Cycling or simply riding around the city and surrounding areas is a common activity among children, teenagers, and adults. This fact is easily explained by the fact that the bike not only easily replaces popular and professional cardio equipment, but also brings adventure into life, allowing the whole family to go on a bike ride. However, such a hobby often comes with some difficulties, and owners often face the question of what methods of storing a bicycle in an apartment exist and where to put it away for the winter if there is very little space in the house.
On the wall
One option is to hang the bike on the wall. You can place it horizontally or vertically, the main thing is to choose a place where it will look organic and complement the space. For example, next to paintings or a bookcase.
Any fastenings will do, from standard hooks to original fixtures. A suspension can be made from an old bicycle seat and handlebars, creating a designer accessory. It’s important to just turn on your imagination.
Alternative storage locations
One of the main problems that cyclists face is the difficulty of determining the optimal storage location. This is especially true for those who live in a small apartment. Here are the options you can use if none of the rooms in your home allows you to place a bike:
- Garage. If you have one, you can place bicycles there. It is important to make sure that the temperature inside is +5 degrees or higher. If the temperature is lower, seasonal storage of two-wheeled vehicles will lead to the need for a refurbishment. Rubber components (seals, boots, tires, tubes, etc.) may crack inside. The result is quite obvious: traces of oil will appear on the fork legs and shock absorber rod, if you have suspensions, and the tires will have to be changed quickly.
- Balcony. It is best to store your bike on the balcony if you first disassemble the tires. It is very good when the balcony has an individual heating system. Otherwise, you will have to take care of additional protection of rubber products from frost.
- Basement. A good option if there is no high humidity in the basement. You can install special mounts on any wall. Most often these are hooks that are nailed into the wall. This storage system for your bicycle will be useful if you do not have a garage and a balcony. But don't forget to check the basement from time to time to make sure there are no signs of forced entry.
Bicycle storage
If you have a spacious storage room in your house, you can put your bike there. Again, we follow the principles of compactness and disassemble the vehicle into parts. Remove the wheels, steering wheel, seat and fold it down. There is also a wall in the closet that can also be used to place a bike support bracket.
Garage
If you live in a private house and have a heated garage, you can place your bicycle there.
On the shelf
If you want to save more usable space, you don't have to hang your bike on an empty wall. You can equip a special shelf with an additional section for the frame. At the same time, the surface of the shelf will remain functional - for example, for storing bicycle accessories or favorite books.
You can hang your bike from any suitable rack using the saddle. The result is an interesting composition that does not require additional fasteners.
Important Rules
Even at the purchasing stage, you need to decide where and how you can compactly store bicycles at home. The best option would be a dry, heated room where sudden temperature changes are excluded, for example, an apartment or vestibule. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid contact with heating devices, which have a bad effect on the paintwork and plastic elements.
As an alternative, place the vehicle on a glazed, insulated loggia or balcony, and additionally use a cover to protect it from sunlight. If the thermometer drops below “0”, it is recommended to remove the headlights and taillights, wheels, suspension fork, saddle, and grips. Such parts should be stored exclusively in a dry place. If the area is not glazed, then precipitation will fall on the surface, which sooner or later will form corrosion not only on the frame. Covering with film is suitable for the summer, when the temperature outside is consistently above zero, but in the fall you will need to find another place.
Before preparing for the off-season, the bike is thoroughly washed. Armed with a soft cloth, wipe all elements. After everything is dry, remove the chain and clean it of old lubricant. The next step is to re-coat the chain so that all attachment points remain operational. For brakes and gearshift, use an oil coating - lithol.
To prevent corrosion and dust accumulation, wipe the frame with a cloth soaked in machine oil. Apply silicone spray to tires to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
The third step is to loosen all tense knots. This will eliminate the risk of rusted springs. The chain is moved to the smallest sprockets, the brake system can be turned off completely or the voltage can also be removed.
Next, move on to the tires. Depending on the storage method, they need to be inflated or deflated. If the bicycle transport will be stationary, then they must be tightly inflated to the maximum value. Periodically in winter they need to be pumped up to prevent creasing. If not, then the pressure is released.
In the garage
The garage is another place where you can gracefully store your bike. Wall mounts will again help organize storage space. A good place in the garage for sports equipment is in the corner with tools.
