Space-Efficient Way to Store Bikes in The Garage?

GordonR on 02/10/2023 - 23:26

I would like to optimise garage space by storing the family bikes (4 in total) in a more effective way than just piled up next to each other.

Google reveals options from $20 (4 x $5 hooks from Bunnings) to $1260 (4 x $315 G-Rack Model 2).

SteadyRack seems to be a popular (though not cheap) option for those keen on drilling lots of holes in the wall, but I’d really prefer a more portable non-drill option.

In this category there are dozens of stands and things that hold bikes horizontally or vertically all of which have wildly varying reviews (“sturdy and robust” or “falls over when cat walks past”) making an informed decision difficult.

Any thoughts from the OzBargain hive mind?

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle Accessory

Comments

  • ozturtle on 02/10/2023 - 23:43
    +3

    Maybe keep it simple:
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003499233669.html

    Cheap and if it breaks, cheap enough to replace.

    • meong on 03/10/2023 - 10:59

      ooo interesting… have you had experience using it it with various tyre widths?

    • rumblytangara on 03/10/2023 - 11:20
      +1

      Would not use plastic hooks. If it breaks, what's the worst that can happen- your 20 kilo downhill mountain bike, or even heavier e-bike, falls into your carbon road bike frame, or a bike falls against your car.

      Take a close look at the photo of the white one- you can see that the mechanism relies on tiny plastic teeth, these are going to strip one one day. When the teeth strip, the bike falls out.

    • GordonR on 03/10/2023 - 00:52
      +2

      Indeed, there are dozens of choices.

      But what I really need is unbiased opinions about which of them work well, are practical for daily use etc etc.

      All the things that you only learn by actually using it in real life…

  • tebbybabes on 03/10/2023 - 01:08
    +6

    I've had great success with these bunnings hooks. They're quite affordable and to save me from aligning and drilling way too many holes in brick, I just mounted them on a long piece of timber and then mounted that with a few bolts to the wall.

    Previously, I had one of these and it didn't require drilling, but could only hold two. I can no longer find my receipt for it, but I'm pretty sure I paid less than $50, as compared to the link that I included.

    Both of the methods I've used weren't the most compact, but they were certainly better than just piled up next to each other.

    Examples in place
    https://imgur.com/a/BJKLS4C
    https://imgur.com/a/4hnIHXJ

    Good luck in your search and maybe post back with what you've found and decided.

    • ESEMCE on 03/10/2023 - 09:36

      I've got a tree stand that is like an Acro-Prop so it jams up between floor and ceiling.
      I can;t recall where I bought it, but it feels like a Torpedo7 product. Sadly no longer with us.
      It does need to be set up away from the wall a little to allow for handlebars, but otherwise easy to use and sturdy.

    • GordonR on 03/10/2023 - 09:57

      I saw the Vulcan stand in 99 bikes on the weekend and I was on the verge of just getting two of them when their entire computer system crashed and they couldn’t sell anything.

    • stickingly on 03/10/2023 - 10:37

      I have the same setup as you with the same hooks with 5 bikes hanging vertically against the wall, also mounted on a stout plank, and it works very well.

      Only difference is I have them lower so you only have to lift the bikes a few inches off the floor and hang all the bikes from the front wheel (also makes them easier to hang)

  • tebbybabes on 03/10/2023 - 01:11

    I forgot to mention that both methods were pretty damn stable and I never experienced any issues or accidents. Although between the two, I preferred the pinnacle hooks.

    Usage wise, they were both easy to use, regardless of how often I rode. It just required the proper height and the body strength to hang the bikes… so maybe not for suitable for small kids on their own.

  • eraser215 on 03/10/2023 - 07:25

    Do any of your bikes have fenders? That may also impact your choices a little.

  • elgrande on 03/10/2023 - 07:53
    -2

    Lean bikes against wall on outside of shed.

    • AustriaBargain on 03/10/2023 - 10:00

      yeah not a bad idea, could build a little shelter on the side to leave the bikes, leaving the shed free for shed stuff.

  • geekcohen on 03/10/2023 - 08:26

    What about this idea?

  • jjjaar on 03/10/2023 - 08:58
    +1

    One thing worth considering is how easy is it to use / how heavy are your bikes? If you want your kids to be able to put them up themselves, something wall mounted might be harder for them and something like this (OOS but good visual example) might be easier

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Storage-Free-standing-Parking-Moun…

  • foxmulder on 03/10/2023 - 10:29

    If your garage is high enough, how about ceiling mount types?

  • highon2str on 03/10/2023 - 10:30

    We use a floor stand similar to this. We used to have four or five bikes on the wall in the garage but they took up way too much space for the handful of times we use it over the year. Now they just sit outside on the stands and we cover them with an old car cover.

  • Drakesy on 03/10/2023 - 11:20

    Steadyracks are great if you don't have a heap of space.

