General Cycling Discussion - Bike storage suggestions? Please Help!

Hi Everybody,

I have been trying to organize my garage and have four adult bikes to store in a limited amount of space. Obviously there are many options available. Which one do you use/recommend, and why?

- Yakima Ground Control (expensive, but very tempting)
http://yakima.com/Igm.aspx

- Topeak bike stands (pole stand, most appear capable of holding four bikes)
http://www.topeak.com/2007/homeshop.php#storage

- Gravity bike stands (appears I would need two)
http://www.amazon.com/Racor-Gravity-Freestanding-Stand-PLB-2R/dp/B000077CPK

- Ceiling Mount
http://www.amazon.com/Racor-Ceiling-Mounted-Bike-PBH-1R/dp/B00006JBL3/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/102-0363771-5667376?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1191286913&sr=1-3

- Traditional bike rack
http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Lightweight-Folding-4-Bike-Parking/dp/B000ELSSZO/ref=sr_1_31/102-0363771-5667376?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1191287121&sr=8-31

-Wall Mount
http://www.amazon.com/Racor-Double-Folding-Bike-PSB-2L/dp/B0000V06VW/ref=sr_1_2/102-0363771-5667376?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1191286613&sr=1-2

Any advice you can offer is appreciated!

Hang 'em by the front wheel for $1.97 each. Buy bike stuff with the savings!
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=267965-46880-SH18-25RO&lpage=none

Prefer to hang 'em by the top tube? $10 each. Buy a little less bike stuff with the savings.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100387746&N=10000003+90401+525774&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

For the living room in my apartment, I wanted something a little nicer-looking than the $1.97 hook, so I use a Delta Vincent, which I found on sale somewhere for about $35.
http://www.brucew.com/images/prr/100_1596-sized4bj.jpg

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I would prefer horizontal mounting for the intended space. I reorganized my garage using primarily Gladiator Garage Works, but they only have a vertical mount.

The Fasttrack from Rubbermaid looks interesting...maybe I will go that route. They have a few nice options Gladiator didn't offer (dedicated ball holder, fishing pole holder, golf bag holder, etc). Of course, any other suggestions are also appreciated!

I went to Home Depot and got two brackets, L shaped tubes that stick out maybe 1.5 feet. The tubes have a polyurethane sleeve. So its a wall mount, horizontal. Each bracket comes with two long wood screws.

Hang 'em by the front wheel for $1.97 each. Buy bike stuff with the savings!
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=267965-46880-SH18-25RO&lpage=none

Prefer to hang 'em by the top tube? $10 each. Buy a little less bike stuff with the savings.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100387746&N=10000003+90401+525774&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

For the living room in my apartment, I wanted something a little nicer-looking than the $1.97 hook, so I use a Delta Vincent, which I found on sale somewhere for about $35.
http://www.brucew.com/images/prr/100_1596-sized4bj.jpg



What is the weight limit on those racks. I am looking for something like that but both my bikes weigh in at about 40-45 lbs each.

I like the wall mount. It's cheap, easy, and versatile. I've never tried a double one though. I got some cheap ones a long time ago at Home Depot and they work great. I'm tall so I mounted one high and one below it. You can just kickstand the lower bike, but it looks better and is more secure on the mount with the tires just a few inches off the floor. It can also help you work on your bike if you don't have a repair stand.

Unless your garage ceiling is very high you don't need a pulley system to hoist your bikes up. I have 8 bikes hanging horizontally upside down from each rafter using $2 bike hooks with plenty of headroom below and absolutely no floor/wall space utilized.

The pulley system works well for me. The bikes are high enough that I can park my car under them or walk under them. My garage is high and unfinished (no ceiling). This was my only option - just no room to hang them from a wall.

Update: Well, I finished my garage remodel and most of the items are based on the new system by Gladiator. http://www.gladiatorgw.com/home.jsp which are pricey, but made well. The advantage to this system is primarily the movable cabinets and matching workbench (ordered at Sears).

However, Gladiator wasn't so hot in the sporting goods department. Based on a suggestion here, I decided to try the Rubbermaid Fasttrack. They had some nice options such as horizontal bike racks, golf bag holder, fishing rod holder, and a shelf with 3 hooks that I use for bike helmets & gloves.
http://rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/category.jhtml?cat=HPCat240010

This product is also very strong and a little less expensive. I ordered this stuff at www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)