Over the years we've had a number of bikes come and go in our apartment but all in all there have never been fewer then five at a time -- hence the need for super compact bike storage. I am finally getting around to posting some photos of the set up in our living room for three of our nicest (as well as lightest)...
Fortunately we have a doorway we don't ever use which turned out to fit three of those super minimal
Delta Leonardo Single-Bike Racks side by side! As for the assembly... using a 1.5" thick board which spanned the entire door frame, I screwed each hook 15"
apart
(center-to-center) which is the closest you'll likely get away with -- though partly depends on your handle bar style/width. Once the hooks were in place on the board, I pre-drilled the holes into the board, and used 4" long screws to anchor it into the wood framing of the door. Drilling directly into the wood door framing created a super secure attachment.
And to deal with the all the bike tools which were previously spread amongst two different toolboxes and under the sink storage bins -- I was able to consolidate
almost everything into one of
IKEA's "ALEX" drawer unit! It has six shallow drawers and comes with casters so you can easily wheel over your tools to wherever you please. Little enhancements I made included lining some of the drawers with industrial felt padding to help keep them in place and used some old petri dishes to keeps tiny parts organized. One thing I'm considering doing is reinforcing some of the drawer bottoms which are holding lots of tools since they began to bow a bit.
Spending the $161
($14 (x 3) on hooks + $119 on drawers) was well worth it for space saving benefits!!! If you've come up with a crafty indoor bike storage option - do share!
For those of you who know me well, I know what your thinking...
what happened to the Bike Utility Bench you designed? What can I say, there is really that much stuff to store at home -- and use the bench for larger items like extra helmets, gloves, accessories!
Fortunately we have a doorway we don't ever use which turned out to fit three of those super minimal Delta Leonardo Single-Bike Racks side by side! As for the assembly... using a 1.5" thick board which spanned the entire door frame, I screwed each hook 15" apart (center-to-center) which is the closest you'll likely get away with -- though partly depends on your handle bar style/width. Once the hooks were in place on the board, I pre-drilled the holes into the board, and used 4" long screws to anchor it into the wood framing of the door. Drilling directly into the wood door framing created a super secure attachment. 
Since 2004 Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney has been filling the blogosphere with great design on the ultra popular Design*Sponge -- and most recently shared her love for bicycles! She posted 55 of her favorite bike-related designs, an interview with the owner of NYC bike boutique Adeline Adeline, along with one of my current obsessions -- bikes in homes. For many urbanites this is one daunting issue. Whether you own one or two or six they can easily become problematic in ones living space (though made easier if you have high ceilings - we once had 5 sets of wheels and 4 frames hanging in one tiny one bedroom, ahh not ideal). Thus I was thrilled to see a couple nice bike storage options spotted in a couple 'sneak peaks' of designers/artists homes in the D*S post:
sneak peak w/ some Leonardo Wall Hooks in action
The Leonardo Wall Hook is one ultra minimal and affordable option which I personally adore (actually recently ordered three of them). Public Bikes loves these hooks so much that they hung 40 of them in their office!
And another approach for a couple bikes... the Michelangelo Two Bike Gravity Stand which leans securely against the wall - no attachment required. Particularly good for those transient apartment renters out there!
Spotted Specialized's Airtool Double Barrel Pump with it's sleek all-metal design at Bicycle Habitat. Should have noted its size since I can't find the details online - but take my word this is one compact pump + comes with bracket to mount to your frame. Love the classic design and that it's all-aluminum -- also given the face that Specialized sells replacement parts if need be -- should last a lifetime! Can't help but imagine how it would look on mounted on an all-chrome bike or this Sacha White commuter bike...
Oh, and if you want ultra compact then check out the pocket size Airtool Mini Pump...
(Note that these appear to be only for Presta valves -- but here's hoping they'll come out with Schrader compatible version.)
It is the best feeling to be able to adjust/fix your own bike (be it fixing a flat, raising your seat, adjusting your derailleur, etc.). And since one never knows when/where you'll need to the tools for the job - I typically opt to carrying a small selection of tools (wrench, allen keys, patch kit and pump) whenever/wherever (in my case, I think of them as a girl's best friend).
How perfect for extra inner tubes, tire irons, wrenches, and allen keys... Alice Supply Co. toolboxes are so lovely you no longer need to stash you toolbox out sight and under your kitchen sink!
Stay tuned for future thesis project postings this week...
