BIKE RACKS BLOG

We often discuss ways to store and transport your bicycles here on the Bike Racks Blog. However there one subject that does not come into discussion very often. That subject is the different options that exist for bicycle accessory storage.

Those of us that are serious about bicycling often have an enormous collection of gadgets and gizmos for our ride. Unless you live in a bicycle emporium, that means you are going to have to invest in some serious bicycle accessory storage options.

Luckily for you fellow rider, there is a vast array of accessories that will help you store your accessories!

First off, there is bicycle accessory storage for the home. Items such as the Double Vertical Wall Mounted Rack provide excellent storage for a range of accessories. Not only does it offer a shelf for your helmet and a top shelf for your cycling shoes, it also provides wall-mounted bicycle storage. This rack is perfect as a bicycle accessory storage center in your closet or garage!

Now that you have your bicycle accessory storage all squared away at home, you can start thinking about storage in the car.

Anther Bicycle Accessory Storage Option

Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to bicycle right to our riding path. Most people need to place the bikes on a car rack and drive out to their destination. With that in mind, it is important to have all of your accessories in one spot when you arrive. That way you can maximize the time you spend riding and minimize the time you spend preparing for the ride.

The Bike Organizer Rail is perfect for ensuring your bike accessories are ready for the ride! This bike rack is also wall mounted, and includes storage accessories like a hook for storing your helmet orgloves, plus an equipment holder that is great for your pump or other items, and a storage bag!

My favorite thing about this bicycle accessory storage rack is that it includes a storage bag. You can pack the bag with your necessary accessories and be ready for your ride. The bag is small enough that it is easy to carry to and from the car.

Now that you have bicycle accessory storage taken care of, you do not have to worry about forgetting that all-important item for your ride. Nothing is worse than realizing you don’t have a patch for your tire, or your pump was left at home.

One huge task I have had to do a couple times in my life was move from one side of the country to the other. From California to Massachusetts and back, making that long-distance move is quite a strain. When my wife and I moved back to California a few years ago, we drove back. However with a couple of bikes, we ran into an issue about how to get these expensive foot-powered vehicles back to California. The answer to this dilemma was bike shipping boxes.

While it is cheaper to just drive back with the bikes, they have an awkward shape that makes it extremely difficult to pack around.  We were already moving our entire lives from one side of the country to the other, so we wanted to save our car space for other items. To get our bicycles back out to the West Coast, we simply used bike shipping boxes to mail them back.

Bike Shipping Boxes Bring a lot to the Table

Bike shipping boxes are not just regular old cardboard boxes. They are made from a thicker material and include a hook and loop feature. They keep your bikes safe from damage while being shipped, and have a relatively light weight at 22 pounds that will save you on shipping charges. We got our bike shipping boxes from DBA CrateWorks.

Another great feature of bike shipping boxes is that they can be folded down flat when they are not in use. This is vital for saving space in our tightly packed apartment. When you have a small apartment you don’t have a lot of storage space for more storage!

Shipping both of our bicycles in bike shipping boxes was one of the best decisions we made when we prepared to move back to the Golden State. I would highly recommend these sturdy and protective boxes for any die-hard cyclist making a long distance move.

It would make sense that most dedicated cyclists would prefer to live in a place that is bike-friendly. While there are many great examples of newer cities that have taken steps to increase their bicycle amenities, it seems that older, more urban cities lead the pack. Older cities often consist of very compact housing stock. This makes bicycle storage a big of an issue. In my experience the best way for an urban cyclist to get around this cramped space is hanging bicycle storage.

Many people in densely populated cities simply cannot afford the parking and maintenance of a car. This was often the case for me and my friends while I lived in Boston. Luckily the city was so small, a bicycle more than made up for the lack of auto transport. Since we could not even afford cars, you can imagine our apartments were miniscule. Hanging bicycle storage was the way to go, as you could install a wall-mounted bike rack in the living room with no problem.

The weather in Boston can be particularly nasty and unpredictable. This is a terrible combination for outdoor bicycle storage. One minute it could be a blue, sunny day (though terribly humid) and the next minute there are lightning bolts all around you and you are getting drenched in a downpour. So naturally many of my friends avoided storing their bicycles outside their buildings or homes. Hanging storage was just the best way to keep the bikes from getting weather-damage.

Hanging Bicycle Storage: A True Tale

My friend’s husband not only used bicycles for transportation, but was a certified bicycling fanatic. Every weekend he would go on rides, sometimes for the entire day. He had about 4 bicycles stored inside their one-bedroom, fourth-floor walk-up apartment. As you can imagine, the only way to keep all of those bikes in order was hanging bicycle storage.

He used two Wall Mounted Bicycle Racks to store his bicycles and all of the additional accessories he needed. Hanging bicycle storage really came to the rescue in that situation. Did I mention these people had a 75 pound black lab in addition to all of these bikes! Talk about a cramped one-bedroom.

