Final yr, we introduced the launch of the then-new 1Up Recon 5 and Recon 6 vertical hanging hitch bike racks. After buying Recon Racks in 2021, it didn’t take lengthy for 1Up to develop the brand new Recon fashions primarily based on the unique however with some notable adjustments. Whereas functionally about the identical, they appear barely totally different with beefy metal wheel baskets and a revised decrease crossbar and rear wheel attachment system. 1Up additionally moved the manufacturing of the Recon racks in-house to their facility in Wisconsin, and they’re made completely within the USA. 

The 1UP Recon racks have been available on the market for over a yr now, and I’m slowly however certainly seeing extra of them within the wild close to my dwelling within the mountains simply north of Lake Tahoe, CA. Having personally used or examined practically each mid to high-end bike rack available on the market through the years, I used to be desirous to check out the Recon to see the way it compares to comparable choices and if it lives as much as 1Up’s fame for making a few of the greatest and most sturdy racks within the enterprise.

I’ve been utilizing a 1Up Recon 5 for the previous six months for prolonged highway journeys, weekend campouts, shuttle runs, and every day journeys to and from the trailhead. I’m properly previous first impressions and I really feel I’ve obtained sufficient expertise with the Recon to say that it’s essentially the most sturdy and greatest vertical carry hitch rack that I’ve ever used thus far.

Getting began

1Up USA solely sells their racks direct to the buyer, so that you’ll want to leap on their web site to order one. The primary resolution you’ll have to make is whether or not to get the Recon 5 or Recon 6, which carry 5 or 6 bikes and value $1,200 or $1,400, respectively. Whereas ordering, you’re additionally given the choice to decide on between commonplace, fats bike, and children wheel baskets, so you possibly can combine and match to get the setup you need. The hampers are additionally offered individually for $149 ought to your wants change. A handful of equipment are additionally obtainable, however extra on that later.

The assembled weight of the Recon 5 is a whopping 92 lbs (add about 10 for the Recon 6), so the shipped weight is true round 100 lbs. Happily, it is available in two bins, and floor transport is included within the buy value. Unboxing the Recon reveals a comparatively concerned meeting course of, because it comes fully disassembled, even the wheel baskets are in two items. Sadly, I uncared for to take any footage at this stage, however you’re primarily bolting your complete factor collectively from the hitch bar up.

1Up contains detailed printed directions, which will also be discovered on their web site, that undergo the method step-by-step. It isn’t essentially troublesome, nevertheless it does take a little bit of time to get the entire thing collectively. By following the instructions rigorously, nevertheless, it goes easily and ensures you don’t mess up and must do something over once more. I gained’t bore you with the main points however simply know that you just’ll need to put aside a few hours in case you’re placing certainly one of these collectively your self. The excellent news is that the entire holes line up completely and a socket wrench will assist make fast(er) work of all of the bolts that must be tightened, there’s fairly just a few. Of notice: there are three holes within the backside of the wheel baskets, two of that are on the identical facet and let you mount the hampers straight or at a slight angle. I selected the slight angle for no matter cause, and I’m sticking with it.

As soon as the rack is collectively, you’ve gotten the choice to make some changes to dial it in for each car and floor clearance. The vertical mast of the rack may be moved up or down so as to add or lower floor clearance to fit your particular car or preserve a departure angle for off-road use. The hitch bar additionally has a number of holes drilled in it so you possibly can modify the place of the rack in relation to the again of the car if wanted. I used the Recon on my ’09 Toyota Tacoma that had both a camper shell or my Six-Pac cab over camper on the again (I had simply taken the camper off earlier than these pictures), and I discovered the middle-height place and the farthest out hitch place labored greatest for my wants.

Set up

One of many major challenges with the 1Up Recon, and all racks of this model, is that it may be a bear to put in and take away. At 92 lbs, simply choosing it up is not any easy process, and while you consider its unwieldy form, it’s fairly awkward to hold from wherever you’re storing it to your car. This isn’t the kind of rack you need to placed on and take off usually, as a substitute, we’d advocate leaving it on for prolonged intervals every time doable.

When you slide the hitch bar into the receiver and line up the holes, a beefy threaded hitch pin must be cranked down tight. In the course of the meeting, an anti-wobble insert was positioned contained in the hitch bar, and the hitch pin threads by way of it to tug the hitch bar tight towards the facet of the receiver to take away side-to-side wobble. Whereas this actually works pretty properly, we discovered that an reasonably priced U-bolt model anti-wobble hitch cam that I already had (like this one on Amazon for $10) was a pleasant addition to fully cease it from wobbling, each facet to facet and up and down. 

