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Whether you own one bike or several, chances are that you could benefit from the organization or space savings of a quality storage rack or bike hanger. We bought 11 of the best freestanding and wall-mounted systems for hands-on testing. After assembling and installing them, we used these racks for weeks while loading and unloading a wide array of bikes.
The Steadyrack Classic is our favorite wall-mounted option with a clever design that allows it to collapse flat against the wall when not in use. If you have more than one bike to store, as well as other accessories, the BirdRock Home can handle up to three bikes and has an upper storage basket and some hanging hooks for helmets and such.
Before taking your bike out for a spin, you may want to gear up with a full kit, or you may want to keep prep and accessories to a minimum. But for sure, you'll want two things: a secure bike lock and a protective bike helmet to keep your wheels and your noggin safe. If you're looking to upgrade your ride, we've had the chance to test dozens of bikes of varying classes and can help you find the right setup for your riding style.
Editor's Note: On November 23, 2024, we updated this review to confirm our award choices and add more details on our top picks.
Comes in several versions for different tire widths
Only makes contact with the tire
REASONS TO AVOID
Must drill into wall
Pricy
The Steadyrack Classic is a cleverly designed, vertical wall-mounted bike rack. This rack opens easily and then folds conveniently flat when not in use, giving it an impressively low profile. When installed at the proper height for your bike, loading it is as simple as tipping the bike on its rear wheel and rolling the front wheel into the wheel tray. The wheel tray only makes contact with the front tire, reducing the likelihood of damage to fancy wheels and carbon frames. Steadyrack claims the Classic can accommodate wheel sizes between 20 and 29 inches in diameter and tire widths from 20mm up to 2.1 inches wide. They produce three other versions of this rack: Mountain for tires between 2.1 and 2.8 inches wide, Fat for tires up to 5 inches wide, and Fender for bikes with fenders and tires up to 2.4 inches in width. All Steadyrack models have a unique pivot feature, and once loaded, the bike can be shifted to either side to reduce how far it protrudes into your storage space. Its 77 lb (35kg) weight limit should be enough to handle any bike in your quiver, including heavy electric models.
The Steadyrack Classic is a wall-mounted rack, meaning you'll have to drill into your walls to install it (4 holes for the rack and 2 holes for the rear tire bumper). Once installed, its height is not adjustable and may not work perfectly for bikes with different length wheelbases. It's also relatively expensive for a single bike rack, although we feel the expense is justified considering its thoughtful design, quality construction, and ease of use, making it our top recommendation. If you want a rack that doesn't require drilling, check out the BirdRock Home 3 Bike Stand below.
Style: Freestanding Floor Rack | Number of Bikes: 3
REASONS TO BUY
Includes storage basket and hooks
Fits tires up to 4 inches wide
Capacity for up to three bikes
REASONS TO AVOID
Takes up floor space
Requires assembly
Doesn't support bikes with very small wheels well
If you have multiple bikes and a bit of floor space to spare, the BirdRock Home 3 Bike Stand is an excellent option to consider. This freestanding floor rack can hold up to three bikes (BirdRock also makes a 4-bike version) of various shapes and sizes, along with some of your gear in the large storage basket or hanging from the removable side hooks. The wheel slots are highly versatile and can fit a huge range of wheel sizes and tires up to 4 inches in width. As a floor stand, loading and unloading the bikes doesn't require any lifting. All it takes is a simple roll of the bike in and out of position. This freestanding rack can also be placed anywhere you'd like, and it doesn't require drilling any holes in your walls or ceiling.
The BirdRock Home 3 Bike ships in pieces, so assembly is necessary. The directions are relatively straightforward, but putting the rack together took us about 20 minutes. Once loaded, your bikes and gear will certainly be organized, but they will still take up a fair amount of space as the rack and bikes sit on the floor. During testing, we found this rack supported bikes with 20 to 29-inch tires very well, but bikes with very small wheels tended to flop to the side while in the rack. Aside from these gripes, we feel the BirdRock Home 3 Bike Stand is a great way to organize and store multiple bikes and gear, and a fantastic option for those who don't want to drill any holes. If you don't have that much floor space to spare, check out the Delta Cycle Michelangelo Two Bike Gravity Stand, which is a freestanding stand that stacks two bikes vertically and requires no drilling.
