Bike rack suggestions

[Pam Bikes]

Looking for recommendations for a bike rack for a Prius for my fendered Betty.  Lots of tray mount racks seem to not be made for fenders.  And the hanging style would need a bar since my Betty is a step through.  This isn't for my car.  I don't like to drive.  Thanks in advance.

[JW]

We love our 1UP rack and it works pretty well with fenders.

[JAS]

The 1Up rack has worked really well for me too.  It's spendy, but well made and has worked well with my Clem, Platypus and Bike Friday (all have fenders).

Joyce

[Brian Turner]

If I had to do it all over, I’d definitely go with a 1up rack. My Küat NV2.0 is great, and I’m fine with how it works with fenders and racks… but I feel like a 1up would be more secure in those cases. Also, my Medium Gus at 50” wheelbase is the absolute maximum length the Küat will handle.

On Feb 20, 2023, at 1:05 AM, JAS <swanso...@gmail.com> wrote:

The 1Up rack has worked really well for me too.  It's spendy, but well made and has worked well with my Clem, Platypus and Bike Friday (all have fenders).

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[Jacob Byard]

I’ve got a 1up and a Thule t2. The Thule would not work with fenders. My 1pu is the single bike option and does a great job. Here’s a pic with an xl Gus. Road solid for about 50 miles of interstate and country roads. 

-Jacob

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 20, 2023, at 7:10 AM, Brian Turner <brok...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Toshi Takeuchi]

Hi Jacob—it looks like the rear wheel bar on the 1up would crunch on my full coverage rear fender. What do you think?

I use a Yakima roof rack with Raptor bars with a claw for my wife’s Betty, but those racks don’t seem to be sold anymore.

Another alternative is a trunk rack with a top tube adapter for step throughs/mixtes.

I bought a bar but have never needed to use it yet. Has anyone had any luck with those?

Toshi in Oakland 

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[lucky...@gmail.com]

I have a 1up also and have experienced interference with the fenders and the front rack/basket. I’m not sure any ideal combo of rack exists if you have these things on your bike. I certainly tried to find a solution that keeps the bike off the roof, and keeps bikes from rubbing/banging together. The 1up was the closest I could find to ideal. 

On Feb 20, 2023, at 09:15, Toshi Takeuchi <tto...@gmail.com> wrote:



Hi Jacob—it looks like the rear wheel bar on the 1up would crunch on my full coverage rear fender. What do you think?

I use a Yakima roof rack with Raptor bars with a claw for my wife’s Betty, but those racks don’t seem to be sold anymore.

Another alternative is a trunk rack with a top tube adapter for step throughs/mixtes.

I bought a bar but have never needed to use it yet. Has anyone had any luck with those?

Toshi in Oakland 

On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 4:30 AM Jacob Byard <jacob...@gmail.com> wrote:

I’ve got a 1up and a Thule t2. The Thule would not work with fenders. My 1pu is the single bike option and does a great job. Here’s a pic with an xl Gus. Road solid for about 50 miles of interstate and country roads. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAGB59xxfNUR%2BtasEfr7RvfFrizHzoAMGNWV-kE2UT5orHeRe0A%40mail.gmail.com.

[greenteadrinkers]

If your car has a hitch with a 2" receiver and you can afford it, don't waste your money on anything other than a 1Up. You can get a single-bike heavy-duty rack for $430, the rack is expandable for up to 4 bikes, with each bike weighing no more than 50 lbs.

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

1Up also offers a solution to accommodate fenders, which cost $13 per wheel: 

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/fender-cushion/

IMO, don't waste your time or money on anything else.

Scott

[lucky...@gmail.com]

Hey! That’s cool, thanks Scott. Time to make some fender cushions.

On Feb 20, 2023, at 10:56, greenteadrinkers <greentea...@gmail.com> wrote:

If your car has a hitch with a 2" receiver and you can afford it, don't waste your money on anything other than a 1Up. You can get a single-bike heavy-duty rack for $430, the rack is expandable for up to 4 bikes, with each bike weighing no more than 50 lbs.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/d1fe3069-4cec-410e-859f-a1456dae41fen%40googlegroups.com.

