Bicycle wall mounts: views, selection and installation tips

Today, the bicycle has gone beyond the scope of an alternative means of transportation and has become a full-fledged vehicle at which considerable distances can be traveled. Together with the question of using a bicycle, the question arises of its storage with minimal damage to free space and comfort. In this article, you will find information about wall mounts for a vehicle, their varieties, installation features and installation tips.

Today, there are several types of bicycle mounts, depending on the chosen option (vertically, perpendicularly or under the ceiling), manufacturing materials and placement conditions. Usually, bike mounts are installed in apartments with a lack of free space or in houses where there are no special parking or storage rooms.

Hooks are considered the most common bike mount options. They allow you to save space in the room. This type of mount is the cheapest, and its installation will take only a few minutes. Standard mechanical hooks are able to support up to 25 kg of weight, which is about 2 times the weight of a conventional steel mountain bike. Bracket hooks, depending on the material of manufacture, can withstand up to 40 kg of weight.

There are several varieties of hooks, depending on the mounting option. When vertical suspension it can be a device for ceiling installation or hooks for vertical suspension. For horizontal mounting - single wall hooks, double hooks on the frame, as well as wall brackets with rubberized bicycle holders.

If we consider the materials for the manufacture of bicycle hooks, then there are plastic and metal hook mounts.

Racks, unlike hooks, usually attached to the wall, and rest on the floor. These are most often large-sized vertical constructions with holders for several bicycles at once and hooks for storing bicycle accessories (helmet, pump, jacket). This mounting option rarely used in residential premises, as it takes up a lot of spaceHowever, it can be effectively used in large apartments and private houses for two or more motorists at once.

Reinforced metal structures or reinforced versions of wood are used as the material for the manufacture of such racks. Racks, unlike other mounts, can perfectly fit into a specific design or style of the room and even complement it. In addition, it is at the racks that it is easiest to carry out bicycle repair work, which will be a definite plus for professional cyclists.

The method of fastening with shelves is an ideal option for those motorists who are trying to give an aesthetic appearance to absolutely everything. Shelves can simultaneously perform several functions at once.

• Latching. Thanks to their design, the shelves effectively hold the bike in limbo, preventing it from falling. This mounting method does not require complicated installation and takes up a minimum of free space in a horizontal state.

• Decorative. Modern bicycle shelves can be made in an interesting design or painted in the original color. This allows you to effectively use them in certain style decisions.

• Functional. If the lower part of the shelf performs exactly the fixing function, then the upper often becomes a place to place various household items. It can be either bicycle accessories or interior elements: books, flowers, watches or paintings.

Bike shelves can be of two types:

• wooden shelf for horizontal suspension of the bicycle under the frame;
• the shelf where the bicycle holder for the bicycle saddle is installed.

Another option for mounting the bike indoors is to install it in a specially prepared cabinet. An obvious plus of this option is that the cabinet can accommodate several bicycles at once, as well as all related bicycle accessories. Sportswear or household appliances are usually placed in the free space of the cabinet. Another plus of this mount is that the bicycle is not visible and cannot spoil the interior of the room.

This design has its drawbacks.

• Large dimensions. Regardless of the size of your bike storage cabinet, it will take up much more space than standard mounting methods. Especially if the cabinet contains several units at once. That is why such constructions are advised to be installed only for large families with spacious apartments.
• Cost. Installing a full-fledged bike rack will cost you a lot of money. For a full-fledged fastening of bicycle equipment, the cabinet must be made of strong and expensive materials. And there is also the option of installing a sliding wardrobe without rear walls and floor, where the bikes will be attached to an open wall or simply stand on the floor without any support and fixation.
• Need to purchase. If all of the above units for mounting a bicycle on a wall could be made by you manually, then you will have to buy a cabinet, and it will cost a lot.

Unfortunately, not every apartment will look harmoniously bulky metal hooks, cabinets or shelves, and because of this, screw mini-holders for bicycles are gaining popularity recently. Such units best suited for minimalist apartments - they take up as little space as possible and are made of durable materials that can withstand up to 15 kg of weight.