To assist maintain your costly rack safe, the Recon additionally comes with a hitch pin lock. The lock pod is made from metallic and has a rubber mud cowl to maintain highway particles and moisture from jamming up the works. In contrast to most hitch pin locks, this one threads onto the tip of the hitch pin as you flip the important thing, and it has a really sturdy and safe really feel.

Loading

Loading bikes onto the Recon is sort of easy with giant, open-wheel baskets that cradle the entrance wheel and solely make contact with the tire. In fact, it’s essential raise the entrance finish of the bike excessive sufficient to get the entrance wheel into the basket, however they simply slot proper in there, and in contrast to comparable racks that maintain bikes by the fork crown, there’s no lining up the crown into slender slots, and the basket design accommodates bikes with inflexible forks (gravel, highway, and many others.) with out the necessity for adaptors. 

Like different vertical racks, there’s a really brief studying curve to loading them in case you’ve by no means completed it earlier than nevertheless it shortly turns into second nature. It helps to have one hand on the fork and the opposite on the seat tube as you raise the entrance finish and place the entrance wheel within the basket. It additionally helps to load the bikes from left to proper (and unload proper to left) to keep away from handlebar interference through the loading and unloading course of. Relying on the variety of bikes you’re carrying, you’ll additionally want to think about their place on the rack. If, for instance, you’re solely carrying two bikes, it’s greatest to place them within the cradles closest to the vertical mast.

The place the Recon differs from most different vertical racks available on the market is the rear wheel attachment system. Most different manufacturers have a bungee, rubber strap, or brief size of rope that holds the rear wheel tight towards the decrease crossbar, however the Recon makes use of a webbing cam strap that captures each the wheel and the pedal. The strap loops over the drive facet pedal (it additionally works simply high-quality on the non-drive facet in our expertise) and all the way down to the rear wheel “cradle” the place it passes over the rear rim to connection factors on either side earlier than cinching it tight. After some preliminary skepticism, I grew to understand this method, nevertheless it has advantages and downsides, which I’ll clarify.

The first advantage of the Recon’s distinctive rear wheel attachment is the spectacular safety and stability of the bikes in transit. It holds the rear wheel firmly towards the rear wheel cradle whereas concurrently holding downward rigidity on the bikes. This primarily eliminates the opportunity of the bikes getting bounced off the rack in case you hit a velocity bump going too quick otherwise you’re clambering up some tough grime highway. It additionally ensures that your cranks and pedals don’t transfer and intervene with one another, or worse, scratch up your buddy’s body. Cam straps like these are additionally simple to seek out at {hardware} or sporting items shops, in order that they’re simply changed in the event that they put on out otherwise you occur to lose one.

Now for the drawbacks. Looping the strap across the pedal and rear wheel cradle takes slightly extra time than merely stretching a bungee over the wheel. Realistically, it’s just a few further seconds when you get your system down, nevertheless it isn’t practically as fast and straightforward. There’s a “proper approach” to do it that 1Up particulars on this brief tutorial video, nevertheless it nonetheless takes slightly getting used to earlier than you’ve obtained it completely dialed. Plus, your mates will likely be tremendous confused once they attempt to do it the primary few instances. The opposite, and maybe extra obtrusive, downside to this method is that the straps should not hooked up to the rack in any approach and there’s no apparent solution to retailer them on the rack itself. This implies you’ve obtained 5 or 6 straps to stash someplace in your car, maintain observe of, and fish out each time you utilize the rack.

On the Highway

In use, the 1Up Recon 5 is impressively steady and conjures up confidence in its capacity to carry the bikes securely regardless of the place you determine to go. It’s a vertical rack, in fact, so there’s a tiny little bit of side-to-side motion seen however lower than I’m used to seeing with different fashions. Moreover, the bikes are held onto the rack higher because the rear wheel strap system actually locks them down. The bikes themselves hardly transfer facet to facet and so they don’t bounce vertically by any means. 

The 1Up Recon racks are rated for off-road use, and whereas I haven’t completed any correct rock crawling with mine, I’ve taken it down some grime and gravel roads starting from washboard to reasonably tough. It has dealt with that very properly, and, once more, the rack and the bikes look like extra steady than different vertical racks I’ve used. As talked about beforehand, the vertical mast may be adjusted for added clearance do you have to want it, though this does require instruments and slightly little bit of time. And in case you’re driving off-road with any regularity, you’ll in all probability need to verify your bolts slightly extra incessantly.

