Author Topic: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas  (Read 6535 times)

Danneaux

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Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« on: March 10, 2012, 02:45:25 am »
Hi All,

A lot of us face the problem of having more bikes than storage space...and can reach that point with only one bike!

If you're in that situation, how have you approached it? What nifty solution have you employed?

I use a Minoura space-saving over-and-under rack that stores two bikes, but the niftiest rack in my possession of came from tool-discounter Harbor Freight, and is called the "Cycle Tree". It safely stores up to six bikes at shoulder-height and has swivel casters so the whole lot can be wheeled around to access whatever is behind it. See: http://www.harborfreight.com/cycle-tree-compact-bike-storage-2628.html I also use one of those little ratcheting rope-pulley arrangements ( http://www.harborfreight.com/bicycle-lift-95803.html ) to loft a bike into the garage rafters, as well as hanging some from hooks by their front wheels. The tandem gets stored on its wheels, secured upright on the garage floor by the repair stand arm.

Esteemed forum member Andre Jute is currently in-process installing a nifty gadget -- the n'lock -- that uncouples the stem from the steerer to deter theft; it also allows the stem and handlebars to rotate so they align with the frame. See thread here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3930.msg17378#msg17378 It is a really clever idea that would nicely do double-duty with a set of removable MKS pedals ( http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mks-mm-cube-ezy-removable-clipless-pedals-prod16352/?src=froogleus&currency=usd , also available in quill and platform styles). Twist the stem and handlebars, pop off the pedals, and you could likely store a bike behind an open door. Or under a bed...

...A friend from uni took an overlooked route (literally!) and stored his handbuilt bike under his dorm-room bed.  It worked great, and kept it secure from thieves who regularly stole bikes from the parking racks downstairs.

I helped a friend sink a hook into the backside of a door, and secured the bike to it with a bungee at the bottom. The trick here was having the bike hang parallel to the door, so it swung with the door. Fortunately, it was a passage door with adequate clearance behind to accept the bike.

I dreamed up an arrangement using overhead door roller tracks (as used on barn doors) to allow for two bikes hanging vertically in a friend's unused hallway clothes closet. Basically, I hung the track-rail from the ceiling, then just attached a 2"x4" section of board to the two track-roller wheels, then screwed a single hook in the board. Each bike hung from a separate track and hook by its own front wheel. To access the bike, you just grabbed it, rolled it toward the doorway, and lifted it off the hook. Hanging was the reverse, and the closet door hid it all when the bikes were retracted. They couldn't fall over or get scratched in there, since they were hung apart from each other and retracted separately. There was still storage available on the floor and around the perimeter where the bikes weren't intruding on space.

Some of my friends with small apartments store their bikes in car trunks. This works pretty well if you have S&S Torque Couplers and don't ride every day.

What is your favorite approach to storing More Bikes in Less Space?

Dan.
« Last Edit: March 10, 2012, 06:07:40 am by Danneaux »

macspud

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2012, 03:12:06 am »
Hello Dan,
I saw this on you tube and thought I'd add it to this thread as it might help some with a lack of storage space.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKh-ayE-j94&feature=g-u-u&context=G27e9ad8FUAAAAAAAdAA
Regards,
Iain.

Danneaux

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2012, 03:29:54 am »
Wonderful addition, Iain!

If one took a conventional bike and replaced the pedals with folding or quick-release versions (Brompton or MKS), and added the n'lock Andre has mentioned, it would be possible to duplicate the space-saving qualities of the bike in the video, though it would be hard to match the lightweight of his.

It's nice to think about space-saving and storage in ways other than hooks and stands and such; nice job!

Best,

Dan.

n'lock Forum references here:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3930.0
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=2688.msg12966#msg12966

Brompton pedals:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-folding-pedal-left-hand-qpedf-prod2922/
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-folding-pedal-right-hand-qpedfrh-prod2923/
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-folding-pedal-left-hand-ti-axle-bolt-qpedfti-prod13729/

MKS detachable q/r pedals (these come in a variety of models, including a number of platforms and quill types):
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mks-compact-ezy-alloy-cage-removeable-pedal-prod19678/

il padrone

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2012, 08:08:07 am »
I know it is probably a bit politically incorrect on the Thorn forums, but if I had space issues I really couldn't go far past the Tikit.

Park it under the kitchen sink..... or behind the sofa   8). It can be set up to tow a trailer, or carry full panniers as well.


Here's how to unpack it really quick from an air flight  ;D


« Last Edit: April 17, 2012, 08:14:16 am by il padrone »

Pavel

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2012, 12:48:44 pm »
These are all terrible ideas!   Remember the wife will only approve of a new garage (Man Cave) when she is stressed over having to step carefully around all the mess! 

.... so .... buy a new Thorn today .... with a few spare wheels.  Mention as well, that if she approves a beer fridge for you new garage - she wont have to see ya, but once a week!  Then send out the invites!

sg37409

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2012, 01:09:13 pm »
This works well enough for me.


My garage

Danneaux

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2012, 06:07:07 pm »
Quote
This works well enough for me.
Stephen, can I come live in your garage? I won't take up much space, but I'd be very happy there.
Quote
I really couldn't go far past the Tikit.
Agreed, Pete! A very fine solution. (yes, for another Forum...with BF located just 4km away, my own design has full-sus, tub-steel racks, 27-sp and 406mm wheels, nearly the same outline and different quick-fold. Just a cable stop or two and some wet-paint away from completion. One of the things I do when I'm not here. Or not all there [pic] ;)).

Great ideas! Keep 'em coming! (Pavel's may yet win the prize)

Best,

Dan.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2012, 11:19:30 pm by Danneaux »

Danneaux

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2012, 04:14:23 am »
Although not as elegant or multi-purpose as Andre's n'lock stem ( http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3930.0 ), AndDutch.com are offering a set of foldable handlebars that could ease space-constraints for riders with limited room or too many bike to store. They would also make in-car travel a bit easier:
http://www.anddutch.com/index.php/accessories/foldable-handlebars/folding-handlebars.html

Interesting idea, but USD$152 seems awfully steep.

Best,

Dan.

julk

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2012, 09:51:59 am »
Dan,
If you are interested in folding handlebars
SJS stock a couple of Humpert folding bars, prices look more reasonable.
Julian.

Danneaux

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2012, 11:53:57 pm »
Thanks Julian, your answer is helpful as always, and very much appreciated!

I am okay myself, but it seems width is the determining factor for many people who need that little bit extra storage space. Some of my friends have walk-up apartments and have to carry their bikes upstairs, then find some way to store them once inside. Narrowing the profile helps greatly in carrying and storage; sometimes a folding handlebar and detachable pedals allow storage behind a door or in a closet, especially if the bike is stood on-end or hung from a hook in the ceiling. Folding handlebars and detachable pedals also make it easier to slide a full-size bicycle under even a twin-size bed for storage.

I agree, the AndDutch 'bars are terribly expensive (and don't look very smoothly executed) compared to the much more reasonable Humperts at SJSC (see: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/page/find/?name=humpert&page=1 )

All the best,

Dan.

JWestland

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2012, 04:25:59 pm »
That cycle tree actually looks quite handy for my house...one bike is rusting outside, one parked in a very hilarious manner in a small cupboard with rust of tipping over when you open the door and the xtc has a 5 star spot...in the kitchen!

If the tree fits my cupboard both bikes can go on it w/o a risk of being buried by bike when you open the door.

Some people hang them from racks from the wall eg a nice bookshelf looking like construction that mounts a bike. But that means overhead lifting and need a solid wall alert.
Pedal to the metal! Wind, rain, hills, braking power permitting ;)

jags

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2012, 06:04:09 pm »
Well haven't got any problems with bike storage thay all live with me in my house and now that my son is moving out this week  even more room , but please dont tell the wife. ;D ;D
jwestland did you mention RUST  :( don't let it near your new bike for god sake. ;)

JWestland

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2012, 03:34:35 pm »
Haha no it's a really crappy bike...mass produced Raleigh from 3 years ago. It's holding up pretty well, pedals need replaced and had to change cables, but chain still going and hub gear too. It's even survived the bad frost from 2 years ago, well aside from the cables...

The Charge Hob single speed and the XTC have a nice warm spot in the house ;)
Pedal to the metal! Wind, rain, hills, braking power permitting ;)

jags

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2012, 03:42:21 pm »
i have a class raleigh753 hand made road bike its about 28 years old and still perfect ;)

antonio75

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Re: Your space-saving bike-storage ideas
« Reply #14 on: July 26, 2012, 10:01:11 am »
I've made bike hangers that literally cost less than £1.00 each. I bought a pack of three strong L-shaped steel shelf brackets from a hardware store and used an off-cut  of 1" wide, half-inch thick wood, approximately a metre long. I cut the timber into three lengths and smoothed down the edges and ends with sandpaper. I drilled holes in the wood to correspond with the holes in the bracket, screwed each length of wood to the top side of the bracket, countersinking the screw-heads. Then I drilled holes in the walls of my brick outhouse (yes, you can say that - I checked!), fitted rawlplugs and screwed the bracket to the wall using heavy duty screws. I slide the front wheel of each bike over a bracket - the wood sits nicely between the spokes and doesn't damage the rim - and hang the bikes vertically. I have room for four bikes in my outhouse. My shopping/town bike, which gets the most use, stands horizontally on the floor, between the hanging bikes. Only problem is, I have six bikes!