Thanks to the U-shaped fastener, these holders can be used to fasten all components of the bicycle - the frame, wheels, pedals or saddle. Unlike other mounting units, mini bike holders perform an exclusively fixing function and are not suitable for improving the interior of a room.

Once you have chosen the type of fastening that suits you, you should decide on the type of fastener itself. Wherein the choice should depend on the material of the wall on which you want to mount the bike mount, the weight of the projectile or mounting structure, as well as the weight of the two-wheeled vehicle itself.

The material of the wall on which your bike will be mounted is responsible for the safety of the mount itself and for the integrity of the wall. Each material has its own indicators of density, hardness and is more or less suitable for a certain type of fastening. If the walls in your room are wooden, then the best option would be to use a screw type hook. If you have stone walls, then Prepare drilling tools for the procedure in advance - such walls will withstand any type of fastening.

Particular caution should be given to mounting the bike on drywall walls. This is the most unreliable material for fastening, but, unfortunately, the most common in apartment buildings. After repeated use, the drywall mount weakens and your bike may just fall. In rooms with such walls use a special device to search for load-bearing beams.

The weight of the mount itself, in addition to the weight of your bike, also puts pressure on the wall material. The best option here would be the type of attachment using hooks. Such designs are the lightest (from 500 grams or more) and exert the least pressure on the wall. Metal mounts such as a bracket with rubberized handles are perhaps the most difficult mounting option, as they can weigh up to 5-8 kg.

A universal option for mounting a bicycle in terms of weight are racks. They evenly distribute their weight, as well as the weight of the bicycle between the wall and the floor, so that the wall mount undergoes half pressure.

And also a good mounting option are shelves. They are made of wood and most often do not weigh more than 2-3 kg.

The weight of your two-wheeled friend affects both the type of mount and the ability to mount it on a wall of a particular material.

The weight of a bicycle primarily depends on the material used to manufacture the frame components. Today, 4 materials are most actively used.

• Mild steel. Not so long ago, it was the most common material in the manufacture of mountain and road bikes. The very first bicycles were made precisely from steel frames - all thanks to the strength and reliability of this alloy. The disadvantage of this material is its large weight, as well as its susceptibility to corrosion by steel.

• Chrome-molybdenum steel. This material began to be actively used 20-30 years after the release of the first bicycles. It was much lighter than low carbon steel, but much more expensive than it. Today it is used mainly for the manufacture of professional road bikes.

• Aluminum. Today, the most popular material for the manufacture of modern bicycles. It differs in not particularly high cost (depending on the brand), low weight and good reliability.

• Carbon Carbon frames are now considered premium in the bicycle market. They are simply fantastic in strength and relatively light in weight. Unfortunately, carbon models are very expensive and cannot be repaired at the slightest breakdown.

The approximate weight of the bike can also be determined by its variety.. For example, road or road bikes usually weigh from 6.8 to 8 kg, mountain models usually weigh from 9 to 14 kg, and city bikes rarely reach 10 kg of weight.

After you have decided on the type of fastening and place for its installation, you should proceed to the fastening procedure itself. Most common there are only 3 ways to mount the bike on the wall: the frame is parallel to the wall, the frame components are perpendicular to the wall, as well as mounting under the ceiling. Each of the options will be discussed in detail below, and the fastener procedure itself will be provided.

This method of fastening a bicycle is considered the most common, but not the most practical. In this case the bike should be suspended with the wheels down, and the frame components are mounted parallel to the wall surface. From the point of view of comfort, this option is advantageous - the bike does not take up much space and becomes a full-fledged part of the interior. Besides, a bike from a parallel state is very easy to take off. This option is also suitable for mounting several bike aggregates at once.

In this case, the bike is mounted on the fasteners vertically and perpendicular to the wall itself. Typically, such a mount is installed in the corners, wherever the bike protrudes and interferes with the passage. This option is considered very practical in small rooms with limited free space.

