Can I carry my bike up and down these stairs every day?

[KLizotte]

@reji 161871 wrote:

2 months ago, we sold our comfy big home in the burbs and bought a cute home inside the beltway. Now instead of rolling up into my garage with tons of space for bikes and gear, I lug my bike up and down 18 stairs between my doorstep and the street. It’s been an adjustment, but it hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be. I’ve even learned how where to hold the bike and how to angle it so that I can carry it up/down with a loaded pannier. In fact, the worst part isn’t the stairs, it’s the awkward contortions I have to make when holding the storm door open while getting the bike in/out of the door. :p Getting back home in rainy weather sucks too but I found that some strategically placed towels help.

Another option for bike storage inside is the Steadyrack which hangs on the wall and offers vertical bike storage. (https://www.amazon.com/Steadyrack-Classic-Rack-Vertical-Bike-Storage/dp/B004N9BUEY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497872679&sr=8-1&keywords=steadyrack) They’re a little pricey but we’ve put up 3 in our “bike room” with no problems. Getting the bike down and putting it up is super easy … very important after I get home tired and I’ve already carried my bike up the stairs! Also, the racks swivel if you need to make room.

We gave up a lot of conveniences for location and found that it’s simply a matter of adapting to your new environment. When we first bought the house, we thought that we were going to HAVE to find a way to construct a path that we could use to roll our bikes up/down. Now after 2 months, it still would be nice, but not as necessary as we thought. I imagine the more time that passes, the less important that path will be. If you reconsider buying and want to “practice” carrying your bike up/down stairs, just let me know!

Thank you so much for your super generous offer. Don’t tell my landlord but in the wee hours of the morning I was in my PJs lugging my bike up and down the stairwell in my highrise apartment building. I tried with a loaded pannier (augh), with bike shoes, regular shoes, unloaded, etc. I’m sure my neighbors were seriously confused and annoyed by the noise and I had to make a mad dash to my apartment when I heard someone enter the stairwell!

I discovered that a large turning radius is required if there are landings and that without a pannier it’s not that difficult going up and down. The pannier greatly shifts the center of gravity and makes it very unwieldy. Fortunately my pannier turns into a backpack with just an unzip. I’m gonna see if I can do a trial run at the second choice condo this afternoon. Fingers crossed

[Emm]

I had a situation where I was hauling a somewhat heavy hybrid up and down a narrow stairwell for months. Honestly, the only hard part was the super tight turn at the bottom to get it into the room. The actual carrying was annoying, but not killer. I’d take my panniers off, set them to the side, and haul the bike.

As others have commented, a major issue may be that those stairs are carpeted. After wet/muddy rides, it’ll be a pain to keep them clean.

Personally, if everything else was PERFECT and I had no better options, I’d suck it up and deal with the stairs (and likely install a rail to walk the bike up…), but it’d definitely be a major drawback. As time goes on you get older hauling a bike up and down daily may get tougher and tougher. You could maybe install a wall mounted rack on the stairs though.] I’m thinking something like this, a stair or two up so it’s out of the way of the door, but not so high you risk falling down the stairs to get your bike down. https://www.cb2.com/wood-bike-storage/s309683 (they even have it mounted over a staircase in the photo, lol). It’s usefulness depends on how wide the stairwell is though. Could you still pass with your bike on the wall?

[Steve O]

@drevil 161869 wrote:

… a 30 pound behemoth

Hey! I resemble that remark.

This bike, with rack, fenders, kickstand and lock–all necessities for a commuter and daily-use bike–is about 30 pounds.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15006[/ATTACH]
You have hurt its feelings by calling it a “behemoth.” :p

[dasgeh]

@KLizotte 161868 wrote:

Hanging something from the ceiling wouldn’t work since I’d have to try to hang it up while standing on the stairs. That seems like a recipe for an eventual accident. Only other possibility is a hook that would allow me to hang it it vertically (to get the handlebars out of the way) but that would still require standing on the stairs. If only there was a decent size landing.

Could you change the front door to open outwards?

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dasgeh 161885 wrote:

Could you change the front door to open outwards?

That’s…probably not a good idea. If you put the hinges on the exterior, a burglar can remove them. Also, if it snows a bunch, you can get blocked in. It might also be against building code, depending on how the exterior landing is configured.

[KLizotte]

To be clear, I have decided against condo #1 (pictured at the start of the thread) because of the staircase. It is narrower than a normal staircase (not sure how that is allowed), and I can’t change how the door works because of condo rules. Since it was a bit of a challenge managing the door and the immediate first step while I wasn’t carrying anything I’ve decided not to turn myself into origami esp since I may want to get a gravel bike in the near future which will be heavier. And they are only collecting bids on Wed and looking to make a decision by the next day so the decision time is incredibly tight.

Condo choice #2: external stairway but the risers are half the size of normal stairs so the ascent is rather gentle. Internally I’d have to negotiate two floors of stairs but they are wide, brick/hard floor, and each “floor” is broken up by a landing. I think they were designed that way to facilitate moving furniture in/out since there isn’t an elevator. It would definitely be easier going up and down despite the increase in stairs (I think).

They also offer locked cages on site for residents to store their random stuff that I will be visiting today; that may solve my problem entirely if I feel there is enough security.

Be forewarned: if you are looking for a <=$325K townhouse or "no one is walking above me" style condo in Arlington or Alexandria within an hour's bike ride of downtown DC and yet still has bus/metro accessibility and doesn't have external stairs, good luck. I can't believe how many freakin' places are built into hillsides, have Escher like configurations, and don't seem to have any ADA measures in place. I'm so glad I don't have mobility issues.

