Minoura Japan – BikeTower5

BikeTower's lightweight alloy pillar is telescopic type pole, so it can be installed to anywhere the ceiling height is between 1.7 - 3.1 meters. The ceiling must be horizontal and being reinforced with ribs.
Drilling to ceiling or floor is not required, so you are free from worrying about the damage to your room condition, especially if you are living in a leasing room.

The upper rubber cup contains a strong spring inside. The pillar is pushed toward the ceiling strongly with this spring, so the ceiling must be reinforced with ribs, otherwise the ceiling may be damaged.

Topeak DualTouch Stand has a unique foot pedal device to lift up the pillar upward, but it requires precise pillar length adjustment prior to setup, otherwise the length will become too long and will break the ceiling easily.
In fact, I had broken my room's ceiling with Topeak stand. Please be careful.

The hook for supporting the top-tube has been modified to a low-profile type.
By expanding the area of the hook where touches the frame directly, it becomes supporting the bike more gently. The hook is soft foamed urethane padded to avoid scratching bike finish.

The new low-profile hook design also allows you to hook the bike much easier than before. You don't need to lift up the bike so much.

Each hook is angle and position adjustable to fit various types of frame as perfectly as possible.

On the latest BikeTower (ver.5.1), the stainless band clip has been modified.

On the previous version, the rectangle nut was separated from the stainless band, so there was a chance to lose the nut while assembling.
And also, once you had removed the nut from the band, you may not be able to insert the nut correctly, because the nut is not square, but slightly rectangle.
On the new version, the nut is welded on the band end to be much easier for assembling.

Please be sure about the band size specification.
The previous band was universal for both narrower upper and fatter lower pillar, but the new band becomes specialized to each pillar diameter. It's no longer universal.
There are two different sizes; 40mm for upper pillar