Gladiator GarageWorks GACUXXCAVK Claw Advanced Bike Storage, v1.0, Aluminum
by Gladiator Garage Works
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gladiator GarageWorks GACUXXCAVK Claw Advanced Bike Storage, v1.0, Aluminum
Customer Review: A New Hook on, well, a Hook
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I remember seeing this on the defunct TV show American Inventor. On the show, the college student inventors had a hard time getting the mechanism to open and close properly. This GarageWorks version has taken care of that. The mechanism works with a soft touch, no problems opening and closing as required. I remember the inventors saying the reason they needed this product was because it was so hard to hang their bikes in their apartments. But even though it looks pretty cool, the end functionality is not much different than a plain old hook. The only thing the Claw does is eliminate the need to move the bike a few inches forward and back when you take it off and on a plain hook. The Claw is really just a moveable hook that swings in and out of position when you hit the big button on the top. The wheel of the bike actually rests on just one hook. Yes, it's nicely padded, but my rubber coated hook doesn't scratch, either. And it does form a closed loop, but I think gravity does a pretty good job keeping the bike in place when on a big hook. To be honest, I think this is a solution in search of a problem.
It should have been easy to install except for the incomprehensible positioning of 2 screw holes aligned with the hooks. You cannot position a screw driver or drill to screw the screws in straight. The only way to do it is to angle the screws, but the instructions do not say that. I ruined 4 screws before I got it right. While it has 4 holes and only requires 2 screws, the base was too wide for my ceiling beam and I had to use the inconvenient screw holes. All they need to do is move the screw holes to get a straight shot.
So, in the end, this is a fancy hook that works fine and looks cool on your garage ceiling. If you have $60 and a need for your garage to look cool, this is the bike hook for you.
Follow up note: I have been using this for my bike for a while now. It does make it * a bit* easier to hang your bike, however, I also found I have to make sure to lift directly up to hit the button because anyplace on either side of the wheel spins the wheel off the button and you have to try again. I suppose a better button design could fix this.
Follow up follow up note: I accidentally hit the open hook the wrong way a couple of times now, and it closed without my wheel in it. I had to put the bike down and find a stick or something to open it up again. A real pain.
Customer Review: Cool idea
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
This clever bicycle hanger works as advertised. Installation took 20 minutes, and involves only 2 screws. There are 4 screw holes, but the joist you must screw into is generally narrow, so you choose which direction to mount. The device seems well made, and is quite light (aluminum). The hooks have rubber pads to prevent bike damage. I recommend pre-drilling the 2 holes with a 1/8" (or slightly larger) drill bit, as the screws take much effort to screw in otherwise, esp. as the screwdriver must be tight against the base to get the proper angle.
However, if the joist slants (which often is the case in garages), this could be a problem. The device does not seem built to work on other than flat ceilings, but in my case, I got it to work by mounting so the bike hangs parallel to the joist. The claws close by gravity, and if the claws run in the same direction as a slanted joist, they won't close. You may want to affix a triangular wedge piece of wood first and attach the claw to that to ensure proper and safe operation.
If your ceiling is finished, you will need a studfinder (or look for screws) to ensure it is fixed into an actual joist. You don't want to hang a bike from 2 screws into drywall, even with anchors!
It will hold up to 50 lbs, which covers most bikes. If you plan to use it frequently, be sure to consider whether you can lift the bike over your head easily. I was surprised at the effort it took to lift mine (about 35 lbs) to the ceiling. I could only hang by the rear wheel as the front wheel turns sideways when lifted up - which is fine, but realize the handlebars hanging down could get in the way.
Also consider the length of the bike vs. the height of the ceiling. In my case, with about a 8.5 foot ceiling, the front wheel is only a few feet off the ground. A second claw can be purchased to hold both wheels and keep the bike higher if that is a concern.
All in all, this definitely saves some space for us, and for winter storage will work fine. However, a simple hook would work as well for less and have fewer concerns about durability (but without the cool factor). Amazon also sells a Racor Ceiling-Mounted Bike Lift #PBH-1R for less, which lifts the bike for you and holds it higher and is also worth a look.
Customer Review: A Perfect Meld of Form and Function
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
The Gladiator GarageWorks Claw is an ingenious contraption that will, without question, help you hang up or take down a bike with much more ease than a plain ol' J hook. Here's how it works better than a J hook:
(Note: The picture in the product page shows its claws in the closed position, which is the position the device is in when a bike is hung from it.)
