How To Hang Bike In Apartment?
Live in an apartment, and now you don’t have enough space to store a bike? Many have been there, and it’s a tight position to be in a while owning a bike. Also, leaving your bike outside is dangerous, as keeping it out of sight can get it stolen.
To help you with that situation, we’ll share a few ways in which you can store your bicycle in an apartment.
No matter how you do it, the end game is to hang your bicycle. You can do it on the wall, ceiling, or bike rack. This article will discuss how you can do these for bicycle storage.
You’ll learn the methods and what you’ll require to do these, and you’ll also learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the storage options. So, let’s get right to it!
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Contents
How To Hang A Bike In An Apartment?
If you have a small living space, the first thing you could try to store your bicycle is hanging the bike on the wall of your apartment. Now, depending on the type of wall, you may have to change the method to some extent.
However, most apartments come with plaster or drywall. Fortunately, there isn’t much difference between the process of installing a bike rack on these two types. So, we’ll share a procedure that’ll help you cover both!
Hanging Bike on The Wall
Whether it’s plaster or drywall, you’ll need to look for the studs in the wall first. The studs, also referred to as joists by some, are repetitive frames inside the wall that help support the infrastructure.
You technically could screw the rack in just about anywhere, but that wouldn’t be sustainable in the long run, and the wall will eventually crumble with the bike.
It is why it’s important to find the studs first. You can do so with a magnetic or electronic stud finder. It is one of the steps where you’ll need to use different procedures for drywall and plaster wall. You can find studs in drywall easily using electronic stud finders. However, you’ll need to use magnetic stud finders on plastered walls; electronic ones don’t work well with these.
Once you find the studs, you’ll need to drill holes in them. The hole must be large enough to hold the fastener, but it should be manageable. If it’s too large, it’ll fail to keep the fastener and the rack in place.
There are different kinds of fasteners to choose from. You can get E-Z fasteners, expanding sleeves made of plastic, or screw-in fasteners.
The expanding sleeve fasteners are a no-go. These can hold only up to 15 pounds and become loose over time. They spread into the wall once a screw or bolt is threaded into them.
Then there are the screw-in fasteners. These are much better than the previous type and can hold up to 25 pounds. However, even these may not be sufficient for hanging bikes.
So, we recommend getting E-Z fasteners. These fasteners can hold up to a hundred pounds, depending on the quality you get. These usually use flanges that go deep into the wall and can hold onto it very well.
Even if you get the worst quality of E-Z fasteners, you’ll be able to hang at least 30 pounds of weight capacity from them. So, we recommend getting one of these.
Install the fastener into the hole you just drilled. Now, it’s time to install the rack. You can get different kinds of racks. It is where we split off into two types again. You can choose different kinds of hangers or hooks depending on the orientation you’re planning on. Let’s take a look at each of them in detail.
Hanging Your Bike Horizontally
In this orientation, the bike remains parallel to the floor and the ceiling. You can also place it at a slight angle to add visual appeal and make your bike a piece of art. If you want to display your bike, this is the better alternative. Regardless, you’ll get to choose from two types of tools. You can either get a bike rack or a hook.
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If you’re going with the rack, you can get a bike rack hooks from Stalwart. These racks come with rubberized hangers; they’ll hold your bike stably through the tubes without scraping them or scuffing the paint.
Once you have the hanger, install it following the procedure we discussed. Mount your bike on these by its top tubes, and you’ll be set!
If you’re using a rack only, you should keep the bike parallel to the ground, or it might slip. If you need to angle it, use one or two hooks at the tires to hold it firm.
On the other hand, you can use hooks to mount the bike. You can consider getting one of these Shepherd Hardware 8088E. These hooks come in a pack, and installing them is rather easy. They need to be screwed in place with two screws or bolts, so they’re much more stable than hooks with a screw bottom.
Shepherd Hardware 8088E Heavy Duty Steel Garage Storage/Assorted Utility HooksCHECK CURRENT PRICE
If you’re considering using these, you’ll need to measure the bike first. Measure your bike to find how much apart the top tube is with the two wheels. Do not believe in one-size-fits-all-here, as the measurements for road and mountain bikes differ.
Now, draw markers on the wall mimicking that so it aligns with the bike. Now, drill three holes, and then install the hooks in these. Make sure to use fasteners to keep the clips stable.
Now, hoist your bike and mount the top tube on the middle hook. Afterward, mount the wheels on the remaining wheels. The advantage of using hooks is that these ensure better weight distribution than racks. However, these can get irritating over time as you need to hook the bike thrice every time you mount it.
Hanging Your Bike Vertically
Now that you know how to store your bike horizontally on your apartment wall, let’s look at how you can do it vertically. It is a bit easier to keep the bike than the previous orientation because it doesn’t require installing multiple hooks.
Also, hooks are much cheaper and easier to acquire than racks. So, this is an easier method.
In this process, you need to install one hook on the wall. Unlike the horizontal orientation, where the hook has to be at least five feet from the floor, you need to place it much higher in the vertical orientation. It is because the bike will hang from the front wheel, so it requires a lot of clearance below.
