General Cycling Discussion - Outdoor Bike Storage?

Well I just came back from measuring my new apartment and it's official- my bike isn't going to fit inside. Even if I hang it from the wall (which my new landlord pretty much said is forbidden) it would still be a truly tight fit. Now my only option may be to store it outside. I have a space behind my apartment where the bike would fit quite well and it would be secure, since I'm the only one who has access to that space. But- it would be outside and I know that storing a bike outdoors isn't exactly a great idea.

Can anyone suggest any methods of outside bike storage that will maybe help keep my bike from turning into a huge rusted metal paperweight? Or keep bugs out, or lord knows what other dangers that are lying in wait for my bike in the great outdoors? I'm ready to do just about anything to ensure my bike's survival in the wild, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd really really appreciate it if you'd send them my way. I'm still hoping that by some miracle, once all my stuff is moved into my new place, that I can somehow find a spot for the bike inside. But honestly I just can't see how I can do it unless I can hang it and my landlord was quite specific about that not being allowed. And even if I could hang it, it still wouldn't be too good because the place is so small. It's great for one guy but for a guy and his bike- it's rough.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance for any input anyone has.

Have you considered storing your bike in the bath tub? That's space that's wasted 99% of the time and it's not too big of a deal to move the bike temporarily when you need the bath tub.

Would a freestanding rack like the following work?

http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=38795&cat=53&brand=54

You could hang the rack from the top hooks without having to put holes in your wall. That might keep your landlord happy.

Hmm, I hadn't considered the bathtub frankly. But I don't think that would work because my tub is also my shower and I use that pretty frequently. Interesting idea though- if I ever live in a place where my tub and my shower are separate I will absolutely consider that.

The hanging rack might work better though honestly even if the bike is off the ground, it's still going to really be in the way. I just don't seem to have enough wall space for it and so it would have to semi block a doorway, which doesn't really work so well.

What sucks about this situation is that I'm really happy with the place other than my little bike problem. If I could just figure out how to store the thing indoors (and still be able to actually get around in my apartment) everything would be perfect.

In any case thanks for the input so far, I really appreciate it!

I would not store it outside, unless you get a locking shed.

Wow I though I had it bad. I do not have a basement but no garage. I store both bikes in the living room because it is a pain to carry the bikes up and down the stairs and a pain to get it around the bend to and from the basement stairs.

I won't complain anymore. :)

If you can secure the bike so it isn't stolen and cover it to keep off rain, outdoor storage isn't a problem at all. Before we bought our house, I had no choice but to keep ALL the family bikes outside, on a fenced but not roofed patio. They were out there for at least three years, in weather from slightly subzero to 100+ degrees, and three of the six were steel. No troubles, no ill effects. But it IS important, especially with steel, to keep the water off. It will eventually find its way into the frame and pool in places like the bottom bracket shell, where it can cause rust. Something as simple as a cheap blue plastic tarp will do the job, but only if you use it....

Pull the wheels off and stuff em under/behind the couch, hang the frame on the wall somewhere
out of the way with some strategically placed cheapass shelf brackets, call it art.

Folding bike?

Hang it from the ceiling above your bed or desk.
Just make sure you pull the bike hooks out and quicly spackle over the holes if you know the landlord is planning on visiting.

What about something like this:

http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/store/customer/product.php?productid=16240

or this:
http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/store/customer/product.php?productid=17106

Folding bike?

+1:thumb:

Also; under a tarp outide could work if bike is not a real good one.

Do you live far from IKEA? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=IVAR I`d buy the tallest 50cm deep (45 or 85 cm wide) IVAR shelf, use one shelf at the bottom and one at the top. Hang the bike from the front wheel from a hook fixed to under the top shelf. That way it can hang without making holes in the wall or roof.

There has been some other IKEA solutions presented in the forums, try a search. One I think was a system ment for wardrobe purposes like STOLMEN http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom/14320/ ,with hooks and racks, myself I am thinking of using the system for storage in garages and basements http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/secondary_storage/10896/

The last two is standing by pushing up into the ceiling and down into the floor.

Again: Buy a folder http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=221

Have you considered storing your bike in the bath tub? That's space that's wasted 99% of the time and it's not too big of a deal to move the bike temporarily when you need the bath tub.

Not a bad idea. Just remove the bike when taking a shower. Put the bike back in when finished ! I could live in a motel room, & could get by like that.

You live in southern CA? Just store in outside. Get a bike cover, it'll be fine.

I'm not sure why the landlord would care, or even have much say in whether you hang it inside somewhere or not. As long as you are not wrecking the wall with a hook or rack, what difference should it make. Leave the place like you found it is how it should work. What happens in between really shouldn't be their business. But, I digress...

You can argue the point that your bike is lighter than most of the flat screen tvs people are hanging off their walls in every other apartment...

You live in southern CA? Just store in outside. Get a bike cover, it'll be fine.