Versatile design works with all bike styles and sizes
REASONS TO AVOID
Lifting required to load and unload
Requires drilling into the wall
Industrial look
Whether or not you're on a budget, the Dirza Bike Rack Garage Wall Mount is an affordable and great storage solution for your bikes. These beefy wall-mount bike hooks free up floor space, hanging bikes vertically with a claimed weight limit of up to 65 lbs. The stout steel hooks are coated with a thick, durable rubber so they won't damage your rims, and are backed with a metal wheel tray to cradle the tire and protect your wall. These versatile bike hangers work with all sizes and styles of bikes and tires up to 2.5 inches in width. They're sold as singles or in sets of two, so you can be sure to get the right number for however many bikes you may have in your fleet.
Like any wall-mounted bike rack, the Dirza requires you to drill into your wall to install it. Loading and unloading your bike also involves lifting it and can be a little awkward with heavier bikes and girthier mountain bike tires. They also have a somewhat industrial look that we feel is best suited to a garage or storage space. Otherwise, if you're looking for a vertical wall-mount rack that won't break the bank and is simple and minimalist, we feel the Dirza Wall-Mount is worthy of consideration. The Impresa Hooks below are another viable option for affordable wall mounting.
Style: Wall or Ceiling Mount Hook/Hanger | Number of Bikes: up to 4
REASONS TO BUY
Very affordable
Works with any size/style of bike and tires up to 4 inches wide
Simple and effective
Applications beyond just hanging bikes
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires drilling holes in wall or ceiling
Must lift your bike to load/unload
When it comes to bike storage, there is nothing simpler or more affordable than the classic bike hook. While they may not be fancy, bike hooks/hangers like the Impresa Products 4-Pack Bike Hook/Hanger can help you store up to 4 bikes at a fraction of the cost of the higher-end competition. These heavy-duty rubber-coated steel hooks claim to support up to 100 lbs and can be mounted to the ceiling or the wall to hang your bikes vertically. These hooks are incredibly versatile and work with any size or style of bike and can fit tires up to 4 inches in width. The hook's large opening makes it relatively easy to get wheels/tires in and out. Additionally, they may prove useful for organizing things other than bikes in your storage space.
The Impresa Bike Hooks mount to your wall or ceiling, so you will need to drill holes into either surface to install them. They also require you to lift the bike to load or unload it on the hook. Aesthetically speaking, we feel that they aren't the most attractive storage solution, but for the price, it's hard to complain. If you're looking for one of the most cost-effective ways to store your bikes, look no further than the Impresa Bike Hooks.
Style: Standing Gravity, Horizontal | Number of Bikes: 2
REASONS TO BUY
Clean, modern design
Supports itself, no drilling required
Holds two bikes
Easily adjustable support arms
REASONS TO AVOID
Assembly required
More expensive
May not work with all frame designs and styles
The Delta Cycle Michelangelo Two Bike Gravity Stand is an upright bike stand with a unique design that supports itself with the force of gravity. It holds up to two bikes horizontally, one above the other, with adjustable support arms that work with a huge variety of bike styles and frame shapes. The support arms are easily adjustable, and the cradles are coated with non-marking rubber to protect your bike frames. It also comes with two small accessory hooks to hold a helmet or other gear. The Michelangelo can fit against any vertical wall with 84 inches of height clearance and does not require drilling holes into your wall (it comes with a support strap that can be attached to the wall if you choose). The rubber feet grip well on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, wood, tile, and even carpet, and it has a claimed weight limit of 80 lbs. We like its clean, modern design, which works as well in a home, apartment, or office as it does in a garage.
