1UP USA Rack Review

[kppolich]

I recently sold 2 of our Thule racks with the plans of shopping local and supporting a small business here in Wisconsin. I sent a few emails to the team at 1up USA and they were fantastic. Turns out, they even give a 10% discount to those who can stop by and pick up their rack.

Fast forward a week and I stopped by yesterday at 4:30, and they close at 5. They were great and had everything ready to go. Facilities were clean and easy to find. Super cool shop and I was impressed they stayed in the small town of Dickyville, Wisconsin.

I ended up with a quick rack, in black and I wish I would have got the 2nd bike add on. This rack is so easy to take on and off and the lock they included was impressive as well. I like the adjustability to move it closer or farther away from the bumper, and it is incredibly light too!

Rack is rock solid, zero wobble with their nice ball expanding mechanism and easy to tilt to all angles. I think my favorite thing is how small the rack is either up against the bumper or down with a bike on the back.

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/quik-rack-single/

Pics!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40801283503_f16b06767e_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33890426908_ccb2aa89c9_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47715007692_e6f39d76e5_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47715007502_e073173752_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47767418481_ab9423ebd8_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47767418461_60ca6a5cdd_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47767418631_415a910a1f_b.jpg

[andeww]

woah, ive never seen them tilt back like that. Crazy

[Monthly Payment]

Did you get one of the new ones with the pin? I have one of the older ones that came with the Velcro strap.

[AJosiahK]

Nice setup! Have the same exact set up on my Impreza as well and man love how simple and easy it is to use. So well designed and built. Replacement parts are all available and customer service was so great when i purchased mine.

Should have gotten the 2nd bike add on as well but from what I understand its a simple addition and not uber costly.

cheers

[happycampyer]

The add-on rack literally takes minutes to attach/take off. Personally, I prefer having the single rack with an add-on rack, because it gives me the flexibility to use the single rack by itself if that’s all I need.

[schwa86]

I just bought mine, arrived Thursday, trying it out tomorrow. I've yet to find anyone online who isn't completely happy with theirs. Thanks for posting.

[skiezo]

That thing is super kool. I may look into one for my VW sportwagen. I like how simple it is to attach and remove a bike.

[Veloo]

Is that a 1-1/4" hitch?

[kppolich]

Is that a 1-1/4" hitch?

yes, 1 1/4" with the 2" thing removed. No issues at all.

[Louis]

Nice rack, but that can't be a real Impreza - mine picks up all sorts of crud where the rear doors meet the rear 1/4 panels, but yours is perfectly clean. ;)

[kppolich]

Did you get one of the new ones with the pin? I have one of the older ones that came with the Velcro strap.

I have not seen the new pin, have a link?

[fmradio516]

can anyone speak to the cosmetics on the black ano racks over time? I remember reading somewhere that after some of the ano fading, scratches and whatnot, they had wished they got the silver rack

[happycampyer]

The black anodizing of my rack has held up well over several years. I would say that it’s outdoors several months a year. A sample set of one, but I would not have gotten the silver rack.

[Jeckel30]

The 1up rack is one of the best things I have ever purchased. I love the black one, looks great!

[chuckred]

They are as great as you’ve heard. I have the two bike version. The tilt to open the tailgate works great.

[MikeD]

My rack is doing this 1697978645

don't know why. Narrow or wide tires, doesn't matter, same thing happens.

[eddief]

till you indent it a bit, then no move no more.


My rack is doing this 1697978645

don't know why. Narrow or wide tires, doesn't matter, same thing happens.

[Ralph]

till you indent it a bit, then no move no more.

This....put some force into it. it will stay in place.

[MikeD]

This....put some force into it. it will stay in place.


No, tried that. Works sometimes, sometimes not.

[schwa86]

My commuter bike has fenders ... I suspect I could loosen the rear one up if I ever want to put it on this rack and perhaps get the arm to slide under the fender. That said I mounted the rack for the first time today on the hitch. It took all of 60 seconds and was incredibly stable with the road bikes. Really well designed.