[Jason Fuller]

I have one of these Swagman racks that have fender-friendly trays and then a hook that clamps down on the top tube - and works totally fine with step-thru frames as the hook can all the way down to the bottom if it needs to.  We use it with my partner's fendered dutch bikes and any of my bikes (except the 20" wheels and smaller) https://www.swagman.ca/collections/hitch-mount-racks/products/xtc2-hitch-mount

[greenteadrinkers]

Wow, the Swagman looks nice! Way more affordable than a 2-bike super duty 1 Up.

[Eric Floden]

I have had a 2 bike Swagman for several years, and even used it to take bikes from Vancouver to Ottawa on one occasion. Worked like a charm. And it easily takes different sizes - I have used it for a pair of my bikes (64cm) or one of mine, one of my wife's (52cm or so for her)

The only issues I have are, one it's heavy to carry around, getting on and off the car. And two, with bikes in place, it blocks the licence plate, which will occasionally get you a ticket. (On a newer Forester.)

EricF

Vancouver

[maxcr]

I've been using  a Saris Freedom 2 EX 2-Bike Hitch Rack which has worked out great for my large fendered Riv bikes - I don't see why it wouldn't work for a Betty.

Also, it's MUSA which is a plus.

Max

[rlti...@gmail.com]

1Up also has the Wheel Stop which is supposed to make carrying fendered bikes better.  I think it helps clamp the front wheel more securely so you can go easy on the rear bar which would be clamping on the fender itself?

I added one with my order but haven’t installed it yet. I’ve been working from home and no road trips lately so my rack is getting little use.

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 20, 2023, at 10:56 AM, greenteadrinkers <greentea...@gmail.com> wrote:

If your car has a hitch with a 2" receiver and you can afford it, don't waste your money on anything other than a 1Up. You can get a single-bike heavy-duty rack for $430, the rack is expandable for up to 4 bikes, with each bike weighing no more than 50 lbs.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/d1fe3069-4cec-410e-859f-a1456dae41fen%40googlegroups.com.

[Takashi]

Hi Pam,

If you are planning to carry up to 1 (maybe 2) bike + 2 persons, I think you can carry them inside Prius by removing Betty's fork from frame.

That's what I do when I have to carry my Hunqapillar by my car (Toyota Vitz, a tiny car).

Remove handlebars and fork from frame. Takes me about 5 minutes.

...and load them inside the car. You'll need to put some kind of sheet or cardboard between frame and fork so they don't scratch each other.

Maybe you can pile two bikes inside.

Re-assembling my bike takes about 8 minutes.

A few things you have to consider:

First, your Betty has sidepull brakes, so releasing brake wires from levers is a bit tricky. I think it's doable, but requires a few extra minutes.

Also, if your bike has dynamo powered taillight, you need to install connectors so you don't tear the wire when removing the fork:

Takashi

[Kim Hetzel]

Toshi,

Occasionally, you can find the Yakima roof rack with Raptor bars with a claw on Craigslist:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bop/d/bellevue-yakima-lockjaw-upright-roof/7587045203.html

I have the Yakima Raptor roof rack with two trays. I recently modified two trays into one for my 80" Clem Smith Jr. "L" bike. One day, I will not be able to lift my bike over my head onto the tray. For now, it works.

Kim Hetzel

Yelm, WA.

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

I am following this thread with interest. I have the Saris Freedom 4 bike rack, but that company seems to be lessening their quality and maybe even phasing out this rack. They have a new modular system they seem to want you to buy, and it isn’t going to play nice with mixtes with fenders. 

Now, I have heard so much good about the 1Up rack, but honestly HOW is that fender cushion gonna work? Won’t it just mash my metal fenders? Push them out of shape? Mess up the alignment? Maybe someone with a fendered mixte wouldn’t mind posting it on their 1Up rack? 

Leah

[DamonLee]

I thought the same thing Leah, it looks soft but not grippy therefore requiring downwards force to hold it. The swagman looks good as it doesn't rely on clamping the tops of the wheels in any capacity.

The deformation on the tires in jacobs photo makes me think I'd never want to put that kind of pressure on a fender.

Damon

[Jacob Byard]

You don’t have to go that hard. I just get super paranoid. I know the bike can’t go anywhere but you never know…. 

I personally think the Thule rack is easier to use but the 1Up is much lighter. It installs in about a minute. 

