Bicycle storage solutions

[A1an]

Cycling plays a huge role in my life and I am curious to see some storage solutions for multiple bicycles in a garage.

We live in a townhome w/o a garage so this is my current solution. Bikes hangout with me at the home office:

In a couple weeks I'll go from zero garage to 3.25 garages (the third single car bay is quite a bit wider than a normal single car garage). The bikes will go out in the garage but I don't want them taking up a ton of space. Right now we have three mountain bikes but I'm looking to add at least another 3-4 bikes in the near future.

Is hanging from the wall my best option for keeping 3-8 bikes out of the way? Are there any other solutions that could easily expand as my fleet of bikes grows larger?

 

[rickycobra]

I saw this the other day at Target they have these new bike rack holders for the bikes they sell in the store. Not for sale. Just like in your picture except that same area contains five bikes staggered and it has a hydraulic lift to put you bike up and down. It's a simple idea just packs the bikes in more so they have room for other merchandise.

Also something like this can bring in a lot more storage.
http://bp2.blogger.com/_XGRz6uWGK3I/R7ByNpUCBZI/AAAAAAAACsQ/Isp5P_AziEU/s1600-h/bikerack_01.jpg

 

[Hmrhead]

I have a 10" ceiling in my garage and I just use the threaded hooks with plastic coating on them and hang them by their wheels, works great. During the usable season I keep my wife's bike on a rack on the wall as she can't reach her bike when its hanging from the ceiling.

 

[lametec]

I use the threaded/coated hooks too, but I don't have a finished ceiling so I hang mine between the trusses. A couple boards attached between the top chord of two trusses gives me something to screw the hooks into.

 

[mmhouse]

I have a 10" ceiling in my garage and I just use the threaded hooks with plastic coating on them and hang them by their wheels, works great. During the usable season I keep my wife's bike on a rack on the wall as she can't reach her bike when its hanging from the ceiling.

I do the same. My ceiling is 10'6"...much higher than Hmrhead's 10" ceiling . I just leave them down in season and hang them up during the winter. It takes a lot less space than hanging them on the wall and I can still walk and store stuff under them (mine are as close to a wall as I can hang them). If your ceiling is less than about 10' you probably won't be able to walk under them.

 

[jeffk14]

craigslist solved all my bicycle storage problems.

Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

 

[kartracer23]

I had one of the vertical / pole racks...in my dining room! Put the bike I used the most on the bottom and the other one on the top. Only issue I ever had was that I couldn't really torque it down against the drywall ceiling and one night they fell. Two bikes + aluminum pole + hardwood floors will make a hell of a noise! If you go that route, make sure you get one where you can adjust the arms individually to fit weird shaped frames. A friend has one with non-adjustable arms and it's hard to fit anything w/o a perfectly straight top tube.

 

[Dolfan]

I'm using a bicycle pulley set you can find online for about $25. With this you have one hook around the handlebar and one under the seat and just hoist it up to the ceiling. When I ride I just drop it to the ground, takes maybe 30 seconds including coiling the rope.

The other nice thing is I have the rope tied off at just the height so that once it comes to the ground the wheel just touch, but there is tension on the rope, so the lift acts as a stand. During the heavy riding months I just keep the bike in the down position ready to unhook and go. During the winter months I just hoist it up and out of the way.


You can just see it in the corner of this picture.

 

[ADaughen]

I got one of those hoists... it doesn't work too well with an 8' ceiling.

 

[A1an]

I really like the hoist thing but the ceilings aren't high enough to make that effective.

I think I may go with the joist idea since this would allow me to stack more bikes in a corner and actually get them a little further off the ground compared to my current wall mount solution.

What would be the best way to go about doing this? My current setup has the board attached to the wall via four lag bolts into two studs. Thinking I could apply the same principle to the ceiling with the joists (garage has a drywalled ceiling).

 

[Dolfan]

OK, yeah, I didn't see anything in the OP about ceiling height. I would just use some hooks and hang them on the wall or overhead as well.

 

[Hannibal Hector]

If you visit your local bike shop, ask to see where they store bikes being repaired. Some shops have great ideas and, of course, some don't.
I just moved into a new house with a bigger garage, I stow 13 bikes, most from wheel on hook on wall, the rest on a rack. I will post pics as soon as the new garage is complete. good luck and keep the shiny side up!

