Bicycle Mechanics - Hanging bicycles

I just installed some hooks in the ceiling to hang my bikes from. I really like how it clears up space in my tiny studio. But I was wondering what kind of damage, if any, this does to the bicycle. Since all the weight is pulling down on a single point of the wheel, I wonder if that can weaken the rear wheel? What about hanging the bike from my carbon front wheel. My instinct says its not a good idea, but maybe it wouldnt be an issue?

And since the topic has come up, I'd love to see the creative solutions others have come up with to store there bicycles. One that I was reading about was similar to mine, but with moving hooks and a pully system, so you open up the space where you wanted to hang/dismount a bike. It would probably be good for a tight space with more than just a few bikes.

No problems. Consider the forces acting on the wheel when you ride, or when you are braking hard. Such loads far exceed the load imposed by hanging the bike up. Even the pro teams hang their bikes from the wheels.

I don't think that you will have any adverse effects from hanging your bikes like that. I never have. There really isn't that much weight being suspended and the only downward force is gravity. As long as you aren't doing pull ups on your handlebars (and then I'd be more worried about your hooks being pulled from the ceiling), you should be fine.

I would like to rig up some fancy bike storage system, but I've just got them strewn around the apartment. It does not warrant a picture.

I think the main danger is getting a spoke caught in the hook, possibly
damaging it.

Not really creative, since I got them from Nashbar:

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/53/53/6/60/43/2707660430068014369DeESbq_th.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2707660430068014369DeESbq)

Now I need to find room for six more.

Someone asked:

"I just installed some hooks in the ceiling to hang my bikes from. I really like how it clears up space in my tiny studio. But I was wondering what kind of damage, if any, this does to the bicycle. Since all the weight is pulling down on a single point of the wheel, I wonder if that can weaken the rear wheel?"

This is a Frequently Asked Silly Question. This is an imaginary problem.

There is a long and entertaining thread about this on Rec.Bicycles from 1995:

http://tinyurl.com/ye4a3x

Sheldon "Captain Hook" Brown

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| I think there is a world market for maybe five computers. |
| -- Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943 |
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Someone asked:

"I just installed some hooks in the ceiling to hang my bikes from. I really like how it clears up space in my tiny studio. But I was wondering what kind of damage, if any, this does to the bicycle. Since all the weight is pulling down on a single point of the wheel, I wonder if that can weaken the rear wheel?"

This is a Frequently Asked Silly Question. This is an imaginary problem.

There is a long and entertaining thread about this on Rec.Bicycles from 1995:

http://tinyurl.com/ye4a3x

Sheldon "Captain Hook" Brown

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| I think there is a world market for maybe five computers. |
| -- Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+


That was great... even if it did devolve at one point into a serious and heated discussion about wether the hub hangs FROM the top spokes, or is supported BY the bottom spokes. Seems like somethings never change. :)

SMW

All the blood rushes to the head tube if the bike hangs by the rear wheel.

Dependent upon the "quality" of the hook, you might want to give them a good wrap of electrical tape or slide a piece of hosing over them. I had a few that abraded after awhile and the resulting metal upon metal contact scuffed up the rims.

I also favor the larger squared off hoks instead of the classic rounded ones. More room for bigger tires.

I hung a Miyata 710 with Araya wheelsby the front wheel from a hook for 15 plus years. Took it down and rode it, no problem, wheels STILL true.

Someone asked:
This is a Frequently Asked Silly Question


My teacher said the only silly question is the one thats never asked ;)

And thanks to the replies of everyone, now I know that I just have to worry about hooks/wall not being strong enough to hold the bikes...
and for anyone who's been considering setting up simple bike hook storage (such as all the urbanites in tiny housing), Id really recommend it. I put it off for a few months, and now that Ive finally hung the bikes, it opens up my place a fair bit, helps to tidy things up, and just is a generally much better arrangement.

and now that Ive finally hung the bikes, it opens up my place a fair bit, helps to tidy things up, and just is a generally much better arrangement.

During my years as a bachelor, I found the two hook bike hanging method afforded me an impromptu drying rack and clothes hanger.

And I'd like to recommend everyone have a bike rack, life is so much easier now. No more leaning it against things.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=56284-37521-PSB-2L&lpage=none

During my years as a bachelor, I found the two hook bike hanging method afforded me an impromptu drying rack and clothes hanger.

And I'd like to recommend everyone have a bike rack, life is so much easier now. No more leaning it against things.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=56284-37521-PSB-2L&lpage=none


Us bachelors can be so filthy.

btw, a park repair stand also makes a great coat rack.

Steve
Who doesn't do well in captivitiy. :)

That was great... even if it did devolve at one point into a serious and heated discussion about wether the hub hangs FROM the top spokes, or is supported BY the bottom spokes. Seems like somethings never change. :)

SMW
FWIW; hubs hang from spokes!:p

Dependent upon the "quality" of the hook, you might want to give them a good wrap of electrical tape or slide a piece of hosing over them. I had a few that abraded after awhile and the resulting metal upon metal contact scuffed up the rims.

I also favor the larger squared off hoks instead of the classic rounded ones. More room for bigger tires.

or... don't throw out that old bar tape when you replace it, save it and use it wrap it round the hook. This works well esp if you have aero rims.

My teacher said the only silly question is the one thats never asked ;)

Your teacher has never spent time with my housemate! She asks the stupidest questions, most often non sequiter.... all the freakin time!

There is no such thing as a supid question, only ignorant people, which we fix with answers.

Dr. Richardson, My chem teacher.

One extreme example would be a New schwinn chopper. Those things weigh 55 pounds give or take. I have seen them hanging by those low buck single wall aluminum front rims more times than I care to mention. I wonder how many egg shaped wheels they've had to replace before they even left the store?,,,,BD:rolleyes:

There is a long and entertaining thread about this on Rec.Bicycles from 1995:


I liked the part about the air in the tires pileing up at the bottom.

I liked the part about the air in the tires pileing up at the bottom.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Reminds me of a funny story my ex boss told me once. He worked at a gas station as a kid, and this old lady would come in once a week to get "fresh air" in her tires. He went on to say most of the time they would just make the air noises.,,,,BD

Your teacher has never spent time with my housemate! She asks the stupidest questions, most often non sequiter.... all the freakin time!

Yeah, but is she cute..?

Damn, that was HILARIOUS, Sheldon. :roflmao:

Thanks!