Originally Posted by
Alan Edwards
I have been in construction for 23 years, and I know if you find a stud in a lath and plaster wall you can hang the world off of it. Old houses were built with thicker lumber, a 2X4 is 2" X 4" not 1 and 3/4 X 3 and 3/4 like today. find the studs and mark there location, predrill 1/8" or 3/16" holes and then use wood screws to secure the 2X4. After that put all the bike hooks up you want. When you move you take everything down and all you have to do is patch the holes.
+1
Even with the house being old, the studs will most likely be on 16" center to center. Decide what height you want the bar and you can drill into the wall with a small bit to find the studs.
Old walls are tough to tear down with sledge hammers and reciprocating saws, you should be able to hang as many 20-25lb bikes off of them as you want.
Jake
EDIT: I was posting the same time as you. Sorry you cannot drill into the wall.
angle braces will most likely be your best bet now.