Safety

Aside from the locking hitch pin, the Recon racks don’t include some other locks. There’s a giant metal lock loop welded to the vertical mast the place you possibly can connect some other aftermarket lock you want. 1Up sells a Recon-specific cable lock ($52) that integrates comparatively properly with the rack. If you buy the cable lock together with your rack, then the hitch pin and the cable lock pods will come keyed alike, which is sweet.

The lock is a nine-foot-long, 12mm diameter (together with the coating) cable with a stopper on one finish and the lock pod on the opposite, and it feeds by way of holes on each ends of the higher crossbar. Slide the cable all over certainly one of these holes, cross it by way of the bike frames, and slide the lock pod finish (with the lock pod off, clearly) by way of the opening on the opposite finish. Connect the lock pod, a metallic thread-on lock the identical because the hitch pin, to the tip of the cable and also you’re completed. In fact, no lock is infallible, however this thick cable will do wonders to discourage opportunistic thieves from a straightforward grab-and-run. I discovered the easiest way to retailer the lock when not in use was to simply depart it locked on the rack. By passing it by way of the lock loop, it stays out of the way in which even when it doesn’t have the cleanest look.

Tilt

1Up stored the Clean Pivot Operation of the unique Recon racks and the outsized pivot level that kinds the junction between the hitch bar and the vertical mast. And, given the 6mm thick metal plates on both facet of this pivot, it’s tremendous sturdy and one of many causes this rack is so steady. Pulling up on the small black knob on the high of the pivot releases a thick metallic bar from the metal facet plates and permits the rack to tilt away from the car at roughly a 40-degree angle. This enables entry to the rear of the car whether or not it’s essential open your tailgate or trunk, or in my case, open the rear door on my previous camper. 

The pivoting motion of the Clean Pivot is, the truth is, very easy. You’ll be able to tilt it down with bikes on the rack, simply be able to help the burden while you achieve this, and be certain you’ve gotten sufficient clearance for the rear tires. I personally solely used this function with none bikes loaded because the lengthy enduro bike I’ve been driving most incessantly would make contact with the bottom when tilted. Regardless, the lean function works fairly properly and gives loads of area for rifling round in your trunk whereas searching for the gloves you by accident left at dwelling.

Versatility

The design of the Recon racks, and the wheel baskets specifically, make it very versatile when it comes to bike match. The usual baskets match wheel sizes between 24 and 29 inches and tires as much as 3 inches large. This implies you possibly can carry not simply mountain bikes, however gravel or highway bikes too, one thing the fork-hold fashions can’t usually do. As talked about beforehand, you even have the choice to combine and match between commonplace (tires as much as 5.1 inches large) and Children (wheel sizes 20 to 24 inches as much as 3 inches large) baskets when testing, or you should purchase them individually in case your carrying wants change seasonally or over time. 

The Recon Racks have a forty five lbs per bike weight restrict and a complete weight capability of 225 or 270 lbs for the Recon 5 and Recon 6, respectively. That’s simply sufficient to deal with nearly all non-electric bikes and light-weight eMTBs, though most full-power eMTBs will likely be barely over that restrict. That mentioned, it actually feels greater than able to dealing with heavier bikes, although we’d advocate staying inside its claimed limits. 

Given the burden of the rack itself and the leverage exerted on the hitch bar, the Recon racks solely come within the 2-inch receiver measurement.

Storage

A difficulty that plagues most hitch bike racks however particularly vertical carry fashions is their measurement and storability. Off the car, the Recon 5 is 62 inches tall, 58 inches large, and 34 inches deep. It doesn’t arise by itself and it takes up numerous area wherever you select to retailer it. A wall-mounted rack dock or one thing like 1Up’s Rack Stand is fairly essential to maintain the Recon out of the way in which and your space for storing tidy. 

I had the possibility to make use of the 1Up Rack Stand ($310) which gives a steady base to carry the rack upright, whereas additionally serving as a system to roll the rack throughout easy surfaces to get it nearer to the car or reposition it in your storage. Though 1Up doesn’t particularly say it could do it, I discovered you can even use the rack within the Rack Stand to carry a motorcycle or two, possibly three relying on their weight, however I discovered it might get slightly tippy with three 30+ lb mountain bikes loaded. Both approach, it’s an superior accent to have, albeit slightly costly.

Equipment

I discussed a number of of the equipment obtainable for the Recon racks already, however right here’s slightly recap, plus just a few extra. All the wheel baskets, commonplace, fats bike, and children, may be bought individually for $149. The nine-foot-long Recon cable lock sells for $52 and integrates comparatively properly with the rack. The Rack Stand will set you again $310, nevertheless it’s a good way to retailer the rack when not in use and it makes transferring the rack round a heck of lots simpler. In addition they promote a Bottle Holder for $22 that mounts to the again of the decrease crossbar and has a bottle opener for these post-ride drinks. 