I would be FAR more worried about theft.

This http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Hang-It-Bike-Hanger/dp/B000GTNIQI/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 plus a bike = art.

Some friends of mine bought an old plymouth Voyager that needs a transmission and had it towed to their apartment parking lot. They threw out the seats and interior, drilled and put lock points on the floor, and use it as a bike barn. Works great.

Some friends of mine bought an old plymouth Voyager that needs a transmission and had it towed to their apartment parking lot. They threw out the seats and interior, drilled and put lock points on the floor, and use it as a bike barn. Works great.


This is a horrible idea. Most communities have laws or rules against storing vehicles that are not in running condition, lack a current inspection or lack vehicle registration.

This is a horrible idea. Most communities have laws or rules against storing vehicles that are not in running condition, lack a current inspection or lack vehicle registration.

Maybe so, but they live in Avondale. In Avondale, if you are not selling drugs or women out of your abandoned car, nobody will notice.

Turn the handlebars parallel to the frame (that takes like 10 seconds) and store the bike under the bed.

I would be FAR more worried about theft.

Due to the nature of the spot where I plan to store the bike, I'm not too worried about theft, frankly. I have a little backyard area that's only accessible by me and can't really be viewed by neighbors or passers by due to a high wall on all sides. It's a little hard to explain but I'm less worried about theft than I am about nature's cruelty towards the bike, etc.

If you own a car . . . pop off the wheels and keep it in the trunk.
Move couch away from wall, put bike behind couch. Or, keep it against a wall in any room and explain it as 'art work.'
Currently in our rental apt. we are keeping our tandem bike in the living room and single bike in the bedroom. Works for us!

My first choice would be the tub. Shouldn't be too much bother moving it once a day. If it is...
My second choice would be the best security I could afford, and a tarp.

I guess I could put it behind the couch, that's something that hadn't occured to me. Might make my couch about a foot away from the TV (not literally but still, close) but that could be one solution.

Due to the nature of the spot where I plan to store the bike, I'm not too worried about theft, frankly. I have a little backyard area that's only accessible by me and can't really be viewed by neighbors or passers by due to a high wall on all sides. It's a little hard to explain but I'm less worried about theft than I am about nature's cruelty towards the bike, etc.

If is your area, then why not ask the owner if you could build a little shed? Even something with just a roof would be pretty easy. Or maybe just buy a small garden shed.

This YardStash product might work - www.yardstash.com
Looks weatherproof and small enough to fit in your space. Only $99 so seems low risk.

Have you considered storing your bike in the bath tub? That's space that's wasted 99% of the time and it's not too big of a deal to move the bike temporarily when you need the bath tub.

I used to clean my bike in the bath tub when it got all muddy... never thought about storing it there though... Probably wouldn't want to do it only with a enamel on steel tub not a fibreglass one.

A few 2x4s, some nuts, 175521bolts, and hooks and you're good to go. No holes in the wall. You can configure it exactly how it would work best for you.175520

Put it in the balcony.
How small is your apartment anyways? Do you live in Tokyo or Hong Kong?!

Get one of those wall racks that lean against the wall, they're like 60.00, you can store two bikes on them. Problem solved. If you simply must store it outdoors, consider covering it with a car cover or tarp, I would lubricate the hell out of the bearings, tie rags around the headset, areas where water will drip, especially the seatpost!!! Grease, grease, grease! a light coat of WD-40 then some car wax on all parts. I would probably wax the chain. Keep a close eye on that and your freewheel, they will rust up real quick. A bud of mine lives on the shore on the gulf in Texas and swears by this stuff called "Corrosion X". I have yet to try it

There is nothing better than a warm dry room. I ride year round, and most of the time, don't even have to wipe the bikes down that much even in winter. They won't suffer too bad unless the roads have been salted.

Just put a roof or tarp over this high walled enclosure so rain won't fall on it, or get an aluminum bike. Don't worry about bugs my bike has never gotten a mosquito bite or bee stings.

There are freestanding and wall leaning bike storage racks. or you can make one.

and Ive thought about building a shed to go in a designated parking spot
at the Apartment complex, since I don't have a car..

Marine containers come in 40 and 20 foot lengths , since the US
has an inferior trade balance there are many For sale,
as there is not a demand to fill them for exports.

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a decent sized garden shed in the back yard. It is secure and water tight, but not really sealed or climate controlled (heat, cold, humidity). Would I be okay storing a couple of cruiser bikes out there or will the bikes get rusty?

Well, I'm surprised that no one has yet asked what else is there in the apartment that might go instead of the bike.

I've got 5 bikes in my 440 sq ft apartment.

My ex got the dining room table, and I threw the couch away. :lol: That left plenty of room for bicycles.

Saw an ad for this in the back of Bicycling magazine:

http://www.zerustproducts.com/bicycles/

What about a rack like this http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620856&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692829 ?

You could set it behind your couch and hang the bike higher up.