A bike stand is a special product designed for long-term storage of a bike. Thanks to this accessory, the owner can independently diagnose and assemble the unit after repair without any problems. Not all manufacturers produce bicycles with a footboard, and at home storage of two-wheeled vehicles without special equipment will not be very convenient.
On the modern market you can find a huge assortment of these accessories, and if you do not want to splurge, you can build your own construction. The article will talk about the varieties of the product, give tips on choosing and describe the most common models.
Features
All components of modern bicycles are made of high-quality metal and shockproof plastic, however, bikes still require special personal care. Many owners in cold weather, when the product is idle, prefer to store it in an apartment or on a balcony. However, this content will not affect the condition of the tires in the best way. Six months later, cracks appear on the wheels, the rubber begins to crumble, and if there is no air in them, then the owners will have to change tires every season.
In addition, a bicycle is a rather bulky transport and can cause a lot of inconvenience to households, especially if the apartment is small. In this case, buying or making a stand will be the best solution.
This product will not only allow you to keep the rubber in proper quality, but also free up a significant part of the corridor. If you decide to store the bike in the garage, then there are stands exclusively for the rear wheel. On this design, you can safely leave two-wheeled vehicles for a long time.
Modern bike stands can hold both wheels and frame. With their help, the owners will be able to repair the bike on their own, put it wherever they want, and even the minimum load will not fall on the wheels.
Varieties of coasters
Bicycle stands are made of a variety of materials, they can be metal, plastic and wooden. Plastic models are made only in factories, because it is almost impossible to independently create such an aggregate. All other products on the market can be assembled independently, even without any skills and experience in this area.
At the location of the rack are divided into 4 groups: floor, ceiling, combined and wall.
Floor
Floor products are the most popular in the modern market, they allow you to suspend one of the wheels (usually the rear) and hold the bike upright. In most cases, they are made of metal and wood. More expensive units allow you to fix the bike vertically with a sign on two wheels. Such designs are usually used for short-term storage of a bike in an apartment.
Some models, by surprise, can lock up to four bicycles at a time.
Wall mounted
Wall supports are either in the form of hooks, or they are traverses with a pair of clamps for the bicycle frame. Combined models involve the use of several types of racks. In this case, the rear wheel is suspended, as in the version with a floor stand, and the frame is attached using hooks.
The bicycle is placed vertically, and the front wheel is at the top, so the owners can put the bike in the corner of the corridor and save a couple of meters of the room.
Stand Hooks every year they gain more and more popularity, gradually crowding out floor models. Experts advise you to buy such racks in case you want to store the bike in inaccessible places: outside the door or on the balcony. Install the hook so that it does not interfere with free walking and does not take up much space.
The product is characterized by a simple structure, there is provided support plastic with a pair of suspensions and a fixed base for attaching the frame.
It is strictly forbidden to install using self-tapping screws or nails, only anchors or dowels should be used during work. Before mounting, you should calculate the height from the hook to the floor so that the bike fits correctly on the wall.
Ceiling
In addition, the bike can be mounted on traverses. It is mounted on a fixed base, and the height is adjusted using a rope of increased strength. It will turn out a kind of "air" stand.
Folding
Another variety of bike racks. If you use your bike daily, then there is probably a frequent need to edit the chain, configure and maintain the vehicle. In addition, minor repairs are sometimes necessary. In this case, folding stands will be great helpers. The owners can change their height or even make out.
You can fix the bike not only by the frame, but also by the pipe under the seat or on the carriage.
The best models
X17
This is the most common stand among bike lovers. The product is made in the form of a triangle, consisting of three metal pipes. A wheel is put on through the upper corner.
The stand boasts small dimensions and lightness, so that it can be rearranged without problems if necessary. The model is suitable for 20–28-inch wheels.
On such a rack, you can not only leave the bike for a long time, but also make minor repairs. The cost fluctuates around 700 rubles.
Bike Hand YC-97
This is not just a stand, but a complete bicycle holder. The model has a curved appearance, you can completely fit the bike on it, special rollers for wheels are provided. Due to the design features, you can vertically place the bike. This position is best suited for storing two-wheeled vehicles and no part is subjected to deformation even after a long downtime.
The height of the product is 70 cm, but this does not affect the weight of the structure - The rack weighs only 2 kg and takes only 20 cm in width.
Of the main advantages, we can distinguish that the manufacturer provides adjustable rollers, therefore, the model is suitable for bicycles of various sizes. The cost in Russia starts from 2200 rubles.
PRO 26
The main component of the design is a 4 mm metal sheet. The product boasts durability and small dimensions. The sheet is bent at right angles, and a pair of rubberized pins is installed on top. Both wheels are installed between them, so the bike is in a vertical position.
A similar holder can be supplied anywhere. In addition, it can be easily transported if necessary, for example, a bicycle can be “parked” during a long trip. The stand is suitable for bicycles with tire diameters up to 26 inches. The price fluctuates around 900 rubles.
Do it yourself
If there is time, but there is no desire to spend money on such a rack, then you can make it yourself, you just need to follow the instructions below.
- First of all, you need to assemble a rectangular frame, which will become the basis of the structure. The width of the frame should not exceed the dimensions of the wheel hub of the bike.
- The next step is to nail a couple of rails from the inside, which will hold the wheel. In order not to be mistaken with the calculations, you need to measure the radius of the wheel, the rails should be 4 cm longer. The gap between the rails and the width of the sleeve should be equal.
- The holders can be covered with rubber or felt, thanks to this technique the stand will last much longer.
If you correctly did all of the above, then The bicycle wheel should fit perfectly between the racks. So the bike will be in a stable position, even if the tire does not touch the floor.
In addition to this, such a design can also be assembled from polypropylene pipes using a construction iron, however, this will require at least a little experience in the field of plumbing installation.
Selection and operation tips
- Before buying a bike stand, you need to choose exactly where it will stand. And after you have decided what area you can allocate for transport, you can go to the store.
- When choosing, pay attention to the material from which the product is made. The ideal purchase would be models made of metal or shockproof plastic. These materials are durable and can last quite a while.
- Of considerable importance is the variety of design. The less space the stand takes, the better.
- With the bike rack you can fix the bike in a variety of positions. Professionals advise placing two-wheeled vehicles on the wall. This decision is especially true if the house has very little free space.
- If the hook with the bracket does not fit with the overall design of the room, then you can mask the product under the shelf. So it will have additional functionality.
- If you have a large room, it is best to store the bike on a floor stand. Such models can suspend as soon as the rear wheel, or both. If there is no need to constantly store the bicycle in the room, then it is worth taking a closer look at folding models, they can be easily removed.
- If you decide to store transport in the apartment, and not in the garage, then for these purposes there is a special cover on the market. It will protect the living space from dirt and sand.Such covers are made in a variety of colors and will not spoil the interior.
See how to make a bike stand in the next video.