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Bike storage when you live in a terrace house or flat

28 replies

Notcontent · 21/06/2020 14:43

This is more of a moan than anything else.

Bike storage is such a pain when you live in a terrace house of flat. I looked at so many options. It’s just two of us (me and a teen) and currently our bikes are kept in a shed at the back of the house, which keeps them safe, but it’s just such a pain to get them out as we have to take them through the house. Hallway is very narrow so can’t keep them there. There is no room at the front for a shed. A few years I tried to keep a bike in the small space at the front of my house but it was stolen within a day even though it was very securely chained up. The council has started installing bike storage hangars in the streets and that seems like an ideal solution but they are not very secure and I have heard that quite a few bikes have been stolen from them. So frustrating!!

OP posts:
Burpalot · 21/06/2020 14:47

I know what you mean op.
I know you said your hall is narrow but would mounting bikes on the hall wall make a difference? DC could have theirs in their room. You can get cheaper ones but something like this trophybikeracks.com/

Burpalot · 21/06/2020 14:48

(you could put these in any room where you have 'wasted' space on a wall

Notcontent · 21/06/2020 14:54

Burpalot - sadly, as we are in central London, our house really is quite small and narrow, so keeping our bikes inside is not an option unless our small living room at the front became a “bike storage room”!!! 😂

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MouseholeCat · 21/06/2020 16:42

I had a folding bike that I used to keep in a large closet when we lived in London. It was a full-sized Montague Urban, I loved that bike!

Burpalot · 22/06/2020 08:01

I live in London too but have a flat not house and like a pp have a folding bike which I just keep in the hall. If I didn't have a folding bike I would use a wall or ceiling mount. I'd choose the convenience of that over traipsing it through the house

Needallthesleep · 22/06/2020 08:36

I live in a terraced house in London, so in theory a high theft area. I have put the kind of set up you would see for a motorbike at the front of my house for my bike, it has been there for at least a year without being stolen.

We have put an anchor into the brick wall along the side of the house, then have the strongest motorbike lock you can get attached to it. It seems a few people around us have this set up.

Needallthesleep · 22/06/2020 08:39

Actually, weirdly I posted a very similar question a few months back. In addition to the above set up someone also suggested a lock which has a loud alarm when it is cut into. I can’t remember the name of it but they are about £40 on Amazon.

refriedbeanstalk · 22/06/2020 08:39

We have the same as Needallthesleep but at the moment because we're using them so much they're in the front hall. You have to squash right up against the wall to get to the door..

caffeinebuzz · 22/06/2020 08:42

Needallthesleep How do you protect bike from the elements with this setup? We have a secure alleyway by the side of our house but it isn't covered.

Neighneigh · 22/06/2020 08:42

If you can be faffed, taking the wheels off to store bike saves a lot of space. You have to be careful not to get chain oil on the carpet so put a bit of cardboard down, but once the wheels are off you can fold the handlebars to the side. Wheels can go anywhere. It's a faff, we used to have three bikes in a minute flat, chain ring marks everywhere...

fluffedupferretonsteroids · 22/06/2020 08:47

My partners bike is currently being stored in the bathroom so I know just how annoying it can be Sad

Needallthesleep · 22/06/2020 09:13

@caffeinebuzz I bought a cover. I should probably say it’s a £100 second hand Specialized bike, so not anything super expensive, so I’m less concerned about it. Ironically the locks I have for my bike cost more than the bike did!

Toddlerteaplease · 22/06/2020 09:20

I totally know what you mean!

bluefoxmug · 22/06/2020 09:22

we used to have the bikes in the garden in a terrace. going through the house with them to get to the street.
if they are stored outside the saddle might need a wipe. and the chain needs to be oiled every now and then.
tbh, the weathered look means bike seem less desirable to thugs.

Toddlerteaplease · 22/06/2020 09:22

I bought a full sized folding bike. But the handlebars don't fold down so putting it under the stairs isn't practical. So I bought a smaller folding bike which is currently on the back seat of the car.

caffeinebuzz · 22/06/2020 09:30

Thanks, I might look into a cover then. Initially I looked on google which suggested my bike would be destroyed by the end of one winter under a cover, but maybe all those comments were from much more serious cyclists than I'll ever be!

bluefoxmug · 22/06/2020 09:32

if you look at the netherlands, most bikes are out in the streets in all weather.
honestly it's fine.

MonkeyToesOfDoom · 22/06/2020 09:36

Os there space out front for a bike locker?
www.asgardsss.co.uk/twin-bike-locker

You can get all sorts of sized ones, more secure than a shed or a chain to a wall.

megletthesecond · 22/06/2020 09:39

I know what you mean. I have a small-ish house and no garage. Three bikes in the shed means the shed is overflowing and a death trap to access. I've seen pulley systems to hang them from the calling but I'd clonk my head on it.

I often rant about how all new homes should be built with bike storage.

bluefoxmug · 22/06/2020 09:46

I often rant about how all new homes should be built with bike storage.

totally and absolutely yes.
plus with an outside electrical socket to charge mobility scooters and electric bikes.

Needallthesleep · 22/06/2020 09:46

@caffeinebuzz it has definitely not been destroyed. It has been out for about a year, when I took it along for an ‘MOT’ with a local bike shop they said it was fine. Hope that helps :)

slug · 22/06/2020 09:53

Is there space in one of these near you? www.cyclehoop.rentals/

BiddyPop · 22/06/2020 09:53

We have a BikeShel (see towards the bottom on this page but we got it direct from manufacturer in Ireland) and it's great, we lock the expensive bikes individually inside it, (there's 2 we're not so precious about) and lock the shelter itself. We have it for the past 10 years or so, and it's still perfect.

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