How to Build a Bicycle Rack

old bikes image by Jodi from Fotolia.com

Having a designated bicycle rack avoids the disorganization and hazards that can otherwise occur with bicycles parked here and there in the yard. This wooden stand, found in "Children's Rooms and Play Yards" by the editors of "Sunset," consists of two triangular frames separated by a center post and two end posts. The structure creates two slots along the triangle arms to hold two bicycles. You can leave it unfinished or paint it in vibrant colors for a playful, whimsical effect. Use pine, redwood or any other wood of your choice and install the bike rack in soil, gravel or brick.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Saw
Hammer
Beveling saw
2 end posts, 2-by-4-inch, 12 inches long
1 middle post, 2-by-6-inch, 23 ½ inches long
4 side pieces, 1-by-1-inch, 29 ½ inches long, for sides of triangle
2 horizontal pieces, 1-by-2-inch, 50 inches long, for triangle bottom
8 spacers, 1/4-by-2-inch, 3 inches long
68 nails
Shovel
Cement (optional)
Sandpaper (optional)
Paintbrush (optional)
Stain or paint (optional)

Step 1

Cut pointed ends on the three posts to allow them to go into the ground more easily. Omit this step if you plan to sink the posts into cement.

Step 2

Nail one horizontal piece onto the three posts, 4 inches from the top of the two shorter posts and 15 ½ inches down from the top of the taller post. Place a spacer between all boards to allow more room for the bicycle wheel once you complete the frame.

Step 3

Bevel both ends of two side pieces and nail them onto the posts to form a triangle. Use spacers between all boards. The top of the end posts will jut above the frame at this point.

Step 4

Turn the frame over and complete the second side in the same way.

Step 5

Cut the top of the end posts at the same angle as the triangular sides. This angled area allows a bicycle to be wheeled up into the frame before dropping into the slot.

Step 6

Sand and paint the rack or leave it with a natural finish.

Step 7

Dig three holes for the frame posts and fill with soil, tapping down to compact the soil. Set the posts in cement if desired.

Tips & Warnings

Eliminate one or both spacers for bikes with narrow tires that need a narrow slot.

Resources

Jiom Berry's Woodworkers Workshop: This Is the Racks All Other Types Category for Information

Article Written By Susan Lundman

Susan Lundman writes for various websites, focusing on healthy foods, gardening and outdoor adventures. She has explored these topics in the U.S. and abroad for many years and blogs about her adventures for family and friends. Lundman holds a Master of Arts in English from Stanford University,

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