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1upUSA
Ultra-Rack Bike Carrier
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Average Rating
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4.57/5
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# of Reviews
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28
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MSRP
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$ 449.00
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Weight
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More Products from 1upUSA
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Description:-Takes only seconds to load and captures the bikes firmly by the wheels and not the frame. It will not damage your bike or vehicle.
-Works on all bikes and wheel sizes, even long wheel base recumbents. Longer trays available for no extra cost.
-Rack folds up to 36"X12"X10" for easy storage - fits in your trunk
-Comes fully assembled and ready to install on vehicle
-Automatic hole finder - no bolt, pin or clip to insert in receiver
-Anti-theft system - prevents theft of rack from vehicle
-Boltless system takes all play and wobble out of the rack in the receiver
-One rack fits both 2" and 1 ¼" receiver sizes with 1 ¼" adaptor provided
-No bungee cords, plastic rings or rubber ties required
-Light weight, durable anodized Aluminum with stainless steel hardware - No Rust
-CNC machined Aluminum construction
-The unique design allows you to add or remove 3rd, 4th or 5th trays as needed.
-Bikes can be offset to avoid bikes colliding with one another
-You can carry up to 5 bikes on 2" receiver
-Carry up to 3 bikes on 1 ¼" receivers
-Additional single bike trays available for only $139 each and can be added to the existing rack
-Inclined design allows for more ground clearance - less chance of hitting speed bumps, etc.
-Adjustable fold-up angle allows the rack to fold up to 90 degrees or as low as 65 degrees to allow room for spare tires, bumpers, etc.
-Tilts down for trunk/hatch access with quick release latch
-Lifetime warranty, 60 day money-back guarantee
-Manufactured and assembled in the USA!
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Submitted by
Chuck
a Downhiller
from St. Charles , Mo
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mammoth | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Sierra Coast Bike Racks | | Strengths: | Made of 6063 T6 Aluminum, Stainless Steel Anti-Vibration Hardware. Holds up to 4 bikes, No removal of tire, unloads in 1 minute. | | Weaknesses: | none that I am aware of. | | Similar Products Used: | Thule and Yakima bike racks | | Bike Setup: | Bike rack can be mounted easily , with 4 bolts, 2 bolts if you using the one bike kit | | Bottom Line: | I have hauled this over some very ruff roads and it is extremely sturdy, it's the best mounting and easiest release bike rack I have had. No hassle to get your bike out , no tire to take off or put on. Priced good for 1 bike mount at $104.00 2 bikes at $199.95. The serious mountain bike riders that hit the trails and for the week end warriors this is the bike rack for you. Check this bike rack out at, Sierra Coast. See scbikeracks.com | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitby
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upUSA | | Strengths: | - very easy loading and unloading of bikes
- made of aluminum so no rusting and it's fairly light
- folds up nice and compact for easy storage
- can easily be used with 1.25" or 2" hitch receivers
- doesn't touch bike frame and will hold ANY bike with 2 wheels
- can carry up to 5 bikes with additional trays
- tilts down to get access to rear door on hatchbacks and SUV's when bikes are loaded
- lifetime warranty!
- excellent customer service (see below for details) | | Weaknesses: | - has some "wobble" to it at highway speeds using a 1.25" hitch receiver (not nearly as bad with a 2" receiver) | | Similar Products Used: | various trunk mounted racks | | Bike Setup: | - 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler
- 2006 Devinci Wilson
- 2005 Devinci Mission | | Bottom Line: | I've been using this rack now for 3 seaons. It's by far the best rack I've seen or used. Alot of thought has gone into it. It's very easy to load and unload bikes and takes no more than 10-15 seconds per bike. It can hold up to 5 bikes with the purchase of additional trays, and will hold any bike with 2 wheels. I can easily carry both my XC and big DH bikes with no problems. It works well with a 1.25" hitch receiver, but works best with a 2" receiver as this eliminates much of the "wobble" at highway speeds.
