Fifty Plus (50+) - Bike storage solutions

Another day, another question!

I now have three and a half bikes in my two bedroom townhouse apartment (with no garage). Two and a half have kickstands, one does not. Currently the two larger bikes live in the living room, and my daughter's bike and the half bike (same size as daughter's) crowd up the dining room.

Is there some kind of freestanding contraption I can get that would hold perhaps three bikes on it above one another in one corner of a room? I can't really attach anything to the walls (nor do I want to) but space is becoming a real issue. Any other creative ideas are welcome, too. I have an upstairs balcony but hesitate to leave any of the bikes outside all the time. But maybe (with covers, perhaps?) that's the solution for the singlespeed, and my daughter's bike (she's not here fulltime).

Help! :D

Something like this on Ebay might do. You can probably find one locally. I'll post the link so that you can see what they look like. Hope it works.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vertical-Bike-Tree-Bicycle-Garage-Home-Storage-Rack_W0QQitemZ7208824021QQcategoryZ2904QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

OldCrank's solution seems very worth considering. But as an alternative, maybe a bit cheaper, and assuming you have at least a double bed.........perhaps you could tuck Lucky in next to you. Think of the late night conversations!

Something like this on Ebay might do. You can probably find one locally. I'll post the link so that you can see what they look like. Hope it works.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vertical-Bike-Tree-Bicycle-Garage-Home-Storage-Rack_W0QQitemZ7208824021QQcategoryZ2904QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I second that one. Linda and I have one in the garage. Stable, light and very strong. Just leans up against the wall and the weight of the bikes keeps it there.

Very slick!

Steve

This will help me as well. I have 4 bikes hanging from the garage ceiling and up to 6 more bikes on the garage floor. I've put tons of other stuff on shelves to make rooms for the bikes but need to go vertical and this is exactly what I need.

BTW, I used a wall mount to put one bike up on the wall only to hear it come crashing down, narrowly missing one of my cars.......If I can ever stay off the bike long enough I still need to patch that hole in my sheetrock!!

I just use a floor stand that holds six bikes. It is made like one at the schools, but smaller. I got it from my LBS, but you could probably buy one at a discounter like Academy Sports or elsewhere.

Performancebike.com has several

Lowes has a folding wall mount for a single bike for $4.96. (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=30206-000000923-FSR13&lpage=none)

DG
Harbor Freight has a neat rack: http://tinyurl.com/5yg2u

It seems to me that they're in the latest sales flyer that I got even though the website doesn't show it.

John in Oregon

You might check http://www.brandsonsale.com/floor-to-ceiling-bike-racks.html. I use something very similar to their oak rack, and am quite happy with it.

The leaning wall racks suggested are one possible solution. I think going that route is a temporary fix at best. Time to buy a big house with a three car garage. Then park your car in the driveway and save the garage for your expanding fleet of bikes. Yes, this solution will cost you at least $700,000 more than the wall rack solution, but we're talking about quality of life here. What's a little more money when it comes to enjoying life?

DG
Harbor Freight has a neat rack: http://tinyurl.com/5yg2u

It seems to me that they're in the latest sales flyer that I got even though the website doesn't show it.

John in Oregon

Until I get the new house (!), I think this one is the best solution for me. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions!