Let's Talk About Bikes!
9:55 AM |
| DIY Bike Stand |
My kids bikes spend most of the summer laying in the yard or abandoned on the driveway. They're finally old enough to "store" them in places where they're unlikely to be run over by the car, but we need a better plan.
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| Unacceptable bike storage |
Sure I could buy a ready made
bike stand or rack from a store but that's just not the One Brown Mom way! Depending
on its simplicity and the materials you use it may be cheaper. Plus, making my own
will also allow me to custom make it to fit our needs.
As I ponder what kind of stand I'll make, here are a few ideas I'm considering:
1.
PVC Piping Rack
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| PVC Stand |
Armed with some PVC tubes, a PVC pipe
cutter and pipe glue or cement you can create a single bike stand or a PVC bike
rack to hold all your family’s bikes. The advantage of a PVC rack is that PVC
is quite affordable. Besides, it is light therefore the rack will be easily
portable.
2. Off the wall rack
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| Off the Wall Rack |
You can make an off the wall rack where you hang your bike. The rack is made by mounting a wood extension on a wall. Rails, similar to those of window curtains are then attached to the wood and hooks used to hold the bike in place. When making an off the wall rack ensure that the wall is firmly mounted on the wall and that the hooks and rail are sturdy.
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| Handlebar Bike Stand |
4. Shipping pallet
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| Shipping Pallet Bike Stand |
If the slats are spaced well enough to accommodate the width of your
bicycle wheel you will not need to make any changes on the pallet. Mount the upright pallet on 2x4s and you've got a quick and easy stand. Fit the front wheel of
your bikes into the slats. If the width of your wheel size is bigger than the
slats, modify the pallet slats so that the wheel fits well.
5.
Wall hooks
This one is similar to the handlebar DIY
bike stand. However, instead of using the handlebars to hold the bike’s top
tube, you use metal hooks. It can be placed slightly above the bikes height or
on the upper parts of the wall.
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| Wall Hooks |
6.
DIY ceiling
bike storage
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| Ceiling Bike Storage |
A
ceiling storage option is ideal if you do not have space on the ground or wall
and you have enough headroom. It must however be well fastened to the ceiling
and should be sturdy to prevent the bike falling off getting damaged or causing
injuries.
Factors to consider before making your own DIY bike stand
1.
Weight of your bike. Heavier bikes require an on-the-
ground bike stand while lighter bikes can be mounted on wall or ceiling stands.
2.
Location where the bike stand will be placed.
Will the bike stand be placed outside, in the garage, mounted on a wall or on
the ceiling? If placed outside, consider using PVC tube to make the stand as
metal is likely to rust when the weather is humid and wood may rot.
3.
Cost.
Determine the materials, tools and equipment you require to make the
stand. PVC and wood will be more readily available and cheaper. Metallic materials
may be more expensive. If the cost of making one is higher than buying a ready
made bike stand, you may want to consider purchasing a ready made one. Unless of
course you do not mind the cost or you want to custom make one that suits your
house design.
4.
Number of bikes to be stored. If you live alone
and you own one bike it will be OK to make a single standing bike stand.
Otherwise, if you with your family or friends or you own more than one bike, it
may be more reasonable to make a rack to hold all the bikes so as to save on
resources and space.
5.
Materials readily available. You do not have to
go far to find the materials to make your stand. Look around your house and
garage to see whether there are some materials such as scrap wood, metal or or
parts that you can use to make the stand or rack.
Having a
good bike stand is one of the ways of taking care of your bike. These ideas can be a beginning point on
your DIY bike stand project. I think I'll make the pallet bike stand this weekend. I'll be sure to post a tutorial for whatever I build. Stay tuned!
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1 comments
This article help me. Thank your for sharing.
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