Bike locker for home use?
April 13, 2011 8:09 AM Subscribe
Where to find/how to build an outdoor bike locker for use at home?
I'm looking for a bike locker like the ones they have at transit locations but for home use. Storing my bike inside is incredibly awkward and there simply isn't any room for a hanging bike rack or any other such thing on the main floor (we have a very VERY small house--indoor storage requires a trip down a narrow staircase with lots of twists and turns on the way). I know that if I keep my bike outside on the back deck it will rust very quickly, so I'm wondering if there is anybody who sells a single outdoor bike locker, or any way to construct one? We have a space about 5 feet wide and 12 feet long in the front of the house where such a thing could conceivably go. I'm in Toronto.
I'm looking for a bike locker like the ones they have at transit locations but for home use. Storing my bike inside is incredibly awkward and there simply isn't any room for a hanging bike rack or any other such thing on the main floor (we have a very VERY small house--indoor storage requires a trip down a narrow staircase with lots of twists and turns on the way). I know that if I keep my bike outside on the back deck it will rust very quickly, so I'm wondering if there is anybody who sells a single outdoor bike locker, or any way to construct one? We have a space about 5 feet wide and 12 feet long in the front of the house where such a thing could conceivably go. I'm in Toronto.
Response by poster: victoriab, that Rubbermaid thing is exactly what I had in mind--but it's too wide. I need something more like three feet wide. Just went and measured the front and 5 feet was an overstatement.
posted by Go Banana at 9:07 AM on April 13, 2011
posted by Go Banana at 9:07 AM on April 13, 2011
Do you have height restrictions as well as width/depth restrictions? I have one of these in my garage to hold two bikes, and it seems like it would be a pretty simple matter to construct a shelter around it if you're a construction-savvy person (which I am not). I'm not at home right now so I can't measure the depth of it, but I'm pretty sure it's not more than three feet deep.
posted by pdb at 9:19 AM on April 13, 2011
posted by pdb at 9:19 AM on April 13, 2011
Response by poster: I'm only storing one bike--Mr. Go Banana's bike is too fancy to stay outside (and he doesn't commute daily like I do). I'd really like something that's no bigger than it needs to be.
posted by Go Banana at 9:21 AM on April 13, 2011
posted by Go Banana at 9:21 AM on April 13, 2011
I'd suggest calling a few local fence and shed companies and see if they offer a narrow garden shed (with the entrance at the narrow end). It looks like the company I linked actually builds the shed onsite for you so maybe a local company offers something similar (if you're not handy).
posted by victoriab at 9:31 AM on April 13, 2011
posted by victoriab at 9:31 AM on April 13, 2011
Here's a couple shallow shed options:
Rubbermaid vertical storage shed (this one is 32 in deep)
Suncast Vertical tool shed
posted by SomeTrickPony at 9:33 AM on April 13, 2011
Rubbermaid vertical storage shed (this one is 32 in deep)
Suncast Vertical tool shed
posted by SomeTrickPony at 9:33 AM on April 13, 2011
I don't know how much carpentry you feel like doing, but Bike Hacks had an article recently: Tips for building a bike shed.
posted by Lexica at 7:39 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by Lexica at 7:39 PM on April 13, 2011
If you have something to chain the bike to, and don't need a lockable shelter, just a rain covering, you might want to try something like this one that a friend of mine built. I think it only took him an afternoon to put together.
posted by MsMolly at 11:55 AM on April 15, 2011
posted by MsMolly at 11:55 AM on April 15, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the answers! I've actually ended up ordering this from the old Home Despot. I'll have to take the front wheel off but I think the dimensions should work out well and it's quite narrow. Thanks to victoriab--I never thought to search garden sheds online.
posted by Go Banana at 3:03 PM on April 15, 2011
posted by Go Banana at 3:03 PM on April 15, 2011
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posted by victoriab at 8:32 AM on April 13, 2011