Input on idea? [bike storage]

willregistersoon

I had this idea the other day - thought this would be a good place to air it. I live close to the park but unfortunately don't have any room in my apartment to store my bike. I had to get rid of it and it's killing me now becuase I loved riding in the park. I was thinking there must be a bunch of people in the area with the similar dilemma.

What about the idea of finding 10-15 people to split the rent, and finding really cheap studio on PPW. There would be nothing but a bike rack around the walls and perhaps a wall of lockers. People in the "collective" could store whatever they want in their locker, and lock up their bikes on the rack. There's a lot of logisitcs involved - like finidng a landlord who would go along with it, finding a cheap place, regulating access, etc. It's basically a shared storage area right on the park.

Anyone think there's a chance of this actually being possible?

erikka

Hmmm...I don't know if I would want to walk somewhere to get my bike to ride somewhere. But it is an interesting idea.

carnivore

The person who's name was actually on the lease could easily get screwed. Trying to collect from 15 people to cover the rent would be like a full-time job.

willregistersoon

Carnivore wrote: The person who's name was actually on the lease could easily get screwed. Trying to collect from 15 people to cover the rent would be like a full-time job.

Good point. Can you set up some kind of automatic recurring payment on PayPal? But you're right - its a big risk for whoever puts their name on the lease.

carnivore

Have a contract for each member. Have a clause that states that failure to pay their share by some predetermined point means their bike is forfeit. Then if they didn't pay, you could clip the lock and sell the bike to cover rent until you find someone to take over that share.

bigguy

I'm not sure about the cheap studio on PPW thing. Are there any left? Maybe a cheap studio in Bushwick?

willregistersoon

Yeah and come to think of it - what about all the cold months of the year when most people don't really bike ride? I don't think anyone would want to pay for that - including me.

stacey

Instead of sharing with a bunch of people why not ask your landlord if you can store it in the basement or somewhere for an extra $20 a month in rent (or whatever number you feel is fair).

Not sure how much wall or ceiling space you have but why not get two large hooks and hang it from the wall or ceiling? If you don't want to look at it on the wall get a nice wall hanging to cover it. If you want to save more space take the front wheel off, store it under the bed or under the couch and hang the smaller version up. Without the front wheel you might be able to hang it up on the back of a closet door.

evilbert

mine and wifey's bikes are hanging by their wheels upside down from the kitchen ceiling.

Just ask your landlord if you can screw some big metal hooks into the roofbeams and you're all set.

veets

Subject: Re: Input on idea?

willregistersoon wrote: I had this idea the other day - thought this would be a good place to air it. I live close to the park but unfortunately don't have any room in my apartment to store my bike. I had to get rid of it and it's killing me now becuase I loved riding in the park. I was thinking there must be a bunch of people in the area with the similar dilemma.

What about the idea of finding 10-15 people to split the rent, and finding really cheap studio on PPW. There would be nothing but a bike rack around the walls and perhaps a wall of lockers. People in the "collective" could store whatever they want in their locker, and lock up their bikes on the rack. There's a lot of logisitcs involved - like finidng a landlord who would go along with it, finding a cheap place, regulating access, etc. It's basically a shared storage area right on the park.
Anyone think there's a chance of this actually being possible?

No mater how small your apt is in it must have walls... there are braces that can be put up to mount your bike on a wall.. I know people who have done this and made an artistic expression of it.. If you want you bike near ya... it must live with you. Or fnd someone you know who has some storage space.

Geez it makes me feel miserable to think people need to agonize as to where they will put their bike... Give me a pm.. I have plenty of space... perhaps we van work something out.

MOD NOTE: Tags fixed!

raw

Evilbert wrote: mine and wifey's bikes are hanging by their wheels upside down from the kitchen ceiling.

Just ask your landlord if you can screw some big metal hooks into the roofbeams and you're all set.

My bike hangs upside down from my hallway ceiling.

willregistersoon

raw wrote: [quote=Evilbert]mine and wifey's bikes are hanging by their wheels upside down from the kitchen ceiling.

Just ask your landlord if you can screw some big metal hooks into the roofbeams and you're all set.

My bike hangs upside down from my hallway ceiling.

We thought about doing that actually. Even bought one of those hoist things. But my friend who's in construction said it could be risky hanging something like that from the ceiling unless you can be totally sure you have it secured onto a stud. The hallway is pretty narrow and the materials are old - plaster, etc. Is yours pretty secure up there? I would definately consider it if I could figure out how to mount it.

evilbert

willregistersoon wrote: [quote=raw][quote=Evilbert]mine and wifey's bikes are hanging by their wheels upside down from the kitchen ceiling.

Just ask your landlord if you can screw some big metal hooks into the roofbeams and you're all set.

My bike hangs upside down from my hallway ceiling.

We thought about doing that actually. Even bought one of those hoist things. But my friend who's in construction said it could be risky hanging something like that from the ceiling unless you can be totally sure you have it secured onto a stud. The hallway is pretty narrow and the materials are old - plaster, etc. Is yours pretty secure up there? I would definately consider it if I could figure out how to mount it.

Mine's very secure (I hung from it when we moved in, just to be sure)

Like your friend said - as long as it's on a stud, you're fine.

stacey

you can find a stud a couple ways - an easy way to find the studs on a wall is to locate an outlet (outlets are usually attached to a stud behind the wall) take a nail (a thin finishing one) and tap into the wall. - studs are usually about 16-24 inches apart. You can do the same for the ceiling (tapping it with a nail or a hammer). Also Black & Decker makes a nice inexpensive stud finder.

pitu

I have one of these, running my bike up the wall (from the Container Store "Leonardo")

Lowes has a folding one like this, which my girlfriend uses to store a very pretty touring bike above her desk. It's in old plaster walls, no problem.


get that bike back!

willregistersoon

Thanks guys - I'll have to revisit this idea again. Definately easier than renting a studio!

oiseau

www.nashbar.com sells plenty of storage racks which you don't need to drill into your wall. The Minoura Bike Stand is but one.

rachmouse

There is also a hook/pully system that I've seen that attaches to the ceiling so you can raise and lower the bike for easy access. Once I get around to actually storing my bike anyplace but massively in the way that is what I will probably do. Seemed like a good solution for someone who is short with tall ceilings.

willregistersoon

Anyone have one of those fold up bikes? I always wondered how those were to ride.

garfunky

rachmouse wrote: There is also a hook/pully system that I've seen that attaches to the ceiling so you can raise and lower

you sure thats 4 the bike ?

lol sorry i gots a dirty mind.

brooklynpotter

in regard to renting i have to say this: you've got to be kidding.

would you want, next door to you, if you're paying rent on PPW of all places, to essentially have a storage space where throngs of people are coming in to get and return their bicycles? think about this for a minute.

this is likely one of the few cases where the landlord in landlord/tenant court will win hands-down.

erikka

willregistersoon wrote: Anyone have one of those fold up bikes? I always wondered how those were to ride.

eh, not so great.

marlowe

I was struggling with this problem, myself, until one day I found an old Ikea book shelf being thrown out on the street.

I brought it home and ripped out the shelves, using the wood to create cross braces along the back, picked up some bike hooks and screwed them into the back of the shelf frame, and --- presto! A stand alone bike rack that fits all 3 bikes in my apartment, and it takes up about as much space as my fridge.

That's only one suggestion...

guvna

pitu wrote:
I have one of these, running my bike up the wall (from the Container Store "Leonardo")

I have one of those! Got it from Skymall.com. Only thing is, I have it in the back of the hallway closet, behind all of the coats. Consequently, the bike never gets out. :0( I think I will ask my landlord for space to rent for it.