Need to make a few tweaks to my home bike storage contraption

[hozn]

I just use hooks on the wall to hang the bikes. I can’t find exactly the model, but a cheap version ($7.50 per bike) is http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009I572E/ref=pd_aw_sim_hi_5?pi=SY115

That isn’t really an answer to the question, I realize. In any event, if going for a metal hook, you probably want to get something rubberized to avoid scratching up your rims? Or what about just getting some heavy-duty velcro straps like those in the inspiration image? The only drawback I see there is having to fuss around with the hook or strap while holding up the bike.

[Brendan von Buckingham]

This has always worked for me; college, NYC apartment, Arlington. You need a 4×4 post the height of your floor to ceiling, a threaded rod, two sets of nuts and locker washers to fit the rod and a bike hook. Trim the 4×4 so it’s 4-6″ shorter than the floor to ceiling dimension. Measure one foot from an end of the post and cut the post into a long and short piece. Drill a hole in the end of the long piece and the short piece. Thread the nuts washers to the middle of the threaded rod. Insert the rod into the holes of both pieces of 4×4. Stand the assembly so that the gap in the 4×4 with the threaded rod is at the ceiling. Use a wrench to move the nuts in opposite directions, each towards one end of the rod. As they move out, they’ll push the 4×4 pieces away from each like a sort of car jack. The pressure will hold the post in place. Install a bike hook. You want to keep an eye on the pressure so you don’t dent the ceiling, especially if it’s drywall. A scrap piece of plywood to spread the pressure helps in that case.

I like it because after the measuring and cutting, it installs fast, doesn’t penetrate the walls with anchors, and the back tire of the bike rests on the post so your walls don’t get mucked. It can be moved very easily if the room it’s in gets reorganized.

[creadinger]

Wow, this thread is exactly what I was going to start today. I’m not sure if it’s better to potentially hijack, or start my own though. Unfortunately the solution that Brownnugen is using won’t work for us. We’re looking to hang 2 bikes on the wall in our living room. One of mine (huge), and one of my wife’s. My bikes are heavy so whatever we get has to be sturdy.

We’re looking for something similar to #7 on the buzzfeed list.
http://www.minipennyblog.com/2011/03/custom-diy-bike-storage.html

OR

Something to hang them vertically in a corner like this.
http://marthaandtom.com/2009/09/hang-your-bike-for-less/

In the past we’ve always just leaned them against furniture or the wall, but it’s time for something neater and more permanent. Do people prefer horizontal vs vertical for in the house storage? Does hanging 2 bikes vertically actually save space? I’m not too worried about putting anchors into the walls because we’re gonna be here for a while, but I’m trying to avoid the marks that handlebars, saddles, and tires leave on the wall.

Thanks for the input.

[hozn]

Hanging bikes vertically definitely saves space in my situation. I have 5 bikes hanging in the space that would otherwise hold two if they were horizontal. I would also prefer to have tires against the wall (and you can use the tire tray that link mentions to keep it clean) as opposed to my pedals.

I posted a pic of my hanging shed setup on a previous thread on this topic: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?5028-Hanging-bikes&p=52649#post52649

[brownnugen]

Those wall hooks won’t work for me as I would like it to fit on the metal bar and have the ability to slide the bike(s) over in either direction as needed. Whatever hook also needs to be wife enough to accept a MTB tire or wife’s fat cruiser wheel.

[baiskeli]

@brownnugen 56093 wrote:

Those wall hooks won’t work for me as I would like it to fit on the metal bar and have the ability to slide the bike(s) over in either direction as needed. Whatever hook also needs to be wife enough to accept a MTB tire or wife’s fat cruiser wheel.

Can you just make longer hooks with the wire to accommodate shorter bikes?

Or how about, for each bike, an eyelet you slide over the pipe (won’t come off like an open hook) screwed into a 1×1 piece of wood you cut just the right size, with a bicycle hook (from any hardware store) on the other end? Make each one long enough to have the back wheel just resting on the floor and it will be easy for anyone to handle getting the bikes on and off. You might also figure out a way to do it with lengths of chain.

creadinger – you can get hooks like that at Home Depot, Lowes or maybe even the Container Store:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-FastTrack-Garage-1-Bike-Horizontal-Bike-Hook-1784457/100387746#.UchLXlfud8E

You could cover the wall temporarily with something to protect it, like a sheet of plastic or some plywood/MDF or whatever works – paint it if you need it to look nice, and if you paint it with glossy paint, you can more easily wash off scuff marks.

[lim]

This is what I use for home storage:

It takes up more space than the other storage solutions before this post but it is self standing and you don’t have to worry about damaging the walls or keeping your wheels clean before hanging up your wheels. It’s all metal and very sturdy.

Thule BSTK2 Bike Stacker

[DaveK]

@lim 56097 wrote:

This is what I use for home storage:

It takes up more space than the other storage solutions before this post but it is self standing and you don’t have to worry about damaging the walls or keeping your wheels clean before hanging up your wheels. It’s all metal and very sturdy.

Thule BSTK2 Bike Stacker

I have the same rack, and by adding additional pads to the arms I can keep four bikes comfortably on it. I don’t see how I’d do better for the space that it takes up.

[lim]

@DaveK 56099 wrote:

I have the same rack, and by adding additional pads to the arms I can keep four bikes comfortably on it. I don’t see how I’d do better for the space that it takes up.

I’m interested in putting more bikes on that monster, where did you get the additional pads from?

[KelOnWheels]

I’m planning on getting one of these now that I have achieved n+1, since we’re not supposed to put holes in our walls. I guess I’ll keep my other flat vertical rack that fits behind the front door for when I n+1 again

Is it really a “front” door when it’s the only door?

[consularrider]

@KelOnWheels 56112 wrote:

Is it really a “front” door when it’s the only door?

That wouldn’t pass our POSHO inspection! Must be two exits (can you jump out the window?).

[dasgeh]

Hanging vertically saves space along the wall, but takes up floor space. So it depends on what’s more valuable to you. When we were in Manhattan, we had a tension rod thing that held 2 bikes horizontally against the wall. Didn’t win any awards for design, but did the job.

Re: protecting the wall, I always thought it would be cool to put up plywood or canvas or some other protection behind the bike hooks, then do a crime-scene-esque outline of the bike that lives there (if only one bike lives there), so it’s like the bike is always there. Of course, that would take skills I probably don’t have. But it could be fun to try something.

[DaveK]

@lim 56103 wrote:

I’m interested in putting more bikes on that monster, where did you get the additional pads from?

If yours is the same as mine (mine was from Performance Bike but it looks exactly the same) then these will fit – http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1023857_-1_400245__400245

[KelOnWheels]

@consularrider 56115 wrote:

That wouldn’t pass our POSHO inspection! Must be two exits (can you jump out the window?).

Yep, plenty of windows, but only one door, it being a 1st floor (not ground floor) apartment.

[Amalitza]

@dasgeh 56116 wrote:

Re: protecting the wall, I always thought it would be cool to put up plywood or canvas or some other protection behind the bike hooks, then do a crime-scene-esque outline of the bike that lives there (if only one bike lives there), so it’s like the bike is always there. Of course, that would take skills I probably don’t have. But it could be fun to try something.

This is how we handle tool control in our production buildings. (making sure all tools are back in place and not inside of any equipment before running the equipment). A bicycle is a bit bigger than a screwdriver, but the concept would be the same. Lay it on its side, trace a rough outline, and use either paint or contact paper to make the shadow. Put hooks at appropriate spot(s) inside of shadow to hang tool (or bicycle).

[Author]

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