Introduction: Bicycle Rack From Old Skis and Ski Poles

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Step 1: Lay Out Base.

To make a rack that can park bikes on both sides attach three cross members across two base pieces. We used skis (185cm)for the base pieces and 32" treated 2x2's for the cross members.

Place the center cross member in the middle of the skis or other base pieces. Position the other cross members 14 1/2" from the center cross member.

Drill countersunk screw holes on the bottom of the skis or other base where the cross members attach. If you use skis, scuff up the slick tops where the cross members are screwed and glued. We used Elmer's polyurethane glue and decking screws.

Step 2: Drill Holes in Center Cross Member

Find the middle of the center cross member and make a mark 1 1/2" on either side of the middle. Now make a mark every 3" on both sides. The 3" spacing seems to work well for most bike tires/wheels. Commercial bike racks also have 3" spacing between the vertical supports.

Next, drill a 1" deep hole the same diameter as the ski pole or other vertical support at each mark. We drilled eight holes using a 3/8" bit with a masking tape stop at 1" for our bike rack. You can modify the design for more or less bikes.

Step 3: Drill Holes for Upper Horizontal Support

To make the upper horizontal cross member lay out the holes in the same manner as you did for the lower center cross member in step 2. Drill holes the same diameter as the vertical supports. Our ski poles were 5/8" in diameter and we had to ream the hole slightly so they'd fit tightly in the holes. We used a 5/8" spade bit and wiggled it a bit as the holes were drilled. I didn't want to destroy the ski poles so we opted not to secure them other than a snug fit. If you used other material for vertical supports you could glue or screw them in place.

Step 4: Install the Vertical Supports Through the Upper Cross Member

Insert the ski poles or other vertical supports through the upper horizontal cross member.

Now line up the upper cross member with vertical supports installed with the holes in the bottom cross member. Tap into place.

Level the upper horizontal cross member by tapping here and there.

You could install the vertical supports one at a time into both the upper and lower horizontal cross members, but we didn't.

Step 5: Park a Bike to See How It Looks.

Park a bike or two to see how it looks.

Step 6: Attach Bracing to Upper Cross Member

Attach braces to the upper cross member to provide more support and stability. We stayed with the skier theme and used short kid's skis. The X gives the rack a cool look.

Check out my brother in law Rusty's huge ear holes (1 3/8") and lip rings.

Step 7: Park the Bikes

This bike rack doesn't provide real security for locking the bikes up. You could lock all the bikes together and that would help. I just wanted something to keep our bikes upright. We keep it in the backyard and don't have much theft in our neighborhood. I usually cover it with a tarp in case it rains.

If you left it out it'd be a good idea to place it next to something that you could secure the bikes to.