1Up additionally says that the Recon racks can be utilized with their hitch extenders, hitch bar cease, and the RakAttach swing-away attachment.

Sturdiness

1Up bike racks are famend for his or her sturdiness and that continues with the Recon racks. The complete factor is constituted of metal and it feels completely bomb-proof. The metal facet plates on the pivot junction are 6mm thick and held along with beefy {hardware}. Even the wheel baskets are lower from 3mm thick metal plates. All the metallic can be lined with a sturdy, black powder-coat end to guard it from corrosion and the {hardware} is all commonplace sizes that needs to be simple to seek out at your native {hardware} do you have to ever want to interchange it. 

Should you’re driving off-road usually, you can be subjecting the rack to further stress, however given the supplies utilized in its development, I don’t see it being an issue in any respect. With the extra bouncing and jostling of tough roads, nevertheless, you’ll need to verify the bolts slightly extra typically to verify the whole lot stays good and tight.

Worth

There’s no trying previous the worth of the 1Up Recon racks. At $1,200 for the Recon 5 and $1,400 for the Recon 6 (costs embrace floor transport), there’s no denying that they’re fairly costly. However when you think about the worth of tray racks plus the add-ons wanted to hold 4 bikes, it begins to look extra affordable. Take, for instance, the Thule T2 Professional XTR ($800) and the 2-bike add-on ($550), and also you’re taking a look at $1,350 and also you’re maxed out at 4 bikes. The costs of different tray rack fashions that may use add-ons are fairly much like the Thule, apart from the Kuat Piston Professional X which is considerably dearer.

Maybe a greater value comparability is towards the VelociRAX vertical hitch racks. The VelociRAX are available 3, 4, 5, 6, and seven bike variations, with retail costs ranging between $799 and $985. Trying on the 5-bike model particularly, it goes for $885, and commonplace transport is one other $120, give or take, bringing the worth earlier than tax as much as simply over $1,000. So, you possibly can undoubtedly save slightly cash by going with the VelociRAX, the hydraulic tilt help perform is a fairly cool function, and the 55 lbs per bike weight restrict can deal with full-power e-bikes. I personally don’t personal any electrical bikes, don’t notably take care of the crimson shade, and the dearth of mast top adjustability could also be a limiting issue for some folks. Regardless, the VelociRAX work very properly, are tremendous versatile, and are arguably the very best worth for this model of rack.

Closing Ideas

The Recon Racks carry 1Up’s legendary sturdiness to the vertical carry design. With a sturdy metal development and front-wheel baskets with a flexible bike match, you possibly can load up the entire household’s bikes for weekend getaways or rally the crew up janky grime roads for shuttle laps. Assuming you don’t want to move full-power electrical bikes, the Recon is tremendous steady, holds bikes very securely, and the off-road ranking means you possibly can take it on any journey you select. Sure, it’s costly, however the Recon’s sturdy development and lifelong guarantee make it a strong funding that’ll be paying dividends for years to return.

The Recon Racks include 1Up’s 100% lifetime guarantee safety.

1Up Recon Rack Specs

• Matches 2” receiver
• Black powder coat end
• Customary Wheel Baskets maintain 24”-29” wheels, as much as 3” large tires
• Fats Bike Wheel Baskets maintain 24”-29” wheels, as much as 5.1” large tires
• Children Bike Wheel Baskets maintain 20”-24” wheels, as much as 3” large tires
• Recon 5 carrying capability of 225 lbs (45 lbs per bike spot)
• Recon 6 carrying Capability of 270 lbs (45 lbs per bike spot)
• Highway ranking: Pavement, Gravel, and Off-road
• Car ranking: Passenger Car
• Wheel Basket Design holds tires safely and securely with no bike body contact
• Suitable with suspension and inflexible forks
• Built-in adjustability for straightforward attain and floor clearance tuning
• Clean Pivot Operation for straightforward entry to rear of auto
• RakAttach, Hitch Extenders and Hitch Bar Stops are acceptable
• Delivery Dimensions: Tubing Field 64″ x 13″ x 4.5″ / Basket and Pivot Field 30.5″ x 18″ x 8″
• Recon 5 Delivery Weight: Tubing Field 39 lbs / Basket and Pivot Field: 55 lbs
• Recon 6 Delivery Weight: Tubing Field 43 lbs / Basket and Pivot Field: 61 lbs

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