The New All-Aluminum Bike Rack/Carrier from 1up USA. The fastest hitch-mounting and bike loading rack ever. Carry 1,2 or 3 bikes. Holds bikes by tires only. Made entirely in the USA!
Strengths: Works great, easily removable and collapsible, made in USA, looks cool.
Weaknesses: Price, no retailers
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic design that was implemented in jewel-like CNC aluminum in the USA. My Yakima racks work fine, but I don't _enjoy_ using them like I do this rack. I also love that it's a full-length tray that folds up and fits in a small car's trunk. I do wish that they'd sell them through bike shops though, both because I love my LBS and because it'd be nice to see and touch it before buying.
Strengths: -Very easy to use
-Seems indestructable
-Secures bike with no worries
Weaknesses: -The only one is price
Bottom Line:
I just got this rack and have already put around 250miles on it. It works like a charm, I used to constantly be worried about my bike falling off my old one and now all those worries are gone. The only thing bad about this rack is the price, $300 is way to much for a rack but I hope to keep it for as long as I bike so it will be worth it in the end.
Strengths: All machined aluminum. Beautiful engineering and design. No plastic. No straps. Made in U.S.A. On and off my car in 15 seconds. Bikes on and off in 10 seconds. Very compact. Even with a two-bike rack in vertical position I can still open the hatch on my FX35!
Weaknesses: Pricey. I got the new 2" only version for two bikes at $525. Ouch. But this thing will last forever. 1up is not exactly a very compelling name for the company.
Bottom Line:
I had an old two-arm four-bike Thule rack I'd been using for a very long time. Hated the way the bike had to hang from the thing, and I had to buy one of those fake top tube adapters also. But the worst part, and what I wanted to solve was that the only way to secure it in the receiver was with a big bolt, and getting it on and off was always a huge chore. What led me in my search to the 1up was looking for a rack with speedy on and off, and this thing really delivers. Just a few turns of the allen wrench and it's securely on (and VERY stable) or off.
Here's something to think about: The rack I bought from them is a new product that has a 2" only mount. It also has two fixed bike trays. 1up describes it as "... designed for people who are interested or planning to carry up to 4 bikes." The one-bike mount is convertible for 1.25" or 2" receivers with an angled aluminum bar that fits over the 1.25" mount to make it a 2" mount. I did not want to deal with the convertible mount because all of my vehicles already have 2" receivers anyway. Also, from the way 1up describes the racks, I got the impression that if I wanted to extend for 4 bikes that I should have the dedicated 2" mount. I now realize that was not necessary. The 1.25/2" one-bike rack can easily expand with three more racks. But, my two-bike rack cannot be reduced to a one-bike rack. Since most of my bike hauling is just my bike, I now wish that I had the one-bike version with one add-on tray I could stow until I needed it. It would just make it that much easier to take the rack on and off for car wash, etc.
Strengths: Very fast and easy to install. Fairly light, at least in the one-bike version. Very nice looking. You can tilt the bike out of the way to get into your trunk. No straps, no ties, no clips!
Weaknesses: The mechanism that tilts the rack works very well but is a little awkward to reach and quite stiff to move. It takes some getting used to in the trust department because the bike is only held in place by the two swing arms which seem a little delicate; if the arms were to fail, your bike would be a distant lump in your rear-view mirror. I did a ton of research, though, and I didn't see a single fail on the internet. The rack lacks an integrated bike to rack lock, but there are tons of inexpensive solutions on the market.
Bottom Line:
This is bike rack nirvana! In the past I had to deal with trunk mount nightmares, which took forever to mount and almost always damaged my car in some way. Finally, I bought an Audi Q5 with a hitch mount. I researched all the different platform carriers on the market and chose the 1upUSA rack based on all the glowing reviews. No straps, no ties, no clips. The bike can't touch the car and the rack can't touch the bike except by the tires. Considering the quality, it really isn't that expensive relative to all the inferior, chunky designs out there. I can't imagine an easier or better built rack.
Weaknesses: It's a little pricey, but considering it's made in the USA(WI to be exact) and NOT in China I'm OK with it
Bottom Line:
I bought this rack going off the reviews from Mtbr. All I can say is WOW! I was skeptical at first and considering the price I was a little hesitant, but I figured with that many reviews how can I go wrong. People, it is worth the money!!! Hands down the best bike rack I've ever owned and is worth every penny. I drive like I don't have a rack on the back and am worry free about transporting my bike.
Strengths: Ease of use, portability, rapid install and uninstall.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I bought this rack based on the reviews on this site. This rack definately lives up to its reputation. I put this on and off my truck three times a week and it so quick it is amazing. I have the optional second bike mount as well and both stay tight on the freeway and back roads.
