[email protected] wrote:
>> "Sheffield stands" are what you need. Google will find you a variety
>> of pictures, and there is a formal specification here:
>>
http://www.nationalcyclingstrategy.org.uk/vbulletin229/upload/showthread.php?t=29
>
> Hmm.... interesting
>
> But it appears these types of stand need to be anchored
> into concrete. Yes?
>
> I'm thinking we want something movable in case sidewalk
> need cleaned or space reclaimed for special function
The traditional (in the US) racks designed for a wheel to slot into are
practically useless. The only viable place to use a U-lock properly is at the
ends. If both ends are taken you're out of luck. These racks are hideous,
which is the main obstacle to property owners providing racks at all; and not
space efficient, which is probably the next biggest reason.
That inverted "U" design (Sheffield stand) is probably the best/simplest. If
you don't have access to bent steel tubing, flat bar stock or even rebar would
still work fine. VA Tech has a bunch made of flat bar stock. Usually these
racks are set in concrete, but if they need to be moved, they could be welded to
a horizontal bar at the bottom of each inverted "U". These would be even
simpler and cheaper than traditional wheel-slot racks, with fewer joints, and
perhaps less material. Plus they're more space efficient, especially when
filled with bikes, and easier to clean around with a broom or leaf blower.
Our town has some nice new racks, like hitching posts with dual rings welded to
the top, accomodating two bikes each. They're space efficient, simple, and
cheap, and blend well aesthetically with the adjacent post-and-chain fence. But
they're designed to be set in concrete, so the welded loop-on-horizontal design
would be better if the racks need to be moved.
Matt O.