Storing bikes
#1
Storing bikes
I'm running out of room,just picked up bike #27 today and... running out of room.Currently there's 15 hanging from the ceiling with both wheels using hooks.Nice and high so there out of sight when the garage door is open. Except There is the one that needs to be relocated.Its been in the same spot for 35 yrs and today I hit my head on it half dozen times.(am I getting taller?)If there hung from one wheel will it harm the wheels?
Did I mention I'm running out of romm???
Did I mention I'm running out of romm???
#6
12345
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: south france
I keep 85% of my bikes in the attic, but there is a hatch on the wall. Its not fun getting nice bikes up and down, and anything over 56cm's get difficault. Its worth the hassle.
#7
"Need" here doesn't work. It's a compulsive-action from their genetics and upbringing. So we are back to square-one: How to best store the collection. I suggest in the air. Let the air our on the tires. And come back later!
#8
Curmudgeon in Training
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 11
From: Rural Retreat, VA
Bikes: 1974 Gazelle Champion Mondial, 2010 Cannondale Trail SL, 1988 Peugeot Nice, 1992ish Stumpjumper Comp,1990's Schwinn Moab
compared to the pressure applied to the wheels while riding, the weight of the bike during hanging shouldn't do a whole lot of damage. if you're worried, rotate the wheels on the hanging point occasionally.
someone else may disagree.
someone else may disagree.
#9
peddling fool
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 506
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia PA
Bikes: Mid 50's Frejus, Late 50's Frejus, Early 1960s Frejus Professional, Mid 1960's Frejus Professional, Early 70's Gloria (branded), 76 Blue Pogliaghi
I don't have many bikes - but I now remove wheels and rotate them around various frames.
One nice set of wheels can be used on 3 or more bikes.
If you have nothing special - ditch most of the 27" steel wheels. Rotate a nice set.
If you want to really condense - rotate handle bars. A few handlebars could fit multiple bikes - just clip in the brake levers, use a piece of electric tape to mark height, and drop them in when you want to ride. Wheels and handlebars probably take about 5 minutes to line up - then you're off.
If you do both - you storage usage of space is probably cut down by 2/3rds.
One nice set of wheels can be used on 3 or more bikes.
If you have nothing special - ditch most of the 27" steel wheels. Rotate a nice set.
If you want to really condense - rotate handle bars. A few handlebars could fit multiple bikes - just clip in the brake levers, use a piece of electric tape to mark height, and drop them in when you want to ride. Wheels and handlebars probably take about 5 minutes to line up - then you're off.
If you do both - you storage usage of space is probably cut down by 2/3rds.
#10
But back to your question: I always hang my bikes by one wheel. No problems in 30 years.
#11
Senior Member


Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 2,757
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
I don't have that many but do have the same problem. I have too many other hobbies that take up room. My hooks are spaced enough to prevent the pedals from hitting the next bike. I have a shelf under the bikes for storage and must remove the front wheel to clear it. I then hang the wheel on the drive side pedal. After installing the hooks, 10 I think, I discovered that the spacing was such that a MTB bar interfered with a RDB handle bar. To be able to remove any given bike, I was forced to determine the best hanging order. The bikes are different sizes for the family members.
My last solution was to use the mini bungy cords that are about 8" long to rotate the handle bars to the non drive side and hold them in place. Like a 90* left turn. This gave me lots of clearance without the MTB bars hooking into the drops on the RDB. I used string prior to finding the mini bungy's.
My previous house had high ceilings in the garage that allowed hanging above the garage door. I used a long pole with a Y "hook" on the end to get them up there. I needed to hang from both wheels to clear the door. That was a great arrangement and kept my arms in shape!
My last solution was to use the mini bungy cords that are about 8" long to rotate the handle bars to the non drive side and hold them in place. Like a 90* left turn. This gave me lots of clearance without the MTB bars hooking into the drops on the RDB. I used string prior to finding the mini bungy's.
My previous house had high ceilings in the garage that allowed hanging above the garage door. I used a long pole with a Y "hook" on the end to get them up there. I needed to hang from both wheels to clear the door. That was a great arrangement and kept my arms in shape!
Last edited by SJX426; 02-02-10 at 09:51 AM.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
I'd say look into local self-storage places. I don't think you'd need a large unit so it should be <$30/month. Pick 10-20 bikes to go live there and you could even trade them in and out and make an afternoon ride out of going from house to storage unit and back.





