How to Install a Bicycle Wall Hook

For those living in small apartments, finding places to put your bicycles can be difficult! We have about four bicycles stowed in our tiny space, with one locked outside, two against a wall, and one project bike living in a big open storage box.

Well, sometimes it's nice to reclaim a little space and get rid of the clutter. I investigated some bicycle hooks for storing my bikes on the wall. They have all sorts of hooks out there specifically for bicycles. Whether you're mounting into the ceiling, drywall, or studs, it's out there.

I took a trip to the local hardware store to see what I could find, they had some nice rubber coated bicycle hooks (screw-in) for less than $0.75 a piece. Being the frugal person I am, I got them.

Here are some of the tools I recommend for this project:
*Tape Measure
*Power Drill with appropriate bits
*Pencil
*Level (optional)



First you need to find your wall studs. Simply measure from the nearest electrical outlet 16 inches in either direction, this is the typical stud spacing for modern building construction. Mark an 'X' on the stud at the height you want to hang your bike.

Do a test drill with a small bit, 1/16" is a nice size. You'll know if you are drilling into a stud, it will give some resistance.

Now you're ready to get out the big bits, eyeball a good bit for the hook you're using. When you place the bit in front of the screw, you will see all the screw thread, if not, your bit is too large.

Drill a nice straight hole in the wall. Once done, begin screwing your hook into the wall, it should be tight and feel solid. I left the open mouth of the hook facing the right. If you are installing a second hook near-by, this is the time to get out your level and make an in-line mark for the next hook.

Hang your bike on the hook and admire your handiwork. Enjoy all the new free space!

Cruiser Update

Work is going along well on the Sam-Sco Cruiser bike. Unfortunately, I destroyed the original quill stem for the handlebars while trying to free the rusted stem. I'll have to find a good replacement that matches the feel of the bike.

The intricate components, a New Departure (Model D) Coaster Brake Hub, and the one piece crank, all came off the bicycle in find condition. After disassembling the coaster hub, I used a mix of WD-40 and Simple Green to clean the bearings and components. It cleaned up very well!


The one piece crank didn't clean up as well, and the chrome on the chainring is worn off in many places. It'll look pretty decent though, I'm really interested in using most of the original components, even if they are a little banged up.

Cleaning, scrubbing, and sanding all continue. First coat of primer is coming soon!

This past Friday, I attended the Brimfield Antique Show to scope out vintage bicycles. I didn't come across as many as I'd hoped, but I didn't get to see even half of all the booths at this sprawling fair. Below are some of the neat bikes I came across.

Comfort, Style

I spent two months this summer riding a decent well-fitting road bike across the country. Road bikes are great for those long days of riding, and for going fast!

Recently though, I find that riding around a fancy set of road wheels isn't always the most fun. Usually I'm in spandex, and riding clothes, tools, gear, etc. But what about those simple rides around town? How about a leisure ride in the park, or lolling about on campus?

Way back when, bicycles were different. One style in particular, balloon tire bikes, have caught my attention. Balloon Tire coaster bikes are simple! Often they have one speed, and a simple back-pedal braking mechanism, thanks to the coaster hub brake. Big wide tires provide a comfortable ride, often with fenders for weather protection. They're not quite as challenging to 'mount' like a road bike, which lends to wearing more comfortable clothes, even a dress or skirt if you fancy it.

I did a little shopping on my local Craigslist and picked up an old Sam-Sco Ladies Coaster Bike for my fiancée. It needs a lot of work, and I will post more pictures and status updates as I go along.

Have a happy ride today!

Your Best Route.. to Work

Gas prices are soaring, you never have time to exercise, and car insurance is breaking your piggy bank. What can you do? Bike to Work!

Commuting to work by bicycle is enjoyable, and extremely beneficial for you. Here are a few benefits you may experience:

*Increased cardiovascular health
*Superior alertness at work (no more morning groggies)
*Savings on gas
*Faster Commute (depending on your normal traffic situations)
*Fun and Joy!

The prospect of cycling to work is daunting for many. Getting on a bike early in the morning with an extra pair of clothes, work essentials, no coffee cup holder, all while navigating through morning traffic didn't particularly excite me either.

Break it down into some simple steps, and you can prepare yourself for the next level of commuting bliss.

First, you need a working bike. Make sure your bike is fitted properly, if you experience pain while on a bike, please have a bike shop look at your fit! If pain persists, I'd also recommend talking to a doctor.

Second, bike gear. Depending on what you bring to work and where you live, you may need a rack with panniers, fenders, and bicycle headlamps. These are often found in your local bike shop, but you may also find plenty of high quality merchandise on the web. For high quality hand-crafted panniers, I'd suggest checking out Swift.Industries.

Third, bike wear. The longer the commute you plan to make by bicycle, the more strongly I recommend purchasing some bike shorts and jerseys. The comfort is absolutely worth it. After that, make sure you find a good cycling specific rain jacket.

Fourth, bike tools. For every bicycle ride you take, there are some essentials that will help you when your bike has mechanical problems, or a flat tire. A good full-featured multi-tool with Allen wrenches, emergency spoke wrench, and tire levers are a good start. Carry at least one spare inner tube and a pump that you know how to work.

One of the last steps, is to find a good route to take to work. Often times, the same route you drive in a car, would make a poor bike route. Explore on weekends or during your free time different ways to get to your job. Make careful note of shoulder size, cleanliness and condition of road, and traffic. Also, if you are going to commute at night, finding a well-lit and safe route is important.

More than anything, your attitude, will power, and focus are the most important factors to making it to work safely and happily.

There's plenty more to riding to work than I tell you here, but I hope you're more inspired to try the commute. Stay tuned for more useful cycling information.

Ride safe, wear your helmet!

Life with Bikes

When I was just a wee lad, bicycles were a complete joy! After graduating from training wheels and learning to coast the two-wheeled wonder, I quickly became very comfortable on a bike. From beginner huffy's to a chromed-out bmx, to a bigger mountain bike, etc. I grew up with the 'bicycle'.

Fast forward to modern times, I am rediscovering the bicycle! This is no mere toy, this is a truly beautiful machine, with practical uses far beyond what I had possibly imagined as a young boy.

Sure, bicycles are great for a jaunt around the neighborhood, but bicycles can also bring you to work, fetch your groceries, and even carry your dirty laundry. All with you at the helm of course.

Self powered transportation is fascinating. The simple thought of being able to get from point A to point B without a car, or bus, or plane, is staggering. Think about it, with enough time, you can get almost anywhere on a bicycle!

Happy Riding :-)