There is no point in storing your bike rack carelessly when you already have a beautiful bike and a bike rack to go with it to complete your ride.
You probably already know that there are many different types of bike racks available; roof-mounted bike racks, hitch-mounted bike racks, trunk bike racks and so on.
As a result of these racks, you will be able to carry your bicycle from one destination to another.
Leaving your bike rack on the floor of your garage can make it more difficult to move around. You or someone else may step on it causing some damage to your bike rack if you leave it there.
Also, leaning your bike rack against the wall of your garage isn’t a good idea because you can tip it over, which is something I would not want to risk doing, since it can damage your bike. I wouldn’t want to take such a risk with my bike and rack since it can cause dents on them.
In the case that you have your bike rack stored in your garage, how can you store it without having it in your way or causing it damage?
Before we move on to the reasons why you should store your bike rack in the garage, let me first talk about why you should store your bike rack there.
Bike Racks Are Needed to Be Stored in Garages For Several Reasons
When you need to use your bike rack, you may get tempted to just leave it on your car so that you won’t have to go through the hassle of installing it and re-installing it every time you use it.
However, this is not a good idea.
The reason why you should not leave your bike rack on your car is because there are many reasons for this.
There are a few reasons why you should not leave your bike rack on your vehicle. The first is the fact that leaving it on your car can attract thieves. Even if you did not spend hundreds of dollars on your bike rack, a thief can still steal it and sell it for some money.
Is it something you would be happy to buy every time someone steals your bike rack, or would you rather store it safely away in your garage to avoid theft?
One of the main reasons you should not leave your car with a bike rack on it is the fact that it can impact your gas mileage significantly.
Since bike racks are usually heavy, they add some weight to your vehicle, which results in the engine of your car having to work harder and burning more fuel as a result.
In the case of bike racks that have a trunk or hitch-type design, you may not be able to get into the trunk of your car with ease. It is better of you to remove the rack and store it away so that you can access the trunk of your car easily.
There is also the possibility that some drivers may find it difficult to maneuver their cars when they have their bike rack attached to them.
There are numerous reasons as to why you should store your bike rack away instead of leaving it on the car for long periods of time. If you leave the bike rack on the car for a long period of time, the constant shaking can lead to scratches and dents being left on the car.
Considering that it is constantly exposed to elements such as the sun, ice and snow, it is not at all surprising that it can rust as well.
In addition to that, if the bike rack you have breaks because it’s constantly positioned on your car, then you may need to purchase a new one since it’s constantly positioned on your car.
As a result, leaving your bike rack on your car can increase the maintenance that you have to do.
As you might have seen, it might be a better idea to remove your bike rack when it is not in use and store it in your garage when you aren’t using it.
It is time to talk about how to store the different types of bike racks now that we have determined why you need to store them in the garage.
What Is The Best Way To Store A Hitch Bike Rack In The Garage?
The hitch bike rack mounts on the rear part of your car behind the trailer. It is easier to lift and remove your bike from your car using a hitch bike rack than a roof bike rack. These bike racks are easy to install and use, as well as a good option for those who wish to haul more than one bike on their car. There is no doubt that using a hitch bike rack on your car makes it a little difficult to maneuver and back up your car. However, these racks are still a very popular method of transporting bikes on a vehicle.
Whenever you are not using your hitch bike rack, you should store it safely in your garage when it is not in use so that it will not be an obstruction.
The question is, how can you store your hitch bike rack in the best way possible?
It is a great idea to get a hitch bike dock for it. This will ensure that your bike rack will be safe and easy to reach in your garage in the future.
It is our recommendation that you choose either of these two well-made products. Both of them are popular among cyclists, and they are solidly built.
1. Kuat Rack Dock
With the Kuat Rack Dock, your bike rack will be elevated off your garage floor, which will prevent it from obstructing movement and space. Leaving your hitch bike rack on the floor or against the wall of your garage can result in scratches and dents over time. And you definitely do not want it knocked over.
Using the Kuat Rack Dock will prevent all of these things from happening. The result will be a more organized space and a much cleaner floor as a result.
Features of Kuat Rack Dock:
- Can support a 4-bike rack of up to 100 pounds
- Comes with a magnetic faceplate for easy rack release
- Includes all needed hardware
- Can serve as maintenance or repair stand for your bike
- Easy to install
- Adds aesthetical attributes to your garage
- Comes with hitch adaptor
Taking your hitch bike rack off of your car and putting it back on becomes a lot easier and quicker with the Kuat Rack Dock.
2. 1UP USA Rack Stash
You now have the option of easily removing your hitch bike rack from your car and storing it away on the wall with the help of 1UP USA’s hitch bike rack stash.
In addition, this product is strong enough to hold up bikes on a receiver hitch bike rack. The level on this product makes it easy for you to slide the bike rack in without having to strain your back or grunt.
Features of 1UP USA Rack:
- Thick and solid stainless steel construction
- Rust resistance with powder-coated finish
- Can fit two ball mounts of up to 1.25 inches bike rack
- Installation hardware for hassle-free installation
- Vertically installed for more space on the wall
- Serves as a work stand for repairing your bike
- Adjustable
In less than $100 USD, you can get one of these hitch bike rack storage options for the best protection of your hitch bike rack for less than $100 USD.
