Loved the tip on holding the release handle parallel with the guide rail so that it doesn't ratchet when opening. I will be using that technique for now on.
Saw this video just now. I'm in the market for a hitch style single bike rack and heard about 1Up USA. Your video came up and WOW, perfect review and tons of extra info. I want to commend you on your video. Very well filmed and especially the constant volume of your voice made it enjoyable and easy to understand/watch. Don't know if you were using a external microphone but I can tell you it made a huge difference in clarity and I thank you. Well done, you've made my decision to go with 1Up USA quite easy now. Great video! Thank you.
Great review. I have a single tray set up with one additional tray. As you said, it is very easy to add additional carriers. I have had mine for about a year. It has been used on both my wife's car and my truck. In addition to being used locally, it has taken one trip, roughly 3000 miles from Washington to Colorado and back. It has been more than satisfactory. I got the handle extensions. That helps when tilting the carrier. I lift the locking levers whenever moving the arms so the locking mechanisms on the glide bar won't wear as fast. I use a cable for security. Some hitches have a loop that you can feed the cable through. Has anyone tried the "license plate holder 2"? I wonder if it interferes with the handle extension.
That lever and the weight are the only issues for me. But I'll trade a few pounds for robust design, solid construction and user serviceable any day of the week.
Nah, i use mine at least 3 times a week and it looks way more worn now than it did during this video. But it still holds as well and feels like the other ones that aren't worn. I suspect it'll keep working well even when it's super worn.
had my old 1 up rack on my car in michigan for a couple years and it still worked fine. Replacement parts are nice since my car got backed into and the rack got damaged. Insurance bought me a new one so I fixed up the old one and sold it. The lock kit from 1 up works well also. Time will tell how it holds up in the winter. I expect it to do well though since it is only a wafer lock.
I've heard of guys running through 7 winters without removing the 1up carrier from their car! 😳 Being aluminum and using stainless steel hardware, as long as you rinse the salt off every once in a while, it should be good to go. #northproblems lol
Thanks for this review. This was super helpful. I just got mine last week and love the ease of getting my bike on. Is there a trick to releasing the red latch when the bike is on the rack and the arms are clamped down on the tires? I am having one heck of a time lifting the rest latch to release. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
How trustworthy are those slide locks?? I've used the Yakima & Thule and their bar-over-tire system is pretty bombproof and can't accidentally unlock and open. That little lever seems a bit... hmm? Is it spring-loaded or anything to keep it locked down so it won't inadvertently open up when on bumpy roads or anything? Interested in the rack, but that part is keeping me a bit concerned. I look forward to your response.
Jeff Butler far more bomb proof than the bar over tire set up. The locking clips that hold the bar on the tire for Yakima and Thule are plastic. The slide locks are aluminum and bite like a 2 ton crock. My wife has a difficult time opening them if I close them too tight. Absolutely trustworthy in my opinion. 👍
My single has been on the back of my ST for 2 years. still looks like new...except the soot from the center exhaust which comes off when washing the car. I bought the integrated lock set. Sat for 3 days a week in a parking garage in downtown Atlanta with no issues. I have a big cable lock when running more bikes but the single carrier/single lock set is nice for, like you said, 90% of the time. Same complaint about the guide bar lever...especially since half the time I'm using a foot to unlock. One thing to watch out for since it holds bikes higher than most racks, if your car has a high exhaust, watch the heat from the exhaust... don't want it directed out right out on your wheel set. Good review, and thanks for mentioning the guide rod replacements for $9
I kind of wish i would have gone with the single. I could open my lift gate without moving the carrier trays with a single. Now every time i open it i have to drop the trays down, then lift them back up. Good to hear about first hand use of the locks! Thanks!
Great review! Appreciate it. The integrated locks on the Kuat are incredibly nice/ convenient! Both are super expensive though, wish more companies made similar quality for a little cheaper.
Thanks! That's true, i priced out similar products from Kuat and 1up and they were within a few dollars of each other. Both quite expensive. I like the work stand of the Kuat and the locks. Those were the features i liked most. But the 1up wheel locks really aren't that much more difficult to use. And i do about 90% of my servicing and cleaning while the bike is mounted into the 1up carrier. So a bit of a wash there. Those two were the finalists in my purchasing bracket. Can't go wrong with either.
I decided to buy the Thule and the 2 bike extension. My only complaint is the unit is very heavy, even without the extension. But due to it being so heavy it is extremely strong and durable. I have the same problem as you and want to find something to carry one bike that is very light but goes into a hitch.
I have a question I have townie bikes with carrier racks on them ,will this rack still work or are my carrier racks in the way and not be able to use this rack? Thanks for any help
Good question and the answer really depends on the wheel size and where the carrier racks/fenders start to encroach on the retaining arms path. The larger the wheel & tire, the more likely it is to work. But it's a question that probably can't be 100% answered without trying it out on one. *most* of the time, any bike carrier that holds the bike by the tires needs the tops of tires to be free of obstructions.
I kinda wish I looked a little harder into racks before I bought my saris superclamp. I do love it, but the 1up seems to be really heavy duty. Which I like. Great review
Thanks for the detailed review! I'm new to hitch rack, as I've been using my spare tire rack all this time. Quick question, do you have to get a separate lock to secure it to the hitch receiver? Or is it secured by a bolt, and the lock is just for extra caution to deter thiefs?
I'm the 3rd person that found your review useful. Have you by chance ridden with SingleTrackSampler? Something about you seemed familiar. Because of you review, I think I will get the single bike rack, my boo never wants to ride, so no need to 2 bike racks all the time, plus it's going on to a 435i with a Stealth Hitch. Gotta keep it clean! At the end of the video, with the flat tire, it looked like your seat was like, broken off in your rear view shot. Did you break your seat? Nice review.
lol. Thanks! Good call for the 435i, i'd go with a single as well. Yeah, i crashed that day, burped the tire off the rim and broke the carbon seat rails. :( And yes, i have ridden with Alex. ru-vid.com/group/PLKqaTmlOluPnWU7GKzbQCzwGnSYfGlWCZ 🤘
Hi Mr. Tonka. Great video. Cal Philips (whom has designed the original quick rack you show here) has a new product being manufactured by QuikrStuff in CO. It seems to address a few of your issues with this one. You should check it out. I've ordered one, but the wait for them to ramp up production has been much longer than anyone has expected. Still many improvements.
My Superduty Single just arrived, and the knob for the rack adjustment is screwed down so tight that I can’t unscrew it to pull up the adjuster bar. Tried WD40 and a wrench. This ever happen to you?? Super frustrating
I am waiting patiently for 1Up to catch up to order demands so I can run a super duty single or Equip D single rack for my 2021 Pro Caliber. Nice review and detailed info!
I sold my grey one and got the super duty double in black. Once they were open for orders, i was able to order and the new gear arrived in 4 days from ordering. :)
No i haven't. All our bikes have carbon road wheels and my MTB has carbon wheels. I think it depends on where the exhaust tips are located in relation to the receiver hitch. But the 1UP's bike trays do tend to be higher than most competitors racks and trays are stepped up as you add them. I can put my hand in between the wheel and exhaust tips and the temperature difference seems to be minimal on my set up. I also keep the rack as close to the car as possible. Hope that helps! :)
curious...thinking of getting the single...my concern is that the tray will be to close to the rear of my vehicle ( RAM ProMaster City Van, the small van)....being that the van is flat and straight up Im concerned it will be to close to the tire tray causing the Bikes bars to hit the rear windows....so...when you used the hitch extension did you notice any movement or lack of stability? Thanks
Hey, this is a great review, thanks! I am trying to decide between this rack and the Thule T2 XT Pro. I have a couple of questions that could help me make my mind: 1) Do you think that the 2-bike rack has any advantage over the 1-bike rack + an add-on? For instance, do you think it is more sturdy or durable? Like you, most of the time I only have to carry one bike. 2) A lot of reviews say that the 1UP is the best rack, but they don't name any specifics. If you are familiar weigh the Thule racks, could you tell me one or two things that are better about the 1UP? The RU-vidr I've found that compares them directly seems to like the Thule better. But the forum reviews are overwhelmingly in favor of the 1UP.
Hey Bruno Thanks for commenting. 1. I haven't examined a single tray 1up rack up close but i don't think there is any difference with build. I believe the reason you can only add on 2 extra trays to the single rack is the same reason you can only add on 2 trays to the 2 bike rack. The bolts that hold them together are likely the limiting factor. 2. I've never owned one by have several friends the do. They all love them. I have a few issues with them though. I see them attached to cars and i see they swaying around. The 1up, doesn't move around, at all. It's like an extension of the vehicle. The Thule rack is likely never to fail, but in my mind where there is movement there is friction, where there is friction, there is wear and wear eventually leads to failure. Also, I believe the locking mechanism that holds the arm on the tire is plastic and i'm not sure if it's replaceable. The locking system is much more convenient, but it is also much more easily defeated. It's difficult to get bolt cutters to the 1up locks where as the cable is very accessible with bolt cutters. They're both heavy, they are both good carriers... but having used both, i feel like the 1up is just a more substantial piece of kit. If it were distributed through retailers, the price would really reflect the high end build materials and quality design and construction. I think it's only in the same price range as the other offerings is because it's direct from the manufacture. Hope that helps a little it. Good luck!
