5 Best Ceiling Bike Racks for EASY Garage Storage (Ultimate Guide) 2023

When you own a bike or two, or maybe a whole family worth of bikes, it can start to take up a lot of that precious floor space in your garage. Instead of cluttering up the floor of your garage, it makes sense to look to the ceiling as a way to store your bikes. It’s an efficient use of space and it keeps your bikes nice and protected from getting knocked over and scratched.

We’ve done the hard work for you, and after looking at dozens of ceiling mounted bike racks, only 5 made our list. We’ve weighed the pros and cons of each one, picking out the best one for easily and securely storing your bike out of the way, creating usable space for you.

Our Top 3 Choices

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Features: Aluminum construction with a 50 lb. per bike capacity, up to 6 bikes.
  • Benefits: Heavy duty system that’s easy to get bikes on and off.
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  • Features: Pulley system can hold one bike up to 100 lbs. with rubber hooks
  • Benefits: Easy to use with locking mechanism and lifetime warranty
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  • Features: Plastic hook with push lock mechanism to hold up to 50 lbs.
  • Benefits: Simple to install system that holds adult and kid bikes
Check Latest Price

The Saris Glide Bike Storage Ceiling Rack is our top pick for a ceiling mounted system to get your bike or bikes off the floor and into the air. One of our favorite features about it is that it can work for pretty much everyone. It can hold up to six bikes, but with its easy to use system, you can access just one at a time so you don’t have to get them all down to get just one bike down. It’s a super sturdy rack that will help get you organized with ease.


5 Best Ceiling Bike Racks for Your Garage

1. Saris Glide Ceiling Rack – Top Pick

The Saris Glide Bike Rack is our top pick for a ceiling bike rack for garages. It can hold four bikes as-is, or you can purchase the add-on that allows you to hang six bikes from the ceiling, with a weight capacity of 50 lbs per bike. It can accommodate bicycles with wheelbases up to 56″ and can be used with tire widths up to 2.5″, making it a great storage space solution for a variety of bicycles. In no time you will have your bikes out of the way so you can better utilize your garage space.

It’s built with 100% recyclable aluminum and is rust-resistant. The bike storage rack has a glider system designed to let you access each bike individually. The suspension bike hooks also adjust to the bike wheelbase automatically. This ceiling bike rack includes hardware to make sure the bicycles are securely attached to your ceiling and also comes with a one year warranty.

Features:

Aluminum construction, 50 lb/bike weight capacity, glider system, adjustable suspension bike hooks

Pros

  • Hang up to six bikes with add-on
  • Rust-resistant
  • Heavy duty
  • Easy to get just one bike down

Cons

  • E-clips may need to be replaced with different hardware


2. flat-bike-lift – Best Hydraulic Lift

The flat-bike-lift, made in Italy, is a unique approach for ceiling mounted bike storage. This hydro-pneumatic system allows you to store your bike flat to the ceiling, freeing up additional vertical space in your garage so it’s easy to park a car below the bikes.

The heavy duty system is pretty easy to install and use. You load the bike and securely attach it, then push it slightly upward with your hand, which activates the lifting system. It then automatically lifts the bikes into a horizontal position flat to the garage ceiling. It works the same way to get them down, too. With a downward pull, the bike rack brings the bikes back to the vertical position. They are now ready for you to take them off and out for a ride. The idle upstroke is automatic and low-speed driven.

Due to its design, it can only hold one bike with a maximum weight of 46 lbs. It works well with a ceiling height of 8-8.5 feet, but if you have a higher garage ceiling, then the longer “arms” XLE may work. We recommend contacting them directly to make sure it will work for your ceiling if over 8.5 feet. If you ceiling is drywall, it’s important to note that you will need to use a bracket.

Features:

Holds one bike up to 46 lbs., works with ceiling height of 8.5 ft., hydro-pneumatic system

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Folds flat to ceiling
  • Automatic lifting system

Cons

  • Requires additional bracket if ceiling is drywall


3. RAD Sportz Bicycle Hoist – Best Value

The RAD Sportz Bicycle Hoist is a great value choice for ceiling bike storage. With this system, you can hang one bike up to 100 lbs., which makes it a nice option for any type or size bike. This is the highest weight capacity for a single bike that we have found on the market. The rack install requires little use of tools and mounts to your ceiling joist or rafter. It can be used for indoor ceilings up to 12 feet high.

It operates with smooth pulleys and latches to help easily lift your bike overhead for space saving storage. The rope is thick to reduce fraying and the rope locking mechanism prevents an accidental bike release. The hooks have a protective rubber coating on them to keep your bike from getting scratched. RAD believes so strongly in this product that they offer a 100% unconditional lifetime warranty on it.

Features:

Holds one bike up to 100 lbs., works with ceiling heights up to 12 ft., pulleys, rubber coated hooks

Pros

  • Secure with locking mechanism
  • Easy to use
  • Unconditional lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Hardware isn’t the greatest


4. CARTMAN Ceiling-Mounted Bike Lift – Best for Taller Ceilings

Cartman’s Ceiling Mounted Bike Lift operates on a pulley system, allowing you to hoist one bike weighing up to 50 lbs. up to the ceiling for space saving storage. The process to lift and get your bike up on the rack is pretty simple. You just have to hook the handlebar and seat of the bike to the hooks that are provided and then pull the lift rope to raise the bikes up. Each time you pull the rope, the locking mechanism locks into place so that you don’t accidentally drop the bike.