The Delta Cycle Michelangelo is rather tall and arrives disassembled, so you will need to put it together. Fortunately, the assembly process is pretty simple, requiring a screwdriver and about 10 minutes. The adjustable support arm design can fit a wide range of bike styles and sizes, but we found it works best with more traditional frame designs. Oddly shaped mountain bike frames and bikes with strange weight distribution were more challenging to fit. Lastly, this stand requires lifting the bike for loading and unloading, and the upper rack rests pretty high off the ground. Aside from these critiques, we feel the Michelangelo is a quality two-bike rack that is a great, stylish option for the home or garage.
Style: Freestanding Floor, Horizontal | Number of Bikes: 1
REASONS TO BUY
No lifting of the bike required
Only makes contact with the bike tire
Very lightweight and portable
Comes fully assembled
REASONS TO AVOID
Not exactly a space saver
The lightweight Feedback Sports RAKK is an impressively user-friendly and portable freestanding floor rack. It arrives fully assembled and weighs just 5 lbs with a footprint of 13.25 x 17 inches when not in use. We love that you don't have to lift your bike to load it – simply roll it onto the wheel tray and against the spring-loaded support arm. The bike is held horizontally, and the wheel tray is compatible with super skinny road tires up to 2.4-inch wide mountain bike treads (The RAKK XL fits tires between 2.5 and 5 inches). The RAKK only makes contact with the front or rear tire, so there is no rim or frame contact. Despite its small footprint, we found the RAKK to be impressively stable, with rubber feet that keep it nice and steady. It also comes with connectors to attach multiple RAKKs together for a modular setup.
Since it's a floor rack that supports the bike horizontally, the Feedback Sports RAKK still takes up a fair amount of space compared to a wall-mounted model. Even with this one gripe, we feel the RAKK is an excellent freestanding floor rack for the home, garage, or office.
Support arms may not be compatible with all frame shapes/styles
The PRO Bike Tool Wall Hanger is a sturdy and effective horizontal wall-mount bike hanger. This quality option supports one bike with two adjustable support arms that will accommodate a wide range of bike frame shapes and sizes. Each arm has three positions of adjustment to help achieve the proper angle and weight distribution for your bike, with U-shaped rubber frame cradles that work well with various frame tube shapes and sizes. The main support mast also has four positions of horizontal adjustment for up to 15 inches of wall clearance for the handlebar. It comes with an elastic cord to keep your front wheel straight, and PRO Bike Tool claims it can handle bikes up to 48.5 lbs. While testing, we discovered that the Wall Hanger could also pull double duty as a work stand for light-duty maintenance and repairs.
As with any wall-mounted bike storage, installing the PRO Bike Tool Wall Hanger requires drilling holes into your wall. It also requires that you lift your bike to load and unload it from the support arms. While it works with most frame styles and shapes, the support arms and U-shaped cradles may not work with some of the more intricate mountain bike frame designs and rear shock orientations. Still, we feel this is a well-made and user-friendly horizontal bike rack for the garage or inside the home.
Versatile design works with all bike styles/sizes and tires up to 3 inches wide
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires drilling into wall
Lifting bike required to load and unload
The Koova 2 Bike Wall Mount Rack is a heavy-duty wall-mounted bike rack that is impressively durable and appears made to stand the test of time. The entire rack is made from heavy gauge steel and comes with a lifetime warranty. The 2-bike model we tested can hold two bikes of any shape, style, or size, as well as some other gear on the included storage shelf and hooks. For those looking to store more than 2 bikes, Koova also makes 3- and 6-bike versions of this rack, though these models lack the storage shelf or gear hooks. The beefy wheel hooks are coated with rubber to protect your rims, and they have a large opening that makes loading and unloading your bikes relatively straightforward. The hangers are 3 inches wide and can fit a huge range of tire sizes up to and even slightly wider than 3 inches. The Koova needs to be installed and assembled, but we found the process to be relatively straightforward and painless.
