Bikes are used for a variety of purposes; they come in handy for short commutes, fitness, racing, and recreation.
Although it may seem like jamming your bikes in a corner is the quickest way to get them out of sight and out of mind, storing them in this manner can make them space hogs and leave little room to move around. The last thing you want your bikes to do is clutter your space.
Storing your bikes doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. You don’t have to sacrifice your square footage to accommodate them. There are many ways to conveniently store your bikes and keep them out of the way.
General Rules for Bike Storage
When coming up with ideas for bike storage, there are a few crucial details that you must consider before settling on your final choice.
It’s also important to keep in mind the length and width of your two-legged vehicle to ensure your storage solution has adequate space.
Permanent or Non-Permanent
For bike enthusiast homeowners, permanent storage is a great option, especially if you plan on growing your family (and your bike storage needs)! These typically require drilling holes or bolting hooks to your wall.
On the other hand, those renting or planning to move homes soon may want to consider non-permanent bike storage, such as moveable racks or temporary mounts.
Indoor or Outdoor
First, make sure that they’re stored somewhere dry. Keeping bikes in wet or even damp places could cause them to rust. If the area the bikes are stored in does get wet, it’s essential to keep the bikes themselves dry with a tarp or other weatherproof cover.
Indoor bike storage is better for keeping your wheels safe from the elements, but you also lose crucial square footage. This is especially true if you store them on the floor instead of capitalizing on your vertical space.
Outdoor storage comes with its concerns– namely, precipitation. Rust can ruin bike chains, while rot can destroy your wheels.
That could mean putting a piece of cardboard underneath the bikes’ tires if stored in a damp garage or pouring a concrete slab to keep them off the grass.
You should also monitor the temperature to ensure that bikes aren’t left out in the cold or the blistering heat, which could also damage them.
DIY or Pre-Built
There are plenty of tutorials online for building your own bike storage from easy-to-find materials like steel hooks, plywood, and everyday tools.
It’s important to measure everything so that all your hard work results in storage that safely stores your bikes without taking up more space than you intended.
Check online or at your local bike shops for prefabricated bike storage if you don’t think you’re handy enough with a hammer and nails.
7 Ideas for Bike Storage
Although homeowners generally have more options for bike storage, you can make room to store them practically anywhere, even if you live in a walk-up apartment without an outdoor space or a house without a garage. The following ideas apply to most living conditions and help you keep as many bikes as you want hassle-free.
Garage
A garage is the most logical place to store bikes. It provides ample space and shelter from theft and bad weather.
The best bike storage for a garage will utilize your vertical space to keep them from overtaking floor space. Of course, that requires drilling holes. If that’s not an option, you can purchase racks to keep your wheels standing upright.
Freestanding Rack
A freestanding floor rack is a great option for bike owners living in homes or apartments where they can’t drill holes, especially if they have enough standing room for their bikes. An important tip for purchasing floor racks is to make sure you get the right width for your tires. You can buy floor bike racks online with no installation required.
Depending on the type of bike you have, and its size, you may consider making a DIY rack. Some bike racks available to buy don’t fit smaller wheels or wider tires. Luckily, a bike rack like the ones found in city areas can be a simple DIY project. These handmade racks are easily stored and used in homes.
Another benefit of using a bike rack is that kids can use it independently. If the bike rack is kept outside, then the bikes on it need to be covered by a porch or portico. The downside is that bike racks take up more room than other storage options. So, if the goal is to save space, then a bike rack might not be the first choice.
Pole Rack
A pole rack is similar to a freestanding rack. Renters should definitely consider using this vertical bike storage because it’s even less noticeable and saves more floor space. No drilling is necessary since the pole has two rubber ends that anchor it to the ceiling and floor.
The double-decker feature of these racks can fit multiple bikes. Vertical bike storage is practical in spaces that have high ceilings, and also takes up less space.
Hoisted Ceiling Rack
A hoisted ceiling rack saves floor and wall space. This type of rack consists of two plates mounted to the ceiling. Dropdown hooks from the plates attach to handlebars and saddles. Thick ropes are used to lift the bikes up to the ceiling.
Multiple bikes of different types can hang on the hooks together. However, it’s important to remember that if your bikes have hydraulic disc brakes they shouldn’t be upside down.
Storing bikes on the ceiling is a practical option for people who don’t have much floor space. If used in garages, ceiling racks can hang multiple bikes with enough room for cars to park underneath. Your bikes will be securely out of the way.
It would be best to consider how easily you want to be able to access your bikes before committing to this storage method. Kids and people with physical disabilities will need help getting bikes down from ceiling racks.
Hooks
If you’re able to put holes in your walls or ceilings, hooks are an effective and affordable option for storing your bikes indoors. You need two hooks to hang your bike horizontally off the ground and only one hook to hang your bike vertically. Wall hooks are stylish and convenient for those who want to keep their bikes out of the way but have limited upper body strength.
Heavy-duty garage hooks come in handy to ensure that bikes stay tightly in their place. Before drilling holes in the wall, you have to find hooks that are compatible with the weight of your bikes’ tires. Also, understand the quality of your walls. If your bike is heavy, it may need a strong hook bolted to a brick wall to stay mounted.
Empty wall spaces are perfect for mounting bikes. As hipsters already know, mounting bikes on the wall can make for cool-looking decorations. You can get creative with how they’re mounted, choosing to hang them horizontally or vertically.
Pegs are a sleek alternative for hooks. They come in different materials and can create the same aesthetically pleasing look while holding your bikes on the wall.
Storage Sheds
Storage sheds are perfect for storing bikes in the backyard. They’re spacious, out of the way, and easy to access. Most have locking systems to keep possessions secure. If you don’t have the space for a shed, a bike cover with a lock and a ground anchor are a good substitute.
If security is a top priority for storing your bike, consider using a locker. There are a massive number of lockers available on the market. They come in different sizes and are made from various materials.
Bike Tent
Bikes kept outside don’t need a lot to protect them from bad weather. A durable waterproof bike tent works wonders to keep them protected. Tents are made out of tear-resistant and UV-resistant fabric. They don’t take up too much space and take less than 10 minutes to be installed.
Although they don’t provide permanent protection like a shed, tents do provide the protection bikes need against damaging environmental elements. Use a ground anchor to keep your bike safe when it’s covered by a tent, and kept out in your yard.
Keeping Kids in Mind
Families with kids’ bikes need to make sure that bikes are accessible wherever and however they’re stored. Ideally, kids should be able to get to their bikes without needing help from an adult.
Even though they take up a lot of space, bike racks are a popular storage option for families because they allow kids to access their bikes easily. Bike stands are another family-friendly option. They keep bikes steady on the ground to be stored and used without difficulty.
Since kids’ bikes have smaller wheels, their storage options are limited. In families and households with multiple kids’ bikes, a DIY storing option like a bike rack might be best.