That 1Up fender attachment looks interesting. My mountain bike just got fendered but I haven’t mounted it in the rack yet. I don’t know that I would trust not being able to crush that tire (paranoia). 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 21, 2023, at 10:33 PM, DamonLee <damonth...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Brian Forsee]

Also adding my vote/appreciation for the 1up. It is the best rack I have used, although 90% of time I use it I am carrying multiple mountain bikes so the fender is not an issue. The fact it contains 0 plastic was a big selling point for me. 

What I've done w/ fendered bikes is:

1. Push front wheel arm against the tire

2. Lightly push rear wheel arm against the rear fender

3. Put a strap around the rear rim and rack tray at the 6o'clock position. This is similar to how the thule T2 rack and some others operate. The front arm keeps the bike from falling over laterally or moving forward, and the strap keeps the rear wheel from bouncing up or the bike from moving backwards.

Another approach i've mocked up but not actually tried is moving the horizontal 'pin' in the rear wheel arm down so that it contacts the tire below the rear fender. This would provide secure resistance against forward and back motion, but would still require the extra strap to keep the rear wheel from bouncing up.

I had an older thule T2 for awhile. It did work well w/ fendered bikes but overall it was not as user friendly or well-built as the 1up imo.

-Brian

[John Bokman]

What about ease of installation? Are these 1UPS user-friendly in that regard? I am interested in the 1UP for all the reasons already mentioned, but also, because sometimes I'd have one bike, and sometimes I'd have to carry my wife's bike, and 2 kids' bikes, also. Nice to have the option of the add-ons (although getting ridiculously expensive). I think I'm finally done with putting my bike up on top of the car. Sadly, I'm not as strong and nimble as I was in my 20s, and my Rivendell is HEAVY (and I have a Sam).

[lucky...@gmail.com]

It’s very easy to use and install but I have the Heavy Duty two bike rack and find it very heavy and awkward. I have to add the other two additional trays once it’s on the car or I won’t be able to carry it alone. Even in two bike configuration I use my teen son to help carry. 

Me: healthy and relatively fit 48 year old female

On Feb 22, 2023, at 18:05, John Bokman <jpbc...@gmail.com> wrote:

What about ease of installation? Are these 1UPS user-friendly in that regard? I am interested in the 1UP for all the reasons already mentioned, but also, because sometimes I'd have one bike, and sometimes I'd have to carry my wife's bike, and 2 kids' bikes, also. Nice to have the option of the add-ons (although getting ridiculously expensive). I think I'm finally done with putting my bike up on top of the car. Sadly, I'm not as strong and nimble as I was in my 20s, and my Rivendell is HEAVY (and I have a Sam).

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/07a2b60d-e3a5-44a9-a5e6-2b3538f0eb29n%40googlegroups.com.

[Pam Bikes]

Great suggestions all.  Jason, the Swagman is near the limits on weight for my Betty since it has fenders, dyno, etc.  The other bike will most likely be a Surly Disc Trucker so both will be towards the 35 lb max weight limit.

Max mentioned a Saris which has a higher weight limit.  Max, do you have a picture on the rack?  Does it stabilize the frame?  Where?  I see something in the picture but can't see close up to see where, how it attaches to the bike in the middle.

The 1up price and fender cushions concern me.   I have the SKS plastic fenders and don't want to break them.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 2:14:16 PM UTC-5 Jason Fuller wrote:

[greenteadrinkers]

I has pulling this together last night and forgot to hit send...

For $50 1 Up also offers a front wheel stop add-on for use with fenders...

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/wheel-stop/

Maybe the wheel stop and the fender pads lightly secured would be a good solution, but that also adds around $80 per bike on top of the rack cost.

The Swagman looks nice and priced well below a 2-bike 1 Up Heavy Duty, and Jason can vouch for it. I think if I'd known about the Swagman, I might have bought it over the 1 Up only to save some $$$.

A couple of things to consider, the Swagman is rated at 35 lb per bike, and it's limited to 2 bikes. The 1 Up Heavy Duty is off-road rated and can expand to carry up to 4 bikes with a total carry capacity of 200 lb. The rack itself weighs 46 lb it's not light, but manageable. I find the latch system to raise and lower the rack kinda difficult to operate. The more expensive 1Up Equip-D seems much more streamlined and easier to operate. Also expandable to 4 bikes. If money isn't an issue I'd spring for the Equip-D.

It might be worth comparing 1Up to the Saris MHS, which seems more of an apple-to-apple situation in terms of design.

https://saris.com/products/mhs-3-1-base-2-hitch

The 3-bike Saris MHS package is $1300, there was a YouTube review I watched that stated that the rack with 2 sleds weighs around 100 lb also I can't seem to find any fender add-ons.