The best option in terms of practicality. In this case, the bicycle is placed on the mount directly under the ceiling in a horizontal and parallel wall condition. Here, both hooks and brackets can be used as fasteners. Today, mounting bicycles to the ceiling with the help of a special lift or ropes is gaining popularity. This is the best option for mounting in rooms with high ceilings. All that is required from the owner of the unit is simply to remove the locking mechanism, lower the bike and pick it up from the hooks.

The mounting method may also vary depending on the selected bicycle component. Most often, the frame is used for mounting and fixing the bicycle - it allows you to effectively use the weight of the unit against itself. However, there are options for mounting a bicycle through its other components. For example, when using hooks, it is possible to mount to the frame, pedals, bicycle wheel (or rim), to the steering wheel. If you decide to use the shelf mount option, you can hang the bike at an angle with a saddle.

The following is the simplest instruction for installing a bike mount on a hook.

• We select the place suitable for installation. It should be away from furniture, electrical wiring, and also should be located at a suitable height (all these nuances will be described in more detail below).
• Using drawing tools, mark the locations of the mounting holes. When choosing the distance between the holes, be guided by the dimensions of the bicycle frame, as well as the distance between the bicycle components, which will be responsible for fixing in the future.
• Depending on the type of mounting you choose and the weight of your machine, drill holes in the wall and place dowels in them.
• After installing the unit, fasten it with self-tapping screws or screws.
• Once again, check that the screws are fastened securely with a screwdriver after placing the two-wheeled unit on the mount.

Often, motorists encounter errors when mounting their two-wheeled friend on the wall. The most typical of them will be discussed below.

Many factors, in general, do not pay any attention to such a factor as the mounting height, which is a serious oversight. A bike that is too low is likely to constantly disturb household members with their steering wheel, pedals, or wheels (especially in narrow rooms). If the bike is mounted too high, it is likely that if it falls, it will severely damage the flooring, furniture or even harm your health.

For example, when placing a bicycle handlebar, pedals or chains at eye and head level, there is a chance of serious injury to yourself and your family members. Especially often, such situations occur at night, when a person is poorly oriented in space and can stumble on household things. Try to choose a height so that the stitching elements of your two-wheeled friend are above or below eye level.

Many motorists prefer to make a place for mounting a bicycle on the balcony. In their opinion, there it occupies as little space as possible and does not interfere at hand. The problem here is that a bicycle during prolonged storage in a room with high humidity and cold can simply break down. Here we are talking about damage to the rubber itself, which can simply crack from frost (in non-inflated wheels), and about corrosion of metal components.

Winter sun rays that can spoil your rubber can also be a danger - for this, it is advised to buy special protective covers.

Since most modern wall mounts are made of metal materials, the likelihood of damage to bicycle components by mounting elements increases. For example, metal bare hooks, which will support and fix the frame of your bike, can leave deep scratches and roughness on it. To prevent this from happening, experts advise using special fabric substrates, covers, or buying rubberized fasteners in advance.

When installing a fastener, many owners forget about such an important point as wiring when installing fasteners. Before drilling holes and installing screws in them, make sure that no wiring is laid near your place. To do this, you can use special detectors, or try to determine it using improvised electrical appliances.

In some apartment buildings with thin plasterboard walls, installation of large-sized installations on the walls is not permitted. Check with your chairman if your home is one of them.

Some owners resort to mounting bicycles directly above household appliances or furniture. In films, such options may look good, but in reality this method should be abandoned. A bicycle is a road vehicle that is regularly exposed to street sand, earth and dirt.

For this reason when mounting a bicycle on a wall, experienced owners place special linings or mats for draining dirt and sand under their wheels. The option of constantly washing bicycles is also possible. however, it can damage the integrity of the frame components and lead to corrosion.

For information on how to make a do-it-yourself suspension shelf for a bicycle, see the next video.