How much space does a bike need on the wall?
In short: Hung horizontally on the wall, a bike needs about 170–180 cm of wall width, around 100–110 cm of height for the bike itself and about 35 cm of depth from the wall – plus half the handlebar sticking out into the room. Hung vertically, it only needs about a handlebar's width of wall, but over 2 m of height and almost the full length of the bike in depth. Measure your own bike before buying, because frame size and handlebar make the difference.
Which measurements actually matter?
For planning, you need three values: the width on the wall, the height the bike takes up, and the depth it sticks out into the room. Depth in particular is often underestimated, yet it decides whether a hallway or walkway stays comfortable to use. All values depend on your bike – bike length, wheel size and handlebar width vary considerably by type and frame size.
Space required at a glance
| Measurement | Horizontal (by the top tube) | Vertical (by the front wheel) |
|---|---|---|
| Width on the wall | about the length of the bike, typically 170–180 cm | about the handlebar width, typically 40–80 cm |
| Height of the bike | about wheel diameter plus frame, typically 100–110 cm | about the length of the bike, typically 170–180 cm |
| Height to top edge | depending on mounting height, usually under 2 m | usually over 2 m including hook |
| Depth from the wall | about 34–35 cm with our frame models, plus half the handlebar | almost the full length of the bike |
| Room to move | about 50–60 cm in front of the bike for lifting | room to tip the bike up |
All values are rules of thumb. You'll find the exact dimensions of our mounts in the fitting guide.
How does handlebar width affect things?
With horizontal mounting, the handlebar sits at right angles to the wall. So about half its width sticks out beyond the mount into the room – and the other half points towards the wall. A road bike handlebar, typically 40–44 cm, is no problem here. Flat handlebars on city or trekking bikes are often around 60 cm, and mountain bike handlebars are sometimes even wider.
Our mounts are designed for handlebars up to about 60 cm. If your handlebar is wider, it will turn against the wall – the bike still holds, but then sits at a slight angle and the handlebar sticks out a little less. If you want to turn the handlebar parallel to the wall, on many bikes you can simply steer it round; a wheel strap on the front wheel then holds it in position.
How to measure your bike correctly
- Bike length: Stand the bike on the floor and measure from the front edge of the front tyre to the rear edge of the rear tyre.
- Bike height: From the floor to the highest point – usually the saddle or handlebar. When hung up, the wheels hang freely, so add a few centimetres of clearance under the tyres.
- Handlebar width: From one end of the handlebar to the other, including grips.
- Pedals: Set the cranks horizontal and measure how far the wall-side pedal sticks out. It shouldn't touch the wall.
- Mark out the wall area: Use masking tape to stick a bike-sized rectangle on the wall. That way you can see how the bike will look in the room before you drill.
Handy tip: before measuring, shift the chain onto the big chainring, just as the bike will hang later. The chain is then taut and you measure the actual space needed on the drive side.
How much clearance from corners, doors and furniture?
- From the corner of the room: Leave a little space so you can grip the bike when hanging it up and the handlebar doesn't hit the adjacent wall.
- From doors: The door leaf and handle must not hit the handlebar or pedal when opened.
- From radiators: Better not to hang the bike directly above a radiator; tyres and saddle don't like constant heat.
- Above the sofa or desk: There's often room underneath – just make sure you don't bang your head on the pedal when you stand up.
We explain the right mounting height in What height for a bike wall mount?, and how to choose between the two orientations in Hang your bike vertically or horizontally?
When do our mounts suit your space?
Our mounts are made for horizontal mounting and therefore come into their own where depth is limited: frame models such as Oskar and Gustav are about 34–35 cm deep. If you want more function in the same space, choose a model with a shelf such as Johannes. If you don't have a good 1.70 m of wall width, a vertical solution or a floor stand is the more honest option – the same goes for e-bikes over 20 kg or bikes without a top tube. Our homepage gives you an overview of our oak and birch bike wall mount range.
Frequently asked questions
How wide is a bike?
The width is determined by the handlebar: typically about 40–44 cm on road bikes, often around 60 cm on city bikes, and sometimes considerably more on mountain bikes.
How long is a bike?
Most adult bikes are about 170–180 cm long. Small frame sizes and bikes with smaller wheels are shorter, cargo bikes considerably longer.
How far does a bike on the wall stick out into the room?
According to their dimensions, our frame models are about 34–35 cm deep, so with a bike on them, around 35 cm from the wall. Depending on its width, the handlebar sticks out a little further.
Will a bike fit under a sloping ceiling?
Only if the vertical part of the wall is high enough for the saddle and handlebar not to hit the slope. Measure the knee wall height and compare it with the bike height plus mounting height.