How to mount bikes using fence rails?

Question

Hi and thanks for your help.

I want to put up a few bike rack mounts pictured below in our garage, similar to the example on the steady rack photo below.

I was thinking of using fence rail, attaching to the vertical fence posts (2.1 meters apart) and then using a few planks to the fence rail. I'll need to do this as the good neighbour vertical channels protrude and I can't mount anything flat unless I put something there.

I wanted to ask what screws to use to mount the fence rail to the fence posts, and the distance between screws into the fence post, I will drill a bigger hole so the screws will be inside the fence rails.

Many Thanks!

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Pete14768,

Greetings and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It is wonderful to have you with us.

If I am interpreting correctly, you plan to attach timber fence rails that span between the posts and then attach the bike racks to those fence rails. Is that correct?

If so, my suggestion is more or less the same as @Nailbag's, but I would attach two fence rails.

Attach the two timber fence rails to the posts using two of these 65mm Galvanised Metal Screws through each end of the timber into the posts. The rails should be spaced far enough apart vertically to accommodate the full height of the bike brackets.

Once the rails are in place, cut a piece of 19mm Plywood to size and attach it to those rails with a 50mm Timber Screw every 300mm along the full length of the rail.

You can then attach your bike brackets to the plywood.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Nailbag · Answer

Hi @Pete14768

Fixing anything through the shed to the neighbouring fence behind is less than ideal. And if the fence is closer to replacement age than new then it can be problematic. Movement in the fence from wind and age can cause your shed wall to deform and have ongoing ramifications. That said, if you still want to go-ahead then this is how your could do it.

Locate the fence rail and mark this line inside the shed. Fix a 19mm plywood board to the wall slightly taller than the bike tracks. Pre-drill holes inline with the rails and use a gal flat head screw of suitable length. Use suitable length metal roofing screws to secure along the top and bottom of the timber panel to the high points in the shed wall.

Then fix the bike rakes.

Nailbag