DIY Bike Stand

bike sign image by Evan Meyer from Fotolia.com

A bike stand helps when a repair is needed or when storage space is tight. Make a simple yet effective storage or repair bike stand with common tools, using materials found at a hardware store. If you already have all the tools, this stand can be built for under $70 in less than two hours. You can also build it with larger-diameter pipe for extra stiffness, but that will increase the weight and cost of the project. Vary the design to suit your needs. For example, add room for another bike, a tool tray or a telescoping base.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Make a Wood Base

Things You’ll Need:

1 2-by-4, 8 feet long
8 wood screws, 2.5 inches long
4 hex bolts, 2 inches long, 1/4-inch diameter
4 hex nuts for the bolts
8 cut washers, 1/4-inch
Thread locking compound
1 steel pipe base plate for 3/4-inch pipe
1 steel pipe with threaded ends, 6 feet long, 3/4-inch diameter
1 steel 90-degree elbow fitting, 3/4-inch sockets
1 long steel nipple, 12 inches long, 3/4 inch diameter
1 steel tee fitting, 3/4-by-1/2-by-1/2-inch diameter sockets
2 medium length steel nipples, 6 inches long, 1/2-inch diameter
6 steel 90 degree elbow fittings, 1/2 inch diameter sockets
4 close length steel nipples, close, 1/2-inch diameter
2 short length steel nipples, 2 1/2 inches long, 1/2-inch diameter
2 steel pipe caps, 1/2-inch diameter
Handlebar tape
Electrical tape
Tape measure
Saw
Screwdriver
Drill
Wrench for hex bolts
1/4-inch twist bit
Pipe wrench

Step 1

Saw the 2-by-4 two times to make three pieces. One piece should be 36 inches long, and the other two about 29 inches long.

Step 2

Lay the two shorter pieces on the ground parallel and lined up to each other approximately 33 inches apart. Lay the longer piece on top of and perpendicular to the shorter pieces, so it is resting at a location 9 inches off-center. Line up the ends of the longer piece with the edges of the smaller pieces.

Step 3

Drive in four wood screws 2 1/2 inches long at both cross points. The pieces of lumber should now resemble the capitol letter I where the center vertical line is off-center.

Step 4

Line up the base plate to the center of the wood base, and mark the drill hole locations. Use a 1/4-inch twist bit to drill holes completely through the wood.

Step 5

Use 1/4-inch bolts, washers and hex nuts to secure the base plate to the wooden base. Tighten the nuts with a wrench.

Assemble the Pipe Frame

Step 1

Put thread locker on the threads at one end of the 6-foot pipe. Screw the pipe into the base plate at this end and fully tighten with a pipe wrench. All threaded connections should have thread locker and be tightened with a pipe wrench.

Step 2

Screw on a 3/4-inch, 90-degree elbow at the other end of the pipe placed, with the empty socket facing the opposite direction as the offset of the center wood piece of the wooden base.

Step 3

Screw a 12-inch-long pipe nipple into the empty socket of the elbow.

Step 4

Screw a 3/4-by-1/2-by-1/2-inch tee onto the nipple. Twist the tee until the empty sockets lie parallel with the ground.

Step 5

Screw 6-inch nipples into the empty sockets of the tee.

Step 6

Screw 1/2-inch, 90-degree elbows onto the nipples placed in Step 5. Twist the elbows so the empty sockets face the ground.

Step 7

Screw close nipples into the elbows.

Step 8

Screw 1/2-inch, 90-degree elbows onto the nipples. Twist the elbows so the empty sockets face out and away from the stand.

Step 9

Screw 2 1/2-inch nipples into the elbows.

Step 10

Screw 1/2-inch, 90-degree elbows onto the nipples. Twist the elbows so the empty sockets face the sky.

Step 11

Screw close nipples into the elbows.

Step 12

Screw end caps onto the nipples.

Step 13

Wrap handlebar tape around the portion of the pipe frame that resembles bullhorn handlebars. Secure the handlebar tape with electrical tape.

Step 14

Place a bike in the stand to test it. If it tips forward easily, increase the offset of the center base piece. If it tips backward easily, decrease the offset of the center base piece.

Tips & Warnings

Thread locker comes in different strengths. A medium strength is appropriate for this project.

Use eye and ear protection if using a power saw.

Article Written By Tim McGivern

An outdoor enthusiast, Timothy McGivern has been writing about his adventures since 2005. He founded "The Sustainable Cyclist" in 2008 and maintains a personal blog covering rock climbing experiences throughout the United States. He is a bicycle mechanic, licensed engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Union College.

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