If you live in a small apartment, optimizing vertical space is the key to keeping your bike working efficiently. Freestanding Apartment Bike Racks provides maximum flexibility while conserving floor space.
Most apartment leases prohibit bike storage in hallways due to the risk of tripping and fire hazards; however, an appropriate wall or ceiling mounted rack can help you save space while keeping your bike easily accessible.
Wall Mounts and Hooks
No matter where you live or park your bike, Simple Apartment Bike Racks can make room for one in your apartment or other place of storage. This solution works especially well in small entryways where it keeps it close at hand with keys and other gear.
This DIY rack, featured on liv-cycling, is a fantastic way to save space in your home while organizing bikes. Its simplicity also makes it easy to modify or improve upon, making it an excellent option for beginners. All that you'll need for this project are black iron pipe fittings (floor flange fittings, two 90 degree starter elbow fittings and nipple fittings), wood board material, clear vinyl tubing and screws (which you can find at big box home improvement stores or have custom cut at woodworking stores), wood board material (for cutting), clear vinyl tubing cut by woodworking stores as well as screws to hold everything together.
Assembling the rack requires first mounting the base to the wall and then adding diagonal pieces that hold wheels. Rubber-coated hooks help protect rims from being scratched or torn up by bicycle wheels; for added stability if necessary you can add an extra pair of hooks.
@hamsterwheelbikerepair's DIY rack for bike storage is another simple-to-assemble option, providing secure bike storage. As it mounts directly over a baseboard, removing its bottom layer and cutting notches in 2x4 vertical supports that support rail and hooks are necessary.
You can transform an old wooden bench into a bike rack by removing some of its lower slats to make space for the front tires of cruisers or mountain bikes with sloping top tubes - an alternative to wall-mounted racks which only permit hanging the bike by its top tube.
If you don't already own one, a heavy-duty wall-mounted rack such as Koova 2-bike model could be ideal. It can hold two bikes of any size while offering storage shelves and gear hooks for easy organization.
Ceiling-mounted Racks
If your apartment is limited on floor space but boasts high ceilings, using vertical bicycle storage solutions to hang them vertically could help free up much-needed floor space. Not only can this make accessing and retrieving bikes much simpler; the elegant appearance will add an elegant touch.
Wall mounts and hooks are popular choices for bicycle storage, easily mounted to any wall with minimal effort and offering stylish designs to blend in seamlessly with apartment decor. When using this type of bike rack it's essential that your bikes fit securely - check their weight capacity prior to mounting them and find a drill capable of accommodating their diameter when screwing into walls; drilling holes beforehand also helps prevent splitting wood panels.
Some racks are portable, which can be an asset when living in rented apartments. Others require some assembly but can easily be dismantled when moving out - for instance, the Delta Cycle Michelangelo 2 Bike Storage Rack offers an elegant solution without permanent mounting that fits different frame sizes and styles perfectly while supporting up to 80 lbs!
If you prefer something more elaborate than a basic hook or wall-mounted rack, consider installing a telescoping bike storage column or rack. These systems pressurize between floor and ceiling and can accommodate multiple bikes at the same time -- typically three or more. However, these may be more expensive solutions.
Considerations when selecting the ideal bike storage solution for your apartment include available space and permission from your landlord to mount anything to its walls. Some landlords forbid drilling racks into walls while others limit how many holes may be drilled into walls for bike racks - this may make finding one that meets all your needs difficult, yet you still may be able to do it without major changes being made to its interior design.
Bike Hoist Systems
There are plenty of wall-mounted bike racks, but few that raise bikes up off of the ground and make them accessible in an intuitive manner. This design from instructables fits this bill nicely while looking quite neat too - best yet it can be moved around easily as it's freestanding rather than permanently attached to walls!
Mounting 2x4s with notches cut at their baseboard meeting points requires more planning, but this option should definitely be taken into consideration for those who can invest some extra effort. In particular, you must mount two pieces of 2x4s on opposite walls with notches cut into them at their points of contact at baseboard meeting places; one should be mounted approximately 65" off the floor for best results while a separate 2x4 should be 14" higher so as to stagger handlebars from clashing when hanging bikes freely from them both simultaneously.
To complete the system, you'll require a length of rope that can withstand the weight of your bicycle. Once the two pieces of wood have been assembled and the pulleys installed on both sides, feed your rope through them until it reaches one or more of them; adjust placement until your bike can easily lift off of its base.
If you don't have time for DIY projects, there are also numerous prefabricated bike hoist systems that you can purchase. One such product is Kradl's Motor Bike Hoist System; this motorized hoist uses an electric motor to raise and lower your bike off of the ground when needed - perfect for home and commercial use alike, plus you can lock specific access with swipe cards for apartment complexes looking to promote biking for commuters or other purposes. Featuring patented technology makes this durable system simple yet aesthetically pleasing as it will look great in any space you choose.
Over-the-Door Storage
As more people use bikes for commutes, finding space for a bike rack has become an integral component of apartment living. Your options for storage range from wall-mounted racks and hooks to floor-standing systems that hold eight bikes at once - when choosing your model keep in mind the number and size of bikes that need to be stored as well as any specific wall construction features or whether mounting is required or the rack can stand on its own.
If you're in search of a wall-mounted rack, there are models designed to adapt to most frames and fit easily to any vertical surface. These less expensive racks can easily be attached to flat walls or existing doors; Ikea even sells one featuring space for two bikes at once along with a lock! BIKA offers another sleek wooden bike holder with plenty of space for accessories crafted using pine beetle kill wood that would otherwise go to waste - these eco-friendly holders cost EUR399 and come in various styles!
Freestanding bike storage shelves make an eye-catching statement, such as this piece from letscampsmore. Its modular system makes adding additional modules later easy if more storage is necessary; alternative freestanding options include Peri stands and this slender piece from Container Store.
Though there are numerous models of bike racks on the market, it's essential that you find one that won't cause damage or leave marks on the wall or paint. Make sure your rack is secured to an anchor point on the wall -- such as a stud -- and can bear your bicycle's weight without shifting around or becoming unstable. Also keep a stud sensor or magnet hanging by its string handy to quickly identify potential studs; have someone hold the rack while drilling pilot holes into each marked stud mark with your drill.