How Do I Mount a Bike To My Wall?
At PedalSteady, we found that bikes are not easy to store. You might take your chances with a public bike rack, but that can leave your bike exposed to the weather and opens you up to the possibility of theft. Don’t risk hurting your bike, and don’t take the chance of it getting stolen by storing it inside.
That’s a lot easier said than done! It’s not like you can just stick it in the closet, and leaving a bike out in the middle of the floor is an eyesore (and can become a major headache). Thankfully, there are plenty of options for hanging your bike on the wall.
What are my options?
Just like you had to choose the kind of bike that best fits your lifestyle, you need to choose the best kind of wall mount for your space.
There are three major things to consider when choosing a wall mount for your bike:
- How much space do you have?
- How often do you use your bike?
- How permanent do you want your mount to be?
Try to answer these questions, and keep your answers in mind as you look through these options.
Horizontal Mount
A horizontal wall mount typically holds your bike by the top tube, parallel to your wall. They usually keep your bike only a foot or two off the ground, and since the bike is already horizontal, these are the easiest mounts to use day-to-day.
However, horizontal mounts take up the most floor space. Even though they hold your bike along the wall, they will still occupy more than five feet of floor space to accommodate the length of your bike.
Vertical Mount
A vertical wall mount usually holds your bike by the front tire, so both tires rest on the wall. This kind of mount takes up much less space overall—just the height of your bike instead of its entire length—and is also usually easier to install.
The big downside of this type of mount is that it is more difficult to access your bike than a horizontal mount. Rather than simply taking your bike off and rolling, you have to life and maneuver your bike around in order to get the wheels on the ground.
Permanent vs. Free-Standing
Most bike mounts attach directly to the wall. This is the best option in terms of stability and security because there is no chance of your bike (or the mount) falling over—as long as they are installed properly.
The other option is better for apartment living, or if you are unsure where you want to keep your bikes in your home, or if you want to take your mount with you when you travel. You can find both horizontal and vertical free-standing mounts, but they are less stable and may cost more than permanent mounts.
What about a ceiling mount?
If you really need to save floor space—and you’re comfortable suspending your bike in the air—a ceiling mount might be the choice for you. The simplest ceiling mounts will just hold your bike by the front tire, meaning your bike will hang vertically, but you can also find pulley setups that lift your entire bike off the ground and suspend it horizontally.
If your space has a standard or low ceiling, you probably won’t get any more benefit out of a ceiling mount than a regular wall mount. However, these are great if you have a high ceiling, space above a car, or if your walls are already full.
What’s the best way?
The best way for you depends on how you answered the questions above, but there are a few systems that stand out.
Easiest to Install
The Delta Cycle Michelangelo is hands-down the easiest mount to set up—there’s no installation required. This horizontal mount simply props up against the wall and uses rubber feet to keep it in place. It will keep your bike a little further from the wall than a permanent horizontal mount would, but if you’re looking for a free-standing mount and you have the space, you can’t beat this rack.
An added feature of this rack is that it holds two bikes on the standard model, but Delta also offers a style to hold four bikes. This mount may cost more than some options, but its ease of installation and sturdiness are worth the cost.
Space Saving Design
Wall mounts don’t get simpler than the CLUG Bike Clip. This easy-to-install permanent wall mount can be used to store your bike vertically or horizontally—but you must keep at least one tire on the ground! Simply back your bike up to the clip, or pop a wheelie and push the front tire in, and your bike is secure.
Installation is also a breeze with only two screws and an included hole-drilling guide. You can also get the CLUG in a size that is perfect for your bike, so you don’t have to worry about whether it will fit.
Sturdiest Storage
The most secure way to mount your bike to the wall is the classic permanent horizontal wall mount, like the Ibera Horizontal Bike Wall Hanger. This mount features an adjustable beam to accommodate any handlebar width, and an adjustable frame holder to ensure your bike is level. Along with the padded supports, this mount is sure to keep your bike safe and secure.
This beefy mount requires four screws (included) to keep it snug to the wall, so make sure you have a sturdy place where you can install it. This could be a masonry or concrete wall, but keep in mind this cannot be secured to drywall unless there is a wooden stud behind it.
What Do I Need To Mount a Bike To My Wall?
Most mounting kits will include hardware, so don’t worry about extra screws or washers. Many free-standing mounts can be assembled by hand, but a power drill is very helpful for permanent mounts. Other than that, all you need is space and time!
