Category: cycling (Page 12 of 37)

Sunday ride actually. Windy, but warm so we rode. Windy is when the winds are so high the forecast just says “Windy” and shows something like this:

We have a lot of wind in Oklahoma (think of the lyrics of Oklahoma… where the wind goes sweeping down the plain, think of dust bowl images… okay you’ve got the right picture) so if you can’t ride in strong wind, you miss out on a lot of riding opportunities.

I draw the line at riding in tornadoes. I have been known to ride in thunderstorms, but not by choice.

Anyway, we rode today.

Hope you got a chance too.

A scene from our ride (Oklahoma isn’t all flat).

As we have increased our number of bikes over the years we’ve had to look for a different method of storing them in the garage.

Yes, despite the fact that I LOVE bikes, they are still relegated to the garage. Before getting the Steadyrack bike racks we used two upright racks that held two bikes each. They worked fine, although with heavier bikes it could be difficult to lift the bikes overhead to place them on the rack.

My partner-in-crime aka Mark researched bike racks and considered the pros and cons of numerous types. When he found the “Steadyrack” neither of us had ever seen nor heard of them before. They seemed like the best way to go so he ordered them through Amazon and in two days we had them. The cost of each rack was $67.

Here is a video of the Steadyrack system:

Pretty cool isn’t it.

Once the wall was reinforced the racks were pretty straightforward to install. The instructions are very clear on how to install them and the formula you use to space the racks (depending on the handlebar width) is also straightforward. The bikes hang about two inches from the floor.

The rack is one piece with an additional plastic holder mounted at the bottom to hold or brace the wheel – depending on whether the bike is at 90 degrees or pivoted to either side. Regardless if you rest the bottom wheel in the “cup” or against it, the wheel and bike are steady. The rack holds the bike securely in place.

We have six bikes in roughly the same amount of space we had four bikes. With the bikes perpendicular to the wall they do stick out a little further than our original rack.

If you want the bikes to stick out less, no sweat just pivot the bikes to the side, and they lay more “flush” against the wall. The rack pivots from side to side almost 180 degrees allowing for great flexibility in placement of your bike.

How easy is it to use? Amazingly easy. You simply tip your bike up balancing it on the back wheel, roll the bike to the rack and slide the front wheel into the rack. As the wheel goes into the rack, the bike lifts, (you don’t have to lift it) and the back tire rests in the bottom holder. To get the bike out I pull the bike towards me and without much effort the bike comes out of the rack. The video shows how easy it is to get the bike in and out of the rack.

Steadyrack reportedly fits most bikes including 29’rs. Another plus is it protects your frame from getting nicked up since no part of the frame comes into contact with the rack. Most important: it’s easy to use and we still have room to add two new bikes.

Steady Rack’s slogan is “Love Your Bike” which I rather like… I love their bike rack too.