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How to Store Your Bike In Every Kind of Space
Because it’s all fun and games until someone trips over the hallway bike.
Let’s face it: we love our bikes, but they can be space hogs in a smaller home or apartment (unless you have a folding bike, of course), or a cramped garage or shed. And the awesome part is, once you get hooked on riding, you’ll likely want more of them. Maybe you start out as a roadie, then you buy a cyclocross bike, and finally, you invest in a simple commuter to get to work each morning. Soon enough, you'll find yourself wondering how to store your bikes while making the most of your square footage.
To help clear the hallways or your garage floor, here are all the different ways for stashing and securing your rides, plus our tips on doing it right.
Freestanding Rack
Think of this as a coat rack for your bikes. Freestanding racks are great for spaces where you can’t drill holes in the walls—say, your rented apartment—and if you own multiple bikes, the double-decker feature is prime for saving space.
For a less obtrusive alternative to the freestanding rack, consider a storage pole, such as Topeak’s Dual Touch Bike Storage Stand. Two rubber ends anchor the pole to the floor and ceiling, with no wall-drilling necessary—just make sure you have the pole snug and stable before mounting your bikes on the hooks.
Bikes as wall decorations get a nod from the hipster café crew, but seriously, the method is just plain practical. If you’re able to drill in your space, a simple wall mount—such as the Hornit CLUG rack seen here—keeps your bike off the ground and out of mind. Other great options include Racor’s Single Bike Rack and Topeak’s Swing-Up Bike Holder, which conveniently swings the bike to the side and even more out of the way.
Maybe you want a stylish bike rack that vibes more with your space. This eco-friendly, bamboo wall rack from COR Surf looks good, has additional storage space with a shelf, plus it can fold down when not in use. For a simpler, more utilitarian wall rack, check out the rack made by Stalwart.
By far the most affordable option, a screw-in storage hook for your wall or ceiling is a simple yet effective way to hang your bike off the ground and out of the way. Use just one hook to hang your bike vertically or two to hang it horizontally.
For the ultimate floor—and wall—space saver, hang your bike up. Two plates are mounted to the ceiling, each with drop-down hooks that attach to the saddle and handlebar; then the bike is hoisted up with thick ropes.
For families or cyclists with more than two bikes, a ceiling rack, like this one from Saris, offers the most storage bang for your buck—and it keeps the bikes high above the cars in the garage. The four separate racks can glide along the mount, giving you the option to tuck your bikes against the wall or space them out for easy access.
Floor Bike Parking Rack
Maybe you aren’t hard pressed for space and want an easy way to organize your bike collection. A floor rack for parking your bikes is an great solution, plus there’s no installation required and it can be moved around as needed.
One you’ve picked out your bike storage method, there are still some things you should keep in mind. The conditions in which you’re storing your bike are important to consider, as well as some maintenance measures to keep your bike in working order. Below, we’ve rounded up bike storage tips from our on-staff mechanic, Joël Nankman, who’s been wrenching bikes professionally for 13 years.
Avoid Moisture // Many bikes and bike components are made out of metal, and where there’s metal, there’s the potential for rust. If you can, store your bike out of the elements and somewhere dry. “Wet or damp places should be avoided at all costs,” Nankman says.
Consider Cardboard // But if you do have to store your bike somewhere damp—like in a garage—place pieces of cardboard under the tires to prolong their life. Just one catch, though—you’ll need to replace the cardboard periodically, “or it becomes an insect breeding hotbed,” Nankman warns.
Set the PSI // Next, you should keep the tires inflated so they keep a round shape—it’ll help prevent dry rot. Even if you aren’t riding your bike often, you should still check the tires periodically and adjust the psi accordingly to help prolong tire life. Nankman recommends 5 to 10 psi for a mountain bike and 20 to 30 psi for a road bike when not in use. “Keeping tires fully inflated through a wide range of temperatures is just as detrimental as keeping them completely deflated,” he says.
Avoid Extreme Temps // Avoid storing your bike for an extended time in extreme temperatures, such as below freezing or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. But Nankman acknowledges that’s tough to do if you keep your bike in an unconditioned garage or shed.
Set the Dropper Up // If your bike has a dropper post, keep it extended when tucking it away between rides. That will help keep the dropper post functioning properly and extend required servicing. Nankman also notes, “don't hang a bike from the saddle if it has a dropper post.”
Don’t Stress About Storage // You may have heard that mountain bikes should be stored upright so that the suspension oil can keep seals lubricated. For some bikes, that is the best way to go. “But honestly, that is not a very steadfast rule,” Nankman says. “And many bikes would actually benefit from being hung upside down.”
Keep It Clean // “Always rinse your bike after winter rides, and/or if your bike was on a bike rack on your car in areas where salt and brine are used during the winter,” Nankman says. It’s best to keep your bike clean, anyway. It’ll prolong the life of your components.
Mind the Derailleur // Don’t lean the bike on the derailleur side as that could damage it. “But sometimes if there is a chance the bike might fall over, leaning it on the drivetrain side is the safer bet, so it would fall on the non-drive side if it falls over,” Nankman says.
Hailey first got hooked on running news as an intern with Running Times, and now she reports on elite runners and cyclists, feel-good stories, and training pieces for Runner's World and Bicycling magazines.
When she’s not out riding her mountain bike, Jessica is an editor for Popular Mechanics. She was previously an editor for Bicycling magazine.
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