Just recently I noticed some cracks starting to form in the 2 rear wheel trays. Sent a quick email off to 1UpUSA, and they sent me out 2 replacement trays with no questions asked. They didn't even ask me for pictures or anything. It took a little long to get to me as I live in Canada, however about 2 weeks later the new trays arrived as promised. Now that's customer service! I would recommend this rack to anyone. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a
from Leland IL
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Best built rack
Lightest rack
Quickest to put bike on and off | | Weaknesses: | $$$ | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Tarmac Pro
Kuota Kahn | | Bottom Line: | This rack goes on and off the car in 2 minutes and folds up to put in trunk. All aluminum so weight is very light. Does not touch body of car. Holds bike by wheels and doesn't touch frame of bike. You are able to take off tray for second bike since I'm just hauling one bike. Very stable at high speeds, I have it on my sports car.Looked at all the racks out there and this one made the most sense to me. Expensive but worth it if you want the best. Can only buy online so you can't see in person until it arrives. I wasn't disapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upUSA | | Strengths: | Very solid construction. Well designed. Expandable. Doesn't rust. | | Weaknesses: | Price. Heavy (but lighter than a comparable steel rack) | | Bottom Line: | Very happy with this rack. The construction is solid and it holds the bike very securely. Its easy to load and has a built in lock. Takes downhill bikes with big tires without a problem. Expands to hold 3 bikes on a class 1 hitch. Doesnt rust and looks great.
It hurts to spend so much on a rack, but quality does not come cheap. And I cant see them being able to manufacture this rack for any less.
BTW, I just checked the 1upUSA sight, and couldn't find the rack listed anywhere. Is it still available? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The next one | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 500 | | Strengths: | Simpel, bullet-proof, corrosion-free construction, ease of use, adjustibility, grips bikes by the tires only, folds compact, light (compared to comparable steel racks) | | Weaknesses: | None. I really gave this some thought, and I literally can't think of anything. | | Similar Products Used: | Previous 1UpUSA hitch rack, Thule, Yakima, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Large Heckler and Blur, medium Blur LT, plus various mountain and road bikes have been on this rack | | Bottom Line: | I owe it to 1UpUSA to add my review. Their rack is the simply best one out there and their customer service is outstanding.
I leave my rack on my Honda Element all the time because I ride at least three days a week and often four. A rack should be able to withstand the same exposure as the car it's mounted on, yet every steel rack I've had has rusted...except this one. I've driven thousands of miles with this rack and haven't had any problems. It has outlived all previous racks and still looks great. I have a two inch receiver and the rack doesn't sway any more than any other hitch rack I've used, especially any of those "frame hanger" styles.
Putting the bikes behind the vehicle improves gas mileage versus roof mounting and you don't have to take off front wheels. When you get to the trail head, your bike is off in seconds and ready to go.
It's lighter than any comparable steel rack and I like the counter-intuitive way the rack's knobs work. It might deter the casual crook because he can't figure out how to get your bike loose and give up!
The bottom line is this rack costs a little more than comparable racks, but you'll have it for a lot longer and without any headaches. Get one!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | 1up USA | | Strengths: | Super easy to load/unload bikes, oozes quality, easy to attach/detach from vehicle, folds small enough to store in a car trunk. It was shipped very quickly and came fully assembled. | | Weaknesses: | Allows bikes to sway and bounce like a belly dancer. I have the 1.25" receiver versus the 2" receiver, but the sway isn't coming from the hitch attachment--the integrated bolt locks that solid. The way the bikes mount to the rack in combination with the fore-aft play in the support arms and the up-down play in the wheel trays will set a bike into motion with the smallest of inputs. The wind turbulence on my car at highway speeds is more than enough to keep a bike constantly moving. In fact, a mild breeze when parked will set the bikes to jiggling. I guess you could ask why it bugs me, since it still hold the bikes. Partly it's because all that jiggling could cause paint damage if you're running a cable lock through the bikes while on a road trip. Mostly though, it just offends my sensibilities. | | Similar Products Used: | SportWorks Transport -- held bikes with no perceptable movement. Sure can't fold it up and put it in a mid-sized car trunk, though. | | Bike Setup: | several | | Bottom Line: | If it weren't for the considerable bike movement, I'd rate this rack nearly perfect, given its many strengths. I gotta withhold a flamin' turd for the play, though. That said, I wouldn't hesistate to recommend it and couldn't locate an alternative that matched its strengths. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | From Manufacturer | | Strengths: | Good looking, very industrial appearance. Good quality materials. Adjustable to almost any wheelbase and size.
