Road Cycling - Place to put my bike

I need to put my road bike somewhere when im not riding it, instead of having it leaned up against my bedroom wall. Should I go for a bike stand or a mechanics stand (so I can also do my own repairs, etc.)? What type do you think is best? What brands and models should I look for?

I was kind of wondering the same thing----my little place is now being overrun by 3 cycles(the new roadie--the old roadie---and the MTB)----I'm running out of space---FAST.

I was looking at parktool's mechanic stand lineup. They look pretty good and aren't too expensive. I would probably go with the $120 home mechanic stand (the cheapest one). Im not sure what other mechanic stand brands are good.

I have a freestanding rack that holds 2 bikes,
similiar to the one that Bulltek Sports sells
(and all the others), it keeps the bikes out
of the way and doesn't take up too much space.
http://www.bullteksports.com/catalog/pictures/Conde-Racks/2bike-freestanding.jpg
A repair stand is ok, if you're only going to
have 1 bike, and then you're gonna have to
schlep it around to where you're gonna any
work on it (unless you don't mind grease, lubes,
etc. all over the bedroom).
There are inexpensive racks that hook front
wheel, or racks that hook under top tube that
mount directly to wall so you don't have to
bother with a stand.
Marty

Bikes hang easily. After all, they're very light.

Having a workstand is always useful, even for such mundane chores as bike-washing. But they take up more space than hanging or even leaning a bike does.

Road bikes can be hung from a hook by the front wheel without worry. I'm not sure whether or not there are some MTB forks that might leak lube if you did that.

We have a utility room where we have one of those 2-bike hangers that stand against the wall, like this (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=2265). Performance has lots of storage options available.

My son's MTB and whichever bike I'm not riding go on the rack, and the bike I plan to ride next goes on the workstand. (I have a Blackburn, and it's OK and was very cheap, but the Parks are better.)

RichC

Road bikes can be hung from a hook by the front wheel without worry

Whenever I see bike hung on a hook, it's always by the wheels. Doesn't this have a negative effect on the rims? I would think it's better to hang it by the top tube, which is a little more sturdy. Feedback?

I was worried aobout that too but it does not hurt the wheels at all. Many shops even hang bikes by the wheels. I screwed bicycle hooks into the wall of my garage to hang bikes vertically--it works well!
I can't hang by the top tube because I have cables running under so I don't want to risk tearing up the paint by pressing the cables against the tubes. Besides, tubes can dent/scratch much easier than rims.

Oh yeah, those hooks are only about $4 for 2. Can't beat that!

Originally posted by Syd's bike


Whenever I see bike hung on a hook, it's always by the wheels. Doesn't this have a negative effect on the rims? I would think it's better to hang it by the top tube, which is a little more sturdy. Feedback?

Sturdy? You're suggesting a wheel that's so flimsy it can't support the weight of its own bike?

Bicycle wheels are immensely strong.

RichC

hi kids
I picked up hooks at the dollar store for fifty cents each and I have four of them total installed, all into door frames of doors that I don't use (or door frames that don't have doors ...) and window frames. They work fine. I need more. The only problem is the size of the holes that they will leave when I move out of the apartment. If the landlord complains I will just ride away super fast, right???
-brent

Martha Stewart voice:
"Rubber coated hooks; it's a good thing."

As a side note...women don't always understand the "bike thing". I am no longer allowed to keep the bicycles in the bedroom. It seems that "They clash with the furniture".
I am, of course, flabbergasted and taken aback.

Ive made a decision! I will probably go for the parktool PCS-1 home mechanic stand, or one of their wall mounted mechanic clamps (those were really cool looking). I will also buy a pair of hooks to hang the bike on my ceiling. All for under $150!

Sturdy? You're suggesting a wheel that's so flimsy it can't support the weight of its own bike?

I didn't mean that the wheel couldn't support the weight of the bike, I just thought that it might effect the trueness of the rim.

I may be a newbie, but I'm not THAT green!

Originally posted by Syd's bike
I didn't mean that the wheel couldn't support the weight of the bike, I just thought that it might effect the trueness of the rim.


20 pounds of stress in any direction is a teeny tiny fraction of the beating a wheel takes during any ordinary ride. The tension of a single spoke pulls on the rim many times harder than the force of hanging the bike from a hook by the wheel.

RichC

but would you hang them that way for the winter? I have used the hooks, but have them arranged so I hook the handle bar and the seat... works pretty well.

Originally posted by IowaParamedic
but would you hang them that way for the winter?

Yes. (If I didn't ride all through the winter.)

This seems to be one of those things that conflicts with people's "common sense." But just think about it.

RichC

Thanks for all the suggestions and letting me know that hooks were a safe option for hanging the bike

I have this garage setup that might give you some ideas about being inventive in an apartment. I have two sturdy hooks screwed into the rafters set apart a little less than the length of my top tube. From the hooks I hang plastic chains. The length of the chain can be adjusted for the height I want the bike at for the job. I use the plastic chains because they are sturdy and won't hurt the paint job if they hit the bike. I use double sided high grade velcro to attach the top tube to the chains. A length of the velcro is looped around the top tube and through the last chain link and then attached to itself. The materials cannot harm the bike. The whole thing costs less than about US$7 with hardware store materials. All you need to do is find your ceiling studs and . . . just don't tell your landlord where you got this idea. Buy some plaster patch while you're in the hardware store.

Rich

Toothpaste - the renter's plaster

Toothpaste? I guess crest should do the job? If not, I would just plaster the holes with mash potatoes or something.

I don't understand the problem. If you have 6 bikes or less just lean then against what ever is handy. If you buy a seventh...sell the sofa. :D

I'll just have to sacrifice comfortability, and give the bed to my bike. I'll tuck it in at night.;)

RoadRager,

I'm in the same boat. My Bianchi leans against the wall on my side of the bed. Each night before I turn in -- after my wife these days due to late night sports -- I have to click on the flashlight to confirm a safe course to the pillow. If I try in the dark I often snag my shin on pedal cage.

Anyway, I'm thinking about storage too. However, my bike has to be inside (I won't store in a shed) and I'm not looking forward to bringing it up from the basement each time I ride.

The big advantage to bedside storage is you get to admire your machine many times a day as you move in and out of the bedroom and if you wake up in the middle of the night you can reach out and touch the drops and flashback to your last ride. Now, if my wife catches me reaching for the Bianchi in the middle of the night, she may commence head scratching...

Cheers.

I will reserve some space in my bedroom to set up a bike rack, and a little mechanics area.;)