The hardware is solid steel construction for long lasting durability. The lift rope included with this bike rack system is 48 feet, providing enough length to be able to use with a ceiling height of up to 14 feet. There is a rope cleat included so that you store the excess rope to keep things organized.

Features:

Holds one bike up to 50 lbs., works with ceiling heights up to 14 ft., pulley, steel constructed hardware

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Locking mechanism for security
  • Extra long rope for taller ceilings

Cons

  • Rope may need to be replaced


5. Gladiator GarageWorks Claw – Best Budget Option

The Gladiator Claw is a simple, user-friendly ceiling bike storage system. It is exactly as the name states – it’s a claw that you simply push open and closed to hold your bike’s wheel. We really like the closed loop design that keeps the bike secure, while the push-lock mechanism makes using this ceiling mounted bike rack very easy. You just push once to close the arms of the hook around your bike wheel, and push a second time to open them and release the bike.

It’s constructed of high strength plastic and its structural reinforcing ribs supports a bike weighing up to 50 lbs.

Features:

Holds up to 50 lbs., push-lock mechanism, closed loop design, plastic

Pros

  • Easy to get bicycles up and down
  • Simple to install
  • Can hold adult or kid bicycles

Cons

  • Plastic construction


Buyers Guide

Shopping for bike racks can be a long process, but once you find the perfect one that works for your living situation, having the bicycles out of the way and space freed up will all be worth it. When you are looking for a ceiling bike rack for garage use, there are several things you should consider, including the type of bike rack, rack material, and cost.

Type of Bike Rack

There are a few different types of bike racks that are ceiling mounted systems. Depending on how many bicycles you need to hang, how tall your ceilings are, and how much extra floor space you really need, there are various options as described below.

Ceiling Mounted Bike Hooks

Ceiling mounted bike hooks are hooks that you install to your ceiling and hang your bike on a hook by its wheel. The advantage with these is that you can use just one hook and hand the bike vertically or use two hooks to hang it horizontally.

Bike Storage Pulley System

The pulley system for storing a bike on your ceiling is a simple, easy to install option. With a pulley system design, the effort required to hoist the bike up is pretty minimal, meaning one person can easily do it by themselves. They also tend to be very affordable, making these bike racks a nice option for a lot of people.

Hydraulic Ceiling Bike Storage Lifts

The hydraulic ceiling bike storage lifts are very convenient since the effort required to operate them is generally nothing. However, that does come with a cost as these bike racks tend to be expensive compared to a basic model like a pulley system or system with bike hooks.

Rack Material

Bike racks can be constructed of varying materials, some being stronger and more durable than others. Generally speaking, bike racks could be galvanized, powder-coated, or a stainless steel construction.

Galvanized bike racks durable and resistant to corrosion since they are dipped in a hot zinc bath, which gives them their coating. The finish ends up being gray, which many people like the look of.

Powder-coated bike racks are also corrosion resistant and have a dry powder coating applied electrostatically, providing a solid outer layer and glossy appearance. Generally, the finish color can vary greatly, making this a good option for someone who wants a specific color.

Stainless steel bike racks are very tough and durable. Its construction provides great corrosion resistance and ability to withstand any weather.

Cost

Ceiling mounted bike storage racks can vary greatly when it comes to cost. This is because there are several different systems for storing your bike on the ceiling of your garage, which we discussed above. The more high tech and generally easier the system is to use, the higher the cost will likely be. A more basic claw or pulley system will be less expensive, but still provide a great solution for creating more storage space in your garage. Whatever your budget is, there is a good rack in our list to help store your bike and free up some floor space for you. You may also check out our post on the best indoor bike racks and best garage bike racks.


Final Thoughts

The opportunity to free up space in your garage and store your bike on a ceiling mounted bike system is something that a lot of people want to take advantage of. With so many bike storage racks available, the Saris Glide Bike Storage Ceiling Rack provides the durability you need while being easy enough to use on a routine basis. Storing multiple bikes on one bike rack is a nice feature for this system. Although it may be pricier than some of the other models featured in our list, the heavy duty ability of this one makes it worth it in the long run. See our full post on Saris bike racks reviews. And if you’re planning to go for a surfing trip, you can check our blog about the best surfboard bike racks.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Features: Aluminum construction with a 50 lb. per bike capacity, up to 6 bikes.
  • Benefits: Heavy duty system that’s easy to get bikes on and off.
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Pulley system can hold one bike up to 100 lbs. with rubber hooks
  • Benefits: Easy to use with locking mechanism and lifetime warranty
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Plastic hook with push lock mechanism to hold up to 50 lbs.
  • Benefits: Simple to install system that holds adult and kid bikes
Check Latest Price

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Austin Mills

Austin Mills in an outdoor enthusiast. He's been featured on some of the top outdoor & fitness blogs sharing his expertise in order to help others. In his free time, he likes spending time with his dogs enjoying the outdoors.