How to install bike racks on metal shed walls?

[ALimestoneWall]

I'd like to install this bike rack

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-bicycle-hanger-hook_p2610013

and some wall hangers

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-jumbo-garage-wall-hanger_p2610006

on my shed wall (shown below).

The problem is that the only thing I can really drill into are the horizontal rails. Would it be easiest to just buy a big MDF board and attach it to the rails, and then install the hangers on the board? Or is there a better way to do this?

Dimensions and photos below.

Distance from centre of top rail to middle rail: 111.5cm

Distance from centre of top rails to middle: 78.5cm
Distance from centre of middle rail to bottom: 113cm

[JacobZ]

Hi @ALimestoneWall,

Thank you for your question about hanging bikes from the wall in your shed.

You'll want to be sure that your shed frame is capable of supporting the additional weight if you want to use it to mount your bikes. If you are aware of the manufacturer of the shed, I would suggest getting in touch with them to ensure they are happy for their product to be used in this way. It looks like your shed is made of fairly thick steel, but it is still worth being cautious.

If they say it is fine to go ahead, then mounting timber to the rails is going to be the best way to go.

Instead of MDF, I would suggest using plywood such as this Ecoply 15mm Pine Structural CD Grade Plywood as it is lighter than MDF. Ensure it bridges at least two rails and use metal screws every 300mm along each rail to ensure the timber is solidly mounted. You can then mount your hooks to this plywood.

If the manufacturer of your shed is not happy with the additional weight being added, then you may have to build an independent frame from structural pine to mount your hooks to. Check out How To Build a Stud Wall for some guidance on constructing a timber-framed wall.

Let me know what you think and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[ALimestoneWall]

Thanks Jacob! I'll give that a go.

What would be the best screws for the plywood?

I don't know who the manufacturer is, unfortunately.

[MitchellMc]

To attach the brackets to the plywood @ALimestoneWall, I would suggest installing them before mounting the plywood and using short bolts with washers at the back. The 15mm plywood is a bit thin to mount anything heavy to it with screws. For lighter weight items you could use these Zenith 8G x 15mm Galvanised Button Head Stitching Timber Screws.

Mitchell

[ALimestoneWall]

Thanks Mitchell!

What do the washers do in this case?

[MitchellMc]

The washer at the back of the board spreads the bolt's load over a larger surface area than the nut would @ALimestoneWall. It also provides a metal surface for the nut to spin on when tightening; otherwise, it bites into the timber. This is not entirely necessary, but it ensures the bolt will never pull out of the plywood.

Mitchell

[ALimestoneWall]

Awesome, good to know, thanks.