7 Best Garage Bike Storage Ideas to Keep Your Space Organized

(Last updated on March 16th, 2023)

My family loves their bicycles. My six kids have two bikes each, and I have nearly as many. But this presents one colossal problem – our garage is so full of bicycles that we can’t use them for anything else. So we needed garage bike storage fast!

In my quest for the best garage bike storage, I found—and tried several excellent solutions.

This article will tell you about the seven best garage bike storage ideas. I’ll go over the different types of bike storage for your garage, give you five excellent options, and tell you which one I like best. Let’s get started.

image3 1
Do you need help with bike storage? SeppVei

Types of Garage Bike Storage

There are several garage bike storage options, ranging from floor racks to bike wall hangers or even ceiling-mounted racks. The cheapest option is to screw a large hook into a stud high enough to hold your bike off the floor. Then, you can place the rear wheel into the hook, so the bike hangs down with the tires against the wall.

Wall-Mounted Bike Racks.

A wall-mounted bike rack helps save space by getting your bike off the ground. They are generally bolted or screwed into a stud and can be adjustable or fixed.

Ceiling-mounted bike rack.

These systems use pulleys to pull the bike up and out of the way. The pulleys make it easier to lift the bike. These are a great way to save space because you can park your car underneath if your ceiling is high enough.

Free- Standing Bike Racks.

A free-standing rack is a little easier if you have plenty of floor space. You don’t have to install it into your wall or ceiling, and you don’t have to lift the bike. Some are adjustable, some are fixed, and there are versions for different numbers of bikes.

I didn’t include car bike racks in this list, though. If you need a rack for your car or SUV, there are plenty to choose from.

How I Gauged the Best Garage Bike Storage Racks

I looked at some factors when choosing the best rack for my garage.

Ease of Installation

I don’t love extensive installations. So I avoided most racks that are difficult to install. I can handle a drill and a few screws, but the rack isn’t on this list if the installation is complicated.

Bike Weight

None of my bikes are especially heavy, but I see an e-bike in my son’s near future. So I wanted a rack that could handle some hefty weight. However, many racks are only safe for lighter bikes like road bikes. E-bikes can be heavy.

Ease of Use

I don’t have time to mess around with complicated setups, so any rack I put in my garage has to be easy to use. Similarly, I don’t want to fidget with many dials and knobs to get it right. I want to be able to set it up and use it.

Protective / Non-Damaging

Another issue I see with some bike racks is that they can inadvertently damage bikes. If riding on a carbon frame, you want to protect that pretty paint job! Features such as rubber coating will go a long way toward protecting your investment.

Floor Space

How much space does the bike take up in the rack? Does the rack have a large footprint or a small one? I included several different types in this list so you can choose the best bike rack for your garage space.

Number of Bikes

Another question is, how many bikes do you need to put in a rack? Do you just have one bike you want up off the floor? Or do you need to store and organize five or ten cycles? Again, this will affect what type of rack you need. 

How the Bike Fits in the Rack

You’ll need to examine how your specific bike fits in the rack. Does it hold the bike firmly? Or does it feel like the bike will fall over? Is there enough space for the handlebars to fit? Can you fit bikes side by side?

If you’re using a hook, you may wonder if hanging your bike by the wheel is safe. Yes, it is!

Budget

Everyone’s budget is different, so I’ll include a variety of price points so you can find something to fit your budget.

Best 5 Garage Bike Storage Ideas

Best for Versatility

1.   SMARTOLOGY Extra-Large Bike Hook, Bicycle Storage Hanger

image6 1
Hooks are a very simple bike storage rack idea. Amazon

Our Rating

9.8/10

$17.99

KEY SPECS

TypeFour packs of 7-inch steel hooks with soft vinyl coating
Capacity60 pounds.
Ease of UseVersatile and will hold almost any type of bike within the weight limit

PROS

  • Highly affordable rack idea
  • Easy to install
  • Can hang just about any bike within the weight limits

CONS

  • You have to be able to lift your bike as high as the hook
  • Heavy bikes will require two hooks

Another easy bike garage rack that I like is these Saratlogy Bike Hooks. All you need to do is screw them directly into a stud. Then, you just need a drill to start the hole and twist the hook in. And you get four hooks for under $18, making it really inexpensive.

I have several of these hooks hanging in my garageand they make a no-frills and versatile solution to hanging up bikes. The most critical part is making sure you install these hooks into a wall stud, since just twisting them into drywall won’t give the hook enough support to hold the bike.

The other important aspect is to make sure you don’t exceed the weight limit. You can use two hooks to distribute the weight if you have a heavy bike. But if you put too much weight on the hook you risk the hook breaking or coming out of the wall, which can cause damage to your bike.