[Monthly Payment]

I have not seen the new pin, have a link?

I am on their email list and an got an email about it. You can also see the design here (last picture - see slot in insertion bar):
https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-super-duty-single-bike-rack/

[FierteTi52]

I am on their email list and an got an email about it. You can also see the design here (last picture - see slot in insertion bar):
https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-super-duty-single-bike-rack/

I believe this is only offered in the 2” version

[fmradio516]

At this point, ive only looked at the double heavy/super duty, but I havent pulled the trigger because i live in a city and my apartment is 3 floors up with not a lot of space, so the idea of lugging a heavy bike rack up and down every weekend isnt that appealing to me.

But i never thought of just getting the single + an add on. Most of the time im riding by myself anyways; i just wanted the double to future proof it. Any downside to using the add on?

[MikeD]

At this point, ive only looked at the double heavy/super duty, but I havent pulled the trigger because i live in a city and my apartment is 3 floors up with not a lot of space, so the idea of lugging a heavy bike rack up and down every weekend isnt that appealing to me.



But i never thought of just getting the single + an add on. Most of the time im riding by myself anyways; i just wanted the double to future proof it. Any downside to using the add on?


The second tray is easy to remove and replace. I use one most of the time because I don't need the extra tray and the second one obscures the rear license plate, which can be a problem with law enforcement. My neighbor got pulled over once. I leave my rack on all the time.

[fmradio516]

The second tray is easy to remove and replace. I use one most of the time because I don't need the extra tray and the second one obscures the rear license plate, which can be a problem with law enforcement. My neighbor got pulled over once. I leave my rack on all the time.

Cool. How is the lock on these racks? Do they ever get stolen? I guess I could just leave it on all the time.

[MikeD]

I just ordered a pair of wheel savers. Hope they keep my wheels centered in the rack https://www.1up-usa.com/product/wheel-saver/

[MikeD]

Cool. How is the lock on these racks? Do they ever get stolen? I guess I could just leave it on all the time.


I have the older rack which isn't as secure as the new ones, but my car is in a garage in my home.

[happycampyer]

Cool. How is the lock on these racks? Do they ever get stolen? I guess I could just leave it on all the time.I have the 1.25" rack, which has holes for the small hitch bar lock to block the retention bolt. The newer design has a slot and the lock runs through the hitch. The locks could be defeated by someone who is determined and has the right tools, but that could probably be said about pretty much any rack.

I have toyed with the idea of supplementing the velcro strap with a cable lock for added security (slippage, not theft). It would also add another thing for a thief to have to cut.

With the rack folded up, it would fit in the trunk/back cargo space, so you wouldn't necessarily have to bring it indoors.

[fmradio516]

With the rack folded up, it would fit in the trunk/back cargo space, so you wouldn't necessarily have to bring it indoors.

This might be the answer!!

[MikeD]

Check out https://www.quikrack.com/ if you want a 1 up rack. It's by the designer of the 1 up rack and appears to be an improved design. The site says they are sold out though.

[happycampyer]

Check out https://www.quikrack.com/ if you want a 1 up rack. It's by the designer of the 1 up rack and appears to be an improved design. The site says they are sold out though.It's not clear what is going on with the Quik Rack. I have been on the waiting list for several years, and not long ago the website was updated with the following notice:

Over the last 2 years, I have had great success in obtaining 14 patents that cover the new Quik-Rack Mach 2 design. I have decided to license my patents and domain names instead of producing the Quik-Rack Mach 2 myself. Anyone interested in licensing my patents and domain names please contact Cal Phillips at quikrackmach2@gmail.com.

[joosttx]

I have the duel with an add on so that I can hold 3 bikes. Love it. I wish it did not have the middle 45 degree angle position. I rather it just be up and down.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33904203698_98b1f7502e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47781280851_d196b767a7_b.jpg

As for security, I bought a lock which blocks access to the bolt that releases the rack from the hitch. Also, 1up requires a special tool to engage with the hitch.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33904203068_2e99f3ff49_b.jpg

[cmbicycles]

I recently found a 2 bike on Craigslist, and it seems better built and easier to use than any other rack I've seen or owned. It does block the license plate when it's up, but most any hitch rack also does that, at least partially if not more.

