Determine the space requirements
The Actual Space Required: Mounting a Bicycle Vertically
The bike is leaning against the wall, the e-bike is parked in front of it, and there’s just enough room in between for a narrow sideways step. It works—but it wastes time and frays your nerves every single time. If you want to change this situation for good, you’ll need two reliable measurements above all else: how much depth is needed when parking the bikes and how much width each bike actually takes up against the wall. We’ll show you the measurements you need to plan effectively—and when a swivel lift can help you make even better use of your space.
Space Depth: How Much Space You Really Need When You Hang Your Bike
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- →Whenparking and unparking, the maximum bike length applies (standard value, e.g., about 180 cm)
- →Recommendedroom depth for the BicycleJack Basic: approximately 240 cm for easy parking
- →Whenparked, the tires on the Basic model rest directly against the wall, while on the Twist and Power models, they rest in the tire recesses (keeping the wall clean)
- →BicycleJackTwist and BicycleJack Power swivel up to 180° horizontally and require less travel
Room depth is the distance between the wall and the opposite wall—in other words, how far your bike extends into the room when you park it or hang it. These are two different situations that you should keep track of separately.
As a basis for planning, the BicycleJack data sheet lists a bike length of 180 cm, a height to the top of the handlebars of 110 cm, and a handlebar width of 65 cm. With the BicycleJack Basic , you should allow for a depth of about 240 cm during the parking process—enough to hook the bike by its front tire and raise the lifting arm using the gas spring.
Still not sure which option is right for your space?
Check out the right model right here in the store, or request a custom quote.
Parking vs. Parking: Two Different Measures
Two states—two planning parameters
- →Parking procedurefor BicycleJack Basic: approx. 240 cm depth
- →Parking maneuverfor BicycleJack Twist & BicycleJack Power: easier, since it can be swiveled sideways
- →Parkeddimensions (all models): approx. 65 cm wide (depending on the handlebars); the Basic requires approx. 110 cm in depth, while the Twist and Power require approx. 120 cm (depending on the bike’s height)
- →E-bikesand fat bikes: same wheelbase; only weight and tire width matter
When parking your bike with the Basic model, it stands at a right angle to the wall and takes up as much depth as the length of your bike, plus 60 cm for the lever arm. The BicycleJack Twist and Power solve exactly this problem: they swing the bike in sideways, thereby requiring significantly less depth. If the ceiling height allows it, mounting the BicycleJack higher reduces the required depth.
Does an e-bike require more depth than a regular bicycle?
No. The required depth depends on the dimensions of your bike, not its weight. When ordering, however, make sure to select the correct parking weight (up to 31 kg, up to 38 kg, or up to 50 kg, depending on the model) and the appropriate tire width (up to 61 mm or up to 130 mm).
What is the difference in space requirements between Basic and Twist/Power?
The BicycleJack Basic parks the bike securely and straight—once lifted, the tire rests directly against the wall. Clean lines, no offset—ideal for narrow and clearly defined spaces. The BicycleJack Twist and Power take it a step further: They swivel horizontally up to 180°, allowing you to maneuver the bike in sideways when parking. This significantly reduces the required depth—which is handy if a car is supposed to park right in front of it.
You can find the exact specifications in our BicycleJack data sheets in the Downloads section.
Wall Space Per Bike: How to Plan for Multiple Parking Spaces
A Brief Guide to Wall Space Planning
- →Use the handlebar width as the base measurement for eachbicycle (standard: approx. 65 cm)
- →Leave enough space betweentwo lifts so that riders can ride side by side
- →A staggeredarrangement saves even more width when the wheels are close together
- →TheMoKi rail system allows lifts to be moved horizontally after installation
In addition to the depth of the room, the width of the wall determines how many bikes you can fit side by side. The starting point is the handlebar width: A standard touring bike requires about 65 cm horizontally so that two bikes don’t get in each other’s way. If you have wide handlebars, it’s best to allow for a little more space.
For families, housing associations, or larger bike storage areas, here’s a simple trick: If you mount adjacent BicycleJacks at different heights, the handlebars of neighboring bikes will also be staggered in height relative to one another—like a zigzag line. This way, you’ll need significantly less wall space per parking spot. The MoKi mounting kit makes this even more flexible: The lifts are screwed onto aluminum profiles and can be moved horizontally later on without having to drill new holes.
You can find exact dimensions for each model and tire option in the downloadable data sheets —all relevant measurements are available as PDFs, ideal for the planning phase when using a folding rule, CAD, or sketches. We’ve also prepared a separate overview of the required wall space to help you calculate your wall area.
