Is hanging a bike by the wheel damaging it? We’ve been getting this question a lot lately, so we decided to find out for ourselves. After hanging a couple of our bikes for months, we discovered a shocking truth that should’ve been obvious since day one. However, there are a few issues that you need to understand depending on the type of bike you own.
If you’re looking for a quick answer on whether or not hanging your bike by its wheel will damage it, here’s what you need to know! Hanging a bike by its wheels, whether front or back, will not damage the bike if done properly. And considering that just sitting on the bike, going over bumps, and landing stunts cause no damage, hanging it by its wheels also won’t cause any noticeable damages.
Furthermore, if you visit bike shops around your area, you’ll often see them hanging the bike by its wheels. And if the “Experts” do it, why would you have an issue?
With that being said, there are a few things that you NEED to take note of before you go ahead and hang your own bike by its wheels.
Why store a bike on the wall or hanging from the ceiling?
Let’s face it…
No matter how much you love a bike, it will go unused if it is in the way. At some point, you’ll find yourself storing it away. And as they always say, “Out of sight, Out of mind.”
Most persons that think of hanging bike by wheel from a wall or ceiling by the wheel are likely those that don’t have a lot of floor space to work with. Fewer items on your ground mean more room for other things like decorations or furniture. Having bikes on your wall means you can store more of them. And it also makes sure that the bikes don’t bump into each other and get damaged.
Some people store their bikes on their walls because they live in a tight space but don’t want to put them away in case they need it later – that way, if there’s an emergency bike ride needed at any time, then it will be easier to unhook and go.
Storing bikes overhead can also be done as an art form in itself. Hanging them from ceilings is becoming a beautiful way to enhance your home or showcase your ride.
What types of bikes are safe to hang from the wheels?
In general, bikes that have a metal frame are the safest to hang from the wheels. Bikes that weigh less are also safer to hang with the wheels:
Can a road bike be hung from the wheels?
Road bikes, which are usually made of aluminum and weigh less than 18 pounds (about 8 kilograms), can be hung without any damage because they have a metal frame.
Can a mountain bike be hung from the wheels?
Mountain bikes, which generally have a metal frame but tend to weigh more than around 20 pounds (10 kilograms), can still be hung from the wheels, but there is a greater risk of them becoming damaged.
Can a hybrid bike be hung from the wheels?
Hybrid bikes have a metal frame, but the weight varies depending on what components are installed. They can vary in weight from 12 pounds (five kilograms) to 23 pounds (seven kilograms), so hang them at your own risk!
Can an electric bike be hung from the wheels?
Electric bikes are usually heavier than traditional bikes. The weight can vary depending on the model, but generally, they weigh around 45 pounds (20 kilograms) to 55 pounds (25 kilograms).
It is not recommended for an electric bike to be hung from the wheels because there is a high risk of damaging the battery pack or other important components.
Can you hang a fat bike vertically on a wall or from the wheels?
Fat bikes are heavy, weighing around 36 pounds (16 kilograms) to 40 pounds (18 kilograms). It is not recommended for a fat bike to be hung from the wheels. Doing so will put unnecessary strain on the frame and components that may cause damage or even shorten the lifespan of your bicycle.
Can a touring bike be hung from the wheels?
A touring bike is typically heavier than a road bike, weighing around 26 pounds to 33 pounds. With the additional components like bike racks, dynamo lights, and hubs, these bikes might weigh much more. If you plan to hang your touring bicycle from the wheels, be sure that you remove all the removable items to make the bike lighter.
How to tell if your bike is too heavy to hang by the wheels?
If the bike is heavier than 20kg (44lbs), then it would be better to hang it by its frame. You can also look at the weight limit of the wall hanger that you have. If it is capable of hanging at least 60 and the bike is only about 20-30 lbs, then it would be safe to hang the bike by the wheels.
What to do when your bike is too heavy to hang by its wheels?
If your bike is too heavy to be hung by its wheels, then you can hang it from its frame instead. Hanging the bike by the frame will have the bike’s weight be distributed over a greater surface area, which may decrease the chances of it pulling the hook out of the wall. Moreover, a bike hung from the frame may offer more clearance for a person to walk past.
What is the best type of hook to hang your bike?
There are multiple types of hooks to hang your bike. These include models that allow you to:
- Hang the bike by a single wheel on a hook
- Hanging both wheels from hooks
- Bike Frame Hooks
- Hooks that lean against a wall
- Ceiling Mount Lift Hoist
Single Wheel Bike Hooks
These types of hooks allow you to hang a bike by the wheel. They are typically hooked on the front or back wheel. However, these hooks are not meant for suspension bikes, and they don’t work well with heavy frames or big tires.
These hooks also have an average weight limit between 45-60 pounds.
Two Wheel Bike Hooks
Two-wheel bike hooks are very similar in design to single-wheel hooks. The good news is that they are often more durable and have a higher weight capacity. Thus they work better for bikes that have heavy frames.
These hooks also tend to be more expensive than single-wheel bike hooks.
The weight capacity for two-wheel bike hooks can vary greatly, depending on whether it’s made out of metal or plastic and the design itself. However, they are typically able to handle weights between 60-200 pounds.