Once the hook is installed following the process we’ve mentioned, you need to hook the front wheel of your bike and let it rest from the wall. The wheel will gently touch the wall for support, so you may use transparent contact paper to protect the wall. Otherwise, the wheels may scratch and muddy the wall.
The advantage of vertical mounting is that this storage solution lets you save some wall space. So, you’ll be able to place other stuff around the bike. For example, if the bike is in the middle of the room and you want to liven up the interior design, you can place cabinets surrounding it.
Vertical orientation is better if you want to hang more than one bike. It leaves some hydraulic brakes spongy due to air bubbles coagulating at the top of the brake system. However, you can fix it by bleeding the air out.
Advantages
- Hanging the bike on the wall requires an easy installation process
- You can do this for minimum expenses
- The procedure is rather simple
- Can save space in your apartment
Disadvantages
- Eats up some of the wall space
Tools And Accessories Required
- A rack or hooks
- Screws
- Drill with the appropriate bit
- Fasteners
How To Hang Bike In Apartment From Ceiling?
If you’d like to save some of the wall space, you may try hanging the bike from the ceiling of your apartment. Note that this can only be one of the bike storage options if there’s sufficient clearance between the floor and the ceiling.
If the roof is too low and there is not enough space, you’ll face many challenges in locomotion.
The installation process for this is similar to installing hooks on walls. You’ll need to find the studs or joists on the ceiling. Once you’ve found them, install a sufficient number of fasteners. We recommend E-Z fasteners as these offer higher weight capacity. You can consider these E-Z LOK fastener kits as they provide variations depending on the construction material and the type of wall.
Now, you have to install the hanging system after inserting the fasteners. You can use either a hook or a pulley system in this case. A hook will allow you to mount the bike vertically, while a pulley system will help you install it vertically and horizontally.
Hang Your Bike From the Ceiling Vertically
To install the hook, you have to screw one in. We recommend hooks by Rubbermaid, as these come with a rubberized hook. It will keep the hook from scraping the rim of your bike’s wheel.
You could use a bike hook rack if you mount multiple bikes from your ceiling. Consider using one of these racks by Saris Store. These come with eight hooks, allowing you to mount up to four bikes with a single rack.
You can also use pulleys for vertically hanging your bike on the ceiling. You’ll need to install only one pulley for this. After installation, attach the hook of your pulley to the handlebars and hoist it up.
However, you’ll need an extra pair of hands when you get the bike down, as someone has to make the bike parallel to the ground while it’s being lowered.
Hang Your Bike From the Ceiling Horizontally
On the other hand, you can use pulleys. A pulley can be a great way to stabilize your bike while horizontal mounting. These bike hoists from Delta Cycle do an amazing job at that.
You need to install two pulleys on the ceiling first. Before doing so, measure the distance between the handlebars and your bike’s seat.
The pulleys should align with these two components, where you’ll attach the hooks. Once you lift the bike off the floor with the pulley, you’ll need the wires to be completely parallel for an even weight distribution, which in turn will ensure maximum stability.
After installing the pulleys on the ceiling, you need to install an anchor on the nearby wall. It is where you’ll tie the cord of the pulley to prevent the bike from falling. The anchor needs to be capable of holding the bike’s weight. Also, keep the pulley inches away from the wall so the rope can reach the wall hook easily. You can use construction-grade glue unless you want to screw the anchor in.
If you’re hanging the bike in your living space, this can be a great option as it will leave you with extra floor space. Also, you can make more room by installing the hangers away from the wall.
Advantages
- Hanging the bike on the ceiling is a great way to save some floor as well as some wall space
Disadvantages
- You may require an extra pair of hands to lower a bike from a pulley
- Hoisting bikes up to mount them on a hook can prove difficult for some
Tools And Accessories Required
- A hook or a hook rack or a pulley
- Drill
- Screws
- Wall fasteners
How To Hang Bike In An Apartment Without Drilling?
So, what can you do when drilling is completely out of the question?
Build a Bike rack
If you want to avoid the hooks, you can try using two planks of wood board and construction-grade glue. In this method, you use two pieces of wood or hardboard. Join one piece atop another vertically. Use the bottom one as a base and attach it to the wall using construction-grade glue. You can use heavy-duty Gorilla glue for this purpose.
Once installed, let the wooden stand rest for the glue to dry up, and properly bind the stand to the wall. After a few hours, check the stand’s integrity by applying a bit of pressure.
If it’s stable, you can use it as a rack for hanging your bike! Just use the stand as you would use a handlebar rack to mount your bike. Place the bike’s top tubes horizontally across the stand, and you’re good to go!
It isn’t the only method at your disposal! You can always use tension bike racks to save storage space. These are unique bike wall-mounted rack that doesn’t require any drilling method.
Their installation process is super easy. Moreover, they don’t leave any trace of their existence. It is why a lot of apartment owners are opting for such wall-mounted bike racks.
