A2gemini

I posted on 2014 forum as well.

I love my Eco-Hitch 1UpUSA rack

Kick open works when no bike on the car.

The single rack folds up so compactly that I can open the hatch and have great visibility with the rack.

I have been using the single mount. Today, I tested the double. It took me less than a minute to mount the second rack piece.

The bike is stable and I have used it with my Colnago and Seven.

Today, I tossed my Colnago inside Phantom and put my husband's Seven on the rack.

I averaged 57 MPG for the 20 mile trip home on the highway with the bike on the back. I forgot to look at the mileage on the way out but guessing around 43 MPG - both good with a bike in tow!

I am not one to tout a product but 1UpUSA but this one is worth it!

The picture is several months old and the snow has melted.

Wow! I am so happy with my EcoHitch and 1UpUSA rack on my C-max. I can put it on my car without assistance. I have been using it as a single so it doesn't block my view and can use my kick open on the hatch.

It is easy to mount a bike and very stable! I feel confident putting my Colnago or Seven on the rack!

I tested adding the second bike attachment today. It took less than a minute to turn my single into a double!

The picture is a few months old- so no snow around.

Hi Scott

Mine has been mostly on packed snow - but live on a hill and have been able to climb our road without an issue.

My Escape was amazing in the snow - so a bit spoiled but the benefits of Cmax outweighed the AWD since we have another AWD.

I figured out a picture - not what I wanted but at least a picture.

This was a snow cave on Pancake Bay - north of the Canadian Soo last winter. The caves were amazing but different than the Apostle Island caves as these were free standing on the lake itself. 

I am hoping they form again this year and plan to bring a better camera.

Scott,

Trying to post a few things so I am no longer classified as a New Member. 

How is Tuxedo doing in the snow? 

I wimped out yesterday and took the Flex on the highway in the snow squall but so far Phantom(Cmax) has done well in the snow around town.

I am not sure Phantom would have been able to drive down the road with the 14-18 inches of snow but she does fine in a couple inches.

A2Gemini from A2

PS It worked so now I am a member and not a Newbie. Also, have to figure out how to post a picture. 

Kelly - yes, how did we every live without technology. I hate to rent cars without cameras and warning systems and now request these features. I am getting persnickety to request push button start cars as they are more likely to have the extra bells and whistles. I am hoping by the time I need to replace Phantom, they will have the side warning system as well.

I almost went with the 303 package to get the front warning but didn't want to pay the extra for the auto park system. My Escape had the system but I only pushed the button once and freaked out. 

Rockwall - yes those CMaxes like to get cozy. Found one parked next to mine one day....I think the owners of CMax are careful with their doors. Knock on wood as no dings yet...

I saw 4 the other day within 1 mile of our house but only know the owner of one of them. 

Adair,(or other successful picture peeps)

I am trying to upload a picture and everything says too big. The pictures were taken either with my iPhone or my GoPro. I even tried taking a picture from within the forum page and same result. 

Any suggestions appreciated.

Next question - how do you get Fuelly to link to your posts? I joined Fuelly late in the fall, so my MPG is not great right now but soon it will get warm again. Most of my drives are short trips of less than 3 miles, so hard to get great mileage but still so much better than my Escape. 

Hoping you are enjoying all of our snow! I am just up the road from you.

Thanks

A2Gemini from A2

Timber- we debated between the Kuat and the 1up. Can't wait to see a picture of your set-up.

I will try ours out after Christmas, although we won't get to ride for a couple months in A2.

I hope we made the right choice to stay the course with the 1.25 inch hitch.

Kostby

That is funny. My husband already calls my CMax a pregnant focus.

I keep seeing more around our area.

Stopped for lunch at a small coffee shop near a small town. We waled out and there was a close twin sitting right next to us. Ours is platinum white SEL and the neighbor was a Oxford White SEL

The car came from the same dealer and was purchased about the same time - based on the license plate number.

My husband ordered the 1UP USA rack for me for Christmas. it arrived - now, can I wait until Christmas to test it?

I plan to use it as a single most of the time

Since the weather has been super cold - maybe :-)

Wow- so glad I checked my tire pressure.

I was driving home and low pressure warning popped on.

I was only one mile from home, so drove home and allowed the tires to cool.

I checked the pressure and was down to 30. I hand pumped with a bicycle pump(yes it can be done but takes a lot of pumps -about 10-15 per pound). I rechecked the pressure with my gauge and was a perfect 40.

With the weather warming up, I went with factory specifications of 40 psi.

This really improved my mileage.

Thanks!

Interesting

I will check my tire pressure. It is getting colder and betting they are low.

Thanks for the tip

Twins - that is a beauty!

I see the twins are Energi's. Have you put your bike inside? Bikes and cross country skis looked like a headache in the energi. I am hoping for a redesign in the hatch by the time I need a new buggy.

Of course, your bicycle does not understand a red vehicle - definitely not a match. Just having fun, my Escape was blue and Spirit is a magenta, white and black Colnago. Spirit is not a youngster but the ride is sweet.

After Phantom's next bath, I am going to take a picture of Phantom and Spirit for my profile picture

Not sure how many posts before I lose my New Member tag.

I am also trying to figure out how to link to Fuelly.

Tick, tick, tick.

Countdown to ordering our rack next week.

We decided on the 1Up USA after looking at the options.

We will set it up as a single but get the attachment to make it a double.

It is light weight enough that I should be able to mount and unmount the rack by myself so it doesn't have to live on Phantom.

Our bikes are carbon fiber, so we don't want to stack load them inside the car. For longer road trips, we can put them both inside the Flex (taking off the seat post)

For the serious bike traveler - the new Transit Connect Wagon long base holds at least 2 bikes inside standing up. It will also hold a tandem with room for 2. A triple is harder as not enough passenger room.

I looked but Phantom (my c-max) thought she was a better city car and definitely cuter so we went with the CMax over the connect.

Scuba- LOL

I wanted to take it on my consulting gig but figured the noise would chase me out of the hotel.

In any case, maybe Maxine is pretty darn impressive and a great color as well!

There have been studies on car colors and safety.

Despite the studies, it is important to consider your climate, road conditions and time of day of most of your driving.

We have one white - our new Cmax and a black Flex with a silver roof.

Here are a few to view or just surf the topic.

Furness S, Connor J, Robinson E, Norton R, Ameratunga S, Jackson R, Car Colour and Risk of Car Crash Injury: Population Based Case Control Study, BMJ, December 2003;327: 1455-1456. http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/327/7429/1455

Lardelli-Claret P, De Dios Luna-Del-Castillo J, Juan Jimenez-Moleon J, Femia-Marzo P, Moreno-Abril O, et al. Does vehicle color influence the risk of being passively involved in a collision? Epidemiology 2002;13: 721-4.

Newman M, Willis FN, Bright Cars and Speeding Tickets, Journal of Applied Psychology, January 1993;23(1): 79-83.

Maxine sure enjoyed her camping trip. Thanks for sharing

Wow on the mileage!

Great pictures as well!

Now about that kitchen sink... I can live without the sink but might need the MW and Vitamix. Just kidding but I thought about it.

Phantom has been cold recently so her mileage is down. She was happy to stretch out on the highway the other day.

I never thought I would own a white car but loving Phantom in platinum white. Almost had its first "Obie" when I opened the door and it started scraping the 2 tier curb.

I hunted articles on the safest colors and below is my synopsis from about 10 articles.

"Fiesta" colors are most visible - bright yellows and neon green are visible.

White is most visible in almost all conditions except snow - fortunately our snow gets dirty... White is cooler in the summer and winter. It will help in the summer but no solar help in the winter. Take a look at a parking lot at night and see what color pops.

Silver is visible in most conditions except fog and drizzle (Michigan gray days). Also silver is the most common color picked by those over 55. Hides dirt better than most colors.

Red is only visible in bright sun. In shade and at night it starts to look black. Also, the most common color blind gene is the red/green issue

Despite common opinion, red cars do not get stopped by police more often than other color cars. (My Probe was candy apple red and never was stopped.)

Green is good in snow but gets lost in wooded areas - think Subaru green...

Black cars have a higher accident rate compared to matched drivers with white cars they are also warmer in the sun(summer and winter)

Other dark cars are similar to black.

So, I went with the Platinum white. Phantom is happy to be part of the family.

Congrats! (To your wife)

I have been doing too much mixed driving to hit 600.

Might have to wait until spring to join the elite.

My husband likes driving Phantom so mixed drivers as well

Momshugs

Great job!

I would have been a perfect Energi candidate as many of our trips are around town and 3-5 miles but I needed the trunk space for my bicycle and XC skis.

Not sure where you live but saw a few snow flakes flying today.

As expected, due to short trips and colder weather, the mileage is lower but still twice my Escape so no complaints from my end.

Kelly - love snow and hoping Phantom can play in the snow. If not, we will use the Flex in deep snow. Of course Phantom could make a road trip to Florida some day.

I never thought I would own a white car but Phantom and I are making friends.

Phantom has over 2000 miles. She has noticed a dip in MPG as our Michigan weather is getting colder.

So far, both my husband and I love her.

I just pop my bicycle inside the car without taking either wheel off the bike.

Looking forward to popping my cross country skis inside the car soon.

I was just reading about driving in the snow and sounds like CMax does OK in the snow.

I pulled into Bed Bath and Beyond and there was another C-max near me and then a third one pulled into the lot.

My platinum phantom felt left out as both were the light blue.

Test again

Testing to see how my profile is posting