Without wanting to sound all first-worldy, there is actually a downside to too many bikes.

It’s the reason Tony’s better half insists these days on a strict (n + 1) = (n – 1) policy. How and where do you keep all those lovely bikes that many of us just have to have?

For years my bikes have been wall hung, using some fairly robust one side-sided brackets. This allows the bikes to be stored at alternating heights off the ground, meaning I can fit more bikes into a given space.

The problem is that the brackets I use are brutal. Unless I’m careful to wrap and re-wrap old bar tape round them, they will take a bite out of a rim quicker than you can blink as they hook round the rim itself. Not only that but they are a tight squeeze for modern sized tyres; 2.5 29ers were not part of the original design brief for these things.

One option might be the new Hiplock Jaw. It is designed to hold a bike upright or horizontally, but grips around the tyre not the rim, handling up to 2.8″ tyres (so Lloyd and JR will have to look elsewhere for their fat bikes). The Hiplock Jaw also has space to pass a light retainer through it for added security and another point, comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

Gripping the tyre for support is a big plus for me and my alloy rims, and would be an even bigger benefit if your wheels are made from delicate carbon. Don’t forget that in the circularity of fashion we will all soon have silver wheels to protect on our MTBs too.

What I can’t tell from the information on Hiplock’s website is if it will support a bike off the ground, so I can stagger the bikes high/low/high etc.

This has been the reason I haven’t gone for similar bike fixings in the past like the Hornit Clug, because you end up having to space the bikes widely with the rear wheel on the ground, and buy size-specific Clugs for road vs. MTB. You would be surprised how often I swap bikes around depending on which is the most accessible hanger at a given time.

The Hiplock avoids the size-specific problem since it is adjustable. But are there any other options out there that people have had success with? I think Park do some that again hook round the rims – the key here is making sure the rim does not cut into the protective coating on the supports.

Other suggestions are welcome!

About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.