Dan and I just finished building a wall hanging bike rack in our dinning room. Though it looks simple, this little ditty took us a while to finish. After spending money on an electronic stud finder, we completed the bike rack then put some some pressure on it to test it out. The thing ripped out of the wall! The stud finder was a dud and the readings were off. Finally we got less technical and used the old "strong magnet on a string"to find the studs.
We used some big strong screws and large bike hooks. The lumber was salvaged from an old broken futon frame we found on the side of the road.
All together this rack holds 5 bikes, just enough for each person in the house. Finally we have a usable dining room and a snazzy place to store our bikes!
Stud finders are a rip off. You need only a tap measure. Studs are 16" on center in California and most everywhere else too. Measure from the corner, make small test holes to find the first one and the rest are easy.
ReplyDeleteStud finders only locate the nails in the stud the same as the "strong magnet on a string". When I perfect my termite powered stud finder invention it will all be easier. I'm still having a little trouble with the termite powered part.
Nice rack and with found stuff too. Good job. My dining room is still my lap.
Ahh, if only it were so easy. We knew about the 16 inch trick but sadly the people who owned the house before us did some remodeling and nothing is done right in this house. Part of the wall we were screwing in to used to be a door way so there is extra framing and studs that aren't at the correct measurements. It was all messed up.
ReplyDeleteThat's what your knuckle is for, to tap on the wall, and listen for the dense spot.
ReplyDeleteOur house is from 1919. The walls are lath & plaster. The ol' tap trick doesn't work either.
ReplyDeleteNice! We have a near-exact copy of your rack in our dining room(nearby you guys, yay North Oakland!) . The only difference is that we have a third tier on part of it to hold the tandem. One thing that we have noticed is that the foam/rubber on the hooks breaks down pretty quickly, and then your rims are right on the steel. If you cut off the original padding and get some clear plastic water piping from the hardware store, and slide it over the hooks, that seems to make things happier.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I totally sympathize with the hard-to-find studs- I just put up some shelving, and the wall has no apparent pattern (vertically or horizontally) for where there are studs! Joys of old houses...
great blog. We are from Brazil and like to ride a bike. congratulations on your blog.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Brazil
Team off-road bikers
awesome kendra, you so crafty girl!! :D
ReplyDeletehope to see you riding soon, happy Indian summer
+congrats on your 100th post
xxo.m
With lath and plaster as well as other unusual or older construction techniques, the electronic stud finders with a "deep scan" function are necessary to get good readings. I use my "deep scan" electronic stud finder, my knuckles, and a tape measure together to find the real stud...
ReplyDeleteOld post found by google...but quick question. Why the two levels? Looks like you could have accomplished the same spacing with just one row of hooks. Weight?
ReplyDeleteThats a great question.
ReplyDeleteYes part of it is distributing the weight. But the main reason is to stagger the handlebars. You can put the bikes closer together and fit more in if you stagger the handlebars since those are the widest point on the bike.
If you alternate hanging the bikes by the front and then rear tire, the handlebars aren't as much of an issue. Some people find it harder/easier to lift the bike to hang it by the seat or stem.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've always wondered with my screw hook placement is the angle. If the hook is perpendicular to the wall there's more leverage on it at the stud. If you angle the hook down ~15+ degrees, the force is pulling more on it? Not really sure which is better, and the weight doesn't seem to be a huge issue. I've had some cheaper, smaller hooks bend a little bit, though.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteI am attempting to build the same thing for my garage. I have a 7 foot wide space, enough for 5 bikes. but I have 7 bikes! where do these things come from? They are like rabbits.
ReplyDeleteps. what size lag bolts did you use?
ReplyDeletevery good idea,
ReplyDeletewhat is the space between the hook?
Thank you
Hi Kendra. I got inspired by your bike wall hanger and built one too! Your design is so easy and functional. Thanks for the post. Happy biking! Riverside, CA
ReplyDeleteI've always been worried about those kind of bike racks. Because I'm always worried that the bike rack won't be able to support the weight of the bikes.
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ReplyDelete