Where does your bike go when you’re not on it?
Very little research has been conducted on how we store our bikes at home, even though that’s where bikes spend most of their time!
When brainstorming ideas for bicycle storage in garages, there are three basic things you want to get right: keeping your bike safe and in good condition while using your available space efficiently.
In this article we’re going to run through the best ideas for bicycle storage in garages, or other indoor spaces, covering:
- Floor Racks
- Vertical Storage
- Ceiling Storage
- Display Storage
- Freestanding Bike Racks
- Choosing The Right Bicycle Garage Storage For You
So whether you’re into hanging, mounting, or leaning, let’s run through the five best ideas for bicycle storage in garages!
#1. Floor Racks
Not everyone is comfortable hanging a bike from a wall, so keep it simple and easy with a floor rack.
A home floor rack is likely no different from what you might see in cities, at the beach, or by the side of bike trails.
If you have the space and use your bike often, this is the most convenient way to store your bike for easy grab-and-go (plus no locking and unlocking!).
And we know from research that availability and ease of storage options positively affect how much we cycle.
If you have kids that bike, it’s also the best way for them to access their own bikes without adult assistance.
So that’s the pros. The major con is obvious: they take up more space than any of the other solutions on this list.
Derailleurs and disk brakes can fit awkwardly into these frames, and they really aren’t parts that should be bearing the weight of your bike.
So if you have the space, and your bike fits in comfortably, the humble floor rack is your most convenient option.
To store a single bike, the Feedback Sports RAKK Bicycle Storage Stand is a solid, affordable option.
Racking multiple bikes onto a single floor rack makes the rack very stable, and any basic floor rack would work.
#2. Vertical Storage
Vertical storage is a popular bicycle garage storage method, and a familiar setup for many cyclists.
Vertical storage usually means hooking your bike to the wall through between the spokes onto the rim. The lower wheel sits on the floor or against the wall.
Vertical storage is popular as it allows you to store multiple bikes on the smallest wall space.
Plus, if you put some thought into it you can comfortably line up bikes of different shapes and sizes.
The downside is that while vertical storage is pretty efficient, the bikes still take up a decent amount of space, when compared to ceiling storage, for example.
And loading and unloading may also be a challenge.
Sure, you can probably hoist a feathery racing bike up and down without too much trouble, but kids will struggle with their own bikes, and anyone would struggle with an eBike on this setup.
This is a pretty easy storage solution to DIY using storage hooks.
When using hooks it’s important to choose good quality hooks which won’t damage your bike’s rims or the wall they’re mounted to; we recommend BBB Parking Storage Hooks.
If you’d prefer the comfort of a dedicated wall mount, consider Portland Design Works’ Wall Mount.
Or if you’d rather not drill holes at all, then the Bike Nook Bicycle Stand is a good alternative solution.
#3. Ceiling Storage
Ceiling storage means hoisting your bike onto the ceiling, usually with hooks.
This setup uses negative space, saving you floor and wall space – provided it’s clear of doors, vehicles, and heads.
By mounting your bike to the ceiling by both wheels, you retain space below for storage.
Assuming you’re comfortable with the weight of your bike (or use a pulley system) it’s very easy to load and unload with a quick and easy lift from below.
This setup is generally accommodating to any wheel size.
The downsides are that ceiling bike storage installation is more difficult and comes with a bit more risk of injury or damage to your bike or other items in your garage.
With a proper setup, it’s highly unlikely your bike will fall off the ceiling, but don’t discount accidents when loading and unloading.
(And we really don’t recommend mounting an eBike above your car…)
And like with vertical storage, kids will likely need a hand getting their bikes up and down.
Like vertical storage, ceiling storage installation is usually a straightforward DIY job. Just make sure you go for high-quality hooks which will securely hang your bike without damaging its rims.
We suggest the BBB Parking Storage Hooks.
#4. Display Storage
Every cyclist will agree that there’s a pleasure to be found in admiring the mechanics of your bike – so why not go for a storage solution which shows off your bike in all its glory?
There are two options here, mounting the bike to the wall itself using a mount, or free-standing mounts which lean against the wall, and we’ll cover next.
This method is elegant, but it’s not great for wall space.
Unless you’re in a workshop, you’re unlikely to be able to store more than one or perhaps two bikes this way.
Mountain bikers beware, bikes with wider handlebars aren’t going to fit well onto these mounts.
It is versatile though, it can fit into most rooms of the house and is a good option for those without a garage to make use of.
It’s also easy to load and unload your bike from these types of frames.
Our favorite wall mount option here is the Delta Single Bike Wall Mount Pole Rack, which will comfortably display your bike in its full glory.
If you have the space for it, LifeLine’s excellent Workshop Workstand Wall Mount looks great and actually gives you the room to do maintenance work on your bike whilst racked.
One last thing: if you’re storing your bike in your living space, you’ll want to think about mud and rainwater tracked on the bike.
Consider investing in a mat to keep any water, mud, or other dirt off the carpet.
#5. Freestanding Bike Racks
This is a great option if you don’t have a garage but would like to store your bike indoors.
Freestanding bike racks are leaned against a wall so no drilling is required. This makes them ideal for those who rent rather than own their homes.
There is no drilling in this setup, (good for damage deposits), and it’s also mobile, so you can work out the best place for the rack, and move it around to appease grumbling flatmates.
Again, you won’t be able to store many bikes this way, likely just one or two. With bikes set up high which require lifting, it might not be great for kids.
If you’re going to go with the ease and mobility of the freestanding bike rack, The Delta Cycle 2 Bike Rack is the gold standard.
Like the display mount, it’s a good idea to think about cleanliness if you’re going to be storing your bike in your living space.
Bikes tend to get quite mucky after all, and whilst this isn’t a problem in the garage, it might be more of an issue in your living room.
Choosing Your Bicycle Storage Idea
So there it is, we’ve laid out safe and secure ideas for bicycle storage in garages. Now it’s up to you to decide what will work best for you.
When making a decision consider the space you have available, and what you need from a storage solution, as well as your own cycling habits.
For the daily commuter loading and unloading from ceiling hooks might get old quickly, whilst a floor rack may be perfect.
Equally, for the weekend warrior a display storage setup can be perfect for building excitement all week for the Sunday morning leg burner.
Cycling is all about cycling, and as long as your bike is safe, secure, and out of the way for the rest of the time, rest assured that you’ve got it right!
