DIY PVC Bike Rack

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

How to:
made with
45 ft PVC pipe, Sch. 40
14 PVC elbow connectors, 90 degree
20 PVC T-connectors
sabre saw or
hand saw
pencil
measuring tape (hardware)
vice
PVC cement
U bolts

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.

 

Made By Marzipan may have received product or payment for this post. Posts may contain affiliate links. Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
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12 thoughts on “DIY PVC Bike Rack”

  1. Anonymous says

    How long and wide does the bike rack measure?

    Reply
  2. Brian M. says

    I love this DIY! I made it last summer and it’s cheap and functional! I was hoping you could do more “male-friendly” projects. I love to craft with my girlfriend, but sewing is something I can’t seem to get right. We’ve done all of your paper crafts, she especially loves the journals for sketching or doodling.

    Reply
    • says

      Awesome, Brian, I wish my husband liked to craft with me :) I have an upcoming project on how to make an iPad / e-reader case out of an old book, so stay tuned!

  3. Dan Steinberg says

    Thank you so much for designing this and putting online!!! I built the rack last weekend and it works perfectly! I went to Home Depot and in 15 minutes I had all the parts and assembled it in the parking lot. -Dan

    Reply
    • says

      Dan, I’m so glad it worked out for you! I’d love it if you’d post a pic of your finished project in the “Made By You” section below the instructions :)

  4. Bernadette says

    Hello! Thank you for this lovely tutorial! I was wondering if you don’t mind sharing, how much this project cost roughly in it’s entirety. Any info you can post would be a tremendous help, thank you again for such a motivating project!
    All the best,
    Bernadette

    Reply
  5. Sharon says

    I priced this out at close to to $100 including the cement – does that sound about right? I was hoping it would come in at a little less than that.

    Reply
    • says

      I seem to recall mine being around $60…

  6. Jack S says

    We just moved into a new house and our garage is quite spacious. My wife and I have all kinds of outdoor gear as we love the outdoors. We love biking and so does our kids. I hate all the outdoor gear just standing around and causing chaos. I like order and it can easily be restored with a bike rack. I am going to get my son to help me build us a big enough bike rack and I am also going to use you as inspiration and build a rack for my other outdoor gear as well.

    Reply
  7. Emma says

    Thank you kindly for submitting simple directions on how to make a pvc bike rack. I’ve tried to follow other folks’ directions and I was confused. I made the exact bike rack under an hour with no problem what so ever. It made a wonderful Christmas gift for a couple of kids. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Cheers. Emma

    Reply
  8. Craig says

    I used your design as a guide. I made mine from 1′ PVC and made thinner to save room with two bike on each side. It fit in the space I had a bit better.

    Great design and the video made it really easy.

    Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Keith Rose says

    Hi I’m wondering if you could post the overall dimensions of the finished rack?

    Reply

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