Strengths: Light, folds up nicely for storage, task to use and rock solid
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I have had several racks, thule T2, Kuat (a few) and now this. I got this because my Kuat was having the plastic bits break and I got tired of dealing with it. I haul 29er's , Fat bikes, road bikes, townies etc... So I ordered the black anodized version and with the Fat Bike spacer kit. So far after about 3 months I am still in love with it. Rack is the very rigid, no wobble. Easy to adjust for different wheel size and even fenders. Rack functions as it should, bikes are held very steady no nervous wobble as you go down the interstate... Just get over the cost and order one and also support something made in the USA.
Strengths: Well made. No cheap parts. Comes fully assembled. This is a quality product.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Trust me I'm really particular and anal. I tested all of the comparable racks from Thule, Yakima, Swingman, etc. The high end Thules was definitely the best of the bunch but very expensive, and not perfect by any means. None of them really fit a 29er. I bought this rack on a whim based on reviews. It is one of the best made products I have ever seen. It puts the Thule to shame. It is very very well built, comes fully assembled, works flawlessly, and is fairly priced even though it is on the higher end. I don't usually leave reviews unless I am truly impressed which happens very rarely. I hope my review will help you make a decision to buy this rack. You will not be disappointed.
Strengths: Rack attaching to car: Incredibly fast to mount and unmount. Extremely stable. No slop or wobble. I mount/unmount the rack every time I use it. It does not stay on my car. It goes on so easily that it is not a barrier to a spontaneous ride.
Bikes on rack: Fastest load/unload I've ever experienced. I will never go back to a rack that hangs the bike by its frame.
It only touches my bikes by their tires. I can adjust the left/right position of the bikes by quite a bit to deal with handlebar/saddle conflicts if I don't feel like dropping a seatpost.
Super solid in all aspects. Incredibly simple in all aspects. Definitely an engineer's masterpiece. Folks at the trail are always amazed at how simple the load/unload process is. At the end of a ride, I have my bike loaded back up and car started while my friends are still futzing with straps.
Engineering masterpiece.
Fits either 1.25" or 2". You don't have to choose like with other racks. I have a 1.25" hitch today. If I get a 2" hitch vehicle in the future I don't need a new rack. I can also add more bike carriers at that point without buying a new rack.
Second bike tray is as easy to mount/unmount as the rack is to the car.
Weaknesses: Expensive. Perhaps even over-engineered.
Bottom Line:
I went with the silver one and added the second bike tray. I wanted a hitch rack because I am tired of roof and trunk racks messing up paint. I wanted a tray rack since a hanging rack would give me the same headaches as a trunk rack with funny frame shapes. I have a 4cyl sedan, so I went looking for the lightest tray rack that could carry 2 bikes on a 1.25" hitch. The might be a Kuat that has this beat by a couple pounds, but with this one I can choose to only use 1 tray and be super light. I wonder how light they could make this design if that became an obsession of theirs.
At first I was not sure I would like how the rack secures to the hitch. There is no locking pin. Instead, you tighten a bolt with the included special allen wrench (cones with 2) until the rack is immobile. I realized that it goes on and off so fast and I am not kneeling or hunching over to deal with a locking pin or other mechanism.
Strengths: Compact, light, quick to mount to vehicle, comes in 2 colors, stable, holds bikes very securely, lifetime warranty
Weaknesses: Price, price, price, the black anodizing is really thin and scratches easily. Not really a weakness but in this day of amazon, jenson, pricepoint, and universal sameday shipping took 10 days to receive my rack, slow shipping by bikeshop standards.
Bottom Line:
If your cars can take a class II / III 2" hitch and you have room to store a T2, i'd say get the t2. Its cheaper, carries bikes just as well, and the steel construction takes hits better.
In black ano like I ordered this has to be the most expensive 2 bike hitch rack there is. At least with the Kuat you get a repair stand built in. But this is also the lightest, most compact on the car and in the garage it takes almost no space. In 1 bike configuration it folds up very close the car and very much out of the way of the trunk/hatch.
Similar Products Used: probably all the yakimas, Thule/sportworks t2
Bike Setup: all mountain
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
yeti4ever
a Weekend Warrior
from City of Angels
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2012
Strengths: Beautiful and ingenious design, very industrial look, super light, easy install, very functional. Most beautiful rack I've ever owned and seen.
Weaknesses: Wish it had a bike cable lock provision like Yakimas. Only used it for less than a month, but so far so good and no complaints.
