How to Store Your Bike
Space Saving: Reclaim square footage
with a bicycle storage rack. Storage racks not only save you space, but by
preventing dreaded knock overs and getting your bike out of the way they save
it from getting bumped, chipped, or dinged. Storage racks come in a variety of
styles to suit the space you have, and the number of bikes you need to store.
Vertical Floor Mounts
Maximize your floor space usage by going up. Did you realise that in some cases you
can get 3 bikes into the same amount of floor space as one? Usually equipped
with independently adjustable arms vertical racks store your bike horizontally,
an attractive way to store a bike when it is in a living area, foyer or hall. Selecting the type of rack is mostly dependent on the space you have to
fill.
|
Freestanding Racks
If you live in an property where you can't drill into the wall a free standing rack only needs a level space of floor. Free standing racks can hold anywhere from one to four bikes,
they do not require a wall or ceiling to brace to, and are easy to relocate.
Free standing racks are ideal for garages where there may not be a flat wall
surface to lean against and the ceiling may be too high to brace against.
|
Examples:
Delta Botticelli
Feedback Velo Cache
|
|
Floor to Ceiling Racks
Amazingly stable, floor to ceiling racks typically have an expanding column that can be locked by a threaded insert, hydraulic mechanism, or spring. They require a
very small amount of floor space with an equal amount of stable ceiling
directly above it. They work well in apartments where you do not want to
install hardware into the wall, but may be less ideal for unfinished spaces
like garages due to the need for a stable space of ceiling above.
|
Examples:
Minoura Bike Tower
|
|
Gravity Stands
Quick to install without drilling, gravity stands lean against a flat section
of wall and use the weight of the bicycles to stabilise the rack. These
simple racks usually require a
smooth flat section of wall for the entire width of the rack, and enough
space in front of the rack for the base section and width of the bike.
|
Examples:
Delta Michelangelo
|
Wall Mounts
When all you have is a tight corner, exposed stud, or exposed rafter; the best
solution is probably a hook style storage rack. Ranging from inexpesive steel hooks
to more complex systems that stabilize the bicycle and protect the wall
surface. Hooks usually store a bike by hanging it by a single wheel. This is a
great way to hang a bicycle as rim finishes are usually very durable.
|
Simple Hook
Inexpensive simple hooks are usually bent pieces of steel with a vinyl or
rubber coating, and threads on the end that need to go into a solid piece of
wood like a stud or rafter. A single hook can be installed on a wall or
ceiling joist, allowing the bicycle to hang vertically and the remaining
wheel to rest against the surface of the wall. Hooks can also be used to hang
extra wheels, extra frames and so on.
|
Examples:
|
|
Hook and Tray
This is a hook welded to a metal plate. The plate spreads the load across 2
mounting holes, and protects the wall board from damage. The Tray also works to stop the bike fram pivoting away from its perpendicular position against the wall. Add on accessories
include a wheel tray that attaches to the wall to protect it from marks and loops to allow for locking the bike to the hook for security in shared areas.
|
Examples:
Delta Leonardo
|
|
Horizontal Wall Mount
Usually 2 arms that mount to the wall with an added space for helmets or
shoes. This rack is good for hallways or foyers where you may want the
bicycle closer to the wall. Frequently this type of rack will come in a 2
bike model. Due to the leverage and weight involved this rack should only be
anchored to a stud.
|
Examples:
Feedback Velo Wall Rack
|
Other Storage
Solutions
Odd spaces or unusual bicycles require unique storage. There are a lot of
unique devices out there, and some work very well. There are 2 main styles.
|
Wheel Stands
Similar to stands used in bike shops to display bikes, wheel stands only
contact the bicycle at the tires. The main advantage of wheel stands is the
ability to rack and un-rack the bicycle quickly. They usually require a lot
of floor space to hold just one bicycle, but they can hold multiple bicycles
without taking up much more room.
|
Examples:
Feedback Rakk
|
|
Hoists
Usually a pulley and rope system with at least 2 brackets that are bolted to
a rafter, or to a mounting board that is bolted to a rafter. Hoists can be
installed on the highest of ceilings and get bicycles (and just about
anything else) far up and out of the way. Due to the mechanical advantage
provided by the pulleys hoists make lifting even a heavy bicyle easy. For
unusual bicycles like Tandems or Long wheelbase recumbents, hoists are the
best solution out there.
|
Examples:
Delta El Greco
|