I suspect under normal driving conditions the Swagman with 2 heavy Rivs might be fine, however, I'd be a bit more cautious about longer off-road trips. The 1Up is definitely a fast set-it-and-forget-it solution. Loading and unloading a bike takes little to no time. But again, the latch to raise and lower the rack is a bit of a pain in the butt. The Equip-D solves that issue.

Last winter I drove to South Florida from Western MA with my Tanglefoot and my wife's Hogsback strapped to the back of a RAV4 with the Saris Bones rack. The Bones worked fine, but I was in constant fear that at any moment the straps would fail and our bikes would end up under an 18-wheeler. After that, my neighbor who is a single-speed mnt bike racer and competitive bikepacker (recently completed the Vermont Super 8 for the second time) suggested the 1Up, his is over 10 years old without any failures or fixes used in tough conditions.

I'd say the Swagman isn't a big investment for someone to give it a go, the 1Up is way more of an investment. You could probably sell the Swagman on CraigsList fairly easily if it didn't work out.

Hope some of this helps.

[Brian Forsee]

Regarding ease of install on the 1up:

It uses a wedge system so the 'bolt on' and off is extremely easy and quick, especially if you don't care to use the lock. But the lock is just a through-pin with a cap so that is also very quick and easy. 

As far as handling it goes, I believe it is pretty light weight for what it is (i have not compared it to other racks), but big/heavy/bulky is kind of the nature of the beast with a platform rack. The two bike isn't too bad but certainly if you'll be using it as a 3 or 4 it is cumbersome to move. If using the original version (not the equip-d) and plan to use it in 3/4 bike mode often, the extended lever deal to use the tilt function is probably worth the money. I don't find it difficult to reach underneath in 2-bike mode.

Brian

[Philip Williamson]

1Up. Whatever car this goes on would need a hitch mount, with 2” preferred. 

i worried about putting my (metal) fendered Quickbeam on the rack, and cut short bits of pipe insulation, and imagined different ways to support the fender from underneath, with something between the fender and the tire… total overthink. Pipe insulation on the bar “protected the paint,” but it just worked. 

My car is a Kia Soul with a 2” hitch, and a single 1up rack that pretty much always stays on the car. 

If your rack needs to go on the car when the bike goes on, 1up sells couture wall mounts, but I’d be fine throwing my rack under the porch until I need it. (Actually, don’t do that. Aluminum reacts with soil contact and will corrode if left sitting in the dirt too long - I learned that while selling my dad’s hoarded Indian motorcycles, whoops)

Philip

Sonoma County, Calif (now with snow)

On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 9:24:08 PM UTC-8 Pam Bikes wrote:

[Paul Clifton]

I've stayed out of this thread because the Yakima roof rack I use has already been mentioned (the one that clamps the downtube) and my Rockymounts rack isn't ideal for fenders, but I just went to Rockymounts site and they have a rack specifically for fenders: https://rockymounts.com/

I looks like they have a hitch mount version: https://rockymounts.com/products/highnoon-fc-solo-fits-both-1-25-2.html

I guess it adds a backstop behind the front wheel, so the arm can grab the front of the front wheel and squeeze it against the backstop. Pretty smart design IMO.

And it looks like maybe there's a roof rack version launching in a couple days. Here's a screenshot I grabbed:

FWIW, I'm really happy with the quality and stability of my Rockymounts rack. It's this roof rack that works with really fat tires: https://rockymounts.com/products/tomahawk.html. I think the price has gone up, but when I was shopping I thought it seemed like the best price/quality option, and it has definitely been great.

I understand why people don't want to clamp the downtubes of their bikes, but as far as functionally holding a bike with fenders, the old Yakima Raptors work really really well if you can find one. Buying used is a reasonable proposition. These things dont wear out: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1915462/

So, just throwing that rockymounts option into the mix :)

Paul in AR

[John Bokman]

Thanks for the recommendation Paul. I'm wondering if the front arm can be rotated forward a bit? My fenders are longer in front than the ones shone on the Ebike.

John

[Paul Clifton]

yeah, John, I had the same thought. I might do a search on youtube or something for a review that shows it actually working.

