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Responsible bike owners know that one pressing requirement in taking care of 2-wheelers is to have convenient bike storage for them. This could be a challenge, especially it is hard to find bike storage that’s easy to use, safe, and maximizes space. The best way to store bikes in a garage is that where you don’t trip over them.
Aside from organizing your bikes to keep any accidents away, effective bike storages also allow you to reclaim those convenient spaces. They keep your bike from thieves at the same time protect them from damaging effects of weather conditions.
What is the Best Way to Store my Bike in a Garage?
Your garage, just like your room fills up rapidly than you can even imagine, especially when you’re with a family. This roomy space gets filled with car(s), outdoor equipment, workbench, tools, toys, and stuff to throw away almost instantly. So fast, that you don’t realize there’s no more room for your bike to stand on.
There are many ways to store your bike in a garage, but before we go through that, here are some things you may want to consider and think of first.
Bicycle Make and Size
To make a bike storage method effective, it should be in line with your bike’s size and make. Tire size, fenders, and disc brakes should be thought through as they may either get in the way of the storage system or may not fit.
When you are thinking of getting a bike storage system from the market, these factors should be considered particularly. Manufacturers have their storage systems limit the bike tire widths to accommodate. Specific storage systems fit in particular bike tires, with no standardized arrangement for tire width ranges. Here is what you need to take note of in getting a branded bike storage system:
- Kids’ bikes – 2.3 inches wide
- Adults’ bikes – 1.9 to 2.6 inches wide
- Fat-tired bikes – 2.8 to 4 inches wide
Some specialized accessories, like disc brakes and fenders, cause the wheel hub to become wider than usual. While some storage solutions adjust to your tire diameter and width, they won’t with any disc assembly fixed on the hub.
Bike Storage Goals
Think about how much space from your garage you are willing to allow as bike storage. Are you looking at getting floor-level access? Wall stands could get you back some of that garage floor area but, will it work for your family members who bike, too? The best way to store bikes in a garage depends on whether how much space you have and the convenience in bikes’ access.
What is the Best Way to Store Bikes?
Bikes are one of the household items that are hard to store. They are large, odd-shaped, awkward, and are always in the way, especially if they don’t own a spot in your garage. But, for any hobbyist and enthusiast, nothing is impossible. Therefore, here are some convenient ways of keeping your bikes from being out in the open.
Kick Stands
Kickstands are very basic. They are attached to the bike itself. They are the most convenient solution for adults and the easiest to use, especially for children. But, they take up garage floor space. Kickstands are economical, and they come in handy when you need to park your bike anywhere outside.
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Kickstands for Children’s and Adults’ Bicycles |
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Name |
Bike Sizes |
Pros |
Cons |
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Kids |
|||
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Fansport Bike Kickstand |
12 inches |
> Waterproof and wear-resistant |
> Takes garage floor space |
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Adults |
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BV Bike Kickstand |
24 to 29 inches |
> High quality, sturdy, and waterproof |
> Won’t fit smaller bikes |
Floor Stands
Floor Stands as the name suggests, mostly stay on the floor and take up garage floor space. They take more space than kickstands, especially the horizontal floor stand. The vertical floor stand takes lesser space as it only consumes an area that is only for one tire. Either way, you will need to leave extra space around these stands to retrieve the bikes from them.
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Floor Stands for Children’s and Adults’ Bicycles |
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Name |
Bike Size and Features it Can Work With |
Pros |
Cons |
Rating |
|
> Disc Brakes |
> Adjustable to securely hold any wheel size |
> Takes garage floor space |
4.7 |
|
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> Disc Brakes |
> Free-standing design won’t leave marks on walls or ceiling |
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4.5 |
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Don’t feel like spending? Look at this DIY floor-stand over at BMX Museum and see if you can do it yourself.
For not more than $9.00, you will have enough stand for two two-wheelers. All you need are:
- 1 – 10′ of 3/4 PVC pipe
- 8 – 3/4 slip tees
- 8 – 3/4 slip elbows
To do it:
Step 1. Cut your 3/4 PVC into the correct lengths using the PVC pipe cutter.
- 2 – 8-1/2″
- 2 – 7″
- 4 – 5-1/2″
Step 2. Take and cut 2 of the tees with a hacksaw. They should look like this
Step 3. Insert the 5-1/2″ PVC into each end of the tees to make it look like this
Step 4. Take the 4 elbows and side them on the other end of the 5-12″ PVC like this
Step 5. Insert the two 7″ PVC into the other end of the elbows on one of the completed sides like this
Step 6. Attach the other completed side onto the other ends of the 7″ PVC.
