How to Make a Bike Rack Out of PVC Pipe

Learn how to make a DIY bike rack for all your kids bikes. This simple DIY bike rack can hold a number of bikes and bike accessories. It is such a great idea if you get tired of seeing bikes in your yard. From adult bikes, your own bikes, to kid bikes, this DIY bike storage solution is perfect for everyone who wants order in their yard or garage.

DIY Bike Rack Design

How to make a bike rack was something we decided we needed to learn…and fast!

Our garage was a crazy pile of bikes. With our six kids (and multiple sizes of bikes waiting to be “handed-down”), our garage looked like bikes were having babies. Bikes were everywhere.

This easy bike rack doesn’t take a lot of floor space, isn’t made with bike hooks or wood glue or pieces of wood. It doesn’t require a drill bit, just pvc pipes.

This post contains affiliate links.

How to Make a Homemade Bike Rack with PVC Pipe

We made our bike rack 6 across – and with gaps between the big bikes, wide enough to fit tricycles or a bike with training wheels.

Supplies Needed To Make This PVC Bike Rack

Supplies for a bike rack made out of PVC pipe - 3 lengths of pvc pipe and 3 connectors made of pvc pipe are shown — *This photo is the supply list needed for a 6-bike rack.*

*All PVC pipe that we used was an inch in diameter*

For every bike “section” – excluding the ends – you will need:

2 – 13″ long poles.
8 – T Connectors
4 – insert connectors
2 – 10″ long lengths
5 – 8″ long lengths

For each “end” you will replace 3 of the T connectors with Elbow pieces.

DIY Bike Rack Instructions

Step 1

To make the frame, start with the elbow piece, add a long piece into the elbow, a T and the 10″ length.

Step 2

Then add another elbow.

Step 3

You should have an “end pole” finished.

Step 4

Make two of these.

Step 5

Using the “T” piece, add a long length to the T, add another T, then a 10″ length and another “T”.

Step 6

Create as many of these as the sections “poles” you will need.

Step 7

Use the connectors and the 8″ lengths to connect the poles together until you have a frame made.

Step 8

To the center T’s add the 8″ segment so that the rack can lean back on them.

Viola.

Bike Rack Building Notes

We did not use any PVC pipe adhesive to attach the pipes together. Often we had to hammer them into place. It’s a simple design, for a simple bike rack, we don’t want to spend extra money to make a bike storage rack. If you want to use rubber cement, you can, but it wasn’t needed for us.
As we did not have a rubber mallet, we used a phone book as a cushion to protect the pipe and a regular hammer. The pieces fit pretty snug and should we decide that the bike unit it too big (or too small) we can easily adapt it. If you have a wood hammer that’ll work fine too.

DIY Bike Rack – Our Experience Building DIY BIKE STAND

My directions did not do this project justice. Please visit the original DIY Bike Rack post if you are confused. I loved the diagrams he included. The diagram makes this DIY bike rack idea a little more clear.

The weather is nice again, so we will be spending quite a bit of time outside and as I mentioned before, bikes were everywhere. Even more so when kids leave them laying about when they’re done.
This DIY bike rack ensures there is a place for everyone’s bike, so there is no excuse for bikes to be laying in the yard, on the driveway, or in the walk way! What a nice idea and a good way to clear up the bike area.
Regardless, this DIY bike rack has been a lifesaver! My garage is a lot more neat and we don’t have to worry about bikes being left anywhere or laying out in the elements, because let’s be honest, bikes aren’t cheap.
I know it may seem intimidating with all the different parts, but I will reassure you it is not nearly as difficult as it may seem!
And don’t worry, it’s easy to get the bike tires over this easy diy bike rack, so kids should be able to get their bikes by themselves.

Materials

For every bike “section” – excluding the ends – you will need:
2 – 13″ long poles.
8 – T Connectors
4 – insert connectors
2 – 10″ long lengths
5 – 8″ long lengths

Instructions