack.

Also they hold 1-4 bikes , mine holds 2.
 
#13 ·
Donn12 said:
To each his own but the thought of a carbon bike banging around on that makes me cringe. The top bar looks like it could be pryed off but I really don't leave my bikes on it when I'm not driving. .

Also they hold 1-4 bikes , mine holds 2.
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Not sure why anyone would have such a fragile bike that they would be worried about the top tube not being able to hold the weight of the bike...to each their own.

The top bar cannot be pried off, it is the most secured bike rack currently on the market. The engineers designed the thing with the sole purpose of preventing theft. When I go into a store I don't want to be bothered with removing my bike and then put inside the vehicle. Beside if they want the bike bad enough they'll just smash out one of your windows, or slim jim the door open, or put one of those small inflatable pillows designed to push the window outward and hook the lock open; all depending on how capable the thief is as to which route he'll take.
 
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#9 ·
Not sure if it's the BEST, but I've had the 1Up USA bike rack (for two bikes) for two years and can't imagine a better one for my needs. Installs in seconds, and takes no time to load or unload the bikes. It also folds up nicely so I can put in a corner of the garage out of the way. There are few things I own that perform as well for their intended use.

It's also a good thing that it's easy for my wife to both install the rack on her car when I'm not around, and to load and unload her bike when she goes on rides with the local women's cycling club. In fact that club is where I first saw the rack - 4 of them had it, in part because even the older ladies could use it easily.
 
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#12 ·
Before (Yakima Holdup... which the strong arms do not grip smooth roadie tires that well)


After



and I like the 1up a whole lot better....
 
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#20 ·
stanseven said:
Donn12 said:
I got a PM about my rack and I wanted to post this.
I'm curious. Why not just throw your bike into the back of your vehicle? It seems easier, faster, more convenient, and more secure for your bike
Click to expand...
I used to put my bike in the back of my truck but I take my Dad biking from time to time and two bikes laying on top of each other is a disaster in my opinion. pedals gears and chains scraping each other sold me on a rack pretty quickly. if you ever need to lock it truck caps are very flimsy. its actually easier to load the bike on the rack once its installed (especially the 29er).
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
#21 ·
I have a Saris CycleOn Pro and it is literally the WORST rack I've ever owned. It rattles countinously--so bad that I remove it every time I remove my bike, so it doesn't sound like my car is falling apart. It holds the bike well, but the noise is thoroughly ridiculous.

I'm looking at alternatives, and will add the 1up to list of contenders.

Really don't understand the appeal of the bonelocker--it only carries 3 bikes and touches the frame like an old-school hitch rack (really lame if you get muddy sand on your cross or mountain bike and then mount it on their before washing it). At least other older-style hitch racks can support 4 or even 5 bikes.
 
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#22 ·
MarvinK said:
I have a Saris CycleOn Pro and it is literally the WORST rack I've ever owned. It rattles countinously.
Click to expand...
Odd. I have a Saris Cycleon Pro and it's awesome. It has a knob to tighten the hitch fit and it never rattles. Saris's customer service is also phenomenal. After 8 years of use and abuse I broke the security lock. I asked about purchasing another and they shipped me one keyed for my existing keys, no charge, no questions asked.

I also have a Thule T2 on another vehicle that has been good as well. I think the saris is built tougher, has better security and I like the rear wheel securing method better. The T2's fold down feature is nicer. That being said either rack is excellent.

I'll be looking to replace my Saris CycleOn pro as it is now 9 years old and spends 365 days a year on my vehicle (think Michigan winters and salt). My first thought is to replace it with another Saris or Thule T2. I wonder if the 1up-USA would hold up better against winter/road salt.


Is there anyone who had owned both a Saris CycleOn/Thule T2 and a 1up-USA that could compare them?
 
#27 · (Edited)
I am also a 1up user.

They will actually send you a free rack if your's is ever stolen as they believe in their hex-key security system. Of coarse, another 1up owner will have the right key and could steal your rack but what's the chance of that?

As far as locking the bike to the frame; a cable lock is about as good as anything. It's been mentioned above that a battery powered Sawzol can cut through about anything in 15 seconds so it's not wise to ever leave your bike unattended.

I love the rack as it has a simplistic yet elegant look, holds bike very securely and takes 3 seconds to load and unload a bike.

I see myself keeping this rack for a long time.

Image


Image


Image


Image
 
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#28 ·
ParadigmDawg said:
I am also a 1up user.

They will actually send you a free rack if your's is ever stolen as they believe in their hex-key security system. Of coarse, another 1up owner will have the right key and could steal your rack but what's the chance of that?
Click to expand...
Big chance for me... because my co-worker has a 1up rack also. I recommended it to him.... I can also steal his rack with his full suspension Giant mountain bike also.