Hanging a bike on the wall is much better than leaving it on the floor in your apartment, for a variety of reasons. First of all – small and old apartments get cluttered incredibly quickly. Nothing is worse than coming home to a cluttered living room, especially with a big old bike blocking your path!

Neatly hanging in the corner of the living room is a much better location. Those which are fortunate enough to have a large closet will find that area to be an even better place to locate hanging bicycle storage.

Hanging Bicycle Storage is perfect for new homes too!

For those that don’t live in an older building and have all the space in the world – well I suppose this post was meaningless to you. But it’s not! Hanging bicycle storage can come in handy for those with garages and large walk in closets. It’s like the best of both worlds!

One thing I like to do on Bike Racks Blog is to keep my readers up-to-date on all of the new cycling news that I come across. In between writing about wall-mounted bicycle racks and car racks I also like to share some of my favorite places to ride these two-wheel vehicles. But enough talk about putting your bikes on wall mounted bicycle racks – it is time to talk about great places to cycle.

I have found not all places are alike when it comes to bicycle infrastructure. Some big cities, like Minneapolis and Portland have made bicycle amenities a focus when it comes to planning. Other cities such as Miami and Memphis have been singled out for their awful bicycling conditions.

In my day I have ridden across a fair stretch of this continent, and I have seen some great places to ride and others that leave quite a bit to be desired. I would like to share some of these with you all – if you have a favorite place to ride that I do not mention, please bring it up in the comments section! Or if you have a success story with wall mounted bicycle racks, leave a comment too! Click Read more for my two favorite rides, in two very different locations.

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There is no activity that is more relaxing in the springtime than a nice long drive down a winding road. If you have some scenic countryside or coastline to drive through, that makes it even more spectacular. There is just something that is incredibly comforting when you are going 30 miles an hour down an isolated highway with nowhere to go and all the time in the world. Actually, now that I think about it I take that back – there is one thing hat I find more relaxing. That one thing would be driving 30 miles an hour with a bike rack on the back of your car, with somewhere to go – And that somewhere is a nice long countryside bike ride.

I live in a very large and congested city, and riding a bike on the busy boulevards and though jammed-up intersections is not a very pleasurable experience. In fact, it can be downright hazardous for your health. Here in Los Angeles, I pretty much only ride my bicycle for utility and commuting, instead of pleasure. For that reason, I look forward to this time of year so much. The springtime in California means the rolling hills are green and full of colors and smells, the weather is great (not too cold, not too hot), and there is no one getting in my way as I ride along.

Of course, getting yourself and your bicycle out of the city and out to the country can be quite an ordeal if you do not have the proper bike rack. Add in the fact that I prefer to ride with my wife and you can see that this is no simple task. We need a bike rack that can handle multiple bicycles at a time. Luckily, there are many options available for your car’s bike rack.

My perfect bike rack

The bike rack that my wife and I decided to go with is a 4-Bike Carrier by Heininger. What sets this bike rack apart is its ability to hold up to four bicycles at a time. The rack is specifically designed to fit right into your trailer hitch, making the installation quick and easy. One thing I have noticed with cheap car bike racks is that they tend to make a ton of noise while you drive down the road. Usually this noise is accompanied by horrible gas mileage, as the bike rack is causing an unbelievable amount of drag.

However, that is certainly not the case with this car-mounted bike rack. The long car-ride ride up into the hills outside of Los Angeles was practically silent. That was really a good thing because the wife and I are really getting into Game of Thrones on audio books. Let me tell you, there is nothing worse than listening to medieval violence that is obstructed by the whistling and groaning of a non-wind-resistant bike rack.

Car-mounted bike racks are not just for urban-living either. My in-laws love their Heininger bike rack just as much as we do, and they live in a far-off exurb of the Bay Area. The countryside is right there for them! (I mean that literally, their town is ringed by forests). So whether you need to travel far to get your pleasure ride in, or just a few minutes – a car mounted bike rack is a must-have.

Everyone knows the cliché about Los Angeles’ car-crazed nature. As the stereotype goes about this humongous city, walking and cycling are the exception, not the rule. Another cliche about Southern Californians is that they love the outdoors. Combine these two ideas it would seem they are the perfect readers for this blog dedicated to car bike racks and other bike racks.

Los Angeles, CA

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Your bike’s not the only thing with wheels in your garage, there are all sorts of garage accessories made better by caster wheels. From hand carts to garage stools, here are a few items that might come in handy around the garage.

For anyone who spends hours in the workshop, having the right seating is key. The Scooter Seat is set on casters and has a compact design that makes it easy to move around a car, bike or workbench. A durable metal design allows this stool to stand up to garage wear and tear.

Your chair isn’t the only thing that benefits from a set a wheels, having a cart you can wheel around with you makes any project easier. The 42.5 Inch Tuffy Three Tier Cart with Topaz Shelves provides plenty of shelf space for storing the tools you’re using. Simply wheel this cart into place when it’s time to work on a project.

