Best bike storage solutions: hooks, racks and sheds
We've rounded up the best products we have tested to help you find the best way to keep your bikes tidy and secure at home.
When space is at a premium, finding room for your bike when you're not riding can be challenging, especially for those with multiple bikes or families tight on space, like mine. Things can quickly get out of hand. Even if you have a dedicated space to store bikes, it's great to keep them tidy and out of the way, which is where the best bike storage solutions come in.
Thankfully, a wide range of solutions are available. In this guide, we feature a variety of indoor and outdoor solutions, regardless of whether you are just looking to keep things tidy in a tight space or as an added level of security. The good news is that most of the solutions below will work with the best bike locks and help keep your bikes secure at home.
As nearly all of the Cycling Weekly team are multi-bike households, we are always searching for the best bike storage solutions. Some of us go to great lengths to add dedicated space and security like CW magazine editor Simon did when he cracked out the big tools to install his Asgard outdoor bike shed and was subsequently awarded the best overall title.
Serious DIY skills aren't always required, either. For those who are less handy, solutions like the Topeak TwoUp Stand are a great way to use the height of a room or garage to store bikes completely tool-free.
All of the best bike storage racks featured in this guide have been extensively tested by a member of the Cycling Weekly team for installation or assembly, stability, security, and overall useability. The products featured below are the ones that we have rated highly and would recommend to others.
The heavy-duty metal sheds are insurance-approved and available in a range of sizes to suit anything from one to eight bikes, making them a great option for anyone with outdoor space but no garage.
A good option if you own several bikes, as they store the bikes vertically and can pivot almost 180 degrees.
As the rear tyre of the bike is in contact with the ground when in place, this clip can be installed on most walls without issue.
Freestanding, with a wide, supportive base, this stand can hold two bikes, even those of the heavy electric variety.
A stylish anchor with an insurance-approved lock, it's a great way of storing and displaying your favourite road bike.
Cheap, easy to install and easy to use. Feature a rubber coating but probably not best suited to expensive bikes.
Excellent storage, security and weatherproofing
Our expert review:
I found the Asgard Bike Shed X-3 to be a very secure and spacious storage solution for bikes, ideal for those without garage or shed space. Its security features slightly surprised me, and it was only once it was assembled that you could see how exceptionally difficult it would be to break into. The shed's robust construction and the noise generated during any attempt to force it open would almost certainly arouse suspicion.
In terms of capacity, the shed comfortably accommodated three bikes, along with a ton of additional cycling gear such as my shoes, inner tubes, helmets, and even a pram base, which was super handy and got it out of the hallway. It offers excellent weather resistance, protecting contents from both rain and heat. While a perfectly flat surface is necessary for installation, the shed was relatively easy to assemble; I, of course, took the extra step and built a raised concrete base to add additional weatherproofing and to achieve a level surface. However, even those with limited DIY experience could at least assemble the shed.
As a side note, it was also great to see the use of environmentally friendly and fairly minimal packaging for something of this size.
Read our full Asgard three-bike shed review
Our expert review:
While the Steadyrack does require some DIY knowledge and experience, it is far from serious and, in reality, no different from hanging a picture or securing flat-pack furniture. It certainly didn't trouble me, although working out where you want everything can be a bit tricky. Just take your time, and you should be fine.
Where the Steadyrack sets itself apart from old-school hooks is that it is much friendlier to your bike, allowing you to hook the entire wheel using the tyre as protection when it hangs, rather than via your rim. However, it's that pivot that really makes the difference. Wall-mounted or vertical mounting is generally one of the least intrusive ways of storing bikes; however, it is not always simple, espcially for multiple bike households like mine. So, the Steadyrack's near 180-degree pivot is ideal. With five bikes of varying styles, sizes, and lengths, I have not bothered hanging them in the past, but the Steadyrack was a game changer.
For those with heavier or awkward bikes, say those fitted with fenders, like some of the best electric bikes, the need for them to be on the back wheel and with the slight lift might still be a bit much. Due to their being wall-mounted, they might not be ideal for renters.
