Bike storage: What is the best way to hang a bike?

Running out of spaces to store your bike? Or bikes? Well good news. Now you can hang them on the wall or ceiling and forget about them. They will completely stay out of our way and all you will be left with is open space.

Even for those who don’t have a garage, this is an effective way to deal with this problem. I wish our problems were solved just like that. 

Anyway, there are many ways you can hang and store a bike. Some methods are reliable temporarily and some are long term.

I have tried them and have experience with all of these methods. Don’t worry you will get to know them in a minute. You will be able to decide for yourself which way is the best way to hang a bike.

Best ways to hang your bike

There are many bike storage products or tools you can use to hang your bike. The best way to hang your bike is by using the bike pulley, but you will need a tall ceiling for that. However, there are other ways you can hang your bike which are cheap and require no special condition

Let’s talk about some.

1. Heavy duty bike hooks

Alright so let’s start with heavy duty hooks. These steel and rubber hooks are designed to stay on the wall while holding your bike. These are capable of holding up to 50lbs weight.

However you will have to hang the bike by one tire if you have one hook. Multiple hooks can help you hang your bike upside down or even flat.

There is a problem with bike hooks and that is they damage the wheels. If you hang your bike on one wheel, there is a chance the weight of the bike can pressure the wheel rim. This can cause the wheel rim to bend.

2. Bike shelf

Bike shelves have both the wall-free and wall-mounted version. They even have both single and double mounted versions.

Since bike shelves don’t put pressure on the bike wheels, you can safely put away your bike on them. Bike shelves also come with ceiling mount facilities.

3. The bike pulley

Last but not least, a pulley system is the option where you don’t need a wall. This simple product uses a simple law of physics to lift up to 50lbs for up to 6-12 feet of the ground.

The pulley system has two hooks and they are hooked to the bike saddle and the handlebar. So, it means there is no chance to damage the bike wheel.

What’s more? The pulley system does most of the work for you when lifting your bike. So all you have to do is just pull the ropes. No matter how heavy the bike is, the bike pulley will take care of it. Even my grandma can lift my mountain bike without a sweat with the pulley system.

Now, there are more products or methods out there to store your bike and more are coming. But I have only tried these methods and I have found the pulley system to be the safest and easiest.

I have another blog on this topic “How to hang bikes in the garage from the ceiling?”. Go check it out.

How good is the bike pulley system?

Well a pulley system is definitely good at lifting some heavy weight without giving much effort. Pulley system uses the simple law of physics and maximizes your pulling force.

Overall, the pulley system is of course one of the best ways to hang your bike. It can store your bike high above the ground and keep it away from everyone’s reach and sight.

Now let’s talk about how the contraption works. Pulley system is a simple mechanical contraption consisting of a rope and an axle. Some pulley systems have two axles.

At the end of one side of the rope there are two hooks or one hook, depending on the type of pulley system you are using. These hooks are attached to a bike part which helps pull the bike up.

The other end of the rope is used to pull the load. You will have to tie the rope to a hook or anchor, so that the load doesn’t fall.

There are three types of pulley systems, which are fixed, compound and movable. The axle can move or stay fixed depending on the type of pulley system.

Alright so now we know how the system works. So let’s talk about whether it is really good or a waste of time.

Whether your bike is heavy or not, a bike pulley system will solve your storage problem in no time. In addition, you can install clips or locks to lock your load at place which means you can hang your bike at whatever height you want.

A product like RAD Sportz Bicycle Hoist Bike lift is good enough for bike riders like us. We are not professionals or rich millionaires who have tons of space. So check that out.

You can use the pulley system to not only lift and store bikes, but also store scooters or surf boards or skateboards etc.

As a rider I also use a pulley system to lift up my bike. It is very easy and handy. It takes zero time to store the bike and I don’t even have to touch my bike. So as a bike rider I think a pulley system is good and worth a try.

Can you hang the bike without damaging its tire?

Yes you can and that’s actually pretty easy. JUST DON’T HANG IT BY THE TIRE.

What do you think the pulley system is for? It is there to help you lift and store your bike using other parts of your bike except the tire. This system will literally save your bike tire and other parts of your bike like the brake system.

This is the reason why I have recommended it so many times in this blog and other blogs. If you haven’t checked my other blogs then read my “Does hanging a bike by the wheel damage it?” blog.

Yes, the pulley system is costly and takes a bit of effort to set it up. But once you have it set up you will see how effective and easy it is at storing bikes. You will then realize how much worth it really is.

But if you are really not into pulleys or want to save your money, you can just make a DIY bike shelf. Check out this link. There they will tell you exactly how to make your own custom bike shelf.

F.A.Q.s

Can you damage the wheels by hanging a bike?

Yes it is possible to damage the tire rim if you hang the bike by the wheel. When you hang a bike by the wheel the weight of the bike falls on the bike wheel, which can overtime bend the wheel.

Will hanging a bike damage my bike?

Hanging a bike will not damage the entire bike, but it may damage certain parts. The wheels, the brake system, the saddle could be damaged by hanging, but then again it depends on your hanging method.

What will happen if my bike falls from the hanging storage?

If your bike falls from a considerable height, there is a good chance it can damage the bike frame. The damage will depend on the height.

Will hanging a bike by hooks damage my wall or ceiling?

No, they are not supposed to damage the ceiling wall or side walls. Bike hooks are designed to stay on the wall without damaging the wall. They can carry up to 20 kilos of weight and bikes weigh only 12-15 kilos.

Final words

Alright, so after talking about all the ways you can hang a bike I would like to conclude by saying that the pulley system is the best way to hang a bike. That is in my opinion of course.

You can say other products or methods are better than the pulley system and you are absolutely right. There are better options out there and more options are coming as technology upgrades.

Not to mention the living conditions everyone is in. Some of us don’t even have a garage. Some can’t afford to get a pulley system and for some, bike storage products are not even available in their area.

So, what is the best way to hang a bike can only be answered by judging your situation. Whatever method you apply is your best way, because at least you took the time to store it properly. It is way better than just keeping it leaned against something.