 

[A1an]

If you visit your local bike shop, ask to see where they store bikes being repaired. Some shops have great ideas and, of course, some don't.
I just moved into a new house with a bigger garage, I stow 13 bikes, most from wheel on hook on wall, the rest on a rack. I will post pics as soon as the new garage is complete. good luck and keep the shiny side up!

Good point. I'd love to see photos of your setup when complete.

 

[bchee]

Here's a "tree" at HF that holds 6 bikes
http://www.harborfreight.com/cycle-tree-compact-bike-storage-2628.html

The only negative review isn't really a review

 

[IDASHO]

I have a 14' ceiling. Bikes get hung using these cheap guys...

http://doitbest.com/Bicycle+accessories-Bell+Sports-model-115226-doitbest-sku-812384.dib

 

[mkdive]

I like others just have the threaded vinyl covered hooks screwed into garage rafters. I have 4 Konas hanging right now. If I ever finish out my garage with SR, then the above bicycle lift would look nice.

 

[A1an]

Here's a "tree" at HF that holds 6 bikes
http://www.harborfreight.com/cycle-tree-compact-bike-storage-2628.html

The only negative review isn't really a review

Now that is a pretty crafty yet simple solution. I like how it keeps the bikes in a fairly compact space and it can be rolled around. Unfortunately it doesn't extend high enough to handle my bikes (max height is 72"...my XL framed 29ers have a 74" wheelbase). I bet I could buy this and modify it to extend a little higher to accomodate my needs.

Or I could always buy the raw materials and put together my own version...not sure I could pull it off for under $50 though.

 

[bochnak]

I have an 8' open ceiling and also need to hang 2 bikes.

I plan to hang them with 3 hooks ea. Two on tires, and swing it "up" to the 3rd catching the frame or seat post.

Basically, picture the bike laying on it's side mounted to the ceiling.

Hopefully the handlebars won't be too low.

 

[kartracer23]

I have an 8' open ceiling and also need to hang 2 bikes.

I plan to hang them with 3 hooks ea. Two on tires, and swing it "up" to the 3rd catching the frame or seat post.

Basically, picture the bike laying on it's side mounted to the ceiling.

Hopefully the handlebars won't be too low.

Your problem will be that your handlebars are too high. Unless you've cut them down to cafe racer style, they'll hit well before you get it high enough to hook the frame.
And not to rain on your parade, but what you want to do would be such a PITA, you'll never do it. It' tough enough to hang a bike upside down on two hooks, I can't imagine trying to use a third - and get them all positioned perfectly - and not have it pop out of at least one of the wheel hooks.

 

[bochnak]

Your problem will be that your handlebars are too high. Unless you've cut them down to cafe racer style, they'll hit well before you get it high enough to hook the frame.
And not to rain on your parade, but what you want to do would be such a PITA, you'll never do it. It' tough enough to hang a bike upside down on two hooks, I can't imagine trying to use a third - and get them all positioned perfectly - and not have it pop out of at least one of the wheel hooks.

My ceiling is open. I plan to position the handlebars between joists.

Maybe use a bungee instead of third hook?

 

[dorfonbikes]

I was facing your exact same situation when I moved into my new house two years ago. I like keeping the garage open and usable, but I have 8 bikes I have to keep track of. I didn't want them hanging from the ceiling because it would make the garage feel pretty claustrophobic. I ended up just getting the Rubbermaid Fast Track system from Home Depot. I just used two 4' sections and some of the vertical hangers. I keep my wife's bike on the ground where she can reach it, and her trainer bike in the basement. I find that it's been the best compromise until we move to a bigger house with a much bigger garage. Then I'm just going to do a huge bike rack like you'd see at a middle school and keep them on the ground

 

[daveroy]

I have an 8' open ceiling and also need to hang 2 bikes.

I plan to hang them with 3 hooks ea. Two on tires, and swing it "up" to the 3rd catching the frame or seat post.

Basically, picture the bike laying on it's side mounted to the ceiling.

Hopefully the handlebars won't be too low.

This is almost exactly what I have for two of the bikes in our garage (the ones that never get ridden). The trick is to turn the handlebars 90*, and use a small hook with a short piece of chain/rope for the frame/seat post. Its not as easy to get down and ride away as just plain upside down, but it can be done. The two that I have done that way belong to our two teenage daughters, and I think they may have 10 miles between them!!!