Our expert review:
The Clug is a clever storage device that can be installed pretty much anywhere, including plasterboard, assuming you use the right fixings. Thats is because the rear tyre stays firmly on the ground and bears much of the load. No need to find a stud or drill to find masonry. Once on the wall, the plastic clip simply hugs the front wheel, so your bike can hang like an ornate piece of wall art.
I had not just one but four mounted with bikes for several years with little to no problems. Once they were installed, the Hornit Clug is a little bit fit and forget.
While I did have a little mishap early on, my TT bike, which sees little use, tyre deflated over time, eventually slipping out the hanger. While this is a user error, it is worth noting for those with tubeless setups. Hornit has since introduced the Pro version, which includes a Fidlock strap to stop this from happening at very little extra cost.
There are versions to suit tyres from 23mm all the way up to 81mm MTB tyres, which means if you have multiple bikes like I do, you need to place your bikes in the same slot every time. This is not really an issue but does mean you need to work out the placement carefully before installation.
Read our full Hornit Clug bike rack review
Our expert review:
While I have never officially tested the Topeak TwoUp for Cycling Weekly, I did spend five years working in a bike show that used them to display its bikes. I believe we tested them to the max, be that the weight of bikes they can handle, constantly folding and unfolding them, or just real-life scenarios like having toddlers bum into them when riding around the store.
The fact that they are one of the few freestanding systems and their overall weight capacity really sells the TwoUp system. However, they are not the most stable. While the base is large and protrudes well from the centre stand, the stability of the stand, if you don't put the legs in the right place, depends on the height and the weight you load it with. While I can't see many people mounting an XL 18kg e-bike, for example, on the top, the stand's specifications do suggest you can do this; I would certainly not advise doing this. While the stand can handle it, it doesn't take much for it to topple.
The Topeak's ability to add an additional two hooks and balance the weight is a neat feature, though, and if possible, I'd certainly always try to balance the stand even if you are only mounting two bikes, with one on each side.
That said, those stands I used in my first bike shop job well over 10 years ago were there long before I worked there, and I know they were still in use until very recently, only being retired due to the store moving across town. So, I can safely say that the TwoUp is durable and can certainly withstand near-daily use.
Until recently, most at-home anchors designed to lock your bike securely were quite unattractive—mainly intended for use in garages and out of sight. Hiplok aimed to end that with the Airlok. Constructed from hardened steel and covered with a plastic shield, these insurance-approved, and Sold Secure Diamond-rated locks are designed to adorn your walls, turning your bike into a work of art.
A locking bolt secures the frame, while a rubberized lining protects it from scratches. A range of top tubes, including mountain bikes, can be accommodated. Hiplok claims it can accommodate a 60mm top tube, so you can measure it in advance, too. However, this might rule out some e-bikes, especially those with the remote or display mounted in the top tube.
The most surprising thing about the Airlok is its unlimited max weight. This assumes you can bolt it to a solid wall, which Hiplok says it doesn't need to be. However, it does lose its Sold Secure and ART rating if not, so keep that in mind. This not only makes it super secure but also ideal for heavier bikes, although that bike will obviously need to be lifted into the rack.
The Airlock certainly has a lot going for it, and it's definitely more attractive and useful than a standard floor or wall anchor. However, I would just say purchase only if you can mount it on a masonry wall for maximum effectiveness.
Our expert review:
Who doesn't love the humble hardware hook? These from Park Tool are certainly nothing special, as you can buy similar products in just about any hardware store now. However, for the purpose of this review, it is easier for me to highlight a single product. While you can buy other perfectly good options, the Park Tool 450, 451-2, 470, 471 and the XX versions give you a wide range of options for customisation based on your tyre size and installation requirements. Good old Park Tool, always covering all the bases.
Bike storage hooks are probably the cheapest and simplest way to store bikes. You can mount them just about anywhere, vertically or horizontally, stagger them, and, of course, they are ideal for storing more than just bikes.
While they are fairly universal and simple to use, they aren't perfect. The rubberised coatings, even on these more premium Park Tool ones, won't last long, especially if used daily. The high weight capacity can be an attractive offering. However, this all has to be hung on the wheel's rim. While the wheel will have no issue supporting the weight, the shape of your rims, espcially carbon wheels and certainly aerodynamic profiles, can become quite tricky to mount.
