How to Store Bikes

Storage space is sometimes at a premium and one way to gain floor space in your garage or basement is to hang bicycles from the ceiling or hang them on a wall. Even if the ceiling in your garage is only 8' you can still hang bikes close to or on the wall and utilize the wasted air space. If the ceilings in your garage are 10' or higher you can hang bikes just about anywhere but I would suggest hanging them where foot traffic is at a minimum. Bike hoists are designed to hang a bike from the ceiling and that what we'll be doing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Cordless/Power drill
• Ladder
• Pencil
• Stud Finder

1. Determine the best spot to locate the bikes where foot traffic and car traffic are at a minimum. Keep in mind that the hoist rope must be tied off to a cleat that is mounted on a wall.

2. If the ceiling your be mounting the hoist to is covered with drywall or some other type of material you have to mark the location of the ceiling joists. Use a stud finder to determine the location. In my case the joists were exposed.

3. 
    

   As with any project sort and identify all of the parts that come with your new purchase.

4. 
    

   Secure the pulley mount with the locking mechanism to the ceiling joist using lag screws and washers.

5. 
    

   Insert one end of the hoist rope through the hole on the second pulley mount and tie a knot in the rope to prevent it from pulling through the hole.

6. 
    

   Measure the distance from the handle bar of the bike to the rear end of the seat. Transfer this measurement to the ceiling joist measuring from the first pulley mount already secured to the joist. The second pulley mount needs to be mounted to the ceiling joists at this mark.

7. 
    

   Feed the other end of the rope through the hanger pulley and through the second pulley mount that you installed. Then continue running the rope through first wheel of the second pulley mount. Once the rope is through the first wheel feed the rope through the second hanger pulley. Make sure that the two hangers are facing towards each other. Then the rope can be feed through the second wheel of the pulley mount and through the locking mechanism.

8. 
    

   Pull on the rope to ensure that the locking mechanism works correctly. Then remove all of the slack between the pulleys so that the hangers are hanging at the same distance from the ceiling. Lower the hangers and attach them to the bikes handle bar and the rear of the seat. Pull on the rope to raise the bike off the ground and engage the locking mechanism to make sure that everything works.

9. 
    

   Determine where to mount the tie off bracket to the wall. The bracket should mounted where it is easily accessible. Secure the tie off bracket to a stud using two 2" screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the location you choose is in a low traffic area.

[masaid]

on 1/4/2009 This a great way to make more room in my garage.