 

[bochnak]

This is almost exactly what I have for two of the bikes in our garage (the ones that never get ridden). The trick is to turn the handlebars 90*, and use a small hook with a short piece of chain/rope for the frame/seat post. Its not as easy to get down and ride away as just plain upside down, but it can be done. The two that I have done that way belong to our two teenage daughters, and I think they may have 10 miles between them!!!

My mtn bike has a 26" tire, so that would basically mean 13" would hang down below joist. Not sure what's better.....handlebar or half a wheel

 

[d33pt]

dont hang your bike upside down if it has hydraulic brakes. they will get air in the lines.

 

[A1an]

Brakes should be fine. It is a sealed system and air shouldn't enter the lines unless you have a leak.

Problem you really need to look out for is leaking oil on an air fork. If I invert my Fox fork on my Paragon it will seep oil out of the top. Same story with my old Reba. As long as the top of the fork is higher than the bottom it is fine (which is why I hang it from the rear wheel...the fork is at an upward angle so gravity keeps the oil at the bottom of the fork).

Interestingly enough my wife's Dart fork doesn't leak a drop and it has been hanging inverted for over a year now. Every once in a while I'll bring it down to cycle the fork but otherwise it is fine. I'm guessing it is something in the seal design on the air forks that causes oil to seep.

 

[Cwood8656]

Like several others here, I use a pulley system to keep my bike out of the way. I have lots of height and not much floor space in my shop, so I put everything I can up high.

Chris.

 

[gsw]

Have a look at these guys - http://sportssolutions.net/ They seem to have a good range for just about any situation.

 

[sjt78]

I was facing your exact same situation when I moved into my new house two years ago. I like keeping the garage open and usable, but I have 8 bikes I have to keep track of. I didn't want them hanging from the ceiling because it would make the garage feel pretty claustrophobic. I ended up just getting the Rubbermaid Fast Track system from Home Depot. I just used two 4' sections and some of the vertical hangers. I keep my wife's bike on the ground where she can reach it, and her trainer bike in the basement. I find that it's been the best compromise until we move to a bigger house with a much bigger garage. Then I'm just going to do a huge bike rack like you'd see at a middle school and keep them on the ground

Wonderful set up you have there. I have a workshop dedicated to my bikes and really like the way you plumbed the air lines to allow for the air line right about the stand. That was a great idea. Find a place for all of my bikes is a challenge as well, I think I am at 10 or 11, hard to keep track of all of them and harder to keep them stored where they are accessible and won't get damaged.

 

[A1an]

Dorfon....I like that setup you have. Plenty of room for hanging a few more as well.

Out of curiosity, which bike stand is that? Still trying to figure out what route to go. I was thinking table mount with Park's newest clamp but I'm not sure.

 

[Bill W]

Anyone have a storage solution that the kids can manage to put their bikes where they belong?

 

[dorfonbikes]

sjt78 - Thanks. What I cut of in the picture is the Ingersoll Rand air regulator/water separator. I have it set so when I'm filling one of the road bikes I just hold it on the tire until it stops It makes it a lot faster when I'm filling up the tires every other day for the commute to work. I still need to make an air chuck that works on presta and schrader without an adapter.

This is just the deep part of the tandem part of my 4 car garage. It's three cars wide in the front with the right side being the tandem. I wish I had a dedicated shop for the bikes to keep them clean. Until then, I work on cars in the front right and projects and bikes in the back right.



A1an - After working in shops for about a decade, anything less than a Park stand would drive me nuts. I'm using their bench top clamp (PRS-4 OS-1) but I'm only using the clamp portion of it. I got rid of the bench mount. There was an old rusty base laying around the shop that the owner gave me for the stand. I wire brushed the base and coated it with some POR-15. I also had my buddy get me some 304 stainless tubing so I could make the stand height adjustable. The clamp bolts to a piece of 1 3/4" tubing. That slides into a 2" tube and fastened with a through bolt. That 2" tube is welded to a 3/8 plate drilled for the base.

I love how fast and sturdy the clamp is. I don't like the auto adjustable clamps because I like to fine tune what I'm clamping. I'm not worried when clamping carbon seat posts but at the same time, I know that I can crank the pressure up on a steel frame if I have wrench hard on a stuck bottom bracket.

If you were just going to buy one, you'd need the stand and base. If you were going to do something like mine, all you'd need is the clamp.

