[difalkner]

What machine and spindle do you have? If you have a 2.2kW spindle or router that's probably too fast. I have a 3kW spindle and a comfortable speed for me, albeit a bit conservative, is 175 to 250 if I'm only taking 1/4" depth of cut. Will 1/4" get you past the upcut portion of the bit? You'll need to ensure you go past that.

 

[difalkner]

The tool has not yet arrived, I may make the first pass just deeper than the upcut then successive passes at .1875 or so?
the top does get a 1/8" roundover so a little tear out may not be a big deal.

Then you might just consider an upcut bit with a more aggressive depth of cut. I use a 1/4" compression bit often in 1/2" BB and cut the full depth at 175 ipm, again only a 3kW spindle. In Walnut and Maple I use the same bit and feed rates but change my depth of cut to about 0.330" to make sure I get well past the upcut portion of the bit and that way I don't have any tear out or chipping. But if you're using a round over bit and know you won't splinter or chip past where that will cut then an upcut bit seems to be the call, or it would be for me.