If you rent an apartment or bought a home, you had no choice on the type of material that was used during the construction, it most likely has drywall. So can you hang a bike on drywall and what’s the best way to do it?
Bike storage can be challenging, especially if you’ve never owned a bike.
Can You Hang A Bike On Drywall?
As long as you hang mount the bike to the studs behind the wall, and use the right type of hardware, it shouldn’t be a problem. There are literally several types of hanging hardware such as expanding plastic sleeves, screw-in anchors, molly bolts, and etc. The hardware you use will depend on the weight of your bike, and whether you hang it vertically or horizontally.
That being said, drywall is very weak and if not hung correctly, the weight of your bike can cause the wall to come crashing down.
We’ll look at some of the different options you have for hanging a bike on the drywall but first, what is it and why is it so popular?
What Is Drywall?
Drywall aka sheetrock is a popular construction material that is used to create ceilings and walls. It can be found in apartments, homes, schools, commercial buildings, and offices.
It is a popular choice among builders because it’s durable, easy to install/repair, and cost-effective. If your home or apartment was built after 1960, it’s likely you have drywall instead of plaster.
The downside is it’s easier to damage than other types of wall materials such as wood, plaster, or concrete.
How Much Weight Can You Hang On Drywall?
As long as you secure heavy objects to a stud, it should be able to hold a bicycle without any issues. If you can’t find the stud, then use the appropriate hardware for the weight of your item.
This means, you’ll have to weigh your bicycle and the bike rack to find out what the combined weight of them will be. For instance, if you have a 20lb bicycle and the rack weighs 1.8lbs, you’ll want to ensure the hardware holds a minimum of 22lbs.
If you’re storing multiple bikes, you’ll want to add the weight of all the bikes together. I’d also recommend hanging multiple bikes if you can attach the rack directly to the stud to add more support.
Types of Fasteners
I’ve put together the different types of fasteners available in local hardware stores and online. This will make it easier to know what type you need when hanging things on sheetrock, including your bicycle.
There are literally several types of fasteners available for different types of material such as plaster, paneling, drywall, brick, and concrete, check out this site for a more in-depth explanation.
- Expanding plastic sleeves: These anchors spread their “wings” when a screw or bolt is threaded into them. While they may look durable, they work best for hanging lightweight items that are less than 15 pounds. Another downside is over time, it will loosen if too much stress is applied.
- Screw-in anchors: One of the most all-purpose drywall anchors that can hold items that weight 10-25 pounds. They can be purchased in either plastic or metal, the metal ones will be more durable.
- E-Z Anchor: These are versatile anchors that make hanging heavy objects without having to find the stud. Pick a spot to secure on the drywall and use a screwdriver to fasten it. Once the anchor fastens, it secures to the wall with the flanges. They claim to hold from 30 to 85 pounds per fastener.
How To Hang A Bike Rack On Drywall?
If you’re hanging your bike on the wall to put it away for the winter, I recommend winterizing it properly to keep it in the best condition as possible. Maybe you’re just looking for a way to better organize your home or apartment and need to get it off the ground?
Either way, these steps will walk you through on how to hang your bike on the wall.
what you’ll need:
- Stud finder
- Drill and drill bits
- Bike Rack
- Anchor hardware
- Bike rack or hooks
Step 1 Locate The Stud
The studs are the 2×4’s that function as the framing elements in your home. They support the walls and are usually spaced about 16-24 inches apart.
Grab your stud finder and place it on the wall where there is no stud. Once it gets a reading of a hollow wall, then you move it around it will let you know when it finds something.
Run the stud finder over your walls until you find and mark all the studs you’ll be using to mount your bike.
Make sure you know where the electrical wires, are so you don’t actually drill into them. If you’re not sure, I’d recommend turning off the electrical power in your home or hire a professional to do this for you.
Step 2: Start Drilling
Once you’ve marked the studs it’s time to start drilling the holes. You may find it easier to make a small drill hole first before drilling through the sheetrock completely.