What Is The Best Way To Store A Trunk Mount Bike Rack In The Garage?
It is widely known that trunk mount bike racks are one of the most versatile and cost-effective bike rack systems that can be used by cyclists.
Racks of this type are designed to be attached to the rear part of the car trunk in order to allow them to be used.
In this type of bike rack, your bike is mostly held in place by a band. The springs and arms that are included with the bike rack make sure your bike stays safely in place when you are in transit. It can also carry up to three bikes at a time.
When it comes to how to store the trunk mount bike rack in the garage, this is pretty simple to do. All you have to do is fold the rack up and store it away in the garage.
There is no need for any fancy wall holder with trunk mount bike racks to hang them on your garage wall, since they are made of a such a way that they can be hung on your garage wall.
In order to mount your trunk mount bike on your garage wall, you will need to drill holes in it to install the strong wall or bar holders, and then you will be able to mount your bike in place.
I believe this is a great way to prevent your trunk mount bike rack from cluttering up your garage and obstructing your daily activities.
As long as you have an existing closet or cubicle in your garage that can accommodate the trunk mount bike rack, you can go ahead and use it as a bike rack in your garage.
There won’t be any problem laying a trunk mount bike rack on a flat surface or hanging it on the wall in your garage because trunk mount bike racks are generally lightweight.
What is the best way to store a roof bike rack in the garage?
It is safer to transport your bike on your car using a roof bike rack. In order to have access to your car trunk without anything stopping you, this would be a great choice for you. There are some roof bike racks that allow you to mount your bike without removing your bike’s wheels. Others may require you to do so. However, keep in mind that you have to keep an eye out for low clearance ceilings and garages.
It is recommended to keep your roof bike rack in the garage. If you keep your roof bike rack in the garage, it will be protected against sunlight, rain, and snow.
You can store your roof bike rack in the same way as the trunk mount bike rack in your garage, just as you do with the trunk mount bike rack.
If you already have a wall hanger installed on the wall of your garage, it will not require any special equipment to hang it. You can use any wall hanger you already have.
Nevertheless, if you do not have any children and you have enough space in your garage, you may be able to safely store the bike on the floor. Just make sure the floor is not made of concrete, and you will be fine.
However, if space is a problem, you can choose to hang the racks on the wall or the ceiling of your garage, depending on how much space you have.
What Is The Best Way To Hang A Bike Rack In A Garage?
In most cases, you won’t find special products for storing bike racks except for hitch mount bike racks. What you will find is bike racks designed for storing bikes in your garage besides hitch mount bike racks.
Even though this is the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no way to get around it.
It is possible to hang a bike rack in the garage in a number of ways, one of them is to use a bike storage rack.
Hence, if you live in a rented apartment, it is a good idea to get yourself a freestanding bike rack rather than drilling holes in the wall (this is a good idea if you are renting an apartment). These racks are usually double deckers that can hold multiple bikes. As a result, you will be able to store both your bike and the rack in the same garage.
In the case of limited space, however, I would suggest that you go with a bike ceiling rack if you want to hang your bike rack from the ceiling. This will keep both your bike and the bike rack off the ground and raise them above your car in the garage.
There is a point I am trying to make here, and hopefully you understand what I am saying. This simply means that you can use pretty much anything to hang and keep the bike rack off your garage floor so you do not have to worry about it.
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions
In order to store my bike rack in the garage, what should I be aware of when doing so?
In order to extend the lifespan of your bike rack you have to avoid moisture as much as possible. You don’t want to leave your bike rack in a damp place because they are usually made of metal. Wet and damp surfaces can lead to rust, which will in turn reduce the lifespan of your bike rack.
During the time that my bike rack is stored in the garage, how can I prevent it from becoming damp?
You should place your bike rack on a raised surface or on a wood surface if you plan to store it on your garage floor. It may seem that your garage is dry now, but it is possible for your garage to become flooded with water when the storms come. That is why it is not advisable to leave your bike rack on the floor during the winter months.
Can I store my bike rack only in the garage or can I store it somewhere else as well?
In a nutshell, no. If you have enough space in your apartment and you prefer to store it there, you are certainly welcome to do so. However, if you plan to store your bike in the garage, it makes sense to also store the bike rack in the garage. This will make it easier to access both when needed.
When I store my bike rack in the garage, do I have to clamp it down or secure it with a strap?
It is not necessary to use the straps when storing your bike rack in the garage, except if you are going to hang your bike from the rack as well. You might have to clamp your bike to the rack in order to keep it from falling off. However, if this is not the case, then the straps do not need to be used when storing your bike rack in the garage.
Conclusion
It is possible that you have spent far more money on your bike than you have on your bike rack, and that you may not give your bike rack much consideration.
Nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind that both of them are equally important and should be treated as such.
Keeping your bike rack in the garage in the proper manner will ensure that you will be able to enjoy using it for a long time to come.
I’m sure once you have read the tips listed in this article, you’ll be able to find your way around it with no problem.
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