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Original poster

Smart indoor bike storage?

20 replies

gastrognome · 26/04/2015 21:12

Hello,
Has anybody found a solution to the problem of storing bikes indoors?

We live in a narrow terraced townhouse with no access to the small back garden except through the house. No garage.

Have a lovely hallway with high ceilings but it's extremely narrow. Currently trying to find a way to store two kids' and two adults' bikes that are invading all the space and making the hall look cluttered and horrible.

Have thought about those ceiling pulley racks but our ceilings are over four metres high and there's no way we could install one.

Anybody got any ideas?

Bikes are used regularly so need to remain somewhat accessible. We also have a cellar but access is very tight, so not really convenient for bikes.

I just want some kind of nice storage solution that isn't hideously ugly or designed for a garage rather than a hallway.

All suggestions gratefully received.

OP posts:
ragged · 26/04/2015 21:28

but you've got all that empty ceiling space, where else would be better, why would a pulley rack be impossible to install?

Looseleaf · 26/04/2015 21:32

I doubt anything would be possible other than pulleys?
Our hallway is currently blocked by Dd's bike as she's a bit protective of it being brand new but we lift DS' to the back garden and our adult bikes live on bike racks on the street outside

Waswondering · 26/04/2015 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
gastrognome · 27/04/2015 05:35

Thanks.
We don't have a stepladder that's anywhere near tall enough to reach our ceiling, unfortunately. Even tall husband standing on tiptoes can't get anywhere near it. There's also a big light fitting in the middle. (I'll also admit I'm terrified of the idea of four bikes dangling from the ceiling).
Will have a look on Pinterest...

OP posts:
FishWithABicycle · 27/04/2015 06:33

With 4m ceilings that's the obvious solution. You don't have to DIY the installation. Find a local handyman/oddjobsperson to do the work. Google your local HSS or other equipment hire shop to hire some appropriate safe access equipment - maybe a pair of A-frame ladders with some boarding between but they may have some micro-scaffolding. These things definitely exist - people with high ceilings do have to redecorate etc.

Original poster
gastrognome · 27/04/2015 17:49

people with high ceilings do have to redecorate
What? you mean we have to redecorate?
Eek!

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 27/04/2015 18:58

I wouldn't hang a bike from the hall ceiling. The bike, or an accessory, might fall on your head.

Some kind of garden shed or bike-store. With big rings to chain them into place.

FishWithABicycle · 28/04/2015 00:30

What? you mean we have to redecorate?
Not if you don't want to. I just mean that the technology and engineering does exist to get you up there.

Artistic · 28/04/2015 11:10

How about an outdoor bike shed? With some kind of metal rings put into concrete - to which you could chain/lock your bikes.

Having expensive bikes inside your house could make your house inviting to burglars..

hugoagogo · 30/04/2015 10:40

Your house sounds like mine, we currently have ds's bike in the hall so it catches on your bag/coat every time you leave the house.Hmm
Mine is in the garden rusting because I can never be bothered to drag it through the house. Dd's is in the cellar so hardly ever used and DJ's has been in the cellar for 15 odd years.
Never buy a house without a back gate and a shed.
I have tried to put hooks up in my hall but the brick crumbles away and isn't safe. (I love those hipster ones)
Gives up

Original poster
gastrognome · 30/04/2015 16:40

I like the hipster ones too - though wondering how you actually get your bike up there in the first place?

Some kind of outdoor storage may well have to be the solution, though I hate the idea of trundling dirty/wet bikes through the house every day. Our garden is tiny too, but I might be able to find a small lock-up for the kids bikes and keep mine in the hall (I use mine every day, kids use theirs on weekends).

Where we live (Belgium) most terraced houses don't have any means of access to the back garden other than through the house, so even moving house probably wouldn't help!

OP posts:
grumbleina · 01/05/2015 11:29

Could you disperse them somewhat throughout the house, hung on walls? Kids ones in their rooms and adults on the hallway wall?

These are nice ish: www.theknifeandsaw.com/KSItemDetail.php?PC=2&II=2

I feel your pain, cycling enthusiast DH and flat life are not a good mix.

hugoagogo · 01/05/2015 13:26

Yikes $300! Shock

grumbleina · 01/05/2015 14:09

I was going to mention the price! Definitely a strong contender for copying the design and making one yourself!

Stillyummy · 01/05/2015 19:49

We have these... cycloc.com

TheWintersmith · 01/05/2015 19:52

www.cyclehoop.com/product/home-bike-storage/bike-shelf/

And you can get wooden hipster ones too

PeppaPigStinks · 03/05/2015 18:52

Try googling bikeaway
Grin

Madcats · 05/05/2015 20:27

I've got a Brompton (easily dealt with), but we hang DD's bike vertically in the utility room with a Cycloc Solo. Our hallway is tallish, but thin so leaving bikes there wasn't a goer.

If they had sold "Hero" when we were looking I would have bought one of those. I did lust after one of the bookshelf thingys (from memory they needed to protrude quite a distance from the wall)

Notcontent · 09/05/2015 16:21

I think most people living in london have this problem. My hallway isn't wide enough to keep the bikes there even if I wanted to so they are kept in a shed in our tiny garden and we have to drag them through the house. Tried keeping them at the front of the house but they were stolen.

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