General Cycling Discussion - Multiple bike storage ideas for an apartment?

My gf and I both have two bikes each, and storage is getting to be a problem in our small flat. We need to get at least two bikes off the floor and out of the way. Leaving them outside isn't a great idea due to weather and theft.

I've been tasked with coming up with a storage solution, and have been looking at products for having the bikes flat against a wall, one above the other - the Gear Up Platinum Steel Floor-to-ceiling rack (http://www.farnhamcycles.co.uk/Shop/p/26969-gear-up-platinum-steel-floor-to-ceiling-rack/) was one I was looking at. It seems like a good plan since it's probably the most space efficient way to store the bikes - the other option of having them perpendicular to the wall makes them obstructions and I've used the pulley/cable/hooks type ceiling mounts and found them to be a pain, both to mount securely and to use on a daily basis. I also like the fact that this one installs 'permanently' yet with no drilling or other damage to the wall or ceiling, since this place is a rental and I don't know how strong the drywall is either.

Does anyone have experience with this type of rack, or other recommendations for efficient storage?


-robo

I've been thinking about combining one of these:
http://www.target.com/p/Seville-Classics-Ultra-Durable-Shelving-36/-/A-11171076?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=%7C11171076&CPNG=furniture&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11171076

With 4 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NORUNS/

Weight the bottom shelf to keep it stable, and use the shelves for bike accessories, tools, and spare parts.
It should take less space than three bikes side by side and provide a neat storage space for all the stuff that goes with them.


For the other six I'm hoping to find out where my local target got their hydraulic vertical rack.

I always liked this idea.

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/47515/2627482930037547136S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2627482930037547136qroSMW)

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This is pointless without pictures of the gf.

Hang them up.. lower ceiling, I've put hooks in the overhead. or on the wall..

those post type racks are not useful with a suspended ceiling.

but if its rigid Drywall, find a ceiling joist to press against..

you can make use of a studfinder to tell where they are.

I always liked this idea.

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/47515/2627482930037547136S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2627482930037547136qroSMW)

.

Nice. Not very cost effective, and I'm not sure how the bar tape would hold up over time, but it looks cool.
Maybe instead of the mounts I was looking at I'll just take old steel dropbars and wrap them with old inner tubes.

I also live in an apartment with multiple bikes, I find that rather than dedicate a storage area for them all, if you spread them out to minimize the number of bikes in any given room things look less crowded. 1 bike in kitchen, 2 in living room, 1 in laundry area.

I also live in an apartment with multiple bikes, I find that rather than dedicate a storage area for them all, if you spread them out to minimize the number of bikes in any given room things look less crowded. 1 bike in kitchen, 2 in living room, 1 in laundry area.

My apartment is smaller, there is no room for a bike in the kitchen, nor do I have a laundry room and my living room is filled with computers. All 5 bikes have taken over what is claimed to be a dining nook. They are arranged, parked on the floor, with the most-used bikes on the outside, the least used ones nearest the wall. I've looked into racks or hanging them, but for where I am, it doesn't save any space. I do have a carpet runner for each bike to catch any mud that drips from the tires.

Check Craigslist for used stands. I got two of them for short money. One is a Minoura like this one http://www.minourausa.com/english/storage-e/gravity-e.html. Very stable. The other one is similar but not as attractive so it's in my basement. The Minoura stands on it's own and the other one leans against the wall, but is stable

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6988686622_ac9391fee7_z.jpg

I use some bike specific mounts like these (http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=GlS&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&biw=1266&bih=576&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=Vg2VD_N3ebZIwM:&imgrefurl=http://www.suntekstore.com/goods-13003566-steel_bicycle_storage_rack_wall_bike_mount_hanger_hook_-_black.html&docid=70atsBnWuMzi7M&itg=1&imgurl=http://iw.suntekstore.com/disimage.php%253Fid%253D13003566%2526img%253Dimage.jpg&w=600&h=600&ei=g5elT6mcD8zptgf-843KBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=225&vpy=238&dur=1577&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=95&ty=134&sig=100357015621739404833&page=2&tbnh=127&tbnw=121&start=14&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:14,i:128) for my small rental home. Hang mine and my son's bike up against the wall in the office, and it works out great. I stapled a bit of paper to the wall where the back tire rests, so when I move out I take the mounts down, toothpaste the holes and remove the paper, good as new (almost).

Couple of thoughts:

Does your apartment have a bath tub? That's space that you only use for a few minutes a day.

Removing the front wheel allows you to twist the handlebars sideways and converts the bike to a 1-plane object. It takes up a smaller footprint wherever you store it.

Removing the front wheel allows you to twist the handlebars sideways and converts the bike to a 1-plane object. It takes up a smaller footprint wherever you store it.
If the bike has a quill stem, it just take a hex wrench and a couple of seconds to rotate the handlebars 90 degrees. It's definitely a space saver.

I also live in an apartment and use one of these with 4 bike capacity. Takes up a footprint of 2 bikes side by side.

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.php?PART_NUM_SUB='3468-88'