These stand with an adjustable height. You place one vertically on the floor of your apartment. Then, you extend the rack, so it reaches up to the ceiling. The rack has to apply some pressure against the roof. This pressure against the top and the floor creates tension, which helps keep the rack standing even when some weight is put on it.
The Topeak bike storage stand is also a great option. This bike dock comes with two bike stands, so you’ll be able to mount two bikes with only one of these. This rack’s construction is top-notch, and the hooks are constructed to keep your bike fresh without scratches. Also, the hooks can be adjusted by 30 degrees to accommodate different tubes.
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So, it’s a great option if you want to store a bicycle in an apartment without drilling any holes in the wall or the ceiling. Still, drilling will help hold the bike securely as the bike can weigh higher than what these non-drilled methods can hold.
Tools And Accessories Required
For the first method,
- Wooden boards
- Construction grade glue
For the second method,
- Just a tension rack
How To Store Your Bike In A Small Apartment?
If you have an extremely small apartment and can’t even follow the methods we’ve discussed thus far, then you should go through this section, as we’ll discuss unique solutions to get your bike out of the way.
Try to make space between two pieces of furniture placed against a wall. You need to make enough space to wiggle the bike’s handlebars. If such type of place can be managed, you can use it as your bike wall. So, the bike will remain between the furniture without taking up much space; also, it’ll be a good way to utilize that space.
If you don’t have much vertical space on the wall, look for some horizontal space. Try to find a patch of space over a short cabinet or a shoe rack. You could hang the bike horizontally in such wall spaces easily.
Bike Storage Options on a Balcony and Bike dock
If those are viable options, you could also store your bike on your balcony or laundry room or just the corner of a room.
If the indoor is not a suitable place to keep your bike, you might even need to look for an outdoor space where you can keep it when you are not using your bike; for instance, a bike dock.
Ways to Store Your Bike On A Door
Last but not least, you can consider hanging your bike behind a door if you want it detached from the wall, and there’s only one way of doing it. That’s right; you can opt only for vertical orientation in this method.
However, we don’t recommend using only a hook, like you would’ve done in other cases, to mount a bike. It is because you’re likely to move the door around, even with the bike hanging on it. If the bike is mounted on only one hook, it won’t be stable enough to withstand the motion. Although it’s highly unlikely, the bike may fall.
The Perfect Hook For Bicycle
So, in this case, you should use a hook along with a Gearup-1 vertical mount. These wall mounts, once installed, offer a resting place for your bike’s front or rear wheel, whichever isn’t attached to the hook. Note that you could also use these on the wall to keep the bike more stable, although that wouldn’t be mandatory.
As for the hook, you can use the Schwinn Bike Hook. It’s a high-quality vertical bike hook that’s designed especially for hanging your bike vertically. It’ll keep your bike more stable than any other hook on the market, as it offers a resting place for your bike’s wheel other than just the hook.
Also, it can hold up to fifty pounds of weight, so it should be sufficient to hang your bike on the door. It can also be one of the greater ways to store a bike since you can hide your bike if you want.
For this method to work, you must install the two mentioned components on your door first. We’d recommend installing the mounts on a door that isn’t as commonly used. A lot of people would recommend installing these on the front door, but we’d recommend otherwise. We’ll get to that in a bit.
To install these, measure the length of your bike first. Then, plot out two ends of the door and make sure those are completely parallel to one another. Then, install them with screws, and you’re ready to use them!
Drawbacks of Hooks
This method can help you save a lot of space and help you place large pieces of furniture in your room, but it has a major disadvantage. That is, it opens up a lot of chances for damaging your bike. This is because the door won’t be stationary like a wall or a ceiling. Also, most doors close all the way.
So, when you open or close the door constantly with the bike hung on, it’ll rock the bike constantly. Over time, it can loosen the mounting hardware up, which is why it’s important to use quality hardware like the ones mentioned.
Also, you’ll need to use some blockade to ensure the door doesn’t close all the way. Otherwise, you’ll damage the bike by pushing it against the wall.
You’ll be good to go if you can maintain these two things!
Advantages
- It helps you save a lot of floor space as the space in front of the door is often unused
Disadvantages
- May damage the bike if precautions aren’t taken
Tools And Accessories Required
- A bike hooks
- A vertical mount for a bike wheel
- Screws
- Drill
Conclusion
Now that you know how to hang a bike in an apartment, it’s time for you to choose the right bike storage solutions. Of the many creative ways to store your bike that we’ve discussed, we would pick the method where you hang the bike on a tension bike rack.
This is because these bike racks don’t leave any trace on the ceiling, floor, or wall whatsoever and require no installation. Also, they manage to hold the weight of your bike perfectly.
Yes, the racks can be a bit more expensive, but they’re completely worth the investment and are the best way to store bikes in an apartment, as they’re great for both displaying and protecting your bike.
Related reading: How to Hang Bike in the Garage?
Related reading: How to Hang Your Bike from The Ceiling?
