If you are an avid bike rider, then we’re sure that you take great pride in your bike; as such, you’ll want to ensure it’s stored appropriately and safely at your home. Naturally, your garage or shed is the most obvious place you’ll likely store your bike, however this can quickly eat up the space you have available. Not only that, but these spaces tend to be relatively cluttered, making it all too likely that something may fall onto your bike (or it falls over itself) and damage it.

To ensure your bike stays safe in storage, then you should consider investing in a bike rack. There are various solutions available, including both floor or wall-mounted stands – but which is best? We’ll compare the two in this article, so you can make an informed decision on which may be the better solution for you.

Floor Bicycle Stand

As its name suggests, a floor bike holder is positioned on the floor. Many of these feature metal slots that your bike wheel can fit into, allowing your bike to be stored upright without risk of falling, rather than you having to lean it precariously against something.

Pros

Easy to Use

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to park your bike or take it out, then floor bicycle racks are ideal. Your bike can simply be rolled in and out of the rack with no need to lift it, making it a user-friendly to park and remove without risking causing damage to it.

This is especially useful for busy individuals who need access to their bike quickly when in a rush, or for those who may not have the strength or ability to otherwise raise their bike onto the wall without difficulty.

Easy to Move

Another great thing about floor racks is that these can often be moved. Whilst wall-mounted racks need to be secured to the wall, floor racks don’t need to be secured to the floor. This offers you the flexibility to move them around your garage if and when you need to, depending on where is the most convenient place for you to position it at any given time.

Safe Solution

Using a floor rack is a much safer and more reliable way of keeping your bike upright compared to simply using its kickstand.

Whilst kickstands are perfectly convenient to use when you’re out and about to quickly prop your bike up, when storing it at home you want a more secure solution where it’s less likely to be knocked over – such as a floor rack.

Great for Families

Many floor racks come with space to store multiple bikes. This makes them great for families who own multiple bikes between them, as these can all be stored together and easily accessed without having to move one bike just to get to another.

Cons

Take up Floor Space

The main disadvantage of floor racks for bike storage is that they aren’t necessarily a space-saving solution. Using a floor rack means you have to have the floor clearance to store your bike(s) in these, which isn’t ideal for those who are already lacking on floor space.

Not Compatible with All Bikes

Certain bikes may not be compatible with standard floor racks, such as smaller children’s bikes or bikes that feature brake discs. However, there are specially designed bike racks that are compatible with such bikes, although these may be more expensive than the standard options available.

Not as Stable as Alternative Solutions

Whilst these back racks are more stable than having no bike rack at all or simply using a kickstand, other bike rack solutions are even more stable still.

Since only the front wheel is parked in a floor rack, the rest of the bike is still sticking out behind it. Though this is enough to stop the bike from falling over, it doesn’t mitigate damage should someone or something push against the main frame of the bike.

Wall-Mounted Bicycle Racks

Again, the name for this is rather self-explanatory; wall-mounted bike racks are just that- mounted onto the wall. This is done by securely screwing the rack to the wall, allowing it to then bear the weight of your bike.

Pros

Space-Saving

One of the key advantages of wall-mounted racks compared to their floor alternatives is the space that they save. Being on the wall, this naturally allows you to store your bike without eating into your floor space, which is especially ideal for individuals who store their bike in a small and/or cluttered room or garage.

Versatile

Wall-mounted racks offer more versatility than you might first think. There are different configurations available for storing your bike on the wall; for example, some wall-mounted racks allow you to store your bike vertically (with the front wheel up against the wall and the bottom wheel on the floor), whilst others allow you to hang your bike parallel against the wall.

Furthermore, they are often compatible with various bike styles and frame sizes, as these are accommodated by adjustable hooks and arms.

Stylish

If you’re looking for an attractive and unique way to not only store, but display your bike, then a wall-mounted rack is the perfect stylish solution.

Depending on which configuration you opt for, this can be a unique addition to your garage, allowing you to show off your bike proudly whilst offering practical benefits, also.

Protects Bikes

Using a wall-mounted rack is arguably a safer solution for your bike compared to floor-mounted alternatives. This is because they are kept securely out of the way, rather than risk being tripped over or knocked. Many also come with protective foam or rubber coatings, ensuring no scratches or damage occurs to your bike whilst being stored.

Cons

More Permanent Solution

A significant downside to wall-mounted bike racks is that they are a more permanent solution. Because they need to be screwed to the wall, this means that they cannot be as easily removed and moved, unlike floor racks that can be moved wherever you want whenever you want.

May Damage Your Wall

Another potential downside to these bike racks is that you may experience some damage to your walls when using them.

Firstly, tyres can leave black marks against the wall if they’re touching it. Should you also wish to remove your wall rack at any point, then the screws that were used to secure it will leave holes in the wall. As such, these may not be the best solution for people in rented properties, as this damage can risk you losing money on your deposit if not adequately fixed.

Difficult for Some to Use

Whilst wall racks are a convenient solution for many, for some they may not be the easiest or most practical to use. For example, children or older individuals may struggle to get their bike up and down from a wall, meaning such individuals would benefit more from a floor-based solution.

Cycle Storage Racks from Nip Nip

Still unsure which may be the best bicycle rack for your needs? We can help here at Nip Nip – simply discuss your requirements with us and we’ll advise you on the most suitable solutions. As suppliers of bike racks, we’re well-versed in the various solutions available!

From bike racks to bike repairs, we’re the one-stop-shop for all your cycling needs. Simply get in touch with us today to speak to one of our bicycle experts and we’ll be sure to help with your issue.