Does Hanging a Bike by the Wheel Damage It?

Storing bikes isn’t easy, especially when you don’t have a lot of storage space. One way to overcome the limited space is to hang the bike from a wall or ceiling.

While this might be the most convenient method, some cyclists may be wondering, does hanging a bike by the wheel damage it?

In this article, we’ll be answering this question, in addition to some tips on the best way to hang your bike.

Should You Hang Your Bike by the Wheels?

Some specialists argue that hanging your bike can have indirect consequences on the state of your wheels. For example, it may place too much pressure on the wheel’s rim, causing it to bend.

Over time, this can impact other areas of the bike, like the hydraulic disc brakes. However, this can be avoided by replacing your gear routinely.

On the other hand, many professional riders would argue that this is incorrect. Most of these riders and even some bike shops hang their bikes by their wheels.

Additionally, some argue that wheels are designed to support the weight of the rider and the force of the bumps on the road. Therefore, it should be able to support its own weight when hung.

How to Properly Hang Your Bike

There are some simple measures you can take to minimize the damage to your bike. So let’s discuss some of these tips!

1. Use the Right Hook

The easiest way to hang your bike is to use a hook that is heavy duty and has a wide mouth. This type of hook can be used regardless of the width of the tire.

We recommend using the Heavy Duty Hooks by Impressa. These are easy to install into both a wall or a ceiling. They’re also made of galvanized steel which means that they’re extremely durable.

An individual hook can support 100 pounds of weight without being yanked out of the wall. Their soft coating also protects your bike from getting scratched.

2. Use Two Points of Contact

One of the reasons some cyclists may end up with damaged rims is that they only use one point of contact. This means that all the weight is concentrated in one spot on the bike.

By using more than one point of contact, you’re spreading out the weight more evenly. This reduces the risk of damage.

3. Hang the Bike Horizontally

Some cyclists hang their bikes from their ceiling. However, this isn’t the recommended method. The best way to hang your bike is horizontally using two hooks in the wall.

Furthermore, if you’re still concerned about your rims, this method also allows you to hang the bicycle by its frame.  The frame should be capable of supporting the weight of the bike.

4. Don’t Rush While Dismounting Your Bike

You can actually damage your bike while taking it down. If you rush this process your bike can come crashing down. So, remember to be cautious.

5. Maintain an Appropriate Distance Between Bikes

If you’re planning on hanging multiple bikes, don’t install the hooks too close together. You should have an 18 – 20 inch space between the bikes. This is vital because it’ll give you enough space to take down the bicycles safely.

6. Clean Your Bike

If you don’t clean your bike before hanging it, the sand can transfer onto the hooks. This in turn can lead to scratched rims.

7. Pick the Right Area to Hang the Bike

Picking the right place to hang your bike is of the utmost importance. For example, you can’t hang your bike on drywall. Drywall will be unable to support the weight of the bike and this might lead to a big mess.

8. Beware the Hydraulic Brakes

Most bicycles can also be hung upside down. However, bicycles with hydraulic brakes are the one exception to this rule. This is because turning the bicycle on its side or upside down can cause air bubbles trapped in the reservoir tank to reach the calipers. If this happens, the brakes won’t work efficiently.

9. Protect Your Bike if It’s Outdoors

Leaving your bike hanging outdoors, uncovered, can lead to the deterioration of the bike. Weather elements, like humidity or rain, can have a toll on your bicycle frame.

To protect your bike from corrosion and rust, be sure to cover your bike. Bicycles are also sometimes stolen. So, if you’re planning on hanging them outside, invest in bike covers and bike locks.

Alternative Hanging Methods

Hooks aren’t the only way to store your bike. Here are some of the other methods that you can use.

Gravity Stands

These can support up to 2 bikes. They’re not designed to be drilled into a wall. Rather they lean against a wall and keep the bikes upright. This makes less of a mess when setting up and is much more convenient.

Hoist system

This is essentially a pulley system that allows you to raise and lower your bikes with ease. However, if you have high ceilings you should check the height limit of the pulley before making a purchase.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, some cyclists worry about hanging their bikes. However, if done correctly, this can be a great space-saving way to store your bike. Some of the things you need to be aware of before hanging your bicycles are the type of hook you use, the points of contact, and the distance between the bikes.

The best way to hang the bikes is horizontal. You can hang them upside down, so long as they don’t have hydraulic brakes.

It’s also recommended to keep the bikes indoor to avoid corrosion, rusting, or theft. However, storing them outside is possible with a bike cover and lock.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to not hang the bike on drywalls as they won’t be able to support the weight of the bike.

There are also alternatives to hooks for hanging bikes. This includes gravity stands and the hoist system. However, before purchasing the hoist system check if your ceiling height is compatible with the pulley.