Despite how much we loved the functionality and simplicity of the Koova 2 Bike Wall Mount, it sports a decidedly industrial look that is most at home in a garage or storage space — this may not be one you want to install in your foyer. Additionally, this is a wall-mounted model, which requires drilling into the wall for installation. You will also have to lift your bikes to load and unload them on the rack. Considering these shortcomings, we feel this durable and beefy model is a terrific option that may potentially outlast the bikes you hang on it.
Style: Freestanding Floor, Vertical | Number of Bikes: 1
REASONS TO BUY
Bike held vertically
Lightweight and portable
No lifting required, tilt-only
Adjustable, works with wheel sizes 10 inches and up
REASONS TO AVOID
Fairly expensive
Some assembly required
The Bike Nook Bicycle Stand is a simple freestanding single bike rack with a unique twist. Unlike most floor stands that hold a bike horizontally, the Bike Nook supports the bike vertically. In essence, it takes up the same amount of space as a bike hanging vertically from your wall, without the need to drill any holes or lift your bicycle off the ground. The Bike Nook has a relatively small footprint and supports the bike by the rear wheel and the seatpost/seat tube. Loading a bike is as simple as rolling the rear wheel into the wheel cradle, tipping it up into the vertical position, placing the seatpost/tube in the upper cradle, and securing the front wheel with the velcro strap. This versatile rack can handle any size wheel and tires up to 2.5 inches wide. There is some assembly required, but we found it to be relatively quick and easy. This lightweight rack weighs just 4 lbs with a footprint of only 21.75 x 23.5 inches, making it easy to move or store when not in use.
The Bike Nook saves space compared to other floor models we reviewed, but it still takes up a bit of room wherever you place it. It had no problem with smaller and lightweight bikes, but we found that heavy or oddly weighted bikes tested its stability. As such, we recommend placing this bike stand in a low-traffic area where you are less likely to bump into it. The wheel tray fits tires up to 2.5 inches wide and may not accommodate wider mountain bike tires, fat bikes, fenders, or rear cargo racks. Despite these complaints, this is a clever space-saving rack that would work well in the apartment, home, garage, or office space.
10
Best In-Home Hanger
Delta Cycle Leonardo Da Vinci Single Bike Wall Mount
Fits all bike styles/shapes and tires up to 2.5 inches wide
Comes in a fat bike version for larger tires
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires drilling into a wall
You have to lift your bike to load/unload
If you're looking for a vertical wall-mount hook that looks as good in your home or apartment as it does in your garage, look no further than the Delta Cycle Leonardo Da Vinci Single Bike Wall Mount. Delta Cycle has given this simple wall-mounted hanger a clean, elegant style that looks like a work of art compared to the rough, industrial designs of the competition. The Leonardo da Vinci frees up precious floor space with a claimed weight limit of 40 lbs and clearance for tires up to 2.5 inches wide. The wheel hook is coated with rubber to prevent damage to your rims, and this rack is sold with or without a rear wheel tray to keep your dirty tires off your wall. Delta Cycle also makes a fat tire version that is claimed to fit tires up to 5 inches in width.
The nature of the wall-mounted style of the Delta Cycle Leonardo da Vinci requires that you locate a stud and drill into your wall to install it. You also need to lift your bike to get it on and off the rack. During testing, we found that smaller tires were quite easy to get in and out of the wheel hook, although our 2.4-inch mountain bike tires were a bit more awkward to deal with. Otherwise, we feel this is a stylish vertical wall-mount rack that could work as well inside your living space as it does in your garage.
Style: Freestanding floor rack | Number of Bikes: Up to 5
REASONS TO BUY
Convertible design holds from 1 to 5 bikes
Versatile, fits tires up to 3 inches wide
Basic but functional
REASONS TO AVOID
Bikes still take up floor space
Need to assemble
Somewhat flimsy feel
Wheel supports conflict with disc brakes, some derailleurs/cassettes, and some forks/frames
The Simple Houseware 5 Bike Stand is a freestanding floor rack with wheel cradles for 5 bikes, but its convertible design adjusts the capacity anywhere between 5 and 1. Since this rack sits on the floor, there is no need to drill into your walls, and loading bikes is as easy as rolling them into position in the wheel cradles/supports. This versatile rack can handle just about any size and style of bike and tires up to 3 inches wide. It's also reasonably priced, and an affordable solution for storing all of the bikes in your household.