The bike will look neat when placed horizontally on the side wall next to your car.
Floor structures
Don't want or can't make holes in the walls? No problem, there is another option - floor structures. There are also a great many modifications of them. The most common is a la shelving. Simple, but practical: in one of the sectors there is a bicycle, and in the rest there are accessories for it.
However, there are more interesting solutions. For example, racks that resemble stepladders. Or absolutely incredible designs that look like... you can’t say what right away. Everyone has different associations. One end of these “art objects” rests against the wall, the other against the floor. The paradox is that, despite the surrealism, they are very convenient to use.
A cyclist who wants to relax with a cup of tea parks his two-wheeled vehicle right on the table.
By the way, about originality. Japanese designers have developed unusual bicycle racks for cafes, which are tables with slots in the sides. A cyclist who wants to relax with a cup of tea parks his two-wheeled vehicle directly at the table: the bicycle seat becomes a bar stool. Creative? So why not use the idea to create an interior feature? You can, for example, use the same principle to “assemble” a workplace in your home office. And the bicycle was attached, and the art object appeared!
There is a solution! Anything that gets dirty can be hidden in a special bicycle cover.
Towards the end, we will answer the question that probably tormented you while reading the article: “What to do with dirt?” Yes, a bicycle cannot be called the cleanest vehicle. It’s hard to wash the wheels every time, and it won’t save the situation, because there are still chains and pedals covered in grease. But there is a solution! Anything that gets dirty can be hidden in a special bicycle cover. Aesthetic, practical, effective.
What? Cycling culture to the masses! A cyclist does not live by vestibules, storage rooms and balconies alone! It's time to use modern developments. Adopt any of the mentioned methods for storing wheeled vehicles and modify your homes according to your needs. You provide an innovative approach to solving bicycle storage problems!
Under the ceiling
The bicycle will not take up space in the room, but will remain visible as a kind of accessory. You can place it on ordinary hooks - this technique will be successful in an interior with an abundance of wood.
You can use an adjustable suspension with cables and reels. This option will fit organically into a modern loft. Getting your bike out and hanging it back will be easier than with regular ceiling hooks.
Types of fastenings
For residents of the private sector, this task is solved quite easily, but in multi-apartment buildings it is somewhat more difficult to cope with it. The main priority is to place the bike with maximum space savings. Manufacturers have taken care of this and have prepared a wide variety of solutions for novice athletes and amateurs, from which you can choose the right one depending on the number of cyclists, the area of your home and the interior.
Hanging on hooks
This method can be safely called simple, and it is widespread. The store offers specialized bicycle hooks. This way the unit will be stored in the usual horizontal position on the wall in the vestibule or even in the corridor. If desired, hooks can be mounted in the closet so as not to disturb the design of the room.
Vertical mount
The most convenient option for storing a bicycle in an apartment, as it generally takes up relatively less space. To do this, use special brackets that hold the wheels stationary. However, do not worry about cleanliness: the points of intended contact are reliably protected and do not allow contamination. The device itself is minimal in size.
The second way is to hang it on hooks from the frame. However, it is worth considering here that the device itself will protrude a considerable distance and will be quite large, because when installed, the steering wheel and pedals should not damage the coating on the walls.
How to store a bicycle in an apartment on ropes fixed to the ceiling
The most compact way would be to install a cable system, which will be important for owners of small studio apartments. The approach is not only unusual and familiar to few people. However, recently it has become increasingly in demand.
The process of lifting a bicycle to the top is as simple as possible: the handlebars and seat are fixed with a bracket on the floor and then it is raised using ropes and guides. Ready-made parts are available in the store, and you can also make them yourself if you are familiar with the basics of engineering and this is not difficult for you.
Under the stairs
The bicycle can be stored under the stairs in the apartment or even in the entrance. But if at home it is possible to place it in a suspended state with the wheels facing up, this is worth taking advantage of: the result will be a very creative picture, as if the movement is taking place on both sides of the stairs, above and below.
No disassembly
If you bought a non-folding model, but do not want to disassemble it for certain reasons, then you can store it in assembled condition. Most often, due to the small size of apartments in classic high-rise buildings, this format is not common and athletes are looking for more convenient places for personal transport. They become: strollers in entrances, garages, dachas. However, when choosing such areas, pay attention to preparation so that at the beginning of the cycling season you do not have to urgently repair your bike or buy new tires.
