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Bike Rack

Bike Rack
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  • Bike_Rack_Pic.jpg
  • Bike_Rack_Parts.jpg
  • Assembled_Bike_Rack2.jpg
This is a simple bike rack constructed from 3/4" PVC pipe.
 
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Step 1Cut PVC parts to length

Cut PVC parts to length
Parts List: All 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC
(2) Wheel Upright - 22 3/4"
(2) Wheel base - 12 1/2"
(4) Base - 7"
(5) Splices - 1 1/4"
(6) Elbows - 90 degree
(6) Tees
PVC Glue
« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
56 comments
1-40 of 56next »
Dec 27, 2007. 5:32 PMidood says:
Very nice. I took your design and the design of the other person who made the two bike holder, and came up with this:

All the details here.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Jun 21, 2009. 9:22 AMCollingwoodcorey says:
Check this person's bike rack for two.........Absolutely brilliant!!!!!
Dec 30, 2009. 7:35 PMfightnut says:
I like this design a lot. Only things I might do differently would be add little 4-5" legs so the wheel sits down IN the rack, and the tire is slightly off the ground. My thinking is that the wheel being surrounded/braced more might reduce the leaning/flexing that is happening with this one.
And I might go with 1" pvc to also help reduce flex.
Very nice though! Thumbs up,
Aug 21, 2011. 4:34 PMmyates7 says:
Great design. We modified it into a 5-bike setup with additional upside down "Ts" in between each upright wheel holder for extra support. Thanks again.
Aug 23, 2011. 7:10 PMmyates7 says:
5-bike version. Thanks again.
Jan 2, 2012. 7:14 PMAggieAshley99 says:
Love this bike rack! We have three boys and too many bikes -- they are like clothing one has outgrown but the next child will need. I need to store at least 5 and this is the best solution I've seen. How much did this cost to build? Thanks!
Jul 31, 2011. 11:25 AMfmassa1 says:
Thanks! I made it today! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5994418461_4764c25689_m_d.jpg
Jun 27, 2009. 11:12 PMdollardude says:
great idea, you could also use not plumbing pipes but steel pipes if you wanted it alot stronger
Dec 30, 2009. 7:26 PMfightnut says:
The only problem with using steel pipes is the cost. You would be better off buying a metal stand like this,  it would be about the same cost.
May 14, 2006. 6:33 PMJunkyard John says:
Why not use a kickstand?
Dec 30, 2009. 7:23 PMfightnut says:
They're added weight that stays on the bike all the time.
Jan 31, 2008. 8:24 AMcjos9703 says:
Most bikes do not have kickstands. Great idea!
Apr 21, 2009. 11:56 AMabadfart says:
my road bike didn't have one when i got it but i wot one at walmart along with a baby trailer
Mar 6, 2009. 2:46 PMclemsonguy1125 says:
actully mast cheper ones do
Mar 7, 2009. 5:13 AMcjos9703 says:
The bikes we have do not have kickstands. We have 4 bikes by 3 different makers none have kickstands.
Mar 7, 2009. 10:43 AMclemsonguy1125 says:
i have 3 bikes by three different makers and they all do but they are not like racing bikes
Mar 8, 2009. 2:25 PMcjos9703 says:
We have redline which ia a racing bike (BMX), specialized (a road racing bike and a cannondale. None of which has kick stands. I made two of these bike racks, they work really good and are cheap to make.
Mar 8, 2009. 2:54 PMclemsonguy1125 says:
ok
Aug 7, 2009. 1:52 PMlilpepsikraker says:
Weird. I have never seen a bike without a kickstand. Where are you?
Apr 15, 2010. 10:00 AMcarpe_noctem says:
kickstands are usually pretty hevy(by necessity)
people who are serious about the performance of their bike and want to cut weight, or just don't like the way it looks often remove them.

as for me, i just took mine off because it got in the way and wouldn't hold my bike up well anyway. Plus a combination of the above mentioned

PS ride fixies, cuz they're fun(not cu z they're trendy) 
May 18, 2006. 3:44 PMShadowFacsimile says:
A kickstand by itself weighs more than a third of my racing bike's frame. Good idea for a frumpy cruiser, but not my gossamer baby.
Aug 8, 2009. 6:45 PMsharlston says:
cool ible im getting a bmx in a couple of days! :)
May 26, 2009. 6:31 PMKrako says:
Great thinking - I really like the modification to the original idea - this should do the trick for the rack that I need - it needs to be transportable & fairly lightweight. - Great design!! Thanks !
Mar 7, 2009. 10:45 AMclemsonguy1125 says:
how stable is this
Jul 4, 2008. 2:30 PMjgodsey says:
i wonder how i can mount that in my pick up truck?
Mar 6, 2009. 4:57 PMclemsonguy1125 says:
use duct tape
May 10, 2006. 12:36 PMbadaboum says:
You could make it a multi-bike rack by joining together other racks. Great invention!
May 18, 2006. 4:35 PMShadowFacsimile says:
That's what I did for my parents' cyclocross rigs-- just make two racks as imarunner2 described and replace two of the elbow feet with tees to attach them. Mom and Dad look adorable on their little red matching bikes, but the garage was becoming a cyclism disaster area.
Mar 6, 2009. 4:55 PMclemsonguy1125 says:
i am gonna make one for three bikes
Aug 22, 2006. 10:20 AMAmcain says:
Make mine a double! A variation from the original to keep 2 bikes as close to the wall as possible (so my wife doesn’t hit them with her car) PDF drawing attached.
Nov 16, 2008. 7:30 AMTez23 says:
Do you have the dimensions for building the double?
Nov 8, 2008. 2:55 PMSharkVol says:
I like your version. How can I get the PDF?
Oct 3, 2008. 10:07 PMbigwhitebear18 says:
Just made one of these for my apartment instead of leaning the bike against the wall and having it fall over in the middle of the night to scare the bejeezee's out of me. Very simple and cheap, cost me about $7 total. It is a little small for my mountain bike though. I have to squeeze the tire into the rack for stability. I might just make another with some longer splices and give this one to a friend. Great instructable.
Jul 27, 2008. 6:31 AMbikingbrady says:
These are GREAT instructions. I would agree with the adding of concrete to the bottom sections. Without it, my tandem would not stay upright in the rack. It worked perfect with concrete in the base however.
May 22, 2008. 1:08 PMflyingmonkeyrecords.com says:
I filled the individual tubes with concrete before assembly and now have have a secure, very heavy rack on my front porch.
1-40 of 56next »

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Author:imarunner2
The picture is from the starting line at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN. I'm in there somewhere near the middle of the pack.