1Up Super Duty Review

Ease of Everyday Use

The 1Up USA Super Duty Rack stands out for its dual, nondirectional wheel clamps, a departure from traditional tray-style racks that use a single front-wheel arm. This unique design allows you to load bikes facing either direction and provides the flexibility to slide them fore and aft to prevent handlebar-to-saddle interference. The lack of dedicated wheel troughs gives the rack its signature versatility, though it requires a bit more coordination during setup since the bike isn't automatically cradled in place while you secure the arms.

The primary ergonomic drawback is the tilt-release handle, which is tucked underneath and can be difficult to access. Furthermore, while the rack's extra-low tilt setting provides excellent trunk access, it lacks damping, making it awkward to lower while still getting out of the way. To address this, 1Up offers an aftermarket EZ Pull handle that moves the release to the end of the support arms; it's an additional ($99) investment, but one that improves the rack's ergonomics.

The 1Up Super Duty requires a specific loading sequence: with the rack lowered, depress the red “domino” levers, pull them up to disengage the ratchets, then flip the wheel arms open before pushing the levers back down to reset them. Once prepped, just lift the bike onto the tray and pull the arms inward until the ratcheting system creates the necessary tension to hold the bike securely in place.

One consideration for modern vehicles is how a rack may affect our sensors and cameras. While all vehicles are different and there is no universal location for rearview cameras, several of the vehicles we tested this rack on had cameras mounted at the top of the license plate. The racks' design (without a central pillar) provided a viewing window that allowed visibility while the rack was folded up.

Ease of Removal and Storage

Despite its impressive hauling capacity, the Super Duty is relatively lightweight, weighing 64 lbs. It still has a cumbersome shape, but you can pull it off the hitch with one arm and carry it under your arm, at least for short distances.

If you're really short on storage, removing the 4 main tray bolts lets you pack this rack down to a very small size and takes only a few minutes.

Versatility

The Super Duty is compatible with wheel sizes from 16" to 29", but adjusting for different wheel sizes requires busting out the wrenches. You'll need two 9/16" sockets to change the wheel size chocks in the wheel arms. 1Up offers a Quik Slide add-on that eliminates the need for tools, and it sells for $49 per tray.

One of the things we really like about this rack is that you can buy it as a single-bike rack and add up to 3 trays as your needs grow. Accessing the back of your vehicle with the rack installed is possible with the tilt-decline feature, but it's much easier without the rack loaded. For ebike use, you can also purchase a loading ramp, a wheel chock, or a fender cushion to ensure the rack meets your needs.

If the Super Duty has piqued your interest because it's burly and off-road capable, you'll be pleased that the rack angles up enough from the hitch to preserve your approach angle. 1 Up also endorses the rack for the same weight when used off-road; other manufacturers often significantly reduce the payload capacity when you steer into the dirt.

The hitch uses a channel that lets you decide how deep inside the receiver you'll mount the rack, and that channel provides about 3.5" of leeway. There is not a 1 1/4" option of this rack, but big rigs will appreciate the availability of a 2.5" hitch option.

There are two attachment points for the wheel trays: the inner position accommodates bikes with up to 53" wheelbases, while the outer position accommodates up to 58" wheelbases. This is more than any other rack that we've tested, and a viable option for hauling cargo bikes.

Ease of Assembly

The 1Up Super Duty arrives in two separate boxes and includes all the necessary tools for its twelve-bolt assembly—eight to fasten the tray receivers to the hitch and four to mount the wheel trays.

It is worth noting that 1Up continues to use Imperial hardware for its construction. While the included wrenches get the job done at home, this choice is a bit of an outlier for modern cyclists, as nearly every multi-tool or travel kit is built around Metric Allen wrenches. If you find yourself needing a trailside adjustment, make sure you've packed 1Up's specific wrenches and a couple of 9/16" sockets, as your standard bike tools won't be much help.

Security

The Super Duty uses a 3/8" security key to tighten inside the hitch. While the technology is simple, most people don't have such a specialized tool, so removing the rack without it isn't possible. 1Up sells several security enhancements for this rack, including a bolt guard that hides the security bolt behind a locked box and several cables of varying lengths and security levels.

The rack also includes a (fairly small) locking hitch pin to keep it securely attached to your vehicle. There are no cable locks, and while you could use your own, there are no solid loops on the rack to lock through. The main hitch assembly has a large rectangle you can route through, but a determined thief could remove a few bolts and free the cable.

Durability

This is likely 1Up's strong suit: each piece is precisely machined and anodized, with all stainless steel hardware. Once assembled, there is no play or movement at any interface, and the rack feels very reliable. If you do break a part, every part, bolt, and spring is replaceable and can be ordered from their website.

Value

This is a lot of rack for the dollar. While the purchase price of $950 ($900 in silver) is anything but cheap, the rack has an incredibly durable, high-quality feel that won't leave you with buyer's remorse. If we spec the Super Duty with all the accessories that you find on the Kuat Piston Pro X, which sells for $1589, you end up at just over $1400.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the 1UP USA Super Duty is an uncompromising, no-nonsense fortress in an industry often cluttered with plastic-wrapped “features.” By prioritizing an all-aluminum, made-in-the-USA build over the slick automation of some rivals, it achieves a “buy-it-for-life” status we find exceedingly rare. The 100-lb-per-tray capacity, zero frame contact, and the versatility to swallow everything from long-wheelbase downhill rigs to fat bikes; it's engineered to survive decades of UV exposure. It lacks some of the user-friendly features of the Kuat, but for those who value mechanical immortality and want to save several hundred dollars in the process, the Super Duty is a fine choice.