Bike storage is an issue that all the writers and reviewers here at Cycling Weekly grapple with, and we continually need more or better solutions. However, because installing some of the best bike storage systems can be quite involved, we do not test them frequently; once we find what works for us, most of us tend to stick with it.
That said, we always like to evaluate the latest offerings where possible, especially if they present something slightly different or have a new or unique approach to bike storage, which is arguably one of the most challenging things to store. A lot of our experience comes from time spent in bike shops, with many of the team having once worked in one. They are always a good testing bed for storing bikes of all shapes and sizes.
A significant part of our testing will focus on the installation process. While many of us at Cycling Weekly are reasonably handy with tools, we realise that we are in the minority, which can be a significant obstacle for many seeking better bike storage.
Like most of the products we test, the assessment will centre on the system's functionality, ease of use, compatibility, and how well we get along with that particular system.
Testing these systems involves accommodating various wheel sizes, tyres, frame styles, and handlebars in the storage solutions to determine what works and what doesn't, as well as how effectively the system handles these factors.
For more information about our testing process here at Cycling Weekly, please visit our How We Test page.
Do you want to keep your bike inside or outside?
If rolling dirty bikes through the house is frowned upon, you may want to go for an outdoor solution. As garage break-ins are not uncommon, some sort of secure shed may be the ideal solution to your problem. There are a few insurance approved secure outdoor sheds on the market like those from Asgard, but they don't come cheap. Some of their models are also police approved, and can come with handy shelves to store riding gear and spares.
Do you want to put screws in your walls?
If you're opting for indoor storage, you need to decide if you're willing to drill holes in the wall. If you're comfortable using power tools, simple bike hooks or something like a Steadyrack will allow you to make good use of your wall space. If not, a freestanding pole-type rack that runs from floor to ceiling might be the ticket. Alternatively, there are some clever looking pieces of furniture which can act as stands as well, but these are anything but compact.
Do you want to make a statement of your bike?
Some options allow you to hang your bike on the wall, or display it in the centre of the room atop a purpose-designed piece of furniture. Of course, this needs to be approved by other members of your household and generally requires you to pay adequate attention to your bike cleaning routine.
Do you want to have the bike locked up in position?
If security is a major concern, you can opt for a storage option that's lockable - whilst traditional ground or wall anchors are not the most attractive options to display, there are some more inviting options like Hiplok's Airlok.
Wall mount bike storage
One of the most common types of indoor bike storage, the simple wall mount usually consists of hooks that are screwed into the wall. They are either attached to a stud, masonry or a sheet of 3/8in ply across the wall — which is bolted to studs.
Wall mounts do come in a variety of shapes though with more elegant options also doubling up as shelves and attractive pieces of wall furniture.
However, tread cautiously if you're renting, and make sure you run this past your landlord so you don't risk losing your security deposit because you wanted to store your bike more fashionably.
Bike storage-specific furniture
If your landlord or member of your household puts the kibosh on drilling, then you'll need something a bit less permanent. More and more people are finding the answer in bike storage-specific furniture.
This wide-ranging term is based around standalone shelving units that have bike slots or hanging spots built-in. These not only store bikes but can store your helmet riding shoes and kit or books, DVDs and other personal amenities.
Freestanding bike storage stands
If you own more than one bike or you live in a house of cyclists, then buying bike storage-specific furniture may be a tad expensive and not very space-efficient. In this realm, there is everything from freestanding racks that don't touch the walls, to poles that create tension between the floor and ceiling.
Pulley and winch systems
If you're poor on floor space but rich with vertical space, a pulley system may be the best choice for you. Directly attached to the ceiling or the wall high up, these allow you to store your bike above your head. Reminiscent of dockyard workers and sailors, you attach your bike to the harness or hook and hoist your bike up towards the ceiling.
These usually come with a secondary attachment to ensure your bike doesn't then swing with any breeze or slight touch. This keeps your floor free without the danger of a free moving bike hanging above your head.
Bike Storage Sheds
If you just want somewhere to store the bike that's not in the house then a small bike shed is a great investment. Usually costing a bit more than the other solutions, these are tidy isolated units that can sit at the end of the garden and shield your bike from the elements effectively without being an eyesore or in the way.
If you're still stuck for space, then maybe check out our guide to the best folding bikes.