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Nice bikes need a place to rest inside. Enter: the indoor bike rack.

Leaving a bike on a city sidewalk overnight is like going for a swim in shark-infested waters; limbs are lost, spokes are shaken, nothing left but the bones. During idle hours, city bikes need a safe place to rest inside. Enter the indoor bike rack.

City dwellers are masters at making a square foot larger, and thankfully brands have come up with some creative ways to store bikes. Whether it’s standing in the corner, blending in with wall decor or just plain out of the way, the method comes down to you and your wallet.

Generally speaking, there are two types of bike racks and mounts for indoor use: permanent and non-permanent. The difference between the two is that permanent racks and mounts need to be bolted or screwed into place, which could potentially be an issue if you're renting. Beyond wall racks and mounts, the floor is still a great place to store a bike if you've got the space.

If you've got a garage or own your place to store bikes and accessories, permanent bike racks are generally the cheapest option, and once they're bolted or screwed in, they require minimal upkeep. Non-permanent bike racks can lean or clamp against the wall, getting rid of the need to drill holes in the wall (and save you an argument with your landlord later). Free-standing floor racks are the easiest for grab-and-go riding, but more often than not, giving up valuable floor space isn't an appealing option.

As far as racks and mounts themselves go, you can purchase a single bike or multi-bike storage option, depending on whether you've got multiple riders in your household (or can't stop buying bikes) or if you have one trusty steed that needs housing.

Storing your bike inside comes with two major perks: it protects your bike against weather and theft. Storing your bike outside, especially in the winter months (or if you live next to the ocean) will cause your components to corrode and break down much faster than if you house your bike in a climate-controlled environment. Additionally, you can buy the fanciest and strongest bike lock for your ride, but it's a helluva lot safer inside your apartment, garage or studio than it is locked outside.

The following sturdy, well-designed bike wall mounts and indoor storage racks are our top picks to keep your wheels dry and safe when you're not out rolling on them.

Bike racks have a tendency to either blend into the wall or stick out like a sore thumb. This Play Haus option is a simple space saver that really shines with its ability to hang a bike either horizontally (with the top tube) or vertically (with the seat tube) for maximum dramatic effect functionality. Ideal for fixed gears, single speeds and cleanly designed road bikes, this one holds up to 40 pounds, thanks to your choice of salvaged walnut, red oak, ash or elm. Pro tip: Save 10 bucks by opting for one with "cosmetic defects" like knots and light patches that works just as well.

The most straightforward and most affordable indoor bike storage solutions tend to position bikes vertically, not the Ibera Horizontal Wall Hanger, though, which identifies its distinction right in its name. It doesn't so immediately reveal that you can adjust its padded cradles independently to accommodate bikes with angled top tubes or that its main support telescopes make room for wide handlebars. This rack does require installation on concrete, masonry or a stud and can support bikes up to 39.6 pounds.

The CLUG is as minimal as it gets — it’s nothing more than a simple, polycarbonate C-shaped clip that allows you to balance almost any bike against a wall, vertically or horizontally. It should be noted that the CLUG has specific size requirements and it is not a hanger — make sure to buy the right size and install it correctly based on the bike you’re storing.

Delta Cycle’s Michelangelo rack may be on the bigger side, but it’s the only wall mounting indoor storage option that doesn’t require installation — no drills, no screws. Instead, the rack works with gravity, using the weight of the bikes to create a stable downward force that can support two horizontally hung bicycles. The Michelangelo is constructed with steel tubes and rubber bumpers that prevent any scuffs and scratches and can support up to 80 pounds of bike weight.

Made of anodized aluminum tubing with rubber feet, Topeak’s telescoping system is super easy to install in rooms with ceilings up to 10 feet, six inches. A clamp near the top and a foot stepper near the bottom ensures a secure fit. The stand features two bike mounts with room to add up to two more (at $52.95 per mount). Large knobs at the rear let you slide the mounts up and down and adjust them up to 30 degrees to fit bikes with sloping up tubes, and each mount has a capacity of 39.7 pounds. Bottom line: a supremely user-friendly and good-looking bike storage solution, at a premium price.

Indoor bike storage doesn’t have to be complicated. The simplest solution can be found at your local hardware store (or, in this case, at Competitive Cyclist). It’s a standard rubber-coated hook that can be easily installed with nothing more than a drill, allowing you to hang your bike freely from the ceiling or against the support of a wall. The hooks come in different sizes, which means you can store road bikes, mountain bikes and everything in between — prices range but all are less than $10.

There are plenty of wall racks that use a tray-like system to cradle your bike and keep it off the ground, but Steadyrack does it best. The wall-mounting storage rack uses two arms to hold a bike’s front wheel in place while the rear sits in a small clip to keep it from swinging. The Steadyrack can also be swung from side to side nearly 180 degrees, allowing you to stack multiple bikes against each other and maximize available space. When not in use, the arms fold up on themselves to create a less obtrusive profile.

Swinging in at less than half the price of the Steadyrack is Feedback’s lean and mean alternative. The Velo Hinge also offers the ability to store bikes at an angle, although it tilts closer to 90 degrees, not 180, and the weight capacity is notably lower than the Steadyrack's. It comes with a rear wheel stabilizer to prevent swaying, and the hook tucks away cleanly when not in use. The minimal footprint makes it perfect for small apartments or for storing multiple bikes in a tight space.

Wall mounts, hangers and racks have many benefits, but if you’re looking for a more straightforward option that prioritizes accessibility and doesn’t require installation, then a classic bike stand is a good choice. The Boss is small and conveniently portable. It grabs and holds a bike’s rear axle with a rubber-coated fork that keeps enough pressure on the bike to keep it from toppling over, all while preventing scratches to the rim or damage to the spokes. The Boss also folds up when you aren’t using it to tuck it out of sight.