[KLizotte]

@TwoWheelsDC 161891 wrote:

Also, if it snows a bunch, you can get blocked in.

That’s a bad thing?!

[dasgeh]

@TwoWheelsDC 161891 wrote:

That’s…probably not a good idea. If you put the hinges on the exterior, a burglar can remove them. Also, if it snows a bunch, you can get blocked in. It might also be against building code, depending on how the exterior landing is configured.

Not every condo has a front door that opens to the outside world

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[dbb]

@KLizotte 161892 wrote:

It is narrower than a normal staircase (not sure how that is allowed)

Section 311.7.1 of the International Residential Code (the building code in VA) says “Width. Stairways shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in clear width at all points above the permitted handrail height and below the required headroom height. Handrails shall not project more than 4.5 inches (114 mm) on either side of the stairway and the minimum clear width of the stairway at and below the handrail height, including treads and landings, shall not be less than 31 1/2 inches (787 mm) where a handrail is installed on one side and 27 inches (698 mm) where handrails are provided on both sides.”

From the photo, it looked like it might seem confining because it might have been right at compliance. Narrow, long spaces look narrower.

[DrP]

@KLizotte 161892 wrote:

Condo choice #2: external stairway but the risers are half the size of normal stairs so the ascent is rather gentle. Internally I’d have to negotiate two floors of stairs but they are wide, brick/hard floor, and each “floor” is broken up by a landing. I think they were designed that way to facilitate moving furniture in/out since there isn’t an elevator. It would definitely be easier going up and down despite the increase in stairs (I think).
QUOTE]

For six years I pushed my bike up two flights of stairs with the panniers on at my office (the elevator was stupidly slow). It was an early 2000s Trek hybrid (not light) and bumping it up and down the stairs wasn’t all that difficult (what was worse was when people tried to “help” by lifting the back of the bike by the light! Eventually that snapped off). Trying to actually carry it that distance would have been rough. The stairwells were a decent width and there was a landing in between each floor, although carpeted, but with industrial carpet. Sounds like your inside stairs will be at least that easy.

[KLizotte]

I just realized people not be pleased hearing my cleats on the steps outside their doors. Will have to check that too.

I would have a large balcony. I’m thinking a hoist would be far easier. Battery or electric powered – easy peasy!

[Emm]

@KLizotte 161907 wrote:

I just realized people not be pleased hearing my cleats on the steps outside their doors. Will have to check that too.

Unless you’re stomping and down the hallway/stairs at all hours of the night, this should be at the bottom of your concern list. Living in shared housing means you hear people outside your door sometimes Just walk gently and it wont be an issue.

[Crickey7]

There are hinges that do not extrude on either side of the door, so-called “hidden” or “invisible” hinges.

[n18]

I am glad that you decided to wait. I think the prices are as high as they can be. Plus, what if you need a fitness equipment in the future?

@KLizotte 161907 wrote:

I just realized people not be pleased hearing my cleats on the steps outside their doors. Will have to check that too.

I have used these SPD Cleat Covers and they lasted few hours of total use while shopping, maybe it’s enough for you or perhaps there is a better one.

@KLizotte 161907 wrote:

I’m thinking a hoist would be far easier. Battery or electric powered – easy peasy!

I thought you could use a winch pulling a wooden board with bike stand attached to it, and perhaps a box for groceries. Here is a YouTube video showing someone who made something for lifting groceries, but it’s too small for a bike. I am not sure how loud a winch would be. From my experience, the larger the motor, the quieter it is.

[KLizotte]

Well, I pulled the trigger on Condo choice #2 last night. We ratified at 11:00 pm. It’s been a crazy few days to say the least. Hopefully all of the other stuff (home inspection, title, appraisal, etc) will sail through. We close on July 28.

I’ll be moving into the West Village of Shirlington. Never in a million years did I think I would move there since the buildings’ curb appeal from 4MR is lacking. But I quickly changed my mind because the complex offers:

– 15-20 min walking distance to Shirlington (7-8 min bike ride),
– located right on the WO&D,
– there is a Cabi station right outside,
– the condos are enormous,
– beautiful large kitchens (by far the largest in my price range),
– large walk in closets with built-ins,
– coat closet in entry way,
– large balcony,
– no renovations required,
– supposedly the largest pool in Arlington,
– free rush hour shuttle to Pentagon City metro (with an arrival time app),
– a fitness center (decent sized too),
– a club/party room,
– communal BBQs and sitting areas,
– next to 4 bus routes,
– individual storage facilities that are so large they come with their own deeds (seriously) – you could fit a lot of bikes/cycling stuff in them,
– free parking, and
– I can finally host parties!

Regardless of whether I keep my bike in my apartment or my storage unit, I will still have to deal with stairs (1.5 flights) but there is a landing, the stairs are wide and the walls are made of brick so scuffing things up a bit won’t matter.

I did not see any bike racks on the property though (major fail!) but will bring it up at the condo association meetings. I’m gonna be the “bike lady.”

Fingers crossed everything works out okay with the paperwork.

And yes, housing prices in Arlington/Alexandria are crazy. This place seemed to offer the best value for money and I won’t be paying any more out of pocket than I do now renting.

Y’all should consider the place if you want to be close to DC and on a multi-use trail. Happy hour at Cap City!

(I’d still like to attach a winch to the balcony though).

[Author]

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