Clamp
http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=23&item=PRS-4+OS-1

Stand
http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=23&item=PRS-3+OS-1

Base
http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=23&item=130

 

[A1an]

I'm thinking of either mounting a Park clamp to a fixed cabinet or to a rolling work table. I'm not a huge fan of the portable type stands as those don't seem very sturdy in comparison...although your clamp with the fabricated stand looks incredibly sturdy.

Have you had any experience with their newer clamp design (http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=46&item=100-3D)?

 

[Cword]

I followed this link after noticing it in some inter-bike coverage
http://steadyrack.com
The most interesting feature I see here is the "hinge" of the rack, allowing the bikes to swing against the wall. Using hooks always leaves the bikes perpendicular to the wall.

Now to rig a home built way to do this at less than $99 per bike...

PS the coverage I saw it in, was actually the Daily Distraction over at PEZ

 

[Tman]

I followed this link after noticing it in some inter-bike coverage
http://steadyrack.com
The most interesting feature I see here is the "hinge" of the rack, allowing the bikes to swing against the wall. Using hooks always leaves the bikes perpendicular to the wall.

Now to rig a home built way to do this at less than $99 per bike...

PS the coverage I saw it in, was actually the Daily Distraction over at PEZ

Why, that DOES look like a steady RACK!

After spending much of my adult life in the business and having ridden all my life I have tried everything. Alway s go back to hooks. You can mount 1.59 hooks to the wall and do the same as the steadyrack.

I do have a couple pulley systems I would trade for something if anyone is interested?

 

[dorfonbikes]

I have used that clamp and a few others like that. My personal preference is the one I have. It's the strongest and longest lasting of them all. I just love how fast it is with the big handle and I like the adjustment nut. With the 70lb base and the 20lbs of stainless tubing, it's very sturdy, even on my rubber mats. The only way to make it better is to bolt it to the floor or use one of their double shop bases. Either way, I've never had a problem doing what I need to in my single stand. I've always looked at getting a portable folding stand for events but park discontinued the only one I liked.

Before I put my nice stand together, I had one of the old cheap steel park spring tensioned clamps mounted to a 48" x 24" stand made out of a 2 x 4's. The top was made of vertical 2 x 4's mounted width wise. The arm was mounted to one of the short ends so as much mass as possible was available to stabilize the stand. Even so, it got tippy and I had to keep that 70lb plate on the base of the roll cart to keep it from tipping. If you make a cart, I'd make it pretty darn heavy so you won't have the same problem I did. If you mount it to a bench, it'd work fine. I just don't like blocking my cabinets and work surface with a bike.

 

[A1an]

I didn't think about the issue of blocking my tools/drawers. Plus that would make it a bit more difficult to work on both sides of the bike. If it were mounted on a table top I'd have to take the bike out of the clamp and turn it around to make things easier to access the other side.

 

[z28toz06]

I bought one of these for 7.99 on sale at HF.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=bicycle+lift

 

[Tman]

I didn't think about the issue of blocking my tools/drawers. Plus that would make it a bit more difficult to work on both sides of the bike. If it were mounted on a table top I'd have to take the bike out of the clamp and turn it around to make things easier to access the other side.

Mount it on a post or a stump. Mine is a modified Park mounted to a lalley post in the shop. Removeable so I am not always running into it.

 

[pfbz]

We also have lots of bikes and I've tried lots of different kinds of bike holders.

The Good:

I use three of these:

About $60 each from performance bike. Works well for road bikes, hard tails, single speeds, etc. Not as good for full suspension mountain bikes.

I also have one of these:

About $40 on sale from Harbor Freight. The quality is more the so-so HF Chinese stuff that they used to offer. Poor paint/powdercoat finish, so-so welds, but the idea is actually quite good. You can easily put four or six mountain bikes on it without them touching or rubbing in any way. Single contact point on the front rim, and it hangs straight down.

The Bad:

I've tried the hood-on-the-wall style and hate them. Not only is it a pain to get the bike on and off, but it often will push against a spoke or torque the front rim in an undesirable way.

I've tried the ceiling/pulley style, and way to much of a PITA for a frequently used bike.

I've tried the folding shelf mount on the wall style, terribly flimsy.

 

[Qtip]

This is what I found at the state fair and plan on geting http://www.thegarageloft.com/product/gl125