You can hang the bike in several ways. Either hang the bike with a single hook from its rear-wheel or position two hooks to hold it from both wheels. The rubber coating keeps the wheel protected from scratches, which is especially important if you have carbon frames.

If you don’t have enough studs, you can use some lumber to create a base for your rack.

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation10/10
Bike Weight10/10
Ease of Use 9/10
Protective/Non-Damaging10/10
Floor Space10/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack10/10
Budget10/10

OUR VERDICT

I have a number of these hooks to hang a variety of bikes. For example, I can easily hang my steel gravel bike by the wheel with one of these hooks. None of my bikes weigh more than 60 pounds, so I can easily put a hook in every study along the well to get our bikes off the floor. I give this style of rack a 9.8 out of 10 for its versatility, price, and ease of use.

Best for Multiple Bikes

2. StoreYourBoard Bike Storage Rack

image1 4
You’ll hold a lot of bikes in minimal space. Amazon 

Our Rating

9.7/10

$69.99

KEY SPECS

TypeVertically hangs up to 5 bikes
Ease of UseFits all different types of bikes
Max weight300 pounds
Bike FittingAdjustable and spacious
DurabilityStrong steel
InstallationEasy with included hardware
Floor SpaceHangs bikes vertically to save space

PROS

  • Easy to install and use
  • Will hold a variety of shapes and sizes on the same rack
  • It holds up to 5 bikes

CONS

  • You need to be able to lift the bike to the rack
  • You must have enough studs in your walls to hold the rack.

I need to balance affordability, ease of use, and space conservation. And the StoreYourBoard Bike Storage Rack is one of the ideal solutions.

It holds up to 5 bikes and 300 pounds and fits all different types of bikes. It uses a 3D pin locking system so you can adjust where the bikes sit on the rack. Smaller bikes can be closer together, while larger bikes might need more space. If you have a little extra cash, you can also opt for the additional shelf to store your bike gear.

This storage system installs into studs in your garage wall. Once it’s in place, you can easily adjust it to accommodate different sizes of bike by sliding the pin into different slots. Like the hooks, though, you need to be careful of how much weight you put onto the rack. If you have a couple of e-bikes, you can easily reach that weight limit. However, if you’re just hanging up smaller kids bikes, you’ll be able to hang more bikes on the rack.

What I love about this rack is that it really gets the bikes up and off the floor so you have plenty of space in your garage for other stuff. The drawback, though, is that small children are always going to need help getting their bikes down or putting them back up. Also, if your bikes are heavy, make sure you are able to lift them high enough to get them on the hook.

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation 9/10
Bike Weight10/10
Ease of Use 9/10
Protective/Non-Damaging10/10
Floor Space10/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack10/10
Budget10/10

OUR VERDICT

Of all the bike racks on this list, this is a great option for holding a lot of bikes in a small space. The bikes hang vertically, and you can easily adjust the rack to hold a variety of sizes and weights simultaneously, which is perfect for a combo of adult and kid bikes. The only caveat is putting the bike away – kids will need a parent’s help to get the bikes down and put them back up. But it gets a 9.7 out of 10 for the price, space-saving, and size variety.

Best for Big Garages

3. Mr IRONSTONE 5 Bike Rack

image4 1
This rack works great for small bikes. Amazon

Our Rating

9.4/10

$49.99

KEY SPECS

TypeDurable floor-mounted steel rack
CapacityHolds up to 5 bicycles
InstallationEasy to put together

PROS

  • Easy to install and use, even kids can put their bikes into the rack
  • It will hold just about any bike unless it has exceptionally wide wheels

CONS

  • It takes up a lot of floor space in your garage
  • It takes a little time to put together

This is a sturdy steel rack with room for up to 5 bikes. It has a durable powder coat finish and will fit a variety of bike shapes and sizes by rolling the front wheel into the rack.

The wheel holder for this rack is thinner, so it might not fit fat bikes or very large wheels. However, it will work better with smaller bikes and road wheels since it is made not to bang the derailleur. The wheel holders are angled in such a way as to keep them away from your disc brakes and derailleurs, so it’s one less thing to worry about.

What I really like about this rack is that it is easily accessible for the younger members of your family. They can roll their bikes in and out by themselves, which is nice if you want to have free access. It’s also great if you have heavy bikes that you don’t want to lift or that are too heavy to go on a hanging rack.

For example, if you ride an ebike because you aren’t strong enough to ride a standard bike, you might not be strong enough to lift it up high. So you can just roll it right into the rack.

The drawback here is that this rack is going to take up a lot of space in your garage, but it will keep your bikes organized and upright.

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation 9/10
Bike Weight10/10
Ease of Use10/10
Protective/Non-Damaging10/10
Floor Space 7/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack10/10
Budget10/10

OUR VERDICT

This rack is great for kids and road bikes, but it might be too small if you have fat bikes. If I didn’t need to reclaim my garage space, I would definitely use it for my kids’ bicycles. But it won’t work if you want to save space like I am. So I give it a 9.4/10.

