Chriscraft760 

our bike rack arrived yesterday and we couldn’t be any happier. I can’t compare it to anything else cause I’ve not had another bike rack. Been loading up bikes inside vehicles for too long. I was close to buying a Thule rack from Subaru since they carry them but decided on this platform style rack instead. I bought the heavy duty double with two extra trays so we can carry four bikes on family trips. This gives us the option of taking two, three or all four bikes. In the past camping trips we wouldn’t bring bikes along since we didn’t have a bike rack.
I was a little concerned if my bikes would fit without removing the front and rear Jim Blackburn racks. As you can see they mounted just fine. Although I’ve only owned this rack for a day, I can see us planning more trips with bikes included and loading them up to other nearby bike trails we haven’t been on.

Chriscraft760 

here it is with three bikes..

PilotFishBob 

I have one myself with the 2nd bike attachment. Agreed, it works great - except with fendered bikes. I tested fit but can see that the little foam bumpers 1Up sells for adapting to those are useless, it would just damage things. Still, I don't transport bikes with fenders often and I have a 2nd cheap rack for that purpose now.

Chriscraft760 

Yeah I figured that transporting bikes with fenders might be a problem. I don’t see myself adding fenders anytime soon but thought I could improvise and figure out a way to secure a fendered bike when the time comes.

I was looking at the Kuat platform bike rack for 4 bikes. That model ties the rear wheel down by the platform tray and then hooks the top of the front wheel. Couldn’t a similar idea such as ratcheting the bottom the rear wheel to the 1UP tray and then securing the front wheel with the standard 1UP mount. Some thought would need to go into building a device to chock up the rear wheel keeping the bike from rolling back and coming lose up front. Just wondering if 1UP doesn’t offer anything like this because it wouldn’t work or because of legal patent issues.

I agree that those round drain pipe foam things 1UP offers look like they would not work.

2cam16

I've heard some good reviews on 1UP.
Off topic: How are you liking your Ascent?

Chriscraft760 

I’ve had it for a year, 2019 model, and it’s been reliable. I haven’t had any issues with it. Have taken it on a few trips within 300 miles from home and on one 1,200 mile trip to Yellowstone. Kids love the panaramic moon roof. This is the top model Subaru calls Touring so it came fully loaded, 7 passenger with rear captains chairs. The Ascent still feels new to us, we hope to have it for as long as our Outback... 15 years and reliable till the end. I don’t know why Subaru added so many useless cup holders though....

JSAC16

We are interested in purchasing the 1up rack to haul our bikes around. We also own a Subaru Ascent and were wondering if you’re able to open your life gate when a single rack is installed and it is folded up?

The Golden Boy 

That looks awesome!

All the positive 1 Up reviews are powerful- I went with a Saris because... Wisconsin. I've only used mine a few times- and it doesn't fold up anywhere near as close to the vehicle as yours. I think it sticks out 17".

I got the Freedom 2 EX or something like that- it rotates away so you can open the lift gate.

davester

The problems with racks like that is that they block the license plate (which will get you cited in most states) and they make it difficult to get into the tailgate. I had one for a long time but switched to a roof rack instead for those reasons. It's common in Europe to have a removable license plate bracket that can be clipped to the back of the bike rack to avoid getting cited but I haven't seen those here.

Wilbur76

Are you planning on getting the handle extension so you don’t have to reach underneath to angle the rack? Also if you buy locks, make sure you plan on buying them all once so they can all be keyed the same with the same key. Better to buy an extra lock just in case too.

shoota 

I really like the 1Up design. Around here the only high end rack you'll see is Kuat. I think Kuat is extremely overrated and I hate the design. 1UP will likely be my next rack purchase.

Dirt Farmer

You do know 1Up is from Wisconsin, too, right?

The Golden Boy 

I did not know that... *sigh*

The Saris is a nice rack, and the Saris we had before this was a nice rack as well.







But, damn, that 1Up is cool...

beech333

I got pulled over a few years ago because my bike on a Saris rack obscured my license plate. If that is illegal, how do these rack manufacturers get away with selling something if it is ultimately illegal to use?

Bad Lag

It looks like it weighs a TON!

At the same time, it looks really well made.

I'd like one but do not have a hitch into which it can be plugged.

Lascauxcaveman 

It only obscures your license plate if you put a bike on it. That's your problem, man. Check and mate.

PilotFishBob 

I had the obscuration issue on my previous car, a Mazda 3 - the plate was part of the bumper and fully covered when the rack was up. When I had the rack on that one I just left it in the down position to keep from irking the gendarmes. After that car was totaled (on my way up to ride the Coppi event) I got ... another Mazda 3. But this one has the plate on the hatch above the bumper so it isn't obscured by the rack when it folds up.

The rack attracts some interest. Every now and then when I'm out and about people will approach me asking me about it, and invariably I'll do a quick demo for them.

tiger1964 

+1, and +1. Materials and fasteners look great.

On a Subaru, might not notice the weight but on our Honda S2000, I am sure we would.