Bike Frame Hook
A bike frame hook is a two-piece hook design that holds the bike up by the top tube. This type can accommodate bikes with heavy frames or big tires. They will even work with an electric bike or fat-tire bikes. Moreover, the design of these bike storage solutions offers easy access to your bikes.
To remove a bike, you do not need to use as much strength as you would for a single-wheel hook. You can lift the bike off the frame hook and go on your way. In contrast, you’d need to hold the bike up with one hand and remove a strap or unhook the wheels in a single-wheel bike hook. It’s also a great solution for people with back problems.
The weight capacity of this type of storage solution varies and will depend on what materials it is made from. However, they are generally more heavy-duty than single-wheel hooks.
Standalone Hooks
These hooks offer a very minimalistic design and can store more than one bike with ease. In most cases, they offer a high weight limit of up to 200 lbs.
Ceiling Mount Lift Hoist
These hooks are perfect for moving your bike out of the way and work best in a garage. They allow you to lift even heavy bikes easily, so you will be able to store any type of bike with them.
Which type is the best?
This answer is completely dependent on your needs.
- If you have a multi-floor residence, the standalone hooks may be best for you as they can store more than one bike at once and are lightweight enough to move around without much effort.
- If your garage has limited space or if there’s not an overhead ceiling that will work with these types, or if you don’t want to drill a hole in your apartment, then the standalone bike hanger is still one of the best way to hang a bike in the garage.
- If you can drill holes and want a cheap and simple solution to mount your bike by its wheels, then a single-wheel hook is a great choice.
- And in the case where your bike is heavy, or you have a suspension bike, fat tire bike, or electric bike, getting a frame hanger is a better option.
What is the best way to hang a bike?
The best way to hang a bike is whichever way is more convenient for your pocket, type of bike, and living situation. If you are short on space, getting a standalone wall mount, single wheel hook, or frame hook are great options. If you have a high ceiling, using a ceiling mount lift hoist to store your bike in the roof is a great option.
You should also consider the number of bikes that you need to mount, as that will also give you some indication of which bike hanger to use. Moreover, you need to remember that your bike wheels may be dirty, and a single-wheel bike hanger might cause you to dirty your walls.
Is it better to hang the bike from the front or back wheel?
There isn’t much difference between hanging a bike from the front wheel or back wheel in most cases. It’s easier to put your bike on the wall or ceiling from the front. This is because the front of the bike is lighter than the back. You’ll also have more control over the process since using the brakes to get the bike up on the rear wheel will be easier than lifting the rear wheel.
Another reason why hanging the bike from the front is that it’ll be easier to remove from the hanger when you need the bike.
Is hanging a bike upside down bad for it?
Hanging most bikes upside down does not damage them or cause any significant problems. The bike with a problem is the one with disc brakes because air travels up the reservoir; thus, the brakes will feel soft when you unhook it. Still, all you’ll need to do is squeeze the brakes a few times until it gets back to the optimal level that you are comfortable with.
All in all, hanging a bike upside down isn’t much of an issue.
How to hang a bike on a wall Vertically?
Hanging a bike on a wall vertically is very straightforward, and most persons should be able to do it on their own. If you are having trouble hanging your bike vertically, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Make sure your wall hanger is mounted securely.
- Step 2: Pull the rear wheel brake and lift the bike on the rear wheel.
- Step 3: Roll the bike by the rear wheel to the hook.
- Step 4: Lift the bike to the hook.
- Step 5: Make sure that you are hooking the front wheels between the spokes and that the hook isn’t resting on any of the hooks.
- Step 6: Let go of the bike.
If you are a strong person, you can bypass all those steps and lift the bike directly onto the hook. However, be mindful of resting the hooks on the spokes.
Is it OK to hang a bike with carbon wheels?
Hanging a bike with carbon wheels is not advisable. Carbon wheels can be affected by the weight of the bike, and it may cause cracks or a dent in them, which will lead to uneven contact with the ground and vibration while riding that could damage your wheel further.
If you must hang your bicycle for some reason (e.g., storage), make sure not to hang from the wheels and go with a frame hanger instead.
Is it OK to hang a full-suspension mountain bike upside down?
There is some debate about hanging a full suspension mountain bike upside down. Some people say that it can damage the fork and shock, while others maintain that there are no ill effects from hanging a bicycle this way. The consensus seems to be that there won’t be any issues arising from hanging the bike upside down.
We’ve tested it on multiple and have had no issues hanging it upside down or vertically over the months we’ve done so.
The Bottom Line
There are many benefits to hanging a bike by the wheel. A vertical storage method saves space, and you’ll have access to any of your bikes without having to move others out of the way first. Furthermore, hanging a bike by the wheel won’t damage them in any way at all! So if you’re looking for an inexpensive solution for storing your bike in an apartment or garage, you should no longer change any reservations.
We hope you now understand everything about hanging a bike by the wheel. If it’s not clear to you, or if there is anything else that we didn’t cover in this blog post, please leave a comment, and we will be happy to answer any questions.
Last Updated on October 14, 2023 by Daniel White