If you can handle the weight, size and price buy it. | | Weaknesses: | Awkward and hard to manage. Difficult to install/store. *****PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE A HANDICAP*****************
Adds considerably (even when folded up) to length of vehicle. My van wouldn' fit into the garage. Small adjuster knobs work well but are a hassle to spin and spin and spin...... Well made and expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Check out the review under ALPACA Racks! | | Bike Setup: | 2 recumbants (59" wheelbase) | | Bottom Line: | This rack simply would not work for me. :<(
Returned this rack prepaid both ways. :<)
Great customer service. :<)
NO HASSLE return policy. :<) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a
from Columbus, OH
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upusa.com | | Strengths: | Lightweight, very compact, beautiful finish, solid/durable, simple to attach and detach from hitch, quick loading of bikes, bikes lock in solid. | | Weaknesses: | Gets pricey as you add additional trays to carry 3, 4 or 5 bikes. No integrated lock like some of the Thules have. A bike with a flat tire could cause the need to use a rag as a cushion or something soft to lock the tire in place so the rim is not damaged. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Old 10-speed road bike, for now. | | Bottom Line: | I looked at a Saris and various "frame hangers" like Thule's Hitching Post models...but couldn't find the Thule Sportrack at any store (though it could be special ordered). I read pros and cons of racks here and on RoadBikeReview forums. In the end, I decided since 1UpUSA gives a 60 day moneyback guarantee, I'd try them first (the reviews here also reassured me). I liked the idea of a carrier that does not touch the frame.
I felt I was overpaying for their rack by about $100 or so, but once I got it and tried it...I knew I had made the right choice. No plastic, no steel and no rust. The aluminum alone is probably worth the extra bucks. This thing folds up practically flush against my truck when attached and carrying no bikes. It literally takes seconds to attach/detach, and using a wrench supplied, a half turn to lock it in (the lock actually forces apart the two pieces of aluminum that fit into the hitch so that it can't be removed and fits very snug)...a great idea. No alignment issues of any kind. See their website for detailed photos of this...it works just as they describe.
Loading bikes is effortless...set a bike in the trays, push on the arm against the back tire and turn a knob until it tightens down...probably 10 seconds. Bikes are held by front and rear wheels so no extra lashing of the front wheel or handlebars is necessary...bikes don't hit each other. The arm on the front tire only needs set one time...locking down the bike after that is all done by the rear tire side.