Step 3: Attach The Bike Mount
Line your bike mount with the holes you’ve drilled in the wall and attach it with the screws it came with. If you’ve managed to find the studs, you can use any type of hardware. I’d recommend going with sturdy screws that will easily support the weight of your bicycle.
Secure the screws tightly to the wall using the drill.
Step 4: Clean Up Your Mess
Grab your Hoover hand vac and clean up the mess you’ve made. There’s likely going to be sheetrock dust on the floor, wall, and other parts of the room you’re hanging the bike in.
Wipe it up before hanging the bike.
Step 5: Hang The Bike
Lastly, place your bike on the mount and it should hold without any issues. Your handlebars should be able to sit straight without touching the wall.
Using A Bike Hook
Step 1: Get The Proper Hook
Make sure the hook you choose can support the weight of your bike. The packaging on the hook will say the maximum capacity it can support. Never use any old hook, especially, if you don’t know how much it weight it supports.
If you’re not sure how much your bike weighs, you will have to weigh it before going shopping.
Bike hooks are not expensive and can be purchased online or at your local hardware store. Opt for one that that has rubberized tips to prevent your bike from being scratched.
Step 2: Measure Your Bike
Grab a tape measure to measure the furthest tip of the bike to the tip of the bike tire. Once you know the measurement of your bike, you’ll want to measure the height on your wall.
I recommend hanging your bike high enough off the floor to prevent the tires from touching the floor. You’ll be hanging the bike vertically, so you’ll want the distance of the bike hook to be greater than the length of the bike.
Step 2: Locate The Stud
You never want to hang the bike on plain ole drywall, as it won’t be sturdy enough. Use the stud finder to locate the studs.
Once it lights up or makes the beeping sound, mark with a carpenter pencil so you can drill.
Step 3: Drill The Holes
Grab a drill bit about 3/8 inch and screw a hole deep enough for the end of the bike hook to fit into it.
Step 4: Insert The Wall Plug
I recommend using a wall plug that is the same size as the threaded screws on the hook. This will make it easier than trying to screw the hook directly into the stud, but it will also add more support for your bicycle. You can find wall plugs at your local hardware store.
If you’re not sure what size to get, take your the bike hook with you and ask someone to help you get the right size.
Step 4: Mount The Hook
Grab the hook and insert the threaded part into the holes and turn the hook clockwise until the threaded portion is flush with the wall and won’t turn anymore.
You want the hook to be parallel with the floor.
Step 5: Hang Your Bike
Lift your bike up and place the front tire on the rubberized hook. The tires will touch the wall and the saddle will face outward from the wall.
If you don’t want your tires to mark up your wall, you may want to consider applying some clear contact paper on the wall where your tires lean up against the wall. This will help shield your paint from any scuffs and scratches and can be easily removed when you move.
How Far Should My Bike Be From The Wall?
It depends on the dimensions of your handlebar. If you’re hanging your bicycle horizontally, measure the side of the handlebar that is closest to the wall. Purchase a wall hook that is about an inch longer than the dimension of the handlebar.
For example if you get a measurement of 8 inches, you should get a wall hook that is at least 9-10 inches long.
This will give your bike enough space for it to hang without having to have the wheel touch the wall.
Things To Take Into Consideration
Door Ways
Leave enough room in between the bike and doorways so you can open and close the door without any issues. If your bike blocks the doorway, it could be a fire hazard and should be moved to a new location.
Intrusion
Hanging a bike horizontally on the wall will take up more space than you think. You should allow about 10-12 inches of protrusion from the wall when thinking about where to hang your bike.
Height
Before you mount the bike, you should consider how high you want to mount your bike. You don’t want to have to use a ladder to get your bike down or put it way.
If you put it too high, the bike may touch the ceiling when it’s hung up.
Other Options
If you’re not comfortable hanging a heavy bike on sheetrock or you don’t have permission to drill holes in the walls, you may want to consider these other bike storage options.
Final Word
If your home or apartment has drywall, you can still hang your bike. Hopefully, this gives you a better understanding of choosing the right hardware for hanging a bike on drywall.
You get to choose whether you want to hang it horizontally or vertically.
Good luck with hanging it up.