You can also store all your tools on wheels with the Professional Tool Cart. This tool box has variously sized drawers for storing different types of tools. Use the open lower shelf for easy access to larger items, like electric hand sanders.

For moving larger items the My Cart 2 Hand Truck provides a helping hand. Place heavier items on this cart for easy moving. Folding flat, this cart can be stored in a closet or cabinet when not in use.

There are all sorts of oddly shaped items that need to be stored in the garage. Using storage like the Tool Rack with Wheels makes it easy to move these cumbersome items around and then store them. Hanging hooks allow you to store everything from brooms to power cords, all in one place.

Add storage or seating to the garage with the convenience of casters.

Going on a car trip is always difficult to pack for. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or camping trip, there never seems to be enough storage space in your car. Adding storage to the exterior of your car can be an easy way to gain the room you need. From rooftop cargo carriers to bike racks, there’s bound to be storage for all your favorite toys.

HitchMate Cargo Carrier

For easy to reach storage make the most of your hitch with the HitchMate Cargo Carrier. Adding cargo space to the back of your car by attaching to your hitch, this platform has a guardrail surround to help keep things in place. Fill it up with camping gear, a cooler or whatever else you might need, secure it in place with straps and you’re ready to go!

Advantage tiltAWAY 4-Bike Carrier by Heininger

For any avid biker a bike car rack is a must. The Advantage tiltAWAY 4-Bike Carrier holds up to four bikes, enough room for the whole family. This design works with a variety of cars, including hatchbacks as it provides plenty of clearance.

Advantage SofTop Roof Cargo Bag by Heininger

Looking for even more storage? Then just look up! By adding a rooftop carrier like the Advantage SofTop Roof Cargo Bag you can gain lots of storage when you need it most. With a weather resistant design, this bag keeps your luggage safe from the elements, while freeing up storage room inside your car.

Rack Sack – Cargo Carrier Bag

The Rack Sack is another great choice for rooftop storage. Holding up t0 13 cubic feet, this carrier is the perfect place to stash sleeping bags or duffel bags.

HitchMate TireStep by Heininger

Don’t think you can reach storage up on top of your car? Give yourself a lift with the HitchMate TireStep. When you don’t have running boards or they don’t give you enough reach the HitchMate TireStep gives you the added height you need.

Sometimes all you need is to keep your bike in place with a simple stand to keep it from falling over wherever it is you like to store it. While many bikes don’t have a kick stand to help them stand upright, even those that do don’t help up the bike standing up straight enough to save much space. Sometimes that storage space is the garage or your basement, at times it’s even your living room, but wherever it is you want a streamlined stand that isn’t going to take up much floor space or get in the way.

Only need storage for one bike? Small yet stable the Grandstand Single Bike Rack comes with a compact design that keeps a single bike upright with ease. Durable plastic construction allows this bike to stand up to daily wear and tear. Simply place the wheel in between the two arms for a stable bike. Unlike many bike racks where the bike has to be lifted up for storage, a bike stand is an easy to use alternative that doesn’t require any heavy lifting. This small stand can easily be stored when not in use.

For twice the storage the Bicycle Stand – 2 Bike Storage System offers stable storage with a similar design. Made of metal, this bike rack is sure to be sturdy. This stand stores two bikes side by side for convenient storage and access when on the go.

A bike stand also comes in handy when it’s time for a tune up. Use this bike stand in your workshop to keep your bike upright while filling up tires or making adjustments. Whether you’re working on your bike or just looking to store it, a bike stand can come in handy  when it comes to keeping your bike standing up.

Bikes are bulky and take up a lot of room, which is why bike racks that are wall or ceiling mounted are a great way to free up floor space. Here are a few styles that might help your bike take up less space.

The Bicycle Hanger – Stores Up To Four Bikes allows you to hang bikes by one wheel. This bike rack is great in the garage where space is always at a premium. Holding up to four bikes this rack is ideal for a family or anyone with a bike collection.

Don’t think four bikes will do it? Then the Mountain Bike Rack, with six slots, has the storage you need. This rack allows you to dedicate a wall to storing and displaying your bikes.

For a bike rack that offers storage space for your bike and all your bike gear add the Wall Mounted Bicycle Rack – Double Vertical. Built in shelves are the perfect place to store clip in shoes, a bike lock or your helmet.

With a minimalist design that is subtle enough to use in your apartment or in the garage try the Single Wall Mounted Bike Rack – Set of 2. A hook holds the top tire while the lower tray keeps the lower tire from marking the wall. Use as many of these racks as needed to store all your bikes.

Keeping bikes properly stored and out of the way simply requires finding the right bike rack for your space and your bike collection. From the garage to the living room, wherever you store your bike, a bike rack that takes them up, up and away can be a convenient way to make the best use of your space. These bike racks will give you extra space to hang, while giving your bikes a place to hang too.