Another option would be special bicycle centers that guarantee their customers optimal conditions and reasonable prices. In such bicycle centers, an agreement is concluded that guarantees the safety and financial responsibility of the performer, and you get maximum free space and don’t even have to worry about where to put your bike in the apartment.
Cycling is a favorite hobby of many residents of big cities and small towns. Speed of movement, comfort and complete independence are its main advantages. Don't be intimidated by its rather impressive size. Once you've carefully considered the conditions of your home and found the best storage option for yourself, you won't want to give up your two-wheeled friend.
In the closet
Closets can be used to store clothes and any other things, so why can't you do the same with a bicycle? It is not necessary to completely hide it behind the doors. It will look great on an open shelf, especially with special holes for wheels, as in the photo below.
A sliding wardrobe will create a special effect: a bicycle mounted on the outside of the wardrobe will move along with the sliding door.
Where to store your bike in winter
It is strictly not recommended to store the bike in the cold outside or on an open balcony. First of all, rubber bicycle tires will suffer from frost; they will no longer be elastic and will crack. Cold can also damage fragile metal parts.
Temperature changes and high humidity pose a great danger to a bicycle. A bicycle left outdoors will quickly become covered with rust, it will be difficult to remove, and the service life of the bicycle will be significantly reduced.
It is best to store the bike in a warm place during the winter - in an apartment, in a storage room or on a closed balcony. However, you can put the bike in a basement or unheated garage; at positive temperatures and low humidity, the bike will easily survive the winter.
On a special stand
Do you have not one bike, but two or three? Then it makes sense to build a hanging rack. It can be made of wood, metal or other material that best fits into the interior.
An analogue would be a wall hanger designed for several bicycles. A similar structure can be placed on the ceiling, but this will require a specially designated area.
Bicycle rack
If you store a bicycle in your apartment, use it instead of an exercise bike!
For this you will need a bike station. By attaching the “transport” to this device, you will turn the wheel without moving. Special rollers are pressed against the wheels to regulate the resistance. You can make your workouts more difficult or easier.
On a podium made of pallets
Wide wooden pallets will play the role of a fashionable podium, especially next to elements of a similar style - simple and rough. This could be a massive barrel cabinet or box chairs. In addition, the bicycle can be conveniently secured between the boards. But remember - this solution requires a lot of free space.
Use a secure bike lock
Today there are many types of bicycle locks, but not all of them are equally reliable. Most cycling enthusiasts use inexpensive and fairly thin cables with a key or combination lock, but such a cable is easy to bite - this lock does not provide the proper level of security. It is advisable to use the cable as additional protection, but not as the main one.
A more suitable option is a chain lock. And although a chain weighs more than a cable (on average, a chain up to 1 m long weighs more than 1 kg), sawing or cutting it without attracting attention is quite difficult.
What to buy
- Lock with code and textile shell from ABUS Web, 1,199 rubles →
- Lock with a 5-digit code from AliExpress, 779 rubles →
- Bluetooth lock with alarm from AliExpress, 2,108 rubles →
A chain lock in a soft fabric braid does not scratch the bicycle frame.
An alternative to a chain is a U-shaped lock. It’s not entirely convenient to carry it with you, but you can always find a way out of the situation. For example, there are also folding locks that are made of steel plates and, when unfolded, have the same dimensions as a U-lock. These plates fold easily and this lock does not take up much space.
What to buy
- Stainless steel U-lock from AliExpress, 1,524 rubles →
- U-lock with three keys from AliExpress, 1,400 rubles →
- Folding stainless steel lock from AliExpress, 2,255 rubles →
Another type of reliable bicycle locks are wheel and saddle stoppers. It is better to choose them with non-standard bolts and nuts, which are unscrewed using a special wrench. The likelihood that a thief will have just such a key is low.
What to buy
- Stainless steel wheel stopper from AliExpress, 213 rubles →
- Chrome wheel stopper from AliExpress, 358 rubles →
- Ultra-light wheel stopper from AliExpress, 648 rubles →
And lastly: use several locks at the same time - this will reduce the likelihood of theft.
