best storage method?

I just lie one of by bikes against a wall, the other is straddled diagonally at the end of a corridor.. (both my bikes live inside)

Hanging bikes vertically by the wheel doesn't adversely affect the wheel in any way (as you might first think.) However, I've heard that some suspension forks do not take kindly to being hung vertically/upside-down, and may leak from the seals etc.

Those little three plastic pieces on the brake cable are there to stop the cable from knocking against the frame. You won't do anything bad to the cable by resting the bike on them (bikes aren't that heavy!)

I hang my bikes from the front wheel. I try to have them at a height that allows the weight to rest on the rear wheel. But I've found that the stem get loose very quickly.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by miater

hanging them by a wheel must not be a good method I wouldn't think.

A case of thinking too hard. Nothing wrong with hanging by one wheel except in the case of some mtb suspension forks that could leak.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by ouzo
I hang my bikes from the front wheel. I try to have them at a height that allows the weight to rest on the rear wheel. But I've found that the stem get loose very quickly.

That cannot happen if HS are adjusted properly. So....why not just hean em by the real wheel?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by miater
my wife would like to park her car in the garage again.

so i gotta get the bikes up on the wall or ceiling.

Besides the hanging by the wheel method, you have quite a few options out there.

If you have some rudimentary wood working skills you can always make a holder for each bike. Take a piece of 3/4 inch plywood or solid wood (if you wish to stain it) and drill 2 - 1 & 1/4" holes at a 12 degree angle about halfway through & add in some dowels approx. 10" to 12" long. Attach them with some glue & 1 - 3" screw in each dowel. (another option - not as strong is to simply cut the dowels at about a 12 degree angle, glue & screw) The distance between the dowels depends on your bike. I would measure your top tube & subtract about 2 & 1/2" inches for the placement of the dowels. By the way the piece of wood should be at least 5" tall & at least 24" long. Then you will need to find the wall studs, center everything & screw it to the wall. 2 screws for each stud. You should be able to fit 2 bikes per section of wall Cost - about $6.00 to $10.00 a piece (piece of oak sold by the LF, & 2' of 1 1/4" dowel) Downside - holes to patch when you move

To hang a bike from the ceiling - get 2 hangers from a home center with the plastic covering on them. Find the rafters and the direction they run. The easiest way would be to place both hooks in the same rafter. The first one would be for the handlebar stem & the other for the front of the seat. Cost about $2 to $5.00 Downside - limited placement unless you add in some 2x4 blocking between rafters, holes to fill if you move - the cheap look & picking your bike up that high every night

Another option & the costs vary are stands you can get from LBS, Nashbar catalog, Colorado Cyclist, etc.... For around $100 you should be able to get a good stand that can hold 2 bikes (some have optional mounts for another 2 on the backside, but I didn't like the looks of that option. Some need to be screwed into the wall, others are free sanding. Downside - cost, more floor space used in some cases

Choices, choices, choices - I went with the first option & included the changes I noticed I needed to make (the dowels were to short on the original set I made) Hope this helps you

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by rek
Those little three plastic pieces on the brake cable are there to stop the cable from knocking against the frame. You won't do anything bad to the cable by resting the bike on them (bikes aren't that heavy!)

you won't do anything to the cable, but it's possible that over time the cables will scratch the frame, counteracting the 3 cable silencers.

maybe i'm just anal (probably not, looking at the neatness of my apartment), but i put a paper towel between the cable & top tube and then put it onto the stand i have.

Bicycle spokes operate in tension so hanging a bike by the wheel does not affect it adversely at all. Plus if you have a snazzy bike, as I am sure you do, it makes nice artwork 😉

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by miater
my wife would like to park her car in the garage again.

so i gotta get the bikes up on the wall or ceiling.

hanging them by a wheel must not be a good method I wouldn't think.

what systems do you like?

on other concern i have is that my tourmalet has the rear brake cable routed on the bottom of the top tube.

so when I load if on the carrier or on most storage systems I see pressure is exerted on the cable.

there are 3 little rubber or plastic pieces that surround the cable and buffer the friction a little .

Simple solution, move the bikes to the living room. They can be used as additional seats for guests. Bikes don't belong in a drafty, dirty garage anyway.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by eric_the_red
Simple solution, move the bikes to the living room. They can be used as additional seats for guests. Bikes don't belong in a drafty, dirty garage anyway.

You are either single, or your wife loves bikes as much as you. Years ago when I had a Harley and no garage I said that we could park it in the spare room, it would be " rolling sculpture "

Ended up renting a storage unit for it. Now that I'm older and smarter I wouldn't want the motorcycle in the house, and if I did I'm smart enough not to bring it up.

I think I might broach the subject of a C50 in the house though!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by drewski
you won't do anything to the cable, but it's possible that over time the cables will scratch the frame, counteracting the 3 cable silencers.

maybe i'm just anal (probably not, looking at the neatness of my apartment), but i put a paper towel between the cable & top tube and then put it onto the stand i have.

a friend has a 98 buenos aires, and it's scratched down the the metal
and rusted, where the cable rubbed against the frame whenever he had the bike on a carrier or whatever he stored it on.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by miater
a friend has a 98 buenos aires, and it's scratched down the the metal
and rusted, where the cable rubbed against the frame whenever he had the bike on a carrier or whatever he stored it on.

The fix was cheap and easy enough.