Best for Two Bikes

4. RAD Cycle Mighty Rack

image2 4
One of my favorite bike racks. Amazon

Our Rating

9.2/10

$24.88

KEY SPECS

TypeFloor rack, no mounting needed
InstallationEasy to put together and very easy to use
Max weight10 pounds
Ease of UseBikes can fit in the same or opposite directions
DurabilityHeavy-duty, steel construction

PROS

  • Easy to install and use
  • It holds almost any size or weight of bike
  • Easy on the budget

CONS

  • It takes up floor space
  • The rack may be too wide for road bikes

This is a very simple, small bike rack. It fits two bikes side by side on the floor. This is a great rack with enough floor space and a smaller budget. It is easy to assemble, and you don’t need to attach it to the wall.

The rack is wide enough to fit two bikes side by side, handlebar to handlebar. It is very sturdy and will hold even heavy bikes.

I was able to put this rack together by myself with just a screwdriver. It is lightweight so I can move it around wherever I need. And while the footprint is pretty small, the feet are wide and sturdy enough that the rack and your bikes won’t fall down.

You can see in the picture that the angle is steeper than the Ironstone bike rack. This is fine if you’re riding a mountain bike with 29 inch wheels or an ebike with wide wheels. But if you’re riding a road bike with skinny tires, you’ll want to be a little bit careful.

The wheels fits deeply into the rack, which is great for stability. But road bike wheels fit so far into the rack that it can bang the rear derailleur. You may want to put the front wheel in first if this applies to your bike.

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation 10/10
Bike Weight 10/10
Ease of Use 10/10
Protective/Non-Damaging 8/10
Floor Space 8/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack 9/10
Budget 10/10

OUR VERDICT

I give this rack a 9.2 out of 10. It’s a really sturdy rack that can fit a variety of bike types if you have the floor space. I own this rack and use it daily. It sits in my office to hold my best bike. There’s only one caveat with this rack. It’s made for bikes with larger tires. So I had to make a small adjustment to keep my derailleur from banging into the rack. I put a pool noodle over my tire to make it fit – and it works easily and keeps my bike secure.

Best for Ultimate Space Saving

5. Saris Cycling 6020 Indoor CycleGlide Garage Ceiling Mounted Bike Rack Storage

image8
The ultimate space-saving garage bike rack. Walmart

Our Rating

9/10

$345.63

KEY SPECS

Floor SpaceMaximizes garage space
CapacityStores up to 4 bikes up to 50 pounds each
Bike FittingIt fits wheelbases up to 56 inches and tire widths up to 2.5 inches
Ease of UseIndividual access to each bike

PROS

  • It gets bikes entirely out of the way if you have a high ceiling
  • Easy to access just one bike
  • It fits a variety of bikes and sizes

CONS

  • Will not hold heavy bikes or wide-width tires
  • Difficult to install

Saris is a well-known name in the bike industry, so their racks give me confidence based on their reputation alone. But what’s great about this rack is that it saves your garage space. It uses a pulley system to lift the bikes up to the ceiling and out of your way.

This isn’t going to be the easiest rack to install and you may need to get professional help to do so, since it needs to be attached to the rafters of your garage. This rack isn’t designed for heavy bikes or bikes with wide tires so if you are a mountain bike aficionado, this might not be the rack for you.

However, if you have smaller road bikes or kids bikes, this rack works great. The pulley system makes it easy to lift the bike up to the rack. This gets it up and out of your way. And if your garage ceiling are high enough, you’ll still be able to park your car underneath your bikes.

Again, this might not be a rack that children can use on their own. And it might be a little bit tricky to get the bikes down if the car is parked underneath. But if space is critical then its definitely worth exploring as an option.

And of course, you know the rack is well-designed and a good value because it’s created by Saris.

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation 7/10
Bike Weight 9/10
Ease of Use10/10
Protective/Non-Damaging10/10
Floor Space10/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack 9/10
Budget 8/10

OUR VERDICT

This is an innovative style of rack that really gets your bikes up and out of the way. It isn’t the cheapest rack, but it is a good value for the money. This is a great choice if you ride road bikes or want to store your kids’ bikes. However, installation is difficult, so this wouldn’t be my first choice for a rack. It gets a 9/10 for ease of access and saving space.