[happycampyer]

^ That’s the lock I was referring to.

For anyone ordering locks, order them all at once so that they can all be keyed the same.

[CunegoFan]

It's not clear what is going on with the Quik Rack. I have been on the waiting list for several years, and not long ago the website was updated with the following notice:

It looks to be a bit of a disaster. It goes something like this:

The original founder sold the company then had a falling out with the new management. So he started a new company with the same name. Well there was a difference in where the dash in the domain name was but basically the same name. Apparently he never transferred ownership of the domain name to the buyer, so he switched it to point to his new company's website. The old company scrambled to set up a new domain name and get the word out that the new domain was actually the old company.

Meanwhile,, on the web and Youtube, the founder was trying to make it look like his new company was the original company and the original company were interlopers that had been making a similar rack due to expiration of his patents. Eventually, under legal pressure I imagine, the original company got its domain name back and the founder changed the name of his new company.

He changed the name to the name of the product of the old company, sort of like a new soft drink company that wants to compete with Coke name their company Sprite.

In the end the founder could not get his company off the ground so he licensed the new rack to Saris.

[cmbicycles]

I have the duel with an add on so that I can hold 3 bikes. Love it. I wish it did not have the middle 45 degree angle position. I rather it just be up and down.



I would also rather it just went up down as well. Some kind of extension for the release lever would be a welcome addition with the additional trays. Minor issues though. Its otherwise fantastic.

[Ralph]

Have a 2" silver heavy duty with one add on. Works great as many note.

Just got my wife an E bike (without fenders)....with "Townie" geometry, so has 47" wheel base, and listed as 49 lbs weight. The 1UP handles it fine. I do put the E Bike on closest to bumper.

In addition to how well it works.....what I appreciate most.....is how small a package it folds into. It takes up very little space in my garage.....or if on a trip...can just unload, and put in back of SUV. ( I like my back up sensors and camera to work good)

[hokoman]

I would also rather it just went up down as well. Some kind of extension for the release lever would be a welcome addition with the additional trays. Minor issues though. Its otherwise fantastic.

You mean this?

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/ez-pull/

[hummus_aquinas]

I like how the front page photo shows a really cheap bike on the rack.
Check out https://www.quikrack.com/ if you want a 1 up rack. It's by the designer of the 1 up rack and appears to be an improved design. The site says they are sold out though.

[kppolich]

I believe this is only offered in the 2” version

Confirmed via email today with them.
"Correct, the slotted hitch bar is only available in the 2”. The 1 ¼” is not large enough for that feature. "

[cmbicycles]

You mean this?

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/ez-pull/

Well, I mean if that's the best you can come up with, I guess it will do in a pinch. ;)

Guess I should look around their website to see what else I can find to quench my inner grouch. I also used the 45 degree position yesterday to open the hatch on my outback, so I am out of faults for this rack except for blocking the license plate when up.

***edit, I see they have a license plate holder as well. So I gotta find something else to grump about now. :fight:

[Henrythewound]

I just bought mine, arrived Thursday, trying it out tomorrow. I've yet to find anyone online who isn't completely happy with theirs. Thanks for posting.

I'm that guy. I had a 2" double rack a number of years back and it would not stay tight in my hitch. It would loosen up dramatically even driving around town and especially on dirt roads to trails. I'm guessing I got a lemon or there was some weird incompatibility with the rack and my (stock Toyota 4Runner) hitch.

To their credit 1UP did accept the return and gave a full refund. I liked the build quality and design but it didn't perform the core function of a bike rack for me. I would have gotten another but they stated the rack looked fine when they received my return. I now have a standard Thule hitch rack and the plastic parts feel cheap and unreliable but it works and doesn't loosen in the hitch.