Bottom Line:
This is the bike rack to own, get one!!! I have a Yak rack that hooks up to my hitch, and it weighs a frigging ton; and I own a 5-door SUV, and with the Yak, I have to put the rack down to access my hatchback. With 1UP, I can open my hatchback now without messing with my rack. You won't regret it. It is so easy to use, and it is a thing of beauty!
Submitted by
matdv
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2011
Strengths: Easy to install, not too heavy which will not put too much weight on my small car especially when the bikes are on.
Seems really durable and it seems well built too.
Weaknesses: The one where one has to pull on the side in order to slide the 2 pieces where the bike wheels sit, it's the red handles on both ends...spring itself is thin and very easy to pull up and down.
Since these are the ones that help hold the tires in place then this mechanism is very crucial and will often be moved a lot.
There's an easy chance that this is the immediate component to go bad.
Also if it rains and it gets wet, it has to be certain to completely dry it up fast so that it won't eventually get rusty to avoid it going brittle.
I think this part should be thicker and be more hidden to avoid sun and rain directly making it weak, instead of exposed or accidental objects blocking and breaking it.
And for better hold support, dual springs instead of just single holding it down and which will be often moved to put and remove bikes.
Also...not sure if it's a weakness for the choice of the only locking mechanism to lock the rack to the hitch.
It's good having the need to tighten it and with the ball bearing but after some time or possible oil getting to it, a strong pull might pull it out eventually.
I think there should be a secondary that since the hitch itself has the 2 holes on both ends, the rack should then have it too and a metal piece to securely lock it in place.
Bottom Line:
Other than that, so far it's perfect...well hopefully nothing else will be observed again other than whats mentioned above.
Only main drawback is that it's really expensive. It should be a little more affordable or at least a little less than paying $500 (in order to put 2 bikes), maybe more will and can save up and purchase it and not hesitate and take the chance of purchasing it.
Submitted by
tncraigf
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2011
Strengths: Great design and functionality!
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
This is one of those products that the first instant you use it, you know it is outstanding. I was very skeptical until I got it on the car and got my bike in it, and then I instantly knew that it is as close to a perfect rack as I've seen. I held off on getting the 2nd tray until I tried it out, and the day I got the single tray in the mail and on the car I ordered an add on kit.
I have the hitch on a Volkswagen Golf in a 1 1/4" receiver and there is absolutely no movement in the hitch. The rack definitely holds a 29er with no issue- I'm running 2.2s up front and 2.0 in the back.
It's more expensive because it's better. Well done 1UpUSA.
Similar Products Used: Saris Thelma, Saris T Bones, Kuat
Bike Setup: Specialized Camber Carbon Expert 29
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2011
Strengths: Simple installation, expansion for multiple bikes
Weaknesses: When configured for multiple bikes slightly on the heavy side. Access to catch to tip for trunk access is difficult and heavy with bikes installed to lift back up.
Bottom Line:
Outstnding design and manufacture. Great support from website and timely supply.
Submitted by
Sling Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem, OR
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2011
Strengths: Modular**you can have 2,3 or 4 trays attached**
Rattle Proof
Strong and beautiful. Looks like a sculpture on the back of my car
The rack never touches anything other than the tires
Mounting the rack on your hitch takes 15 seconds
Mounting a bike on a tray takes 15 seconds
Main hitch rack with 2 trays folds to fit easily in your trunk
Each additional tray also folds and can fit in your trunk
Weaknesses: The spring bar that allows you to tilt the rack up or down is very stiff
The internal lock mount for the hitch is awesome and keeps the first two trays almost theft proof, but the 3rd and 4th trays could be removed in nothing flat with a pipe wrench. Not sure if they would be covered by the manufacturers theft/replacement policy
Bottom Line:
I was tired of the beating that my bike frames took from my old hitch rack and other bikes on the rack. Loading bikes always took forever and they always seemed to rub on each other. The bike tires would hang below the hitch (even further when using a frame extender bar) and touch the ground on occasion.
This rack requires no assembly if you just purchase the heavy duty 2in rack that comes with 2 trays ($529 and includes shipping). And adding an additional tray ($199ea (includes shipping)) takes about 30 seconds.
I seriously considered another 4 bike hitch rack that does an equally good job keeping the bikes from touching. But when I called to ask for more detail regarding their warranty I found that it covered the rack for 2 years and was voided if you went off road. Are you kidding me! A mountain bike rack designed by mountain bikers for mountain bikers that you can't take off road.
This rack is warrantied for life and they will replace it if it is ever stolen while locked to your hitch.
No one matches 1upUSA's faith in their rack from a strength an security standpoint.
This rack is worth every penny. This is the last hitch mounted rack that you will ever have to buy.
