Does Hanging a Bike by the Wheel Damage It?

If you own a bike, you know exactly how important it’s to take care of the vehicle. One of the factors is proper storage. Different people choose different methods to store their bikes. One of these methods is hanging your bike by the wheel.

But is this a safe storage method for your bike? In this article, we’ll find out if hanging your bike by the wheel is the right thing to do.

Does Hanging a Bike by the Wheel Damage It?

No, hanging a bike by the wheel doesn’t damage the bicycle. The benefits are considerable, even if it looks like a rough way of storing your beloved vehicle.

Storing your bike indoors can be a hassle. Especially if you have a crowded garage. Bikes are small, but they can get scratched or damaged with the slightest carelessness.

To make sure your bike has enough space, many experts recommend hanging it from the ceiling by its wheel. According to them, this way, you won’t run the risk of damaging the bike. Here are some of the reasons why it’s not risky.

Related reading: Best Indoor Bike Storage Ideas

Robust Wheels

Your bike’s wheels are capable of supporting your entire weight when you’re on the bike. They’re sturdy enough to support your weight while dealing with road bumps (many bikes support even 400 lbs riders). When you suspend the cycle from the wheel, the weight they’ve to bear is nothing compared to what your bike is used to. Therefore, your bike won’t be damaged. It’s safe to hang your bike in this position.

No Misshaped Wheels

You might think that if you hang your bike by the wheels, there’s a risk that the wheels will be deformed. But this idea isn’t correct. As we’ve already mentioned, bicycle wheels are solid and stiff. Their job is to provide you with safety. Therefore, comparatively little weight acts on the wheel when your bike hangs from it. Therefore, there’s no risk that the wheel will be deformed.

Dependable Rims

Another question you might ask yourself, in this case, is: what if the procedure damages the rims? No, the rims won’t be damaged by the process either. Your rims are designed to support the load of your bike. If you don’t want your rim stickers to be damaged, you should hitch your bicycle elsewhere. Otherwise, the procedure is safe.

As we can understand, hanging your bike by the wheel won’t damage it at all. Instead, you’ll save space for yourself and your other items.

Related reading: Best Outdoor Bike Storage Ideas For Home | Garden | Yard

The Right Way to Hang a Bike by the Wheel

Although hanging your bike by the wheel is a safe thing to do, there are some proper ways to do it. The safety of your vehicle comes first here. If you want to hang your bike by the wheel, here are some simple steps to help you get started.

• Pull the rear brake of your bike and walk backwards a few steps.
• As you walk backwards, you’ll notice that your bike has turned onto its rear wheel.
• Release the rear brake and take a few steps forward to the hook on your wall.
• Finally, hang your front wheel securely on the hook.

By following these four simple steps, you’ll be able to hang your bike by the wheel effortlessly and safely. Make sure you’ve enough space while you do this. Otherwise, you run the risk of injuring yourself or damaging your bike. Once the process is complete, you can use the free space under your cycle for storage as you see fit.

Related reading: How to Hang Bike on Wall?

Things You Should Consider In Advance

Before you hang your bike by its wheel, there are a few precautions you should consider. The process is simple, but it’s still important to be as careful as possible. Here are some small and subtle details you should pay attention to.

Use a Rubber Hook

The safety of your beloved possession always depends on the smallest details. One of those details is the clasp or hook you use to hang your bike. In this case, it’s recommended to use a soft rubber hook. This way, there’s no risk of damaging the bike even slightly. Before you hang your bike, it’s essential to ensure that the hook is well attached to the wall.

Related reading: How To Lock Up A Bike Without A Rack?

Be Careful When Hanging The Bike

This is an obvious step but important nonetheless. Any form of haste while doing it could damage your bike. Therefore, be as gentle as possible when hanging your bike by the wheels. Don’t let go of the bike until you’re sure it’s fully attached to the wall.

Don’t hang Bikes That Are Too Heavy

You shouldn’t overestimate the weight your hooks can support. For this reason, bikes that are too heavy (e.g., e-bikes) shouldn’t be hung from the wheels.

Conclusion

After all this, we can conclude that hanging a bike by the wheels won’t damage the vehicle. Many may think that it’s a risky practice, but actually, it’s very safe.

If you do the procedure carefully and follow the preventive measures, you’ll surely save a lot of space!