Though it works, we have a few bones to pick with the Simple Houseware 5 Bike Stand. Most notably, the wheel supports conflicted with the disc brake rotors on our mountain and gravel bikes, and they made contact with the drivetrain components and the frames/forks of most of the bikes we loaded into it. Also, bikes with very skinny tires tended to tip to one side due to the 3-inch width of the supports. Furthermore, the side-by-side storage method might result in bike-to-bike contact in the rack. We found this model works best with strategic positioning and bikes of varying sizes. Lastly, this rack helps to organize bikes, but they still take up a significant amount of floor space. Beyond those concerns, we feel this is certainly an affordable way to store every bike in your fleet.
Why Trust GearLab
After extensive research of the most popular and highly regarded bike storage options on the market, we chose a diverse selection for side-by-side testing and comparison. During our two-week test period, we assembled, installed, and used each bike storage rack/hanger with a variety of bikes. We followed assembly instructions and drilled countless holes in the wall to install hooks and bike hangers. With a seemingly endless supply of bikes on hand, we loaded and unloaded each rack countless times with mountain, gravel, and cruiser bikes to examine the ease of loading/unloading, as well as frame, wheel size, and tire width compatibility.
Our lead bike storage tester is Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor at OutdoorGearLab, Jeremy Benson. In addition to storing a variety of bikes at the GearLab office for testing, Benson and his wife own eight bikes between them, which they keep in their garage at home. An avid cyclist for the past three decades, Benson has stored bikes in his home and storage spaces in every way you can possibly imagine. Over the years, he has come to appreciate the organizational benefits of quality bike storage solutions to protect his investments in his expensive toys while also keeping his garage and home tidy.
Analysis and Test Results
To analyze the bike storage racks, hooks, and hangers in this review, we compared them across several performance metrics. Each model was rated for its ease of assembly/installation, ease of loading/unloading of bikes, versatility, and compatibility with various frame styles/shapes and wheel/tire sizes, as well as the space the bikes took up in the storage space. The number of bikes each model could support, as well as the aesthetics of each rack, were also considered in our assessment.
What's the Best Value?
At GearLab, we don't rate the products we test based on their price, but we always appreciate a good value. Often, we find that price and performance go hand in hand, but that isn't always the case. All of the bike storage products we tested get the job done and perform as intended, but they do so at a wide range of prices. You can spend a lot of money to store your bikes, but you certainly don't have to. An option like the Impresa Products Bike Hooks 4-Pack can hang up to 4 bikes and can get the job done at a fraction of the price of the competition.
Product Considerations
There can be a lot to consider when searching for a bike storage solution for your garage, home, apartment, or office space. There are as many different styles of bike storage as there are bikes to store on them, so it is important to understand the differences between them. The number of bikes you need to store, as well as your intended storage location, are also important factors that should be taken into consideration.
How Many Bikes Do You Have?
It may seem super obvious, but the number of bikes you need to store is among the most important things to consider when searching for bike storage. If you have just one bike, there are loads of single-bike options to choose from. If you have multiple bikes, you can purchase and combine several single bike hooks, hangers, or stands or choose from a variety of multi-bike racks. Many of the models we tested are sold as singles or in pairs, and some come in several configurations to accommodate different numbers of bikes.
What Types of Bikes Do You Have?
The frame shapes, sizes, and tire widths of the bikes you have are another factor to consider. Most bike storage racks are relatively versatile and can accommodate a variety of bike styles and a range of wheel and tire sizes. Many of the racks we tested can fit super skinny road bike tires up to around 2.5-inch wide mountain bike tires, and wheel sizes ranging from 20-29 inches in diameter. Some racks also come in multiple versions to work with varying tire widths. Other racks support the bike horizontally by the frame and will work with most bike frames, although oddly shaped mountain bike frames may present some fit issues.
