General Cycling Discussion - Indoor bike racks

I am moving into an apartment in a month with a friend and there will probably be 4 bikes there. There is no garage or extra room for the bikes, so they will stay in the living room. I am looking for a reasonably cheap bike rack for indoors that will hold these. I have seen the ones that hold 2 bikes vertically, and like those, but how hard are they to get down constantly? I think I would prefer something that is horizontal. Any ideas where I can get these? I would also prefer something as compact as possible as space is somewhat limited.

Thanks,
Brian

Have you checked performancebike.com?

Back in my apartment dwelling days when I was single, I used to hang two bikes vertically simply by using those large J hooks screwed into the ceiling joists. Clean, simple, CHEAP, and no wasted floor space. A lot of these racks use up floor and wall space.....I never liked 'em, vertical or horizontal.

Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=118&subcategory=1132&storetype=&init=y) has several options under "Storage racks".
Here's a 4 bike model:
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NS-PBR4.gif

Or 4 of these would look nice in the living room: :)
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/BN-BC.gif

And if you're on a budget get 2 of these:
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/DE-PC.gif

Originally posted by bg4533
I have seen the ones that hold 2 bikes vertically, and like those, but how hard are they to get down constantly?
Here's what I have and the Litespeed (on top :rolleyes: ) is taken down almost every day for a ride.
Storage rack rule: The "lighter" bike goes on top. The heavy one goes on the bottom. :)

http://home.mindspring.com/~rhorne/Bike%20corner.jpg

I am sure the place I am moving into will not appreciate me putting big holes into the walls for those wall mount bike racks. I think I am allowed small nail sized holes, but that is it.

The design of the 4 bike floor mount will take up to much space. I think I would need something like 2 of those next to each other.

I dont think the vertical thing is the best either as it likely will defeat some of the purpose. The bikes will constantly be coming and going for transportation from college. I would think it would be too much of a pain to put them up for the few hours of the day between riding them.

I am going to look into making my own I think. Anyone ever do this?

Thanks,
Brian

Where can you get those supports that bike shops use? They go under the rear axle..... :confused:

What about something like this?

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/largeimages/693427.jpg

available at REI for $15 (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=14401104&parent_category_rn=4500878) and I think i've seen similar stuff at target.

takes 2 small screws to go into the wall. the front wheel goes in the hook and the bike hangs on the wall like somebody would ride it toward the celing.

peas,

Jester

you could always patch the holes up after you make them. or ask your landlord what you can/can't do. i know mine is cool with almost everything as long as we return it to the state we found it in.

I have the supergo free standing vertical rack, and it needs about a foot of clearancce from the wall. I would go with one of the lean against the wall models next time. No problems with liftingthe bikes- my 12 yo stores his bikes on teh rack, and evicted my daughter's bike. I guess I need to assemle the other three racks I bought. I also have one of the racks pictured at the top of Ron H's comment, and it works well.

Originally posted by bg4533
I am sure the place I am moving into will not appreciate me putting big holes into the walls for those wall mount bike racks. I think I am allowed small nail sized holes, but that is it.

I am going to look into making my own I think. Anyone ever do this?

Thanks,
Brian

Believe me, hanging your bikes vertically from the ceilng using J hooks is the most practical way. It only takes 3 seconds to hook your bike up and to bring it down. And when you move, you simply fill the holes with toothpaste......simple.... Most all racks mentioned above take up floor and wall space.....not good if your apartment is tiny.