Burly Bike Hitch Rack for Heavy Hauling

At biking enduro occasions and Overland Expos alike, 1Up USA is seeing a proliferation of e-motos owned by the identical of us who’re the corporate’s devoted bike rack customers. So, 1UP developed the Xtreme Responsibility Single to alleviate this want.

The Xtreme Responsibility Single rack has the identical primary design as different 1Up racks, with aluminum wheel holders that safe the bike with out touching the bike body and tiered trays that don’t require wheel straps. On the Xtreme Responsibility Single, the trays are considerably extra sturdy, rated to carry 150 kilos, not 50-75 kilos like different 1Up racks.

I used the Xtreme Responsibility Single as a motorbike hitch rack most days, and I’ve examined almost each high-end hitch rack in the marketplace. The rack did responsibility in Vermont for over 2 months, rallying on dust roads with e-bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes loaded in single- and double-tray configurations (expandable to 3 trays). I drove up steep paved and dust mountain passes and explored the fourth-class dust tracks for which Vermont is legendary.

In brief: The 1Up USA 2″ Xtreme Responsibility Single is a middle-ground resolution for carrying e-motos and bikes. I’ve examined almost each bicycle hitch rack, and this U.S.-made model felt remarkably steady and safe whereas closely loaded, even over pot-holed dust roads. However, it’s dear at an MSRP of $850 and focused to a distinct segment however rising viewers.

1Up USA 2″ Xtreme Responsibility Single Overview

What’s New and Totally different

Along with the beefed-up development on the Xtreme Responsibility Single, the hole between the pivoting wheel arms is bigger to depart house for e-motos like a Surron 110, as is the tire width capability of the arms and the tray.

The rack additionally sits barely decrease than different 1Up fashions and most different hitch racks when put in on the hitch. With nearly each different rack in the marketplace, after I drop my truck tailgate, it hits the arms of no matter folding hitch rack I’ve put in. With the 1Up Xtreme Responsibility Single, there was no contact between the rack and my dropped tailgate.

When you’re carrying an e-moto or two, 1Up recommends you employ their wheel chocks, offered individually. It additionally recommends wheel chocks should you’re driving on gnarly off-road terrain with any bike, and with any bike over 75 kilos on the rack.

The added wheel chocks restrict steerer tube and handlebar rotation. Heavy e-bikes with a battery positioned larger are particularly susceptible to handlebar rotation whereas driving.

What’s the Identical and Nonetheless Superior

Nothing Touches the Body

1Up’s bike securing system is superior to every other hitch rack I’ve examined as a result of there is no such thing as a body contact. The identical goes for the locking skewers that undergo the wheel arms. So, you’ll be able to safe the bikes and depart the locks on whereas driving with out put on and tear on delicate carbon or paint. This rack makes use of longer skewers than on different 1Up racks, so, sadly, the skewers it’s possible you’ll already personal gained’t work.

Cross-Appropriate 1Up Equipment

However there are different equipment that this rack shares seamlessly with different 1Up racks. If you wish to carry an e-moto, you’ll nonetheless want the Xtreme Responsibility Single, however different 1Up bicycle add-on trays will work to hold an extra bicycle, saving cash in going to a double-tray system.

The primary tray of the Xtreme Responsibility rack is rated to 150 kilos. Xtreme Responsibility Add-Ons can carry as much as 120 kilos per tray. Different add-ons every have decrease weight rankings accessible on 1Up’s web site. Different equipment for 1Up’s bike racks are additionally suitable with the Xtreme Responsibility Single; examples are tail lights and license plate holders.

Folding Features

As with 1Up bicycle hitch racks, the Xtreme Responsibility Single folds up 90 levels towards the automobile to make parking simpler, and it lowers to 45 levels so you will get into your hatch or trunk, however solely when empty.

1Up tried to “stupid-proof” the Xtreme Responsibility Single so customers wouldn’t pull the pin to decrease the rack with 300 levels onboard, which, if dropped, might break the rack, the consumer, or the bikes. With most 1Up racks, you squeeze a deal with to decrease or increase the rack. You take away twin facet bolts and a backup locking bolt with the Xtreme Responsibility Single.

Hitch Bar, Ramp, and Rack Building

This rack makes use of the identical hitch bar as the remainder of 1Up’s Tremendous Responsibility and cargo racks. The wonderful anti-wobble mechanism stabilizing the rack arm within the hitch receiver might be acquainted to those that have used 1Up racks earlier than. The devoted wrench for the anti-wobble unlocks pins for an add-on.

The Xtreme Responsibility Single is suitable with the 1Up V-Type Ramp, which got here in helpful with heavier e-bikes and could be nearly required for e-motos. Lastly, the identical super-robust billet CNC, anodized aluminum development, and replaceable components that make 1Up’s bicycle hitch racks stand out grace the Xtreme Responsibility.

1Up USA Xtreme Responsibility Single: Cons

1UP touts this rack’s new Glide Bar Ratcheting system for its sturdy, optimistic engagement, and that’s an correct declare. The ratcheting system won’t slip or unintentionally open, nevertheless it’s additionally onerous to open when loaded. Once I used this rack for bicycles and pressed the wheel-holding arms in sufficient to safe the bike, it was onerous to launch the wheel holders on the trailhead.

I wanted to make use of all of my physique weight to push on the wheel holder to launch the ratchet monitor to take away my bike. The ratcheting tracks are launched with a push button that must be engaged anytime you’re opening or closing the wheel holder, which was awkward.

Whereas the rack is right for heavy bikes, it’s not essentially optimized for XL bicycles. Pivot bolts on the base of wheel holders — in a crimson sleeve within the pictures — add peak to the ends of the rack. Some XL bikes sit on high of that sleeve, elevating it barely from the tray. If the bike have been to shift whereas driving, it might develop into unfastened on the rack.

I hoped to make use of this rack to hold a CAKE Ösa, however I couldn’t due to the bike’s fenders. The rack carries bikes with 16-29″ wheels as much as 5.25″ huge and bikes and motos with wheelbases as much as 57″.

And this must be no shock, however the hitch rack is heavy: 44 kilos with a single tray. Pair it with an Xtreme Responsibility Add-On, and it billows to 80 kilos, which was onerous to maneuver on and off the automobile after I was solo.

1Up USA Xtreme Responsibility Single Hitch Rack: Closing Ideas

The 1Up 2″ Xtreme Responsibility Single proved to be a middle-ground resolution for carrying e-motos and bikes. Outdoors of longer bikes, it dealt with heavy masses with aplomb, delivering confidence. I by no means apprehensive about jettisoning a heavy e-bike or the rack’s structural integrity no matter street or off-road situations. It’s even rated for RV and journey trailer use with a most load of two bikes.

However you lose among the conveniences of different 1Up racks for the extra carrying capability. It’s heavy, particularly with an add-on tray, which made it onerous to maneuver round. It additionally required additional steps to fold down, one thing I generally do with bicycle hitch racks. Lastly, it’s costly for a single-tray hitch rack.

Whereas testing this rack, I puzzled why 1Up USA didn’t introduce a rack that would maintain dust bikes, together with gas-powered ones, and bicycles as an alternative of this “intermediate resolution.” For that, we have now to attend.