Floaterhoist FAQ
Is Floaterhoist™ patented?
Yes, Floaterhoist™ is protected by US patent 7631854.
What is Floaterhoist™ made from?
Structural beams: 6061 anodized aluminum
Fixed pulley structures: nylon-6
Moveable pulleys: mild steel
Pulley wheels: acetal
Ropes: multi-filament polypropylene
What types of bikes will it work with?
Floaterhoist™ works with mountain bikes, road bikes, downhill/freeride bikes, cruiser bikes, and BMX bikes.
Will Floaterhoist™ work with recumbent bikes?
Floaterhoist™ was not designed to work with recumbents bikes, but it may work with some SWB recumbents. The sling on the middle pulley may have to be longer in order to attach to the seat of the SWB recumbent. Please contact us with your specific application.
What is the mechanical advantage?
MA = 2
What is the weight limit?
25 kg (55 lb)
What is the maximum ceiling height allowed?
3 m (10 ft)
My ceiling is taller than 3 m (10 ft). If I replace the ropes with longer ones, will Floaterhoist™ work on my ceiling?
Yes, if you provide long enough ropes, Floaterhoist™ will work on any ceiling height. The benefits of Floaterhoist™ are most dramatic on ceiling heights of less than 3 m (10 ft), but there still may be compelling reasons to install on a ceiling taller than 3 m (10 ft). Please note that you must use the following type of rope: 6 mm (1/4”) diameter, solid braid, nylon or multifilament polypropylene. You must use three different colors of rope. At a typical hardware store this rope is sold only in white. Please contact us for assistance.
How close to walls can I install Floaterhoist™? How much free space do I require on my ceiling?
Instructions (Step 4)
Brochure
On which ceiling joist spacings can Floaterhoist™ be installed?
300 mm (12”), 400 mm (16”), 480 mm (19.2”), 600 mm (24”)
Can Floaterhoist™ be installed on concrete ceilings?
Yes. Concrete anchors are included.
Is it possible to install Floaterhoist™ on a sloped ceiling?
No, Floaterhoist™ must be installed on a level ceiling.
I have resilient channel (a.k.a. hat channel or furring strips) isolating my ceiling drywall from my solid wood joists. Can I attach Floaterhoist™ to the resilient channel?
Yes, it is possible to install Floaterhoist™ onto resilient channel, hat channel, or furring strips, however, you must be very careful to check that every screw actually engages with the channel. If the screw doesn't "tighten down" (if it continues to spin freely) it is not engaged with the channel. Remove it and try again in a nearby location. After all the screws are installed, you must test the strength of the installation by grabbing the hoist and trying to pull it off the ceiling. If the hoist doesn't remain tightly secured to the ceiling during this test, you must remove the hoist from the ceiling and reinstall it in a nearby location. Warning: Have an assistant hold you and your ladder steady while you perform this test. Warning: Please don't hang from the hoist, personal injury may result.
How many people are required to install Floaterhoist™?
Two people are required to install Floaterhoist™. A holder is provided to allow an assistant to help with the installation process.
Instead of laying the bike on the ground, can I leave the bike standing upright while I connect the bike to the hoist?
No, you cannot connect the bike to the hoist while the bike is standing upright. If you do so, the slings will slide up the frame tubes as you begin to lift the bike. Furthermore, it is awkward to connect the slings to a bike that is standing upright.
When I lower the bike, can I change the bike's orientation from horizontal to vertical so that it lands on its tires?
No. As the bike's orientation approaches vertical, the slings will slide up the frame tubes of the bike causing it to suddenly tip. Furthermore, it is awkward to disconnect the slings from a bike that is standing upright.
Will laying my bike down on the ground damage it?
No, the points of contact with the ground are the tires, the left pedal, and the left handlebar end. The drivetrain components are facing up--so there is never danger of the derailleur touching the ground. Note: A road bike's left brake lever may contact the ground when the bike is laid down. To protect the finish of your road bike's left brake lever, cover the floor with a small carpet or cloth.
Is it OK to store hydraulic suspension forks and hydraulic brake systems horizontally?
Yes, but don't take our word for it. Here's what the manufacturers say:
"You should have absolutely no issues storing your fork in a horizontal position." - Tom Karambela of FOX Racing Shox
"It would not be a problem storing your fork on its side since this is how the forks are packaged pre-installation." - Rob Page of Norco Bicycles
"As long as the bike is bled properly, there will be no issue with however you choose to store your bike." - John Trusky of Hayes Disc Brake
"There shouldn’t be any issues doing it this way as long as the system is bled correctly." - Nick Owen of Hope Technology
How is the bike attached to the hoist? Will the bike's frame be scratched or damaged?
Floaterhoist™ uses soft and supple tubular nylon slings that wrap around the bike frame and loop over the hooks. Slings are a very gentle way to suspend a load--they distribute the force over a large area and do not scratch or damage surfaces.