Ceiling Mount Bicycle Storage
Storing your bicycle during the off-season or periods of non-use can seem a daunting task as they take up quite a bit of floor space. One of the most overlooked places to store your bike is from the ceiling. This will help you to free up some real estate while giving your bike a new home.
There are several ways and systems to store your bicycle on the ceiling ranging from simple hooks to elaborate pulley systems. The height of your ceiling, your physical strength and how much convenience you require will determine what type of system you install.
The simplest form of storage is with a basic hook. You can find them anywhere bicycles are sold—most giant retailers, as well as bicycle shops—and in home improvement stores. They are a hook with a screw-in base that is several inches long, and attach directly to a wall stud.
Other systems require rope and pulleys to be installed. These are ideal for high ceilings that are hard to reach, or for people who physically cannot lift a bicycle.
Considerations
While storing your bike on the ceiling will give you more floor space, there are some things to consider:
- Will you be moving through the area frequently? Low ceilings mean the bicycle will be hanging at or around head height. If you need to pass through the area on a regular basis, you may find it more of a nuisance than a savings. Perhaps another location would better serve your needs: shed, garage, carport, attic, closet, etc.
- If hanging in your garage, will it interfere with your vehicle’s parking? The last thing you’ll want is to be hitting your bike with your car every time you park.
- Stress on your rims. Hanging a bicycle by its rims can be stressful on the metal, and may warp your wheels. If you are a casual rider, or are storing your kids’ bikes, hanging them by the wheels may not be a bad idea. However, if you are a more avid rider or have expensive wheels, you may want to consider a system that will hang the bicycle by either the seat or the frame.
Installation of Basic Hooks
You'll need:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Power drill with a 1/8 inch drill bit
- 2 bicycle hooks
- Measure the distance between the front and back tires from where they touch the ground.
- Find a stud in the ceiling to insert the hooks into. If you do not use a stud, the bicycle’s weight will pull the hooks out of the ceiling, along with any plaster or drywall it was screwed through. By using the stud, you will ensure the bicycle will be supported and will not come crashing down on you later.
- Mark the points along the stud where you will be inserting the hooks (the same distance as your earlier measurement).
- Drill a 1/8-inch hole on each point where you will be installing the hooks. This will help make the next step much easier.
- Screw the hooks into the stud until the threads are no longer visible. Since you have to do this by hand, having the holes already started makes for faster work.
If you are installing a lift/pulley system, please read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.