To hang up a bike (assume the claws are open):
Bring the bike wheel straight up towards the "button" (the component directly above the claws) to depress it. This will trigger the mechanism for closing and securing the claws around the rim of the wheel. Simply let your bike back down and you're done. The rim comes in contact only with the rubberized part of the claws so it is protected from damage.
To take down a bike:
Bring the bike wheel straight up towards the "button" to depress it. This will trigger the mechanism for bringing the claws wide open. Now, you're free to let your bike down. The claws will stay open, ready for the next time you hang the bike up.
You see, all the movements that are necessary to either hang up or take down a bike is up, then down - simple as that. There's even no need to "aim" the wheel so the claw clasps between the spokes. There's a gap between the claws to allow for a spoke being sandwiched between the claws.
Aesthetically, the Gladiator Claw looks every bit as cool as it does in the picture on the product page. The rubber on the claws and button are more of a bright orange. The aluminum has a shiny, not brushed, finish. With its orange color and relatively large size (especially when the claws are open), it will look conspicuous in any room. The Gladiator Claw looks like a sturdy and sophisticated piece of equipment and will make a handsome addition to a garage or any other room.
The only downside I can come up with is the price. If you can afford to get it, by all means get it - I'm sure you'll be very pleased with it.
Customer Review: Works great, but some installation issues...
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
This is probably one of the best inventions to date.
First off was installing it. You want to install it securely, so you are going to have to screw it into a stud or use anchors, you just can't screw it to sheet rock. For me all I had to do was screw it into a 2x4 that we already had securely attached to the ceiling. First thing I noticed was that the base of the claw was wider then a standard 2x4, not a huge issue but I would have liked to see the base a bit smaller or even an oval shape so that it would fit on a 2x4.
The second issue I had installing it were the screw holes. The ones underneath the claws are really hard to get to and you have to screw in the screws at a angle to get them in (see the pictures in the product image gallery). Again not a huge issue, but if they were to rotate the screw holes you wouldn't have this issue.
As for how it works, flawlessly. It makes hanging up a bike a hundred times easier then using any of the other ways that are available (usually a big ol bike hook). The added rubber padding on the claws are definitely a nice touch, doesn't scratch up your rims.
And the build quality is awesome. I can see this lasting for years and years of repeated use.
So in the end this is claw storage system is definitely worth the price tag, even with the few minor issues I had installing it.
Pros:
Works!
Super easy to use.
Holds bikes securely.
Very well built (very impressed with that aspect of the item).
Cons:
No installation instructions provided. Yes it is pretty straight forward, I would just like to see some literature provided to insure correct installation so people don't just screw it into 5/8" sheet rock with some deck screws and to have it pull out of the ceiling and damage something.
Screw holes a bit awkward to screw into.
Would like to see the base a bit smaller or oval shaped to fit onto a standard sized 2x4.
Customer Review: Quality is good, use is limited
Summary: 2 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I currently store my bikes each on two of those cheap plastic-coated hooks that you screw into the wall or ceiling. I suppose I could use just one hook and hang the bikes from the rear wheel -- I hadn't really thought of that.
So I went out in the garage with this Claw and looked for a place to screw it in where I could hang a bike. But my garage ceiling is double-layer sheetrock, so I would need extra-long screws rather than the two 2" screws they supply. But also, my ceiling joists run the wrong direction to be able to hang the bike out of the way and close to a wall. The plastic-coated hooks they're on now are screwed into the wall studs. Hmmm... what to do. So I went into the shed with exposed rafters and screwed it into one of them instead. When I got down from the ladder, I left the Claw 'closed', oops. You can't hang a bike on it until it's 'open', so I had to reach up with a stick and push the button to open it. When I was finally able to lift the bike up there, I pushed the button again with the tire and the hooks closed around it. Neat. It seems pretty secure and the rubber edges don't mar the rim. It's easy to push the bike up to open the hooks and let it down. Note that this device will only work when installed on a ceiling. You must 'hang' whatever it's holding.
Now, why would you spend quite a bit more for this device, which is limited in use (I assume) to mainly bicycles, when you can buy a package of several plastic-coated hooks at the hardware store that do the same thing, and more, for much less? I'm trying to think of reasons... coolness factor, convenience? Umm... sorry, can't think of anything else.
So if you're looking for a cool way to hang up your $1000+ bike or impress your friends and neighbors, buy this. Otherwise, just get some plastic-coated hooks.