Best for Bikes with Sloping Toptubes

6. Feedback Sports Velo Wall Bike Storage Rack

image7 1
Velo Wall Bike Storage Rack with adjustable arms. REI

Our Rating

8.8/10

$45.00

KEY SPECS

TypeWall-mounted rack
ProtectionSoft rubber to protect the bike frame
Ease of UseIndependently adjustable cradle arms
Floor SpaceCradle to wall space is 13.5 inches
Capacity 70 pounds

PROS

  • Easy to use
  • Easy to install
  • Keeps bikes off the floor

CONS

  • You need one rack and one stud for every bike. Because the bike sits sideways, it will require a lot of wall space, which won’t work if you have a lot of bikes.
  • Have to lift bikes to the rack.

The Feedback Sports Velo Wall Bike Storage Rack screws into the studs of your garage walls. It features two independently adjustable cradle arms, which will adjust to hold various bike types and sizes.

I like this rack style because you simply lift the bike onto the rack. The top tube sits right in the cradle arms. You can adjust the arms to fit a bike with a standard or slanting top tube. So you don’t have to fuss with locking the bike in place. Once you set it up to fit your bike, it is quick and easy to use every single time.

My concern with this rack is that my carbon frames are too wide to fit well into the cradle. They would probably just sit on top of the arms, which could scratch them. There’s nothing securing the bike to the rack, but you could add a bungee cord if this was a concern for you.

Also, if you have a really heavy bike like an e-bike, this rack won’t work because it has a load capacity of only 70 pounds.

However, this rack will work great for you if you have a more traditional style bike, such as an aluminum road bike. You must screw the rack into a stud because drywall is not strong enough to hold the rack. The rack or your bike could fall, which would damage the bike.

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation 8/10
Bike Weight 8/10
Ease of Use 8/10
Protective/Non-Damaging10/10
Floor Space10/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack 9/10
Budget 9/10

OUR VERDICT

This is a nice rack if you have a single bike made of aluminum or steel. I give it an 8.8/10. It’s sturdy and will hold your bike well, but it isn’t great for many heavy bikes.

Best for Bikes Needing Locks

7. Hiplok AIRLOK Security Hanger

image5 3
A locking bike rack for your garage. REI

Our Rating

8.5/10

$250

KEY SPECS

TypeHardened-steel frame and locking bolt
ProtectionRubberized mouth will fit various bike sizes and frames and prevent damage.
Acessories Three keys
SecurityHardware
Max WeightWeighs 11 pounds and 3 ounces
Floor SpaceTen inches from the wall to frame

PROS

  • Easy to use if you can lift the weight of your bike up.
  • Easy to install with minimal tools
  • Can fit a variety of bike sizes and frame styles
  • Keeps bikes off the floor

CONS

  • You need one rack and one stud for every bike
  • The bike sits horizontally, taking up a lot of wall space
  • Bike won’t sit level if you don’t have a level top tube

If you need to lock your bike to your garage rack, you may want to consider the Hiplok AIRLOK Security Hanger. This is a very expensive rack, but if you share a garage or storage space with others, protecting your expensive bike might be worth it.

You need to screw the rack into the drywall or cement wall of your garage or porch. You use a key to unlock the pin and pull it out of the way. Slide the bike into the rack, and replace the pin and lock it.

If you need to lock your bike in place, this will work great. Since it locks around your top tube no one can take your bike.

However, you may also want to loop an additional lock through the spokes of your wheels if security is an issue. Also, this rack might not work well for a bike with an extremely sloped top tube, such as a step-through bike. It would put the bike on too much of an angle to keep the bike from sliding and getting damaged.

This type of rack is best for bikes with a pretty level or only slightly sloped top tube. While you can use it with a carbon frame, you need to measure the width and height of the frame where it will fit through the rack so you can be sure there is enough room for it to fit. 

KEY SPECS

Ease of Installation 8/10
Bike WeightUnknown 
Ease of Use 8/10
Protective/Non-Damaging10/10
Floor Space10/10
How the Bike Fits in the Rack 8/10
Budget 7/10

OUR VERDICT

This rack is excellent if you lock your bike and hang it up. But, sadly, it only gets an 8.5 out of 10 because it’s so expensive. It’s just too costly for my purposes and won’t fit a step-through frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to hang a bike by the wheels?

Yes, it is generally safe to hang your bike by the wheel, so long as the hook is sturdy enough to hold the bike’s weight.

How heavy are road bikes?

Typical road bikes weigh about 18 to 20 pounds unless you have an extra gear.

Are mountain bikes heavy?

Mountain bikes generally weigh around 30 pounds, but dual suspension and heavy tires can add to their weight, making them heavier. For best results, weigh your bike.

Is it hard to lift a bike to a rack?

If you have a lightweight road bike, it won’t be too hard to lift it to the rack. However, if you have a mountain bike or a heavy e-bike, you might prefer a floor rack since lifting the bike to the rack will be more difficult.

Is it ok to hang children’s bikes?

Yes, you can hang your children’s bikes like an adult bikes. Just ensure that the rack or hook you use is sized correctly and installed correctly so it won’t damage the bike.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *