Customer Reviews

Racor Pro ABL-1R Aluminum Ceiling Mounted Bike Lift

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm not sure if these have just gotten worse lately, or what, but the latest reviews are telling of what the current product is like. I bought two of these units for my garage.

These arrived in a huge box from Amazon, and were packaged very well, with no visible signs of damage.

I opened the first box, and started going through the instructions (mostly decent, could use some extra steps), and checking the fit of everything, after noting some of the reviews. Everything seemed to fit inside the track during inspection, and the parts seemed of decent quality.

When I started assembly of the first unit, I installed the track. Once this was done, I tried to slide the metal stops with the allen bolts in them, into the track, only to find that they no longer fit when the track is installed (the track must be slightly bowed, and then after assembly, it slightly closes the track). I e-mailed the company to ask if they had modified metal stops, and was told that this was the first time they had heard of the problem, and that they did not have a solution. Instead of prying the track open, I decided to use a sander to sand down the metal stops, because prying on the track only left tool marks on it. I was then able to install everything correctly, and it looked like it was going to be a decent product, until I fished the ~40 foot rope (...does it really need to be that long?) through the pulleys.

I got my bike (~25lb XC mountain bike) setup below the lift, and it took nearly 5 minutes just to get the hooks lined up and holding just the right pressure on the rope, to keep the other from coming off, once I had done the first. I hoisted my bike up in the air, and got it to where I wanted it, and started to release on the rope, to find that the bike was coming back down at full speed. These have a ratcheting system, that is supposed to keep that from happening, even when not using the rope coil bar. I tried it several more times, and just decided to leave my bike on the floor, and give up for the evening.

I had opened both boxes in order to get the metal plates out of both units, so I could do all the sanding at once. I realized that the second unit was missing the eyelet and metal stop. I e-mailed the company, and let them know, and they said that they were currently out of stock, but would ship me one when it came in...okay

The next day, I decided to look at the other unit, to check it over. Upon looking at the ratchet system on this one, I thought, something looks different about this one. I took it out to the one already installed, and sure enough, the two pieces (which are RIVETED together) were installed backwards, which explains why it did not work. There is no way to reverse them, unless you happen to have a rivet the correct size, and a tool to install it.

On top of this, the previous reviews are correct, the two pulleys that have the hooks on them need to be redesigned, because the rope falls off all the time.

From a usage standpoint, I couldn't see how someone that rides their bike 2-3 times a week would like the hassle of using one of these. Someone that rides their bike maybe once a month or something, may find it more useful, but I think I'll just go back to using stud mounted hooks for the wheels, or a floor standing bike rack.

I was pretty ticked at this point, and just got on Amazon and decided to return both of them for a refund. This is one of the worse quality control issues I have seen. One unit with missing parts, another with parts not correctly assembled, poor response from the company on replacement parts...I'll let you decide.

Two stars...I will give them that, because if they fixed the quality issues, and redesigned the lower pulleys, I think this would be a really nice product. But instead of that, I'm left with 5 holes in my ceiling.

If you've got high ceilings, this is a great way to store you bikes in your garage. I've got a double car garage with two single car garage doors. My bikes fit great in between the doors and high enough I don't have to duck underneath them to walk under.

Like I said in the title of this review, my biggest praise for this product is that it is safe. I chose the more expensive than the one for half the price because of the cam lock feature. Once I get a bike hoisted all the way up to the ceiling, I can let go of the rope and the bike stys right where it is, it will not come down on its own. This is a HUGE feature if you've got kids. The last thing you want is a bike falling on some kids head because they were screwing around with the rope (which is natural for a kid to do).

The only thing that I found somewhat difficult was initially hitting the studs in the ceiling when screwing in the board. My ceiling is textured, so my stud finder wasn't very effective. I finally hit the stud after the first couple of trys. But once you hit the first stud, measure out with your tabe and you're good to go.

Quick note- I suggest screwing in a 2x6 to the ceiling, making sure that is very secure, then screw the bike lift into the 2x6. I think its more secure this way and gives you more room for error when screwing into the studs (four screws per stud vs one)

Installation of the device is a snap. A third grader with a ladder could figure it out. The rope (they give you more than you need) is very strong & doesn't feel like it'll fray any time in the future.

I'd recommend this lift for bikes any time.

On a side note, I can't see using one of these for a ladder. A ladder fits so nice and flush on a wall that a hook would work so much better than this.

But for a bike, there's no question- Go with this!


This is the Michael Jackson of bike storage (the "BAD" album Michael Jackson, not the sleep over Michael Jackson)!

Once finally installed it works great.

My problem was that the rail opening on one side was undersized. This meant that the metal stops, which hold the pulleys in place, would not "slide", as the instructions say, in place. I tried to wedge them in on an angle and hoped upon tightening that they would push their way into place, but they only got stuck.

I ended up yanking out the stuck squares and used a longer ratchet extension to open up the first 6 inches of one side by prying it in a few places. Since it's made of aluminum, it left a few marks, but that did the trick.

There were no signs of damage to the piece or the box, so it was apparently a manufacturing issue.

I was disappointed in this lift. I am guessing it works okay for most bikes, but it really isn't designed for extension ladders (which is why I bought it). It worked okay with my 8ft step ladder. I did have issues with the rope coming off the pulley. The info said on the website for up to 75 pounds, however the instructions clearly say max of 50 pounds.

This bike lift is great. Installation requires a little thought, but after you figure out one it is simple to install another. I purchased two and was very pleased with the product for the price. I just ordered another from Amazon. I had read previous reviews and decided to use 2-1/5" screws from the hardware store. I also drilled pilot holes for the screws which made installation faster & easier. The installation instructions are vague but use your head, take your time and you will be pleased with the lift.

I BOUGHT FOUR (4) RACOR MODEL ABL-1R BICYCLE LIFTS TO INSTALL IN A GARAGE WITH 12 FOOT CEILINGS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS RACOR NEEDS TO MAKE IN THIS PRODUCT: THE POOR QUALITY PHILIPS HEAD SCREWS PROVIDED ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO USE, EVEN WITH PILOT HOLES DRILLED IN THE CEILING JOISTS; THE FLAT LOCKING DISCS (ALSO POOR QUALITY ALLEN SCREWS) ARE SUPPOSE TO SLIDE INTO THE ALUMINUM RAIL BUT ARE TO BIG, SO THE RAIL HAD TO BE PRIDE APART TO WIDEN; THE ROPE KEEPS COMING OFF THE PULLEYS BECAUSE THE PULLEY'S VERTICAL SIDES ARE NOT TALL ENOUGH TO RETAIN THE ROPE.

I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY MORE OF THESE UNITS UNTIL THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS.

Item works well, two issues-rope comes of hanger pulleys and tie knot at end of rope after you string thru pulleys so that it doesn't pull out by accident. Have four hangers installed in my garage.

The space on either side of the black pulley wheel allows the rope to jump out of the groove in the wheel and run against the axle throwing the hooks off balance. I resolved this by running a wire through the pulley frame and loosly across the rope and wheel to prevent the rope from slipping out of the groove. The product works well but this problem should be corrected by the manufacturer. I will order another pair to lift another section of my HO train layout.

DP

Many other reviews discuss the same problems, I am very disappointed and am returning for refund.

1. One of the pulleys was not riveted in place. I had to make one.
2. The Cam Lock that holds the bike up was not drilled, so it wouldn't keep the bike from falling down, then once
it was drilled it wouldn't release the bike. Impossible for my wife to get the bike down.

Racor has a great idea, but they need to do some R&D. Manufacturers that make blinds know how to make a cam locking system that stops the blinds from coming down unless you want them down, and then it is easy to use.

Disappointed that this should be the nicest hoist on the market and it just isn't made well, and Racor doesn't seem to have any quality checks in place.

I bought three of these, one for my wife's bike, my mountain bike and my sons small bike. The system works well and its easier to mount then the one with the seperate pullies as this one is adjustable rather than the one with two seperate pieces. Is it worth 25-30 bucks more than the other one? Maybe. My only concern is the locking mechanism contains a hole where the rope rubs against it. I could see a tiny amount of fraying after just a few uses but it seems the rope would last probably a few years before needing to be replaced. That would be easy as you would just go down to HD or Lowes and get a similiar sized nylon rope and re-thread the thing. Overall I am happy with it.