Hanging your bike by the wheel
01-30-22, 04:55 PM
#26
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01-30-22, 05:06 PM
#27
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I've wondered about this too. I understand my wheels support my weight, which is far greater than the bike itself, but that's pushing on the rim and the spoke nipples; hanging the bike pulls on the rim and nipples; in my head that's an entirely different stress. I'm sure it's fine, just feels counterintuitive.
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01-30-22, 06:38 PM
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Been hanging some of the bikes in these pictures from the ceiling since the early 90s. No issues so far. Will report back to the group in 10 years...
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01-31-22, 11:22 AM
#29
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I've wondered about this too. I understand my wheels support my weight, which is far greater than the bike itself, but that's pushing on the rim and the spoke nipples; hanging the bike pulls on the rim and nipples; in my head that's an entirely different stress. I'm sure it's fine, just feels counterintuitive.
Each spoke is already pulling on the rim to the tune of 100-250 lbs. Each! Hanging a bike by a wheel, we're adding 25-ish pounds of pull, which is distributed among all of the "top" spokes on that wheel. I haven't done this experiment to confirm, but I'd wager that a tensiometer wouldn't even show one unit of difference at one of the most-affected spokes on either side of the hook. And even then, this is a static stress -- cyclical stress from riding is what causes rims to fatigue and crack.
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01-31-22, 12:44 PM
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Beats leaving them on the floor for long periods and cracking the tires.
01-31-22, 05:28 PM
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I've wondered about this too. I understand my wheels support my weight, which is far greater than the bike itself, but that's pushing on the rim and the spoke nipples; hanging the bike pulls on the rim and nipples; in my head that's an entirely different stress. I'm sure it's fine, just feels counterintuitive.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions.” Admiral Grace Hopper
"Hundreds of bike shops store bikes by hanging them from wheels" Gugie
Finally, my buddy Bob Freeman co-owned Elliott Bay Cycles with his partner and famous framebuilder Bill Davidson for over 30 years. Not only did he hang bikes on hooks by their wheels, he has a collection of over 100 beautifully restored vintage bikes that many of us have visited at his home in Northbend, Washington. Many of these have super light weight wheels - 330 gram rims with 24 spokes aren't uncommon. A few even have wooden rims!
Here's @nlerner's buddy Bob and @SquireBlack looking in at amazement that, in fact, you can hang a 70 year old bike with 28 spoked, lightweight wheels from a hook, yet they didn't a$$plode. Shocking.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 02-01-22 at 09:54 AM.
02-04-22, 09:48 AM
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A bike hangs from the rim while it's being ridden, with your weight + the bike weight.
I doubt hanging it in storage will bother it. Plenty of bike gallows would agree.
I doubt hanging it in storage will bother it. Plenty of bike gallows would agree.
02-04-22, 11:13 AM
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Technically, yes it does damage the rim. There is this thing called material creep. Any material under load, including gravity, will move. The higher the load and the closer to the melting temperature, the more it moves.
HOWEVER, the load is so small and the temperature is so low, you don't have the equipment or time to measure the movement of the material.
The world's longest running experiment is this blob of pitch (tar). Gravity causes it to drip about once every 84 years.
HOWEVER, the load is so small and the temperature is so low, you don't have the equipment or time to measure the movement of the material.
The world's longest running experiment is this blob of pitch (tar). Gravity causes it to drip about once every 84 years.
02-04-22, 04:08 PM
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02-04-22, 04:31 PM
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I've wondered about this too. I understand my wheels support my weight, which is far greater than the bike itself, but that's pushing on the rim and the spoke nipples; hanging the bike pulls on the rim and nipples; in my head that's an entirely different stress. I'm sure it's fine, just feels counterintuitive.
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02-04-22, 05:39 PM
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Most people don't realize this. A car is suspended from the top arc of the wheels.
Perhaps that's why they call it a suspension, or did, at one time.
A vehicle's suspension is designed, from what engineers tell me, to keep the wheels in contact with the road. Not to cut diamonds in the back seat (Lincoln). I supposed that's changed over the years, I don't know.
I do know motorcycle wheel hop. Not fun.
Last edited by bamboobike4; 02-04-22 at 07:59 PM.
02-04-22, 07:12 PM
#38
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Next up, why haven't we heard of more bikes falling off the edge of the flat earth.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-04-22, 09:25 PM
#39
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Thanks, @genejockey, that makes sense.
02-05-22, 11:42 AM
#40
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I've been told not to hang a classic Alex Moulton (and most modern Moultons, Bromptons and Birdys) upside down because it puts the rubber block rear suspension in tension. I dunno, once again it seems like the loads are small even if they're reversed.
02-05-22, 11:59 AM
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Can dent rim
My Raleigh Pro had a dented front rim when I got it. I assume that was from hanging on a hook.
Last edited by LarryBSky; 02-05-22 at 12:01 PM. Reason: Picture
02-05-22, 03:32 PM
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I'm thinking of hanging a few of my rides on simple hooks screwed into ceiling joists as pictured below. I recall hearing this was not good practice and could elongate the wheel. My assumption is this is cyclist myth but figured I'd check with this group to see what y'all think. Any issue hanging 23lb road bikes this way?
half the bike room !
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