Ceiling Bike Organizer Review: HangThisUp Installation & Tips

This is my first winter in a new house, and figuring out how to make everything fit in the garage has felt like playing a never-ending round of real-life Tetris. Between two vehicles, a lawn mower, a snow blower, three bikes, and yard tools, walkways to the doors and especially to my workbench, were disappearing fast. I knew I needed a a ceiling bike organizer, so I ordered the HangThisUp Bike Organizer (5-Pack) to get the bikes stored overhead and reclaim actual walking space.

And then winter said, “Hold my snow.” Before the organizers shipped, 10 inches dropped overnight, making the already-cramped garage even harder to navigate because I couldn’t cheat by leaving a vehicle parked outside. If anything, the snowstorm simply confirmed it was time for a ceiling bike organizer and a smarter way to move through the garage during winter.

🔨 Why I Chose This Bike Organizer (Pros)

• • Mounts directly to ceiling joists, perfect for my unfinished garage ceiling.

  • Made from premium 7-layer cabinet-grade plywood 

  • Pre-drilled holes and required drill bit included with purchase

  • Flexible hanging options (hang by one wheel or two)

  • Solves my biggest pain point: floor space and walkway clearance

Short version: strong, compact, ceiling-mounted, and exactly what my winter garage needed.

🧰 Installation Day (Ceiling Mount Edition)

With exposed joists, I was ready for what I hoped would be a smooth installation. No stud finder or drywall anchors needed. Minimal drama (in theory). Here’s how it went:

Tools I needed:

• • Drill

  • Ladder

  • Tape measure

  • Pencil

  • Level

The Install, Step-by-Step

1. Planned the layout: I decided to hang two bikes horizontally with four of the five organizers and one bike vertically with the fifth, so the first step was mapping out where each rack would go. This helped ensure the bikes would all fit without colliding or blocking access to doors or my workbench.

2. Measured spacing so the handlebars wouldn’t bump into each other for the two bikes being stored horizontally.

3. Realized a level wasn’t necessary, the mounting plate is exactly 3.5", matching a 2×4 joist, which makes it naturally self-leveling. Win!

4. Mounted each bracket using the included screws in the pre-drilled holes.

5. Tested each bracket with some serious downward pressure.

6. Hung the bikes, which was both the most difficult part (lifting them solo) and the most satisfying moment of the whole project.

From start to finish, the install was shockingly fast, honestly easier than most “simple” garage upgrades I’ve attempted.

⭐ Solving My Garage Tetris Problem: Early Review

Once the bikes were overhead instead of scattered across the floor, the difference was immediate:

• • I could walk to my workbench without climbing over anything or moving things around to get where I wanted to go.

  • Both vehicles fit comfortably again, no precision-parking choreography required.

  • The garage finally looked intentional and a little less chaotic.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind (Cons)

• • Perfect spacing takes a little planning. This is the step that took the longest.
    

  • There’s a short learning curve for the new “don’t bump your head here” layout. I've found parking the mower directly underneath the two bikes (which are stored horizontally) makes good use of the space beneath their seats and handlebars and keeps you from bumping your head on the bikes

🎯 Who This Setup Is Ideal For

• • Garages with limited winter walking space

  • Homeowners with exposed ceiling joists

  • Families juggling multiple bikes

  • Anyone with limited tools for a DIY budget

Overall, getting the bikes overhead has been a true game-changer. The space feels bigger, safer, and actually functional again.

🛠️🍽️ What’s Next for My Garage

Getting the bikes overhead was a massive win, but there’s always another opportunity. The next major project on my list is upgrading my yard tool storage.

Right now, I’m using basic metal wall racks, and they’re not cutting it. My shovels, rakes, brooms, and other heavy yard tools are simply too much for the flimsy metal hangers. It’s time to switch to a sturdy, wall-mounted yard tool rack that can actually support the weight of the tools I use most.

A heavy-duty system will help:

• Keep tools organized and within reach

• Free up even more floor space, minimize tripping hazards

• Prevent tools from tipping or sliding off their hangers
  

If ceiling bike storage can transform this much space, upgrading my yard tool wall is the logical next step in getting my garage not only winter-ready, but tidy all year round.

🚲 Final Thoughts

My goal this winter was simple: fit everything, including two cars, without tripping over a single bike.

Thanks to the ceiling-mounted bike organizer, I’m finally on the right track. It freed up floor space, created a real walkway to my workbench, and made the garage feel like a space I can actually use in the winter.

If your garage feels more chaotic than functional right now, this might be the upgrade that finally helps you win your own game of Garage Tetris or help you organizer your garden shed, please check out the other amazing product HangThis Up offers from garage-friendly flush mount and shed-ready stud mount organizers to reclaim your space.