Step 7. Put in the two 8-1/2″ PVC into the open spot on the top of the tees
Step 8. Take the 2 tees that were cut in half earlier and attach to the top of the 8-1/2″ PVC
Make sure to test fit everything before resting those precious bikes on these DIY stands.
Wall Mount
Hanging bikes on the wall is another preferred method especially when there are teens in the family who bikes too. They are low enough to the ground for the teens to access the bikes while keeping the floor clear. Mounting bikes on the walls can either be done by hooks or by racks.
Wall Racks
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Wall racks let you stand your bike on the wall by hanging them vertically or horizontally. Some wall racks include features that make it convenient for you to store your helmet, bike locks, and other accessories at an easy reach.
While wall racks help in giving you back that garage floor space, they can reduce convenience too. Such storage may be hard to access for kids. If you intend to get back more floor space, get the models that store the bikes against the wall. Otherwise, if the bikes stick into the room, even when they are hanging on the rack, they’ll still occupy that same spot.
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Wall Racks |
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Name |
Bike Size |
Pros |
Cons |
Rating |
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20 – 29 inches |
> Holds 1 bike vertically on the wall of your garage, home, or office |
> Won’t work with bike with fenders |
4.7 |
|
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Any bike that weighs no more than 50 pounds |
> Holds 1 bike by the top tube on the wall of your home, garage, or office |
> Rubber ends weaken and cause bike to fall |
4.3 |
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Wall Hooks
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Wall hooks, on the other hand, are simplified wall racks. They are wide, deep, curved hooks with strong screws formed on one end. The only protection you get against scratches and scuffs are its rubber coating.
This type of wall mounting method saves more space than wall racks. They let you store bikes horizontally and flat up against the wall. You may also choose to store your bikes vertically, by hanging either the front or the back tire on the hook. Just be sure to get the hook that is wide enough for your bike’s tire. And, don’t forget about those bike disc breaks and fenders.
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Wall Hooks |
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Name |
Bike Size |
Pros |
Cons |
Rating |
|
Works with tires up to 2.5 inches wide |
> Space saving and quick storage. Vertically hang any bikes in seconds |
> Hook gaps are small some fat tires won’t fit |
4.4 |
|
|
Works with tires up to 2.5 inches wide |
> Constructed from heavy-duty stainless galvanized steel |
> Hard to screw in |
3.6 |
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Feeling artsy and crafty? Try out this DIY bike rack for under $90. Inspired by Velo-Grip Bike Rack, all you need are 2 to 3 L-Shaped frame, PVC or metal pipe, and some hooks. A few drillings on your wall, and your good to hang your bikes vertically.
Ceiling with Pulleys, Platform Lifts and Hooks
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Hoist your bikes up to the ceiling for complete access to the floor space. Pulleys and lifts give you a pair of hooks to balance the bike prior to lifting, or a whole space of platform so you can rest the bike or other stuff you want to store above. Pulleys and platform lifts may either be manual or motorized.
Hooks are the same as the hooks discussed on wall mounts, except they are ceiling version. They are rubber coated and wide mouth. Hooks are not ideal on tall ceilings as it would be hard to put the bike up or retrieve it.
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Ceiling Storage Solutions |
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Name |
Storage Type |
Pros |
Cons |
Rating |
|
Pulley |
> Easy installation Pulley System that frees up your floor area |
> Rubber coating on the bike holders make the bike slip as you raise it up |
4.5 |
|
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Ceiling Hook |
> Bikes can be put up and down easily |
> Plastic hooks may feel too flimsy |
4.3 |
|
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Motorized Platform |
> Easy lift – the pulley mechanism reduces weight by 8 times |
> Lag bolts it came with may be too short causing to fail holding up to 250 pounds of weight |
4.4 |
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When There Is No Room
It happens. You have a garage, but there simply is just no space enough for you to store your bike. In this case, the best thing to do is to keep your bike in an outdoor shed. It doesn’t need to be fancy. A box that is simple to build can do. Just enough for it to be covered against harmful weather conditions.
Conclusion
Almost all household has a bike they use either occasionally or for the daily commute. This mode of transportation, although way too smaller than cars can take an awkward and bulky space in the garage. Still, you need to put them inside to keep them from thieves and damage caused by external elements.
There are more than a couple of ways we mentioned for you to store your bikes for the effective saving of space. You may check them out at your local stores or in Amazon. But, if you are truly inspired, you can always DIY your own!
Check out our other article on Ceiling Bike Racks and Best Garage Bike Racks!