So funny thing and the power of RU-vid and or Social Media. I saw you thro a C note to TheSingleTrackSampler and then thought what nice job supporting our hobby. Then I was at Santos with my wife and watched you jump the skills area only after recognizing your truck and that we have the same bike rack. Mine blown lol
Ha! That's crazy. If cycling in general is a small, tight knit community, MTB is like a big family! I really dig the message Alex sends out to the world. He's a great ambassador! 👍
Mr Tonka agreed. Good people! If you ever come down south to ride let me know our group is incredible. JD “Clubscrub” is our home trails, but we hit Markham Park, Alifia and Virginia Key often.
Will do! Likewise with me when you head up here. I can't wait for the rain to stop so we can fix up the trails for the season. So much washed out! I had to walk out that day you saw me from going OTB. Busted my saddle and popped the bead on the front tire. Washed out area grabbed my front wheel and pitched me. Lol
Mr Tonka OTB days are never fun! Take a look at club scrub on Facebook extremely well taken care of. We should be heading back up that way in about 2 weeks. I will for sure let you know.
Can someone with another 1up , steel someone else's 1up with their own key? Or .. is every key for the rack different ( the key for tightening down to hitch )
I think they are the same for all of them. But just a thin hitch lock can be put over the spot where the special hex bolt is accessed from. $20 and you're golden.
They are rated Heavy Duty or Super Duty. I really don't see the need for Super Duty as the trays are rated for 75 pounds each. The Heavy Duty trays are rated for 50 pounds each. I don't think any reasonably decent e-bike weighs in more than 50 pounds, but i haven't really looked into them.
Is there any security for he rack itself for being locked into the hitch beyond the proprietary allen wrench? Couldn't someone with a similar wrench remove anyone's rack?
Yes, the early carrier such as in this video has a small hole to slid a pin lock through that positions the pin in front of the propiratory hex bolt so that you can't even access the bolt while the pin lock is in there. The NEW carriers from 1up, which i just got (cause i wanted a black one) has a slot in the hitch so you can use the traditional receiver holes to put the 1up lock through. (all new carriers come with the lock) This not only secures the carrier from theft, but if your carrier some how works loose while traveling, the pin will keep it from falling out of the receiver. New carrier looks similar, but has some subtle improvements that are great.
It would depend on the type of dropouts the bike has. My wife's TT bike has the rear drop out openings facing backwards, so you woudn't be able to pull up on the rear, the front may be able to pulled up, then the rear, but i haven't tried it. Maybe i'll throw a couple of my bikes on there and give it a go. Thanks.
You can't open them without lifting them. Yes, agree if you hold them level with the glide bar the teeth won't be engaged when closing an empty tray. But i've had this carrier since 2015, use it 3x a week and haven't done that. Happy to report the teeth still grab like they did on day one. :)
When I published this video, at my local trails there was one other rider with the same brand. Now, about 50% of the vehicles in the same parking lots have this carrier. Crazy.
Sure! Make sure you get the proper carrier for your receiver size. Mine, in the video above, is a 2" Heavy Duty Double. www.1up-usa.com/product-category/bike-racks/ Feel free to ask if you have any other questions. P.S. Love the trumpet playing!
1UP racks are arguably the best but they absolutely do not make everything in-house. They may have had components made by some fabrication shop in the past but now in 2022 I expect they have fabrication done by some contractors in China and maybe they assemble the racks in the USA.
Juliano J. It’s the best I’ve seen. I’ve never had it come loose and it just doesn’t move. It like becomes part of the car. Basically, if it moves, your receiver is not attached to the car well. Haha. 👍
@@MrTonka Cool, I bought one of these racks however the ball is stuck on the outer edge, I can't get it to fit the tow hitch. I loosened the bolt and banged on the ball to move inside, no luck. What else should I do?
Juliano J. You did exactly what I would have done. Did you try spraying some WD40 on the ball and letting it sit for a bit, then tap with a hammer? Are you sure the center bolt is totally loose? If so, I’d contact 1Up, which is going to suck. Their communication skills as a company is a bit lackluster. But they’ll take care of you, it just might not be as quickly as we’d like. 👍
Juliano J. I wouldn’t bother telling them that unless they ask. I don’t recall having to register any type of warranty or anything. How much were able to get it for? I’ve never seen a used one for sale.
Haha, i don't have one or i would have gone more in depth about it. Basically you have to buy a fat bike kit which consists of some spacers. Just unbolt the arms that lock against the tires, replace the short spacers wth wide spacers and but them back on. Viola! Super simple and works great from what i've seen and heard.