eja_ bottecchia

A few weeks ago my Thule T2 Pro XT hitch rack was stolen right off my car (according to law enforcement sources, thefts in the area have increased...welcome to The New California).

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...itch-rack.html

Many of you wrote to recommend the 1UP USA hitch rack. This rack has developed a loyal, cult following. It is the Subaru of racks, solid, well made and built to last. With its Erector-set good looks, the rack really stands out.

Yesterday my rack arrived and today I used it for the first time.

I want to thank everyone who wrote with recommendations. I appreciate all of your suggestions. Thank you!

Here are some pictures. I will write a full review once I’ve had the rack for a few weeks.

trailangel

I've never seen signs like that on PCH. Is that more toward Ventura?
Nice rack BTW

eja_ bottecchia

Yep, that’s on a stretch of road in Ventura, just south of Rincon Beach. The area is popular with overnight campers and thefts have been on the rise.

Thanks. I am really liking this rack, it is well-made and sturdy.

ZippyThePinhead

Thanks for the post & pics. I've been thinking about getting one of these, but have had some other expenses, like Prime Day, for example. The cable and padlock are purely for securing the bike, is that correct?

eja_ bottecchia

There are two cables, both with padlocks.

One cable secures the rack to the hitch receiver (this in addition to the pin lock). The other cable is for securing the bike(s).

The rack is very well made, it has a very solid feel.

MikeyMK

The cable might as well be made of string for as much use it is against a thief.

Paul Barnard

If I were going to double lock it, I think one of the locks would be a hitch pin lock and one would be a cable. That way a would be thief has to employ multiple tools to defeat it. That is a very nice looking rack.

jadocs

Cool you got it!

eja_ bottecchia

Thank you...

eja_ bottecchia

Thank you. That’s exactly what I did, a cable and a pin lock. Sort of like wearing suspenders and a belt.

eja_ bottecchia

A determined thief could probably steal the crown jewels right out from Buckingham Palace, or the Queen’s corgis right from under her nose.

I am just trying to keep the local meth heads from nicking this one out from my car.

eja_ bottecchia

A quick update/review:

I have taken my bike out on the new rack for a couple of rides, here is a quick review/update:

THE GOOD:

1. The rack is made in the USA. This may not matter to some, but it is important to me. This is not a question of misguided jingoism, it is just the desire to support American businesses that employ American workers.

2. The rack is well-made. There is a solid, industrial quality to the rack that is very reassuring.

3. The rack comes fully assembled, all you need to do is open up the tray arms. My former Thule T2 Pro XT took me nearly an hour to assemble and I consider myself handy with tools.

4. The rack is well-secured on the receiver, there is no wobbling, shaking or moving. The rack’s expanding ball system secures the rack in place.

5. The latest version of the rack includes a pin bolt lock. If you don’t like the provided pin lock you can go to a trailer shop and get a different one. For extra security I added a cable lock and padlock. I know, a determined thief can, and will steal the rack. But compared to the useless Thule locking mechanism, my new rack feels like it has Fort Knox level security.

6. The two arm mechanism feels and looks secure, I never felt 100% secure with the Thule and Kuat arm and strap solution. The bike does not move, even when going over bumpy roads, I don’t have to worry about a plastic strap breaking off.

7. Mounting and removing the bikes is really easy.

8. When folded up, the rack has a very small footprint. It makes paralle parking in tight spaces a breeze.

9. The rack’s compact size, when folded, means that you can easily stow it away in your vehicle’s trunk or cargo area.

THE BAD:

1. The rack is expensive. But if you value your cycling investment, what’s an extra dough for a really good rack.

2. The release mechanism is not as convenient as the one found in my former Thule rack. It is inconvenient to release the rack to its open, carrying position; it is not impossible, however.

3. Because the rack sits low when folded, it is hard to see where the rack ends, so you have to be careful when parallel parking. Its compact size, however, makes it less likely that you will hit the car behind you.

THE UGLY:

Nothing really. Originally I was put off by the industrial look of the rack; I thought that it looked better on the back of a truck than a convertible. But now I have been won over by the Erector-like look of the rack. It looks good, especially in the flat black loo.

Thanks to everyone who recommended this rack. I hope to be able to keep it for a very long time.

Elvo

They make an easy pull lever for #2

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

eja_ bottecchia

Thanks!

Slightspeed

Nice looking set-up. I'm thinking about a rack for my car. Even though my car is a hatch back and I like the security of having the bike inside, a friend just moved down into the area, and it might be necessary to carry more than one bike.

One question, do the cops ever hassle you for having the rear license plate blocked from view? Seems like it might be an issue, especially folded.

Good luck with keeping it attached this time.

Steve

jadocs

I've never been hassled, but they do make a license plate relocation kit.

eja_ bottecchia

This!

OldTryGuy

After checking out the rack I would have to add a ------

4. Must add air bags to rear suspension of vehicle if not a HD Dually 4X4 pick-m up truck. Rack is bullet proof and weighs a ton.

Good luck with the rack and hope it does grow wings or feet.

eja_ bottecchia

Amazingly enough, the 1UP rack weighs in at 46 pounds. The Thule that was nicked weighed in at 51 pounds.

Either way, these are heavy. My car has a sports suspension which means that it sits lower to the ground (my wife and I have matching cars and hers has the standard suspension and it does sit higher).

The Thule used to scrape when going over some driveways, the 1UP does not scrape.

But your suggestion about getting air shocks is a good one...maybe I will get hydraulic lifts.

eja_ bottecchia

Steve, and here I was thinking of getting a car like yours to avoid having to carry the bike on the back.

HarryCharlie

Great post. .

eja_ bottecchia

Thank you.

WarrenC

Nice

eja_ bottecchia

In my quest to keep my new rack securely attached to my car, and to keep the local meth heads from nicking my rack, I purchased an extra heavy duty chain and lock.

Yes, I understand that a determined thief WILL take the rack. I am just trying to keep the opportunistic thief from walking away with my rack.

Also, thank you to @Elvo for directing me to the EZ Pull attachment. This will make it a lot easier to get the rack into position. Thanks!

Sasquatch16

For security I use a heavy u-lock through the safety chain hole on hitch and around rack. If I want to lock a bike I use a cane and attach it to the u-lock. Will slow down the spur of the moment thief.