Customer Reviews

Gladiator GarageWorks GACUXXCAVK Claw Advanced Bike Storage, v1.0, Aluminum

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

This may seem a bit pricey for something a large hook mounted on your roof could do seemingly as well. They both hold your bike upright anyway. If you have ever tried to lift your bike up onto a roof mounted hook it is a bit awkward to say the least. Rarely can you get it up there in one smooth motion. The wheels make the whole load very front heavy and I find I have to struggle to gain control and hook the front tire. I've made quite a few black marks on the walls in the process. With the Gladiator it is much easier to do in one smooth motion. You just have to hit the button with the front wheel. A couple of times and I was doing it very easily. Getting the bike down is even easier since the tire is almost hitting the button already.

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.

The idea behind this rack is really neat, have the bike out of the way and off the floor, kind of like a J-hook. I had a terrible time getting the screws in correctly as thye were a close fit. Standing on a ladder while trying, with no success, to get the Claw installed caused a cramp in my neck. I was never able to get the unit installed correctly, though I have read reviews of those who were able to get their Claw installed with no problem. My J-hooks install with no problem, so I am continuing to use them. Like the claw, J-hooks have a rubber/plastic area on the hook that does not scratch or mar the bikes wheels.

The proce is a stiff kick. If you are looking to impress the neighbors or family with a cook bike rackm than this is for you. If you'd rather have a simple to install and multi-functional rack, then ge the J-hook.

Stanley Hardware Overhead Storage Hook 81-9260

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.

This was installed on the ceiling rafters and I am unable to lift a bike up to slip it into the claw. It looks simple until you have to install it. I thought I would be able to install it anywhere but they said it's best to install it on the 2x4 rafters. I'm sure it works great if you are a man or have low rafters..but I'm a woman and am unable to lift a bike that far up in the air. Even with the help of my teenage daughter ..one of us would have to climb a ladder and then lift it up there. Too much work for me to do every time.

Product was fairly easy to install. Just locate ceiling stud using a studfinder, predrill two holes and mount with included screws. I installed my claw on a 11 foot ceiling which requires a step ladder to get my bike off/on which is kinda of a pain, but at least bike is out of the way. I was a little surprised bike doesn't hang completely vertical and leans to one side...something to think about when choosing mounting location. Overall a little pricey compared to other mounting solutions but neat design and works well so far.

this is a useful device for hanging a bicycle from a ceiling joist or beam. It is very easy to install, and works as described: lift a wheel into the device to hang it, the arms close around the wheel; lift again to disengage the arms. The critical bits (arms and base) are made of metal.

So why not use a $2 hook? Well, I've knocked a number of bikes off of plain hooks, it's just gravity holding that bike up there. This system is a positive lock that takes an intentional lifting of the bike to disengage. Also, this is going to look way better indoors.

I don't really understand the comments about the screw holes: use the mounting holes that are 90 degrees offset from the arms, two screws are plenty to hold a bicycle. And unless you have a 4x4 up in the ceiling, you can only use two screws. If you're really insistent on using all four screw holes, I had no problem installing screws in the holes under the arms with a power screwdriver.

This handy little claw surprised me at how strong and heavy duty it is. The opening and closing of the claw are a clever design. So this is a pretty cool little gadget. However, I was unable to hang it, due to the way our garage is built. And $60 is out of line for a bike hook for me, no matter how "cool" it is. It's not *that much* better than a regular hook.

I wasn't sure if this little bike storage device would be worth it. How much better could it be than my little doo-dad I already have hanging from the garage? The answer: much better! I'm 5'4", and this makes reaching up and dealing with overhead bike storage a breeze. It's super-easy to use and it is delicate with my bike. I'm really happy with it and would recommend it.