Some people have used a U-lock as an additional measure to secure the rack to the hitch.

1up Quick Rack Quick Review. - Page 57
 
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#31 ·
Just got mine last week and love it so far. I wish the single rack had come with a 2" receiver instead of 1.25" with an adapter. I don't want the bikes to be bouncing around in the back when I add two more trays to it. Might just sell and grab a 2 bike with one bike addition...

And in my case, there is plenty of room to open the hatch when I have a bike attached, plus it's not as hard to access the tilt feature as a lot of reviews said. I was even able to get my gf and her friend's huge hiking packs out of the back with my Tarmac in the rack.

Worked great for both my city riding bike and my road bike. I'm very impressed with the build quality and ease of use. I also have the 1up trainer, so I knew this rack would be quality built. And made in the USA!

Image


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#33 ·
I've been using my 1up for almost a year now and love it. Great service from 1up as well. Initially I was concerned by the lack of built-in locking device but after looking at what some of the other racks out there consider "security" I don't feel that using a chain or cable and U lock is a step down. That said, I've yet to actually lock my bikes to the rack. I don't make a habit of leaving them alone on the car to get stolen. My rack was attached to the car all last summer and I didn't feel any need to lock the rack to the car. The security bolt is enough for me.

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#34 ·
I have the Yakima hitch rack, and I am thinking of selling it and getting the 1up, because with the Yakima, two mountain bikes can be a problem depending on seat heights and handlebars. With the 1up, the bikes sit at different heights, and you can move them a little to the right or left so they don't run into each other.
 
#35 ·
My friend puts his bikes up with one facing left and the other right, that way certain bits don't rub against each other, but I'm sure you've already tried that. 1UP = truf.
 
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#39 ·
Froze brought up some valid gripes. While I'm a huge fan of 1upUSA, I do not like that their 1 1/4" hitch rack accomodates only one bike. Yes, you can add the attachment, but that's a band-aid. (Besides, if memory serves, they do not recommend that for 1 1/4" hitches).
So, for those of us w/ small hitches, Kuat and Inno are better -and more secure- options.

FWIW, I love my 1upUSA trainer!
 
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#40 · (Edited)
RRRoubaix said:
Froze brought up some valid gripes. While I'm a huge fan of 1upUSA, I do not like that their 1 1/4" hitch rack accomodates only one bike. Yes, you can add the attachment, but that's a band-aid. (Besides, if memory serves, they do not recommend that for 1 1/4" hitches).
Click to expand...
Your memory does not serve you in this case. You can use up to 2 extensions (3 bikes total) with the 1 1/4 rack. Personally, I don't consider this a band-aid in the slightest. I haul only 1 bike ~90% of the time. On the rare occasion that I need to carry two, the extension pops on in a few seconds. I consider this arrangement a feature.
 
#42 ·
Unless you're going out with a buddy, heading out with the family, or have a spouse that rides... you're likely to trek one bike around. I know I do, to ride to a friend's house and depart from there, or to the shop, etc...

$609 for a double rack in black.. aye carramba!
 
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#45 ·
Decisions!!!

I actually started another thread about hitch mounted bike racks a couple of weeks ago. Still have not bought one, using my saris Bones on my other car right now. I have really considered the 1 UP but with the hitch in the upright position it is 55 inches wide, my new Accord is just a little wider than that- con. Weight is only 23 lbs. for the single- pro. Can add a second rack for the times that you need to carry 2 bikes- pro. Weight and cost both go up- con. The Kuat Sherpa is only 29 lbs. and that is a double- pro and cheaper (if you add the second rack- pro.) I am not sure I like their little wheel tray- con. I am intrigued by the Inno, but there does not seem to be a lot of of info available on it. I want to get new rack because the ones that use the top tube do seem to mark the finish. Obviously I am slow to pull the trigger (might be part of the reason I did not buy my 2013 Accord until October 31 of 2013!). Decisions...
 
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#46 ·
I'm a little confused about the 'con' on the width of the 1Up. Can't imagine that any rack supporting a bike's wheels is much narrower.

At any rate, I'm not able to fold my 1Up rack upright when not carrying a bike because of the way the fender of my car curves - requires me to pull the rack out of the hitch too far to be safe - so I just remove after each use. It takes a minute or less - couple turns with the hex wrench, remove, fold arms, and stash in corner of garage. It folds down to a very compact size.
 
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#48 ·
I understand what you are saying about the width, but the Sherpa is a bit narrower; the Sherpa about 44". Not a big difference I know, but in the spring, summer, and fall I would like to leave it on all of the time. Like I was saying I am having a hard time making the decision. :confused:
 
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