Buying a bike shelter is an investment. It is absolutely worth making, and as with any investment, you should always do your research before buying. Only providing a roof is not enough, and installing bike racks or stands is essential to complete your bike storage space and give employees and clients adequate cycle parking.
We have an extensive range of products, and the combinations are endless to suit individual clients' needs. Our site has dozens of products – from shelter and two-tier racks to shelters, plus simple Sheffield bike stands variants. And don't worry if you don't see the combination you want on our site; many of our projects end up customised, and we are always happy to advise you on what is doable, durable and the best fit for you.
What Are My Options?
When it comes to cycle shelters, there aren't many limitations to what you can put under their roof. Here are some of our ready-to-order combinations of shelters and stands / racks and what their advantages are.
Wall Docks
Your first option is to combine the wall docks, wall-mounted bike racks holding your bike firmly, and a shelter. They make the best of small spaces and can be installed inside and outside with equal success. The wall docks hold your bike suspended by the wheel and have that as a securing point. We can also install a little extra hoop, which makes the wall dock extra secure as it allows the frame to be chained, too.
To illustrate this combination, we suggest you look at the Wall Dock Shelter. It is ideal if you are looking for something that saves space and lasts ages. It is a highly durable and resilient construction which has been structurally tested against the harshest conditions found in the UK and approved against BS EN standards. It gives you ample space to store bikes vertically with the aid of several Wall Docks, a great type of bike rack that lets you hand your bike and lock it to it – wheel and frame, with an extra hoop.
With wall docks, however, you need to remember that the user needs to be able to lift their bike and hang it on the rack. This means kids or anyone who has trouble lifting a heavy object will likely struggle with this bike rack.
Sheffield Stands
The traditional Sheffield stands are another option that you have when it comes to outdoor bike shelters. They are reliable, easy to use and can fit a bike on each side. Sheffield bike stands can easily go under the roof of any shelter or as an additional parking space on the side of it. They are easy to install and are also unproblematic for users as there is no heavy lifting or complex positioning – you just lean your bike on the stand and lock it to it.
Our Bolton Cycle Shelter is a good example of a bicycle shelter plus Sheffield bike stands combination. The main bay (extension is available with a click in our add-ons menu) fits 8 bikes on 4 stands and is a practical option for schools, universities and workplaces alike. It is a good choice as it is a robust, straightforward and customisable option.
Toastrack Stands
Very similar in shape to the Sheffield stand, is the Toastrack stand. If you haven't come across these, they look like what they sound like – a toastrack. Several metal u-shaped tubes are connected to each other on rails – we offer them ranging from 2 to 6 hoops. They can be bolted down to the floor or integrated into the shelter itself. Like the simple Sheffield stands, the Toastrack is user-friendly, secure, and very straightforward. Bikes are placed next to the hoop of the cycle stand, and both wheels and frame can be used as locking points.
One of our best-selling bike storage shelters is the BDS Cycle Shelter and its smaller version, the Mini BDS Cycle Shelter. They are a combination of a shelter with Toastracks or Sheffield stands. When done with Toastrack, it is also possible for them to be integrated into the shelter itself, eliminating the need for extra drilling and installation of each module of the Toastrack. The Mini BDS Cycle Shelter is an excellent product that comes in various sizes, from small 6-bike shelters to large 40-space enclosures. It is one of our most popular products and is highly customisable via our add-ons – you can have anything from LED lighting to gates and a swipe card security system.
Semi-Vertical Bike Racks
The Semi-Vertical Cycle Racks offer efficient bike parking solutions, maximising space with a versatile design suitable for various installation setups. They are built from durable, galvanised steel, making them so heavy-duty and long-lasting – both for indoor and outdoor use. The Semi-Vertical racks are an excellent space-saving bike storage idea as they put bikes vertically, mostly away from the floor. They are a no-fuss solution as they can hold all types of bikes, including children's and BMX types. Similar to the wall docks, they can come with extra locking hoops for enhanced security.
A great example of semi-vertical racks and shelter fusion is our Semi-Vertical Bike Shelter, which can be selected with 12 or 16 bike spaces. It is a highly durable shelter made from mild steel with bolt-down fixing or underground fixing options as standard and adjustable feet. It is available in a galvanised, polyester powder-coated RAL colour finish or hot dipped galvanised and polyester powder-coated finish. The shelter comes with an anti-vandal clear polycarbonate UV stable roof and multiple add-ons to make it an even better place to store bikes – lighting, options for side and back panels, extra security loops, gates and several different types of locking systems to choose from.
With semi-vertical racks, like with the wall-mounted docks, you must keep the user in mind. The semi-vertical racks require the bike owner to push their bike onto the track and upwards. This means they have to be able to lift almost the full weight of their bike to use the bike rack. This may not be an issue at all, but it might also be problematic, depending on your specific situation.
Two-Tier Bike Racks
The two-tier bike racks are probably one of our favourite products as they are both space-saving and require no effort when gas-assisted. You can read our blog on how to use a two-tier bike rack, and trust us – they only look intimidating for the first few seconds; once you've tried them, you will see how easy it is to mount your bike onto one. They are engineered for high-density parking and designed to double capacity, effectively addressing the space constraints associated with conventional bike racks.
Double-tiered bike racks are typically designed with two levels or tiers to store cycles on both the ground level slot and the upper level one. The ones with gas-assisted lift have a gas strut – a hydraulic device that uses compressed gas to provide a controlled and adjustable lifting force. The gas struts are installed to assist with raising and lowering the upper tier of the bike rack, eliminating the issue of having to be able to lift the weight of your bike to use a rack.
The Two-Tier Arc Shelter is one of our great examples of an outdoor bike shelter and double-story bike racks together. It is a beautifully designed, sturdy shelter that can fit between 40 and 160 bikes. It is hot-dipped galvanised or polyester powder coated to BS EN ISO 1461:1999 standard finish, and it is safe to say it is one of the best options on the market.
In conclusion, selecting the right bike stands for your bike shelter is crucial for optimising space and ensuring proper bike storage. While investing in a bike shelter is essential, pairing it with suitable racks completes the storage space, offering employees and clients adequate cycle parking. With a wide range of products available, including wall docks, Sheffield stands, toastracks, semi-vertical bike racks, and two-tier bike racks, there are endless combinations to meet individual needs.
Each option has advantages, from space-saving designs to user-friendly features and enhanced security measures. Whether you opt for wall-mounted docks for efficient use of small spaces, traditional Sheffield stands for reliability, toastracks for simplicity, semi-vertical racks for versatility, or two-tier racks for high-density parking; there's a solution tailored to your requirements. By considering factors like ease of use and lifting capabilities, you can find the perfect bike stands to complement your bike shelter investment and ensure optimal functionality for your space.
If you think a combination works for you but don't see it on our site, don't hesitate to get in touch and discuss it!