  • rumblytangara on 03/10/2023 - 11:23

    I've used stuff from Feedback Sports. Very high quality stuff: https://feedbacksports.com/collections/wall-mounted-bike-sto…

    Also the usual 2-bike floor-wall stand, mine was Minoura: https://www.bikesportz.com.au/a/bike-display-stands/minoura/… This style of stand doesn't require drilling, you can tension the bar against the floor and ceiling.

    But the simple $10-20 metal wall hooks that will just hold the front wheel up are also fine. And more space efficient than having the bikes horizontal. Just don't use anything plastic.

  • Porker on 03/10/2023 - 11:53

    I use a free standing gravity stand which holds two bikes. However, if you're concerned that these stands might damage/scratch your frame, my stands (unlike normal/typical) have horizontal platforms so the bikes sit on their wheels. Other free standing frames have hooks which I didn't want to use for carbon frame or heavy e-bikes.

  • blitz on 03/10/2023 - 12:28

    What kinds of bikes? I store my road bikes vertically next to each other, hanging by the front wheel. If you measure it right, you can get them to tesselate nicely. I used these hooks from Amazon. Saves a lot of space!

    @tebbybabes said:

    to save me from aligning and drilling way too many holes in brick, I just mounted them on a long piece of timber and then mounted that with a few bolts to the wall.

    I did exactly this also, and it saves a lot of time. Easier to measure also.

  • jv on 03/10/2023 - 12:49
    +1

    Space-Efficient Way to Store Bikes in The Garage?

    https://www.creatingreallyawesomefunthings.com/wp-content/up…

  • SnowDragon on 03/10/2023 - 17:10
    +2

    Got a wooden ledge like 5cm in width attached to the wall with a hook above it. Bike wheels go on the ledge and it leans out slightly. Bungee cord goes around the bike frame and attaches to the hook. Saves floor space.

    Looks a bit like this https://i.imgur.com/4IZSws9.png

    • rumblytangara on 03/10/2023 - 17:12

      That's a bloody brilliant MS Paint drawing, explains it perfectly :D

      Also, a very good idea.

      • SnowDragon on 03/10/2023 - 17:18
        +1

        Here's a more realistic view of it https://imgur.com/a/WANT2zh

        • RottFuhrerDan on 03/10/2023 - 23:48

          I would strongly advise you string your bungee cord over your steel ceiling beams- the wooden stands & their masonry? wall plugs fixing them to wall then will have a lot less load.

  • RottFuhrerDan on 03/10/2023 - 19:49

    Just a thought- how about a couple of cheap trouser belts cut to length or webbing screwed into the wall? Just don't whatever you do cut the webbing- make holes through the webbing using an awl/gimlet/Philips head (warp & weft integrity undamaged). A lot of tonneau covers fail because upholsterers cut instead of gimletting/marlinspiking the grommet holes so they fail- huge no-no in services (UK)- weakens integrity of fabric. In the 90's we still had 1950's tarpaulin "zeltbahn" type canvas shelters often required re-grommeting. Using gimlet "holes" instead of cutting them meant tarps & soft covers they didn't break in inclement weather or on the highway.
    Bunnings Grunt Webbing 10m x 25mm breaking strength 600kg $7.25 https://www.bunnings.com.au/grunt-25mm-x-10m-heavy-duty-blac…
    and Grunt 25mm Adjust Release Webbing Single Buckle 2 Pack $1.25 https://www.bunnings.com.au/grunt-25mm-adjust-release-webbin…
    Infinitely adjustable, mount where you feel like- if you're super terrified of it falling just lash it around the rafters or studs.
    If you know your knots- use a trucker's hitch and finish tie with a constrictor knot- no chance of budging. Did this all the time in services for rigging much heavier loads than pushbikes.
    I very much doubt other solutions could get you as perfectly snug a fit- whether round a wheel rim, or a frame.
    Plenty of material left over for other projects- especially safety ties for work cupboards and shelves, tying your kids up, jury-rigging broken furniture, games with the missus or mister.

  • GoldenDragon888 on 03/10/2023 - 19:55

    Big fan of Steadyrack here. Started with one, and now have 7. Even the 6 year old can get his bike on and off.
    You can get them for about 80$ when on sale.

    Worth it in my opinion.

    • GordonR on 03/10/2023 - 20:17
      +1

      Actually I can get them for 72 at the moment - 99 bikes has a 20% off sale taking them down to 79 and then a further 10% for buying more than one.

      I am hesitant only due to being klutzy with the drill…

      • GoldenDragon888 on 03/10/2023 - 20:29

        Start with a with a small drill bit and work up to the correct size.

  • Euphemistic on 04/10/2023 - 17:39

    What sort of space do you have available? What sort of bikes? Cheap heavy mountain bikes or e-bikes are quite different to high price road bikes.

    I can put 6bikes rolled in to the gaps in a bit of pool fence. Lean the fence against the wall, base about 150mm out from the wall. Rear wheel in, space them accordingly. Easy to roll in and out but does take a bit of floor space.

    With a bit more careful planning i can get a couple more bikes in, but makes it harder to get them in and out. Or you could cut the pool fence down to minimise width. Can build shelves for storage above them - or alternatively a platform and a second bit of pool fence for another 6 bikes.

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