1up USA - the Best hitch rack

MarvinK · Mar 27, 2013

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.

Doc_D · Mar 27, 2013

MarvinK said:
I have a Saris CycleOn Pro and it is literally the WORST rack I've ever owned. It rattles countinously.

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?

Duane Gran · Mar 27, 2013

I've used several different hitch-based bike racks and my 1up USA is likely the last one I'll ever need to own. It is built really well and is easy to use.

Blue CheeseHead · Mar 27, 2013

Count me in for the Saris Cycle On. I have one that holds 4 bikes. Only downside is the weight. It has to weigh 80+ pounds.

Blue CheeseHead · Mar 27, 2013

Donn12 said:
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.

Nothing like a T-Shirt to advertise a nice rack...ummm bike rack I mean.

onebadscrambler · Mar 28, 2013

Doc_D said:
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.

The 1up is constructed of aluminum. I leave mine on the Jeep year round in Florida. The bolt that tightens the rack to the hitch got a little surface rust, which may be a concern in Michigan, but I am sure 1up will replace it as necessary.

ParadigmDawg · Mar 28, 2013

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.

tednugent · Mar 28, 2013

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?

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

ParadigmDawg · Mar 28, 2013

tednugent said:
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

lol...I mean...what is the chance of some guy who can afford a $600 rack also being a bike thief? Plus, I bet you would notice him riding your bike...

The u-lock is a good idea and I may get one for the heck of it.

tednugent · Mar 28, 2013

ParadigmDawg said:
lol...I mean...what is the chance of some guy who can afford a $600 rack also being a bike thief? Plus, I bet you would notice him riding your bike...

The u-lock is a good idea and I may get one for the heck of it.

He has a $4250 Giant Trance X 29er.... I don't think he would be interested in my $1100 (that I got in 2009) Specialized Rockhopper 29er..... though he was a diehard 26" person until he demo'd a hardtail 29er, then bought one that day... then loved 29ers so much, that he got rid of his 26" to get only 29ers...

dcorn · Mar 31, 2013

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!

reig3 · Mar 31, 2013

I needed a rack and shopped around for hitch mounts this time. I ended up with the KUAT and I am very happy with it.

ercflyer · Mar 31, 2013

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.

rdalcanto · Dec 1, 2013

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.

9W9W · Dec 1, 2013

rdalcanto said:
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.

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.

tednugent · Dec 1, 2013

9W9W said:
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.

They are Yakima holdup, Thule T2, etc... are all designed that so that one faces left and one faces right.

However, I have had similar experience was rdalcanto with my Holdup before I got the 1up.

9W9W · Dec 1, 2013

tednugent said:
They are Yakima holdup, Thule T2, etc... are all designed that so that one faces left and one faces right.

However, I have had similar experience was rdalcanto with my Holdup before I got the 1up.

^^ dont text and drive

sadhappy · Dec 1, 2013

I've a got 1up on my Prius V and I'm a huge fan of the product. Takes less than 60 seconds to unfold the rack from "bumper" mode and stick my bike on it, and I can tilt the rig back with the bike installed to open the rear hatch with no trouble. Absolutely think it's worth the extra money.

RRRoubaix · Dec 1, 2013

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!

ercflyer · Dec 1, 2013

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).

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.

1up USA - the Best hitch rack

MarvinK

Doc_D

Duane Gran

Blue CheeseHead

Blue CheeseHead

onebadscrambler

ParadigmDawg

tednugent

ParadigmDawg

tednugent

dcorn

reig3

ercflyer

rdalcanto

9W9W

tednugent

9W9W

sadhappy

RRRoubaix

ercflyer

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