Storage Location
Where you intend to store your bike or bikes will likely play a role in the style of bike storage you choose. The amount of space you have in that location may dictate whether a floor rack or a wall or ceiling-mount model will be the best option for your needs. If you have floor space to spare, supporting the bikes horizontally on the floor is a good option that doesn't require lifting your bikes to load and unload them or drilling holes in your walls. If space is at a premium, a wall-mounted rack can help to free up floor space but it typically involves drilling holes in a wall and lifting the bikes onto and off of the rack. Likewise, whether you will store your bikes in a garage/dedicated storage space or inside your living space may be a factor. Those storing bikes in their home, apartment, or office may be more inclined to consider the appearance of their bike storage. Thankfully, there are some sleek, elegant, and modern-looking options to choose from that look as good indoors as they do in your garage.
Types of Bike Storage
There are several styles of bike storage on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We'll touch on them all briefly below.
Floor/Freestanding
Freestanding or floor racks are among the simplest of all. These racks rest on the floor of your storage space, can often be easily moved to various locations, and don't require drilling holes into your walls. Bikes are typically easy to access, and you can usually roll them into and out of the rack with no lifting required. Most floor racks/stands support the bikes by the front or rear wheel and hold them horizontally, so they still take up a fair amount of floor space. The Feedback Sports RAKK, BirdRock Home 3 Bike, and Simple Houseware 5 Bike are examples of this kind of rack. The Bike Nook Bicycle Stand is a unique freestanding model that supports the bike vertically.
Wall-Mount
Wall-mounted bike racks, hooks, and hangers are a good option for optimizing storage space. They come in two basic styles, and they hold bikes either vertically or horizontally. These racks typically require drilling holes into your wall to mount them, and you will need to locate a stud for adequate support and have some tools to complete the task.
Vertical:
As the name suggests, vertical wall-mount models hold the bike vertically, perpendicular to it. Bikes typically hang from the front or rear wheel from the hook, hanger, or wheel tray. This style typically works with any style or size of bike and most wheel sizes. Most vertical wall-mount models require that you lift the bike to load it onto the hook or hanger, so you'll want to take your mobility, fitness, and height into consideration. The Koova Wall-Mount 2 Bike, Dirza Bicycle Hanger, and Impresa Bike Hooks all hang the bikes vertically from a hook through the wheel. The Steadyrack Classic is a unique vertical wall mount that holds the bike vertically in a folding wheel tray, which can swivel to the side to save additional space.
Horizontal:
Horizontal wall-mount models typically mount to the wall and hold the bike horizontally, parallel to it. These bike hangers usually have support arms with cradles that hold the bike by its frame. The bikes take up more horizontal space than vertical orientations, although they have the benefit of only protruding as far into your space as the width of the bike's handlebar. Horizontal models are highly versatile and work with a wide range of bike styles and sizes, although complex mountain bike frames and oddly weighted bikes may present some fit issues. The PRO Bike Tool Bike Hanger is a quality horizontal wall-mount. The Delta Cycle Michelangelo has a creative design that holds two bikes horizontally and supports itself with the force of gravity and doesn't require drilling into your walls.
Ceiling
The ceiling is another viable storage location for your bikes. Ceiling bike storage usually involves bike hoists or hooks. The primary benefit of storing your bikes on the ceiling is that they'll occupy otherwise unused space, freeing up wall and floor space. Ceiling storage is also highly versatile in terms of bike fit. Installation of ceiling storage can be a bit more complicated, and loading bikes may also involve lifting them higher. We didn't test any bike hoists in this round, but the Impresa Products Bike Hooks are an impressively affordable and versatile option for hanging bikes from the ceiling.
Conclusion
If you have one or more bikes or have limited space to store them, then chances are good that you would benefit from bike storage to keep your world organized, save space, and protect your bikes and walls from potential damage. Bike storage solutions are a logical step in bike ownership, regardless of your living situation. There are scads of useful storage solutions on the market. We believe our comparative review and intensive testing will help you find the right solution for your storage needs and budget.