When off the vehicle, I can fold it and set it in the back of my SUV or garage floor...I don't believe the Saris model folds and is larger in comparison...not sure about the Sportrack. Some have complained about a rocking motion...while it does rock a little, it's not a concern. In fact, I think it might help absorb normal road bumps (potholes) that would otherwise go directly to the bike. I am using a 2 inch hitch receiver...this could be more of a problem with the 1 1/4 inch adapter they offer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Logan, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Steammill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upusa.com | | Strengths: | Won't rust, folds compact, lightweight, won't scratch frame | | Weaknesses: | Fasteners, Security | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro Pro | | Bottom Line: | After trying one other rack, which I returned, I found this website and bought this rack based on the opinions of you great people. I love this rack! I am so glad I got it. Though expensive, I feel it was the right choice. The screws that tighten the rack to the bike tires are a little obnoxious, but overall this thing is awesome! I have paid really close attention to the sway that some have mentioned, and feel it is negligible, though I admit I drive mostly on paved streets. My bikes are for off-road, so my 4runner doesn't see much action there. If you don't want your rack to rust, get this one. You won't be disappointed. After seeing a couple of Sportracks in town, I feel I made the right choice with 1upusa. Sportrack would be my second choice, Saris third. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wilhelm
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | 1-Up USA web site | | Strengths: | Simple, fast loading, w/o taking off wheels, easy and fast to put on and take off car, beautifully built, looks like industrial art. | | Weaknesses: | Sways a little | | Similar Products Used: | Yakima roof racks, various trunk racks. | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer-X, Cannondale R3000, Salsa Dos Niner | | Bottom Line: | I bought this rack because I was tired of fussing with a trunk rack on my Toyota Prius, and I didn't want to mess up my sweet 47mpg fuel economy with a roof rack! I knew I wanted a hitch mount rack so I could put it on and take it off quickly and easily. I had of course seen 1-Up products on this site, and visited them on-line. Their product seemed very well engineered, and very well made right here in the good old USA. They cut me a 10% discount because I bought 2 bike holders and one of their trainers (to be reviewed latter). Installation is a snap: slide the rack into the receiver until it clicks, and tighten one keyed security bolt. This secures the rack to the car, making it tamper proof. To lock the bikes to the rack, I use a cable lock. Loading the bikes is just as easy. Open the arms, put the bike in, close the arms, and tighten the knob. A worm drive screw pulls the arm into the tire, holding it in and down. It seems too easy, and I was skeptical that it would be secure, but it is. I have mounted carbon rimmed road bikes (I called Zipp, and they said it was fine for their rims), 29" wheel Mt. Bikes, dual suspension bikes, large bikes, small bikes, 1 bike 2 bike 3 bike 4... Starting to sound like Dr. Suess... Suffice to say, the rack fits them all quickly and easily. Owners with funky frames take note: since the rack holds by the wheels, frame design is irrelevant in holding the bike. Owners of VERY long wheelbase bikes might not be able to fit their bikes. My 20" Salsa with 29" wheels fits snugly with the arms fully open. I don't know if a 22" framed 29"er would fit. Regarding the sway, bikes will move a little, but no more than with a rook rack using an upright holder (where you don't clamp by the fork) like the Yakima Ankle Biter. I have taken 2 bikes on this rack across the Dragon, a notorious mountain road with over 300 curves in 12 miles, and they made the trip fine. If the bikes touch at all, the handlebars and the seats touch, so I haven't had any damage from rubbing bikes. Finally, one suggestion when mounting multiple bikes: put all the bikes on the rack before tightening the locking knob. This lets you move the bikes around a little while loading.
Great product, I would buy again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig behnke
a
from lakewood, co. usa
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i'm on | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | from 1upUSA | | Strengths: | highest quality materials, design, construction, fit, ease of use, so many stranghts | | Weaknesses: | expensive, have to fold it out of way to open rear door on Jeeps, not offered in painted colors, ummm....not many. this thing is AMAZING. | | Similar Products Used: | thule, yakima roof mounted racks | | Bottom Line: | Wow! amazing high quality of materials, ingenious desing, superb machined aluminum construction (looks like it's all CNC machined) so darn simple to use, holds the bike like a pit bull without touching any metal, i have used it for only a week and i am amazed how great this rack is. if i was to start from scratch and desing the baddest-azz, high quality, easy to use, durable, bike rack....i bet you it would wind up exactly like this. but I don't have to design and build one....1upUSA already did it. it is expensive but when you see how high quality the whole package is compared to the competition that uses cheaper pressed tube steel parts you will know why the rack costs more AND IS WORTH IT.
from the delivery box to actually using it on your car takes 1 minute, to load a bike takes 10 seconds, to unload takes 10 seconds, to collapse it all down for not carring a bike takes 10 seconds. amazingly simple to use.
This is a rack you buy and keep for 50 years....that is how bulletproof the materials and construction are. 5 conflagrating turds for an AMAZING product, but only 4 turds for value...it is pretty darn expensive.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seve Kandola
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount TAM | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Ease of mount & dismount. Holds bikes on solid. Looks | | Weaknesses: | Mone | | Bike Setup: | Enduro Pro & Giant Iguana | | Bottom Line: | Best rack out there. See other people struggle with there racks. Glad it's not me. Cannot imagine a better rack out there. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Bowman
a Downhiller
from York
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upUSA | | Strengths: | 5 Bikes!! Any size with any width tires. Who can beat that? It is incredibly strong. It is adaptable to however many bikes you choose to take with you (except one - minimum two trays). | | Weaknesses: | The sway is a little freaky, but they have assured me that it is meant to have some sway. I don't like looking in the rear view and seeing 5 bikes swaying like that. I have put a thousands of miles on though with no problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Trunk mount, roof mount, and hitch mounts from Yakima and Thule. It seems that I have tried everything. I have now settled on this rack and do not forsee changing again. | | Bike Setup: | DJ - Azonic DS 1, DH Specialized Big Hit Comp '01, FR - Haro Extreme EX 1, XC GT I-drive LTD & Weyless XP | | Bottom Line: | This is the best rack that I have owned. I don't like the sway of the rack - just like Mike said (unfortunately he felt the need to say it three times!). I have called 1upUSA and they assured me that there is nothing to worry about. I carry 5 downhill bikes on this thing regularly. Sometimes the trips are hundreds of miles. There has never been any problem at all! I like that my 3" tires fit this rack. There are not too many racks that accept tires that big. It folds up nicely and is easy to use. It has taken me 15 years to find the rack that I intend to stay with. I was lucky enough to get the rack before the price went up. It is salty now, but I would still buy it again even at the new price. Downhillers should definitely look at this rack. Anyone who wants to carry a lot of bikes should as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Dries
a Cross Country Rider
from Easton, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Rails to Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | 1 up USA | | Strengths: | Strong, well-engineered rack that looks as good as it works. Comes assembled and ready to stick into the receiver. Easy to use and stow. I like that we don't have to remove any wheels to mount the bikes on the rack. Wife's car is silver and this looks like original factory-installed equipment on it. | | Weaknesses: | Only weakness is the bolt that could be removed w/ a standard wrench. Of course, what would be removed by taking out the bolt couldn't be used w/o a lot of improvisation. | | Similar Products Used: | Saris | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale and Jamis mountain bikes | | Bottom Line: | If you like good construction and good looks as well as ease of use in a product, this is your rack. It folds up and stows away nicely and will never rust. You can leave this rack on your vehicle for the whole riding season. Untwist the lock and pull the pin to lower into position and load your bikes. Pull pin and twist lock in raised position when not using. There is some swaying of bikes in this rack, but have no doubts or worries about anything rubbing or breaking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a
from Amherst, MA USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from company | | Strengths: | 1. Truely inspired Design
2. Unbelievable Quatily of materials
3. Top notch fit and finish
4. This is the easist to use rack I have ever used or seen
5. The bike is more secure in this rack than any I've use or seen. Note: There is a small amount of wobble but I dare you to try to pull a bike off this rack when it is tightened in.
6. It will not rust.
7. It looks great.
8. It only touches the rubber on your tires and not the frame or seat post.
9. It swings up out of the way
10. No time wasted taking wheels on and off
| | Weaknesses: | None
The flex is no different than what is seen with other hitch mounted racks and It is a non issue since it has no impact on the function of the rack | | Similar Products Used: | Yakima and Thule | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Six13
Santa Cruz Super Light | | Bottom Line: | You will not find a better designed and manufactured bike rack anywhere. This is the new gold standard. It would be a bargin at twice the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cathederal Pines | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$318.00 | | Purchased At: | 1up USA | | Strengths: | This is a followup to my last post (below)! | | Bottom Line: | One week ago I purchased a hollywood teamrider hitch rack for $250 from my LBS. Within moments of attaching my bike I knew that this rack blew away the 1up USA ultra rack! The hollywood rack has trays that the tires sit into and are secured with an adjustable tire clamping strap. The seatpost is held by an adjustable support rod that folds down when not in use. The bike is so stable with this carrier! The only flaw I see in the hollywood teamrider is that the seatpost clamp has a velcro holder to secure the latch afetr it is closed. As a precaution I used a rubber bungee cord to wrap around the seatpost and attach to the adjustable suport post. I also replaced the plastic wingnuts on the tray holders with lock nuts and added more carriage bolts to each tire cradle mount to make it nice and solid!
The only good thing about the 1up USA ultra rack is its small compact size which makes it easy to store. My xc bike would flex side to side and up and down! After getting a freeride bike, forget about it, the extra weight was too much! Please note that I was using the 2" hitch version and not the 1 1/4" adapter. I think the original 1up USA metal rack was much better, too bad they redesigned it and too bad that I sold my original to get the ultra!
Pass on this rack, it is not worth the high cost. Get the older discontinued hollywood teamrider or sportsworks freeride/dh carrier.
-Mike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cathederal Pines | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$318.00 | | Purchased At: | 1up USA | | Strengths: | Aluminum, will not rust!!! | | Weaknesses: | Flexes more from side to side than the original steel version. | | Similar Products Used: | Original 1up USA steel rack with one tire holder (1st version) | | Bike Setup: | Fully customized Giant NRS 2 xc bike and a Giant AC freeride/dh bike. | | Bottom Line: | I gave a reveiw last week with only using the rack once. Now I have been using the rack everyday.
Comparing this rack to the original steel one I notice that the bike has a tendancy to shake from side to side as the main beam flexes. It does not appear to be flexing from the folding tray pivots, but rather from the main beam itself. The hitch mount is made from 2 pieces of aluminum that are sandwiched together with a large delrin spacer. The main beam is also 2 aluminum pieces with aluminum spacers at several locations. I think the large delrin spacer in the hitch mount should be replaced with an aluminum version and more spacers should be installed along the main beam, or at least larger diameter spacers.
I have gotten favorable remarks about this rack from those who have seen it. They all say it is an engineering marvel! Knowing how the original rack held my bike is what makes me not as happy with this rack. The original steel rack just would let the bike bounce up and down slightly when hitting bumps in the road. This aluminum rack has a 4 way motion which I do not like!
I may machine my own aluminm spacer for the hitch plates and possibly make larger diameter spacers for the main beam or add more spacers? I will report back with my results. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Benedict
a Weekend Warrior
from Brighton
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Torn Shirt (so far) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Very clever design. Exceptionally easy to use (I took 2 bikes off, folded the rack up, took it off the car and put it away in the garage in 7 minutes). Lightweight. Bikes do not touch (not even close). Stable. Angle easily changeable for door opening, folding up. Awesome customer service. Looks cool (or weird depending on how you perceive it) | | Weaknesses: | Sticks out far. Locks on the receiver with keyed wrench, but could be ripped off by unscrewing the huge main bolt. Spendy. | | Similar Products Used: | POC old trunk mount rack. | | Bike Setup: | Mtn bikes with kid-seats on back, and hard-core Mtn bikes. | | Bottom Line: | This is THE BEST. You will never need to buy another rack (this is why I give it 5 chilis, despite its cost). It is so easy to use. I agree with the poster who said that this thing is built like a swiss army watch. It is. There are a couple of nay-sayer posters on here who claim that this rack is no good and ALLUDE to the fact that all the positive posts may be bogus. They are full of s---. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cathederal Pines | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$318.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from 1upUSA | | Strengths: | Light weight, Rust free and easy to store due to folding trays. | | Weaknesses: | I had owned the original steel version that had one tire holder and used velcro straps for the rear tire. The original rack would bounce slightly but was not a flexy as the new aluminum rack. The hitch mount is 2 plates mounted side by side bolted together with spacers. This makes the main beam flex more than the original square steel hitch attachment did. Each tray has 2 foldable tray halves that lock with a pull pin mechanism. | | Similar Products Used: | 1upUSA original steel version with one tire cradle and good old velcro straps to secure the tires! | | Bike Setup: | Fully customized Giant NRS 2 xc bike and a Giant AC freeride/dh bike. | | Bottom Line: | I had owned the original steel version that had one tire holder and used velcro straps for the rear tire. I sold that one just before getting the new one. I am sorry that I sold the original rack!
1upUSA is terrific with their customer service and gave a discount for buying the new rack since I was a previous customer, WAY TO GO!!!
The bikes do lock down tightly with the adjustable arms, but I just get too nervous carrying a bike that is worth over $2000 on it. I wish 1upUSA would offer the original steel version again! I had use the original version with 1 tire craddle. I was in the process of trying to get the newer 2 tire craddle trays when the aluminum rack was released. Now my original rack has been sold and I am thinking of selling this and getting a Surco OSI spare tire mounted rack? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Ooltewah, Tennessee, USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Iron Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | w/ extra tray @ 1upUSA | | Strengths: | Aluminum & Stainless Steel - durable & classy!! I've had Yakimas, Graber & Saris and this is the best. Shockingly fast loading with no contact to the bicycle frames. No more grinding away the frame paint while pressing the brake & gear cables into the frame as they rest on the carrier arms. Even better no abrasion into the carbon fiber of the frames. It cost more but you can see the quality right out of the box. | | Weaknesses: | The rack set up for hauling 3 bikes is a little cumbersome and requires man-handling to get it into the receiver. But beefy is good when your bikes are at stake. | | Similar Products Used: | Saris, Graber & Yakima. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5200's, Univerga Carbon mountain bikes | | Bottom Line: | If you are tired of watching your rack rust first thing out of the box this rack is for you. If you would rather spend your time riding instead of loading and strapping down your bikes give 1upUSA a call!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Marion, IL, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$398.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upusa.com | | Strengths: | Aluminum (no rust...however, still quite heavy); secures bikes without damage to frame, etc.; flexibility (can carry up to five bikes with add-on trays); foldability (makes for fairly compact storage and also ease of access to rear tailgate, etc.); quick loading (bikes are on and off in seconds); self locating hitch button (makes it a breeze to postion it correctly on the hitch); ground clearance (the upward slope gives excellent ground clearance on both my minivan and SUV); warranty (lifetime and a 60 day return period); build quality (all components seem to be very high quality). | | Weaknesses: | Heavy (I have purchased two extra trays and it makes the unit fairly heavy for just one person to handle). For two people it shouldn't be a problem. Shipping time: it took almost four weeks to receive it. | | Similar Products Used: | Swagman XP 4 bike carrier | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7100 Multitracks (3) and Schwinn Ranger (24") | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a high quality hitch rack with ease of loading that won't rust, this is the one to buy. It is fairly expensive, but it should satisy you for years to come with the build quality and the flexibility in design. My Swagman had rubber components that wore out in the first year and it was rubbing the paint on the frames. It also took me several minutes to rearrange the bikes so that they wouldn't rub each other, etc. We plan on doing some long distance traveling and I look forward to trying this rack on the open road! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim hoffman
a Weekend Warrior
from concord,nc,usa
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | beech springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$398.00 | | Purchased At: | 1 up usa | | Strengths: | Well built,light weight, easy to install, fast loading bikes, best rack system I have seen. | | Weaknesses: | None that I see. I do use a cable lock in addition to the hitch lock included with the rack that uses the special tool to lock and take up side play. | | Similar Products Used: | Sportworks, Yakima | | Bike Setup: | Haro xls 3.0, King wheels | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a high quality rack that is very fast to use, no silly straps etc. then check out the 1up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Weekend Warrior
from Northeast
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | 1UpUSA | | Strengths: | Lightweight aluminum! Fold-down size for storage, no rust, no paint chipping, adjustable tilt angle to clear SUV tailgates when in folded position. Very simple to load and unload, no straps to deal with. Special Security tool for hitch mount, great idea in theory (see also weaknesses) | | Weaknesses: | While you may not be able to steal the whole bike rack, you can take away 90% of it just by removing the main pivot bolt! The main pivot bolt is a standard nut and bolt. I'm working on a solution for this.
This is nit picking here...the adjustment knobs seem counter intuitive (meaning whether you turn the know clockwise or counter-clockwise) for securing the angle of the supports, hard to explain unless you've used one.
Also, it would be nice if there was a way to set the angle of the support rails once for a particular bike and forget it, sort of a quick release set up. The original 1Up rack was quicker loading in that respect. | | Similar Products Used: | The Original 1Up USA rack, a great rack as well. Various trunk mount racks. | | Bike Setup: | GT i-drive mountain bike. | | Bottom Line: | Despite what you may think I love this rack. I'm have a background in industrial design so I will always see ways to improve a product. The anodized aluminum construction and stainless hardware is far and away above the rest. I love the new adjustable angle for when the unit is closed up with no bikes loaded, now I can leave it on for the season and still open and close the SUV tailgate without moving the rack up and down for access.
It's pricy but you get what you pay for. 5chilis
With some minor tweaks this rack could be outstanding so 4 chilis for now, I know 1Up doesn't sit still so I'm sure some of these suggestions will make it into there next generation. 4 chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from Silver Spring, MD USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upUSA.com | | Strengths: | Built like a Swiss watch. Beautiful aluminum and stainles steel construction with folding trays and comes fully assembled. Modular, so you can add trays for more bikes, but you don't have to drive around with a couple extra feet of metal sticking out the back it you only carry one or two bikes. Easy to store as it doesn't take up much space. A very elegant design. Look at the web site carefully for all the features. They really thought this through. | | Weaknesses: | A little worried about the number of moving parts involved with the folding trays and wheel securing arms, but there is a lifetime warranty, so why worry?
As with many rear racks, full fenders could cause interference with the wheel braces.
I notice some side to side movement of the bikes. I noticed the same on a Saris rack. Not sure the bikes would hit each other, but I find that strapping the bikes together prevents any possible damage from one hitting the other if you carry more than one bike.
Would like to see a means of securing the special hitch locking tool to the rack, so I don't forget it somewhere. | | Similar Products Used: | Currently have a roof rack and have looked at Saris and Sportworks and Draftmaster hitch racks. 1up wins. | | Bike Setup: | Recumbents with various size wheels and hybrids. | | Bottom Line: | I like it. I've only used it twice so far, but it's much easier to use than the roof rack and I don't have to worry about bridges, trees, garages, falling out the side door of my minivan shile loading bikes, etc.
Seriously considered the Draftmaster, but with some recumbents, the bikes stick up high and out the back, too. The 1up is also lighter and easier to handle and folds up tight against the back of the car when you remove the bikes.
After considering storage issues, weight, no rust and beauty (actually is an attractive rack), I decided on the 1up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Straight Pimp
a
from US
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 1UPUSA | | Strengths: | Looks, quality craftsmanship, transports bikes easily, nothing compares. | | Weaknesses: | Didn't get it when they said. I was worried, especially since they charged my credit card weeks before I got it. | | Similar Products Used: | Sportworks, Yakima, Thule | | Bottom Line: | If rust is an eyesore, dump your Yakima or overpriced Sportworks and step up to the next level. This will become the standard. No more plastic wheel straps, or rust on the Sportworks. That thing is going on Ebay!!
1 UpUSA is the next generation. Everyone else needs to step aside. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sandy Oudshoorn
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockford, MI
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$427.00 | | Purchased At: | 1upusa | | Strengths: | Lightweight and easy to use. Good instructions for adding on two extra trays | | Weaknesses: | I was worried when it didn't arrive when promised, but I did receive it in time to use for a spring break trip to Mrytle Beach. | | Similar Products Used: | Thule hitch rack | | Bike Setup: | Easy to secure bikes, even a small 20" after adjustments. | | Bottom Line: | I like it. It worked well behind a motorhome on a long trip that even involved some rain. The bikes are secure and none of the four touched each other the entire time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ullrich
a
from USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 1upusa | | Strengths: |
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