Storing your bike indoors keeps it out of the elements and offers better protection from the more dishonest members of society, but it does come with its own set of challenges. Depending on the size of your house or apartment, space might be an issue, which is why a decent indoor bike rack can be such a big boon.
Design
When it comes to indoor bike racks there aren’t really any rules stating how they should or shouldn’t look, so ideally you should look for something that is going to match your decor. If you just want a nice rack to store your bike in the garage without fear that it is going to fall over or get hit by your car, you don’t have to worry too much about the style. If the bike is going to be hanging on your living room wall, you might want to consider something elegant that will match the rest of your decor and which won’t irk anyone that you are sharing your living space with.
For those fortunate enough to live with a fellow bike enthusiast there are indoor bike racks available that can hold more than one bike.
Setup
The prices of indoor bike racks obviously depend on how elaborate the actual rack is, what material it is made from and how sturdy it is. The type of indoor bike rack you choose will also determine how complicated it is to assemble and set up. The process can range from being as simple as screwing a frame to a wall to opening a bag and being showered in slide nuts, screws, star washers, Velcro and more! Fortunately, you will also find an instruction manual in the box to help you piece together your new kit. If all else fails there is always instructional videos on the Internet that will teach you the ropes if you opted for one of the more widely known and available racks.
Care
After buying and installing your indoor bike rack, you also have to take care of it, but this mostly comes down to some common sense. For example, if you have children in the house, you definitely don’t want them using your new bike rack as a climbing frame. Most of the frames are sturdy, but they are not designed as play areas for children or animals. Bike racks are also not made to store anything that isn’t a bike or maybe bike-related so find something else to store your golf clubs, gym weights or whatever else you might be tempted to attach to the rack.
Most importantly, if you have spent the day mountain biking through dirt and mud, clean the bike first before wheeling it into your home and sticking in the rack.
Options
A proper indoor bike rack is not only a space saver, but great for avoiding mishaps that occur when a bike is just left leaning against a wall indoors. It keeps your bike safe from scratches and dents (provided you mounted everything properly of course!) and gives you peace of mind that your bike is out of harm’s way. Before buying the first indoor bike rack that you see, first assess your home to determine what is going to fit and where it will fit. I also suggest discussing your plans with your spouse as she might have other plans for that comfy corner or prime section of wall that you had your eyes on.
No matter what you have to work with you will find that there some options available to you. Let’s take a look at some of the indoor bike rack styles that could be suited for your needs.
Free Standing Indoor Bike Rack – These types of racks don’t have to be mounted to anything so they can be shifted easily should the need arise. They do tend to be less elegant and take up more space though.
Gravity Wall Indoor Bike Rack – These racks are great if you don’t want to or don’t have permission to attach things to your walls as they use the weight of the bike to stabilize the whole setup. They work by leaning against a wall and using curved, rubberized feet to brace the rack. Obviously the downside is that a lot of care is required to remove your bike from these types of racks.
Wall Mounted Indoor Bike Racks – these types of racks are mounted to your wall so they are sturdy and often look a bit more decorative than the other options. Obviously some assembly is required and relocating them is not that easy.
Ceiling Mountable Indoor Bike Racks – These racks are usually inexpensive, but avoid ones that require you to hang the bike upside down or from its wheels as this can cause damage.
Floor to Ceiling Vertical Bike Racks – If you have multiple bikes and want a sturdy solution without mounting anything to your walls then you will want one of these racks. They typically consist of a column that through springs or hydraulics extend to brace the rack against the floor and ceiling.
Horizontal Floor Indoor Bike Racks – Another solution that is not very elegant and takes up more space, but the bikes are more accessible which can be a bonus if you want to use it for the bikes of younger children that might struggle with the other racks.
Conclusion
As you can see there are plenty of options to choose from so don’t rush your decision and end up with an indoor bike rack that doesn’t match your home. If your bike is important enough to you to keep indoors it is important enough to warrant an investment in a proper bike rack.
http://www.chinabikerack.com
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