Northeast - Daily Bike Storage Recommendations

I've been looking into buying a bike, but one big problem exists: I don't have anywhere to store it. I live in a townhouse close to downtown DC and it is pretty cramped as is. I was wondering if there are any places I can use to store my bike if I buy one. I've been looking around at bikes but I can't really pull the trigger until I can figure out the storage situation. Initially, I was thinking about a bike locker at one of the Metro stations but my home station (Shaw) doesn't have any.

There's also the Bike Station (http://www.bikestation.org/washingtondc/index.asp) at Union Station. Originally, that was my plan, but after I re-read the website, it seemed like a place for people to store their bikes while they commuted to work. This leads me to believe that most people will be storing their beater bikes there. I'm not sure how the bikes are stored - whether they're locked up or not, but it seemed like there's a chance my shiny, new bike may get stolen.

Lastly, Bicycle Stations (http://dcbicyclestations.com/) on 14th St. offers bike storage, but I'm balking at the $55/month price.

I was wondering if there are any other options for bike storage. Or am I limited to doing the SmartBike rental thing? Look forward to hearing your responses. Thanks.

You may find better response if you post this on the Southeast Forum thread.

If you have a nice bike, don't leave it anywhere other than your apartment, cramped or not, unless you really want to walk. Getting a folding bike is a good option, too.

I've seen many folks keeping a bike in a cramped apartment.. usually by way of hooks to "hang it up." That gets it off the floor and always seems to take up a lot less space than being on the floor.

You may find better response if you post this on the Southeast Forum thread.

If you have a nice bike, don't leave it anywhere other than your apartment, cramped or not, unless you really want to walk. Getting a folding bike is a good option, too.

I agree.. I once had a bike locked in my hallway and someone stole it.. Flipphandle can make it easier to store in your apartment.

Plenty of people in NYC own bikes and keep them inside their apartments.

If you're really desperate for space, you could look into a folding bike. If you're looking for a bike that can handle rides up to about 30 miles or so, the Brompton is very compact.

+1 for the hooks idea. Raise your hooks far enough off the ground so that the wheels high enough off the ground, release the front wheel and turn the handle bars. It won't stick out far enough to notice if you put it somewhere out of the way.

If you lock up your bike at some parking company,
wouldn't that make it inconvenient for you? It will
either be close to your home or work , but not both.
Maybe just get a beater bike with good locks?

Edison Parking garages in New York offer monthly parking for like $30 bucks, and my yet wife found several places in midtown a year ago that charged more than ten dollars a day. I don't know DC, but I'd call around all the garages proximate to your work.

As for home storage, we like the Raccor Pro quad bike stand (http://www.racorinc.com/Products.aspx?id=155). We got it for only 90 bucks with free shipping off amazon. Its easy to put together & sturdy even on our carpet.

It also doubles as a great work mount - it doesn't compress cables and the pedals still have full movement. Now every time I sit on the couch I'm staring right at my derailuers across the room, it encourages me to just grab my bike and go or grab a couple tools and start puttering.