Living Car Free - car free: handyman (bike storage)

Hi,

I am assuming everyone here as similiar interests and values.

i.e

avoid clutter
as sustainable living as possible
simple effective lifestyles etc

I am car-free. I have a 1 br apartment. I want a better way to store my bike. I keep it inside to avoid theft. I currently lean it against a wall which is clutter/annoying.

I was thinking of installing a hook to hang the bike vertically (like at my work). I have no idea about these things and am not much of a handyman.

Has anyone got ideas/instructions on how to carry this out? What are my options and your recommendations.

I own the apartment so can do what I want. I do not want too drastic modifications though (simple living :) )

The walls are brick.

thanks

I found this article which should be helpful but cannot find the options

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1216/is_n1_v188/ai_11764033

If the ceilings are within reach, go to the hardware store and get a bike hook, screw it into the ceiling joist and hang your bike.

I agree with the ceiling hook idea as being less destructive than wall hooks.

On the internet, you will find a great many sources for bike racks that lean against he walls, another option if you want to "minimize the footprint" you make on your apartment.

Here is just one example. (http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/product361_0.htm) I have never dealt with this company, so I can't recommend them, but they do have quite a variety. I googled <bicycle stand>.

This is by far the most flexable way to store your bike inside.
You can either buy all the items listed here at Home Depot or
Lowe's or save a bit of money & time and buy it from this site.

Either way with this set up you can hang from the ceiling
(make 110% sure you catch the center of a ceiling joist
with the hook) or use the wall. Placed in a corner your
bike will be inside OUT OF THE WAY.

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/73048_bicycle-rack-vertical.htm

This is by far the most flexable way to store your bike inside.
You can either buy all the items listed here at Home Depot or
Lowe's or save a bit of money & time and buy it from this site.

Either way with this set up you can hang from the ceiling
(make 110% sure you catch the center of a ceiling joist
with the hook) or use the wall. Placed in a corner your
bike will be inside OUT OF THE WAY.

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/73048_bicycle-rack-vertical.htm

thanks everyone!

I particularly liked the product above but what does everyone else think? It is hard not being able to see it in person.

Also, the site says it does not ship outside the US. I live in Australia :( Any ideas? Perhaps I can find an equivalent in Australia?

thanks everyone!

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/73048_bicycle-rack-vertical.htm

I particularly liked the product above but what does everyone else think? It is hard not being able to see it in person.

Also, the site says it does not ship outside the US. I live in Australia :( Any ideas? Perhaps I can find an equivalent in Australia?


Mate, Not to worry. Simply "borrow" the idea and vist your local hardware vendor. The vinyl coated
large hook should be a standard item as well as short peices of plain lumber along with the bolts/screws
required to mount it all. Don't worry about importing what you can find/buy locally with a bit of scouting.

I use a bike pulley system for my Xtracycle and couldn't be happier with it. With 3.6 meter ceilings it's entirely out of the way when hung.

Please don't ask me why I like these. I have never had one and have no experience with them.
This one is my particular favorite.
http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=57

Followed by this one.
http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=56

Do you have an Ikea anywhere near you? The rack my wife and I have in our apartment is from Ikea, and it is probably my favorite rack that I've seen. I believe it's called the BRODER storage device. It consists of an extendable square pole that extends between the floor and the ceiling with the ability to attach things (bike hooks, coat hooks, metal boxes, horizontal poles, shelves) to the main pole. It mounts to the ceiling with two small non-weight-bearing screws. All of the weight is borne by a rubber foot on the bottom attached to a large screw that extends to provide tension between the floor and the ceiling. We keep four bikes and a bunch of bike-related stuff on the rack. With only one bike, the clutter would be lessened.

Gravity rack:

http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/100725_bike-rack-gravity.htm

thanks guys

update:

I have a bike hook to hang but am concerned it may damage my rims having all the weight on a fixed point?

I would prefer a 'clip in' system to allow my bike to stand vertically, weight balance on the back tyre but have the wheels or frame 'clip into' clips on the wall to hold it steady.

Does this exist if so where or how could I make it?

thanks

Your bike weighs 20 something pounds. How could it possible damage the rim? I think it's better to hang them because the tires loose air and will stress the sidewalls over time if left upright.

Don't worry about your rims. Countless bike shops hang their bikes by the front wheel. They may be on fancy racks on the floor, but they aren't stored that way.

If your ceiling isn't too low, you could install one hook to go under the stem and a loop of rope to go under the seat. I've seen this before, but the guy used an old inner tube for the loop. It seemed to work well for him.

My bike weighs 35 lbs, and hanging it by the rim on the hooks on the light rail haven't damaged it yet. There are so many bike commuters that use these here, I think our public transit agency would have been sued by now if they did damage. Hope that helps.

I believe one can purchase a free-standing bike rack, for two bikes one above the other. I can't remember where I have seen them.

I believe one can purchase a free-standing bike rack, for two bikes one above the other. I can't remember where I have seen them.
Uh, maybe in all the links provided in this very thread? :p

thanks guys!