Bike Storage Ideas for Adult Bikes

You can store your adult bike in many ways, even if you’re short on outdoor or indoor space. Most techniques focus on making the most of your vertical spaces and ceilings and using a bike shed. This guide explains each approach in detail, along with handy tips, to make organising your two wheels a doddle!

Get Yourself a Bike Storage

When it comes to storing bikes, you can’t go wrong with the proper shed storage. Think of it as a smaller version of a regular shed—just big enough to fit one or two bikes, whether it’s a city bike, road bike, or something similar.

Take the BillyOh Mini Keeper Overlap Pent Store Shed, for instance. Its compact 6x3 size makes it ideal for small gardens, patios, or tight spaces, and it can hold up to two bikes, depending on their size. This wooden bike features wide-opening double doors so that you can put your bike/s in and out easily. Even better, it’s fitted with floor bearers, ready to sit on any solid, level surface with no raised base required.

Tips: Use bike stands to keep the bicycles upright. If you’re storing two, position them alternately (e.g., handlebars facing opposite ways) to save space. This also leaves room to keep a toolbox with repair tools and spare parts in the corner.

Set Up a Gravity Stand

A gravity stand works best if you live in a flat and need a way to organise your bike. It’s an indoor bike storage rack that uses gravity to hold up to two bikes without being fixed to the wall. Basically, it stands against a wall, and the weight of the bike helps to keep it stable.

Many gravity stands come with adjustable arms, so they can fit different bike sizes and styles. This includes road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, and city or commuter bikes.

Tips: Place the stand in a corner or along an empty wall to maximise your living space without it feeling cluttered. Put the heavier bike on the bottom and the lighter one on top for better stability. If the stand is leaning against painted walls, it’s a good idea to add a mat or some padding in between to avoid scuffs or marks.

Install Bicycle Wall Hangers

(Image Credit: Flickr)

If a gravity stand isn’t right for you, but you still want to hang your bike parallel to a wall, a wall hanger is a good alternative. Look for one with adjustable arms that can be moved to fit different bike sizes and types. These arms will hold your bike by the frame or wheels, and you can adjust the height and width to suit your bike.

As for the rack itself, it’s usually attached to the wall with telescoping tubes, so you can adjust how far it sticks out into the room. It’s a handy feature for smaller spaces!

Tip: To keep your bike off the floor, attach the hangers to a solid wall. Also, find an out-of-the-way spot, like a hallway or a corner, where the bike won’t get in the way.

Consider a Tension-Mounted Column

If you’ve got no free wall space at all, this small apartment bike storage idea is your best bet! It’s ideal if your walls are taken up by windows, doors, cabinets, or frames because the column can be wedged into place between the floor and ceiling instead. Plus, you don’t need to nail or screw it into place, so you can move it if you decide to rearrange the furniture.

A tension-mounted column can hold two bikes, depending on the brand or model. You can also adjust the height to store them at different levels so they don’t end up touching each other.

Tip: See to it that the column is securely wedged between the floor and ceiling to stop it from shifting. Give the tension a double-check if you move it around.

Make a Bike Pipe Rack

Take the DIY route and build your own bike rack using pipes and a bit of welding skill. This allows you to customise the rack size to suit your space and make sure all the bikes you need to store actually fit in. You can place the rack in a corner of your house or out in the back garden if a bike shed isn’t an option.

To get started, you’ll probably need a few steel or PVC pipes, according to your requirements, and an oriented strand board for support if you’re making a larger version. Primer and paint are optional if you plan to put it outdoors, make it look nicer and protect it from the weather.

Refer to this DIY guide from PVC Fittings Online for step-by-step instructions.

Keep it Simple with Dowels

This is another popular DIY bike rack that works for small apartments or spaces. All you’ll need is a few wooden dowel rods, a saw, a drill, screws, and a wall to fix them to.

Arrange the dowel rods horizontally on the wall, with each rod acting as a hook or support for your bike. Space the dowels apart just enough to accommodate your bike’s wheels, and adjust their placement depending on the size of your bike. Next, drill holes in the wall or use a mounting board to secure the dowels. The bikes are then hung by their wheels on the dowels.

You can modify the design based on your available space, how many bikes you need to store, or how much room you have for the wheels. Cut the dowels to your preferred length to fit your setup. It’s all about making it work for your space and needs!

Tip: Don’t forget to speak to your landlord beforehand and confirm if drilling is allowed. Always check the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid any issues. Check for hidden pipes or wires behind the wall using a stud finder when drilling.

Invest in a Folding Bike

If you think most of the bike storage solutions above wouldn’t work because you’re really short on space, you might want to consider selling your standard commuter bike and invest in a space-saving alternative like a folding bike instead. This is also a good time if you’re thinking of upgrading your everyday two-wheel companion. Make smart choices this time!

This Fold Folding Bike is an excellent option. Not only does it fold down in seconds, but it is also lightweight due to its alloy frame. It can ‘origami’ itself small enough to be carried onto public transportation or stashed in a car trunk. This portability alone makes it the perfect commuter bike, especially for those days when you’re cycling to work.

Fold it once you arrive at the station, carry it inside the train, then unfold it again on your arrival and pedal your way to your workplace. When you’re home, fold it up again to store. It might fit in your flat’s entrance cabinet or even in a coat cupboard. The folding bike is approximately 85cm long x 63cm high x 35cm wide when folded.

Tips: You can tuck it under your bed if there’s enough clearance. It also works behind a sofa or couch or even inside a storage bench. Check out this guide, ‘How to Fold and Unfold a Folding Bike,’ to learn the ropes in no time.

Round-up

A bike shed is always a worthwhile investment, especially if you have a place for it in your small backyard or patio. For indoor storage, gravity stands, wall hangers, and tension-mounted columns are the way to go. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous and want to build your own rack, pipe racks or dowels are worth a try.

And if you want to save on the cost of a shed or stand, or avoid the hassle of building one, a folding bike makes your rides—and the way you store it afterwards—much more convenient!

Browse Bobbin for a wider selection of adult bicycles, including vintage bikes. Up next on your reading list: The Bobbin Adult Bikes Gift Guide