Corral the bikes in your yard with an easy-to-make PVC Bike Rack.

How to:

This rack holds five bikes, and was based on a design I saw online courtesy of “thepalsrus,” although I’ve changed some of the measurements.

Supply Tips:

You’ll need about 45 feet of ¾ in. schedule 40 PVC pipe, cut to the following lengths:

2: 23 and ⅛ in pieces

20: 16 in pieces

8: 12 in pieces

14: 2 in pieces

This is typically sold in 10-foot sections, although I asked an employee at the hardware store to cut mine in half so I could fit them in my car. So I had 10 pieces of pipe that were each 5 feet (60 inches) long. I only needed 9 of them for this project.

I’ve made this diagram to show you how you can get the most out of your cuts. The diagram is based on pipes that are 5 feet (60 inches) long.

You will also need

20: T-connectors, and

14: 90-degree elbow connectors. Make sure that you’re buying the correct size for your ¾ inch pipe.

Cutting the Pipe

You can complete the entire project using a handsaw as your only tool. This will take several minutes per cut.

If you happen to own a vice, it will make cutting easier. And if you happen to own a sabre saw, the project will go very quickly.

Measure the pipe and mark with a pencil. Cut all of the pieces on the list. This took me about 45 minutes with the sabre saw.

Assembling the Pieces

Note: using PVC cement will greatly increase the durability of the bike rack. However, I recommend assembling the rack without cement first. Try out the rack for a couple of days to make sure you don’t want to make any spacing adjustments. Then reassemble using cement.

1

Begin by attaching two 16-inch pieces with an elbow connector. Repeat with all the 16-inch pieces. This gives you 10 V-shaped pieces.

2

Now add a T-connector to the end of each assembled V-piece. Stand upright on the ground to make sure all pieces are level.

3

Next add elbow connectors to each end of the two 23 1/8 inch pieces. These will form the short sides of the bike rack.

4

Add a 2-inch piece to the elbow connector on each end of the 23 1/8 inch pieces. Attach an assembled V-piece. Repeat with the other 23 ? in piece. Set one of these aside, we’ll use it last.

5

Add a 2-inch piece to the T-connector. Join the next V-piece to it. Repeat on the other end. This creates one bike slot. Apply firm pressure.

6

Now we’ll add two of the 12-inch pieces. This provides spacing between the bikes and leaves room for the handlebars.

7

Repeat the pattern by attaching a V-piece, followed by 2-inch pieces, then another V-piece. This creates the second slot.

8

Continue the pattern by adding 12-inch pieces, then a V-piece. Repeat with the remaining unassembled pieces.

9

Finally, join the 23 ? in piece you assembled earlier.

Using the Bike Rack

1

To use, place the wheel of the tire deeply in the slot. Depending on the bike, you may find that it works best to lift the front tire slightly so the bolts on the front wheel go past the elbow connectors in the center.

2

PVC pipe is durable, but prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can discolor and weaken it. To increase the longevity of your bike rack, PVC manufacturers recommend painting with an exterior water-based latex paint.

Krylon also makes a spray paint plastic primer recommended for use with PVC pipe. You can then finish it with a coat of regular spray paint in the color of your choice.

Krylon’s plastic primer is approved for use on PVC

3

This rack does work for adult bikes, but I recommend staking down the rack if you have large bikes. You can hammer in large U-bolts purchased from the hardware store to stabilize the bike rack.