Paul

[Paul Clifton]

Page 4 of the PDF instructions show the preferred arm location. It's like basically as long as you can get it up to about 7 o'clock, you should be good:

https://rockymounts.com/content/51339_REV_5_sml.pdf

I didn't see any reviews or video instructions. must be niche product :)

I may spring for one of these next time I need another rack, which may be never, but it'd really encourage me to put fenders back on some of my bikes.

Paul

[John Bokman]

Paul, thanks for digging deeper. It does indeed look like it would work for me. I'd probably spring for the double bike rack; at $580, it ain't cheap, but it seems comparable, or less expensive, that many options out there. As to the Yakima Raptor: I have had one for 25- or -so years, and it always just works. I give it no special treatment, no pampering, and it just works. Unfortunately,  it doesn't have a clone in a hitch-mounted rack. I've always been impressed with my various old-school Yakima racks, going on 35 years old now. So I want to give them the business, but they don't seem to make what I want: a simple-to-use, platform hitch rack that doesn't impinge on my fenders. In fact, I'm surprised that there are so few options for fendered bikes across brands. I guess not everyone lives in Portland, Oregon, like me. Who knew?

John

[Roberta]

I had recommended to Pam via email the Saris Freedom 2 rack, the EX version, which tilts, if she can find one. Otherwise, she could buy the tilting add on and put it together herself, if that’s important. I can open the trunk of my Civic without tilting the rack. 

Th Rocktmounts Highnoon FC that Paul recommended looks nice, too. Pam—I don’t think this was available when I was in the market, but it looks good. 

I did not research but I’d expect that there are only 1 1/2” hitch mounts available for a Prius. 

The with the saris freedom you can U lock (not just cable lock) your bike to the rack for quick stop. I realize nothing is theft proof but for me, this added security is important. It may not be for others.  

[Roberta]

I meant 1 1/4” hitch not 1 1/2”,  which I don’t think exists. 

[John Bokman]

in Jacob's excellent picture, it looks like the front wheel is held down at just about the area my Tubus Tara front rack's hoop is located. I'm wondering if I were to adjust the holder further in front of the wheel: Would this compromise security?  Otherwise, I might be able to place the holder in the 4" between Tara's hoop and the front of my fender? Has anyone tried the 1up with a Tubus Tara?

With auto racks, it seems if it's not one thing, it's another. To think, I used to ride a bike with no fenders, nor racks of any kind! That was long ago....

John

On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 4:30:01 AM UTC-8 jacob...@gmail.com wrote:

I’ve got a 1up and a Thule t2. The Thule would not work with fenders. My 1pu is the single bike option and does a great job. Here’s a pic with an xl Gus. Road solid for about 50 miles of interstate and country roads. 

-Jacob

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 20, 2023, at 7:10 AM, Brian Turner <brok...@gmail.com> wrote:



If I had to do it all over, I’d definitely go with a 1up rack. My Küat NV2.0 is great, and I’m fine with how it works with fenders and racks… but I feel like a 1up would be more secure in those cases. Also, my Medium Gus at 50” wheelbase is the absolute maximum length the Küat will handle.

On Feb 20, 2023, at 1:05 AM, JAS <swanso...@gmail.com> wrote:

The 1Up rack has worked really well for me too.  It's spendy, but well made and has worked well with my Clem, Platypus and Bike Friday (all have fenders).

Joyce

On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 9:38:15 PM UTC-8 JW wrote:

We love our 1UP rack and it works pretty well with fenders.

On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 9:24:08 PM UTC-8 Pam Bikes wrote:

Looking for recommendations for a bike rack for a Prius for my fendered Betty.  Lots of tray mount racks seem to not be made for fenders.  And the hanging style would need a bar since my Betty is a step through.  This isn't for my car.  I don't like to drive.  Thanks in advance.

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[John Bokman]

Furthermore, I'm interested in hearing from those who use a 1.25" hitch rather than the 2" hitch. I believe my Toyota Matrix can only accomodate a 1.25" hitch (yet to install one). Is the 1.25 inch hitch suitable for a heavy rack such as the 1UP, or other heavy beast?

[Chris L]

Read the 1UP descriptions very carefully.  I'm pretty sure when I bought mine, they sold a 1.25" hitch version but I think it didn't have the ability to be locked to the hitch, which was a must-have for me.  Heck, mine might be a 1.25" with a spacer to make it 2". 

[john Bokman]

Thanks Chris. It looks like it has one now:

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

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