Moved into an apartment block with not one bike rack. Where to put bike? No balcony.

JackieChang

We have moved into an apartment complex with not even a single street sign to lock a bike to. I've walked all around the area and there's not one place to lock my bike. Lamp posts are too thick. There are some gates, but they belong to other houses.

Myself and the missus have a bike each. She can fit her fold-up bike under the common stairwell. Fits great and you can barely see it.

I have a big mountain bike that doesn't fit there and I'd rather not have it lying around the apartment. Mainly because it's only a 1 bed apartment and there's not really enough space. There is no underground parking or anything. I don't have a balcony.

I don't live in a high crime area. Just regular families and professionals. The neighbors kids around the area leave their bikes up against the wall outside their front doors. I could give that a go but would rather have it locked up.

Any solutions from people in similar situations? Is it legal to install your own single bike rack? Hire a handy man to drill one into the ground or the boundary wall around the complex.

There is a sheltered bin area where residents throw their rubbish into those massive wheely bins. Only the residents of my block have access to it by key. I could leave it in there but somebody will definitely think it's being thrown out and take it for themselves (there's a TV and an oven lying there at the moment) or the binman will just throw it into the back of the dump truck. Perhaps drill a single bike rack into the wall in there? With the permission of the management company of course.

tomasrojo

If you install anything outside your door, I guess you'd need to seek permission.

Your landlord might be amenable to a floor or wall anchor being installed, rather than something like a Sheffield stand, though the latter would be better.

TooObvious

There's probably an owners management company involved here.

They will own the common areas.

Find out who the management agent is and ask them (or get your landlord to) if they can install bicycle stands for those residents who don't have a car. It's a fair request, the worst they can do is say no.

Don't install your own stand - you'll be made remove it.

ED E

Why? Why would you move somewhere that clearly is incongruous with your needs? Mind boggles.

Effects

JackieChang wrote: »

Lamp posts are too thick.

Get a different lock.

JackieChang

ED E wrote: »

Why? Why would you move somewhere that clearly is incongruous with your needs? Mind boggles.

I have a car with a free parking space. The bike is just for the odd spin. Just thought that there'd surely be something of any sort to lock the bike to. It's literally the only area in the whole town that doesn't have anything to lock a bike to.

tomasrojo

There are what are reported to be pretty decent folding options for mountain and road bikes.

Probably not what you have in mind, but much easier to keep in a one-bedroom apartment than a standard mountain bike.

amadangomor

tomasrojo wrote: »

There are what are reported to be pretty decent folding options for mountain and road bikes.

Probably not what you have in mind, but much easier to keep in a one-bedroom apartment than a standard mountain bike.

A pully bike rack?

https://www.wish.com/product/5b72cedf807111193fbd5c49?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=IE&_force_currency_code=EUR&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5b72cedf807111193fbd5c49&ad_cc=IE&ad_curr=EUR&ad_price=27.00&campaign_id=9527731323&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8rT8BRCbARIsALWiOvTD2N5scawLA6UgoF7Yf3RDzJ6AO8c-3DCUDaivazKtT8KzDBXWRfIaAsOTEALw_wcB&share=web

magicbastarder

ED E wrote: »

Why? Why would you move somewhere that clearly is incongruous with your needs? Mind boggles.

at the risk of saying something obvious, perhaps - given how rents are these days - the OP didn't have an awful lot of wiggle room.

brownian

Keep the bike in the car?

mamax

Bike rack on car and lock it

CheGuedara

A millionty years ago I bought a toppeak dual touch bike stand because I was in a similar situation and it's moved with me ever since it's so well fit the bill. It braces between the floor and ceiling and can hold two bikes. Never left a mark after it. Could be worth considering. LINKY MCLINKFACE

NBar

How about something like this

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/storage-stands/250-dual-touch%C2%AE-bike-stand

tomasrojo

amadangomor wrote: »

A pully bike rack?

https://www.wish.com/product/5b72cedf807111193fbd5c49?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=IE&_force_currency_code=EUR&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5b72cedf807111193fbd5c49&ad_cc=IE&ad_curr=EUR&ad_price=27.00&campaign_id=9527731323&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8rT8BRCbARIsALWiOvTD2N5scawLA6UgoF7Yf3RDzJ6AO8c-3DCUDaivazKtT8KzDBXWRfIaAsOTEALw_wcB&share=web

That's good. But I was thinking of a fold-up bike. There are some that are more suitable to spins than, say, Bromptons.


https://airnimal.co/

I doubt a new, more expensive bike is what the OP had in mind, but just for completeness I thought I should mention it.

CantGetNoSleep

tomasrojo wrote: »

That's good. But I was thinking of a fold-up bike. There are some that are more suitable to spins than, say, Bromptons.


https://airnimal.co/

I doubt a new, more expensive bike is what the OP had in mind, but just for completeness I thought I should mention it.

I'd happily live with my Brompton for everything other than group / fast solo rides. I use mine for going around town, shopping, commuting, slow rides in summer of 50-60km and it is great for all of these. They are not cheap though

tomasrojo

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I'd happily live with my Brompton for everything other than group / fast solo rides. I use mine for going around town, shopping, commuting, slow rides in summer of 50-60km and it is great for all of these. They are not cheap though

Yes, it is a very versatile bike.

TooObvious

I'd second using a brompton if it is only an everyday bike as opposed to a long distance/roadie job. You can happily do spins up to 25km without any discomfort, they are really nippy and the best thing, they can be really easily stored.

I took mine to Kerry and it happily went up Gap of Dunloe and Molls Gap. All spins on a brompton tend to be happy btw.

tomasrojo

Mine lives under the stairs. I replaced the rear reflector with a rear-reflector-cum-light and the front reflector with a Moon Crescent, strapped a discreet repair kit under the saddle, and stored a spare tube in the top tube, so it's a ready-to-go bike for local trips.

TooObvious

TooObvious wrote: »

I'd second using a brompton if it is only an everyday bike as opposed to a long distance/roadie job. You can happily do spins up to 25km without any discomfort, they are really nippy and the best thing, they can be really easily stored.

I took mine to Kerry and it happily went up Gap of Dunloe and Molls Gap. All spins on a brompton tend to be happy btw.

Very impressed by the Brompton, met a lad cycling the outer Hebrides, carrying all his gear, on one

CramCycle

JackieChang wrote: »

I have a car with a free parking space. The bike is just for the odd spin. Just thought that there'd surely be something of any sort to lock the bike to. It's literally the only area in the whole town that doesn't have anything to lock a bike to.

Back of the car is what I used to do

brownian wrote: »

Keep the bike in the car?

This, only real solution that is quick and easy

mamax wrote: »

Bike rack on car and lock it

Not this, it will be taken or damaged in the attempt

David6330

You could make a heavy anchor by filling a large bucket with cement and set an old D lock in it. Once set, place it where you need it and chain the bike to it. Will make lifting the bike difficult for thieves. And you can always move it/get rid of it later if you have to.

You could decorate it as a flower pot to make it blend it in better

Iron kettlebell would do the same job.

Hamsterchops

tomasrojo wrote: »

Your landlord might be amenable to a floor or wall anchor being installed, rather than something like a Sheffield stand, though the latter would be better.

I would also recommend this approach.