Gladiator GarageWorks GACUXXCAVK Claw Advanced Bike Storage, v1.0, Aluminum
by Gladiator Garage Works
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List Price: Our Price: $29.72 You Save: $30.27 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gladiator GarageWorks GACUXXCAVK Claw Advanced Bike Storage, v1.0, Aluminum
Customer Review: Hang 'Em High
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
First off, make sure you can lift one wheel of your bicycle to the ceiling. This hanger is made to mount into a flooring or ceiling joist. In an unfinished basement or garage, no problem since the joists are visible. Made in China, the 2" screws are 5mm body dia. which is approximately .181" dia. The nearest standard screw is a NO. 9 which is .177" dia. Drill a pilot hole 5/64" if the joists are pine or spruce. If mounting into hardwood, drill a 7/64" dia. pilot hole. If your pilot holes are too big, the screws will not hold under the weight and frequent bumping. A long-neck, Phillips-head screwdriver makes installing the screws a breeze. If mounting into a finished ceiling, you will need a stud finder or a friend with X-Ray vision. Both screws must be secured into solid wood. If you use expanding butterfly nuts or anchors into the sheet-rock, you might be headed for a bad hair day as part of the ceiling will probably fall on your head. The Gladiator Claw will grip any object up to 3 1/4" dia. I immediately found a motorcycle tire and wheel that would fit perfectly into the claws. I'd been moving it around for months. There are also many other items found in a workshop that this claw will hold such as bundles of cable that are a pain to hang on a hook. This product is ideal for saving space in a multi-bicycle environment. Push straight up. The bike comes straight down. No sideways motion with pedals banging spokes as happens with hooks. Most bicycles hang easily. However, some of us carry mounted tools kits with spare tubes, patch kits, tools, first aid, pumps and etc. that must be considered. And if you happen to have a classic Schwinn with huge tires, fenders, flaps and extensive metal body works with horn and a lamp the size of a VW headlight that operated on 4 D-cell batteries, forget it. Let it sit.Customer Review: Overpriced hook for hanging bicycles (zero stars)
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Totally ridiculous bike hook. I already have 4 big rubber coated bicycle hooks in my garage ceiling Overhead Storage Hook, 6 3/16" which I bought for like a buck each. They screwed directly into the edge of the beams with a single hole. They've been there for 10 years so the reliability has been great. No wear on the rubber or anything.
On putting the bike up with this gizmo vs the hook, it's easier with this thing, unless you bump the base and fail to get it hooked. Then you have to climb up or hit it open with a broom stick. Not often but it happened. Can't lift your bike? The straight shot at the hook is easier than the lift and hook for the cheaper version. Not a problem for me
On installation, the screw holes don't line up with the edge of the beam. I got it up there, but it isn't designed right. The holes in the base need to be aligned to fit the edge of the beam. As it is, only two are holding it up. If I cared, I'd drill them out and put bigger screws in. but I'm taking this down and giving it away to goodwill.
If this hadn't been free, and everything else that vine offered not what I wanted, I would not have bothered to even try it. If you want one, buy it soon as I expect to see this item discontinued for lack of sales. Or go to my goodwill I'm sure it'll still be there until the end of the month when they toss everything that didn't sell.
Anyway in times like these, I'd save your money for something that has better value. (also vine reviews have a bug and it put a full 5 stars on it.... which is so totally wrong. Zero stars is what it deserves)
Customer Review: A fancy hook...but still a hook
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I have to admit it. I think that this thing is cool. Granted, I'm an engineer and like mechanical gadgets, but the Claw is pretty neat. It is very lightweight, and the mechanism that changes the claw from closed to open and locks it in place is simple. It looks nice, and it does what it is supposed to do - hold a bike in place when suspended from above.
So, I'll give it four stars for that. Now, here's the reality that has already been written about on here. One thing that I like about the Claw is that it is simple. However, it is not as simple as it could be. Namely, an inexpensive rubberized hook that you can buy at just about any hardware store. People have used those for years, and it's for a reason. They also do exactly what you'd want to do - hold a bike in place when suspended from above.
The Claw uses a lot of plastic parts, and it's activated by having someone push a bike tire against it. If you're considering buying this because it's difficult for you to hold the bike up high and get it on a hook, then it's more likely that you'll probably be banging against the Claw's activator pad with the wheel because you'll be in a hurry to get the weight of the bike suspended. I have doubts about how well these plastic parts will hold up under repeated use.
So, the hardware hooks are cheaper, simpler, and (I believe) more robust - so from a practical standpoint, they win in my book. That said, if you don't mind spending the extra money for the Claw, want something a little more flashy than a regular hook, like gadgets, and are okay with the thought of maybe having to replace it after a couple of years - then it should fit the bill for you.
Customer Review: Does exactly what it says, but not worth the money to me.
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
As many others have said, this is a fancy gadget that allows you to hang your bike on the ceiling with ease. The problem is that it only improves on the easy of use of the simple rubber covered bike hook a little and for 12 times the cost, you should expect more. Being that the device works exactly as promised, I am writing this review more on the value of the item.
My first thought when looking at the package was this is a $60 item? It seem like the cheaper $30ish bike hanging items I had seen at Target (that then were marked down to $7.50 when they failed to sell). Upon opening the packaging I was more impress--by the feel of the item and the light weight nature of it. I was shocked that it appeared to be missing a screw (as there were more holes then screws) but then upon reading the directions, I decided not all holes were required to be mounted with screws. (My thought still stands that they show include more screws so if you WANT to, you can fully secure it as you wish.)
As I said above, once installed this unit worked like it is supposed to and made hanging my bike a little easier once I got used to using it. My wife thought it was neat, but was shocked at the cost vs. our normal red bike hooks. I know if I had purchased this locally, she would have had me return it--even if it had been for her bike but since it was installed it stayed.
Overall, this item seems like it should cost $30 at the most and I am guessing if you pay more you will be disappointed with the value of the item especially since it has moving parts that very well may fail in the future...causing you to go out and get some of those simple red hooks!
Customer Review: Works great, looks great, but how much better than a hook?
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
OK, first the good parts: This is a well designed and well made product that works and looks great. You lift a bike into the open jaws, push the button with a tire, and the jaws close. Push the button again, the jaws open.
The jaws have a thick rubberized insert to protect your wheels. The jaws open wide enough to handle knobby mountain bike tires, and will support a lot heavier load than any bicycle weighs (the package claims 250 pound capacity).
So why only three stars? When I received the Claw, I also had a package of six rubber-coated hooks in the garage. At 50 cents each, these hooks are a strong competitor to the claw. The claw is a lot easier to use, particularly when lifting a bike overhead, and doesn't catch in the spokes like a hook does. But at the price the claw is selling for, I'm not going to buy one for each of the three bikes I want to hang.
Two more details: Regarding the screw holes mentioned by other reviewers, it is true that the two under the claws are difficult to reach without a long extension bit. The easy answer is to use the other two holes, if the stud you are screwing into will allow it. Only two screws are provided, because most people will hang the Claw on a 2x4, which will only handle screws in either the north-south screw holes or the east-west ones. The better answer is for the manufacturer to come up with a more clever arrangement of holes. Also, the directions recommend hanging the bike from the rear tire. I find it simpler to lift the bike to hang from the front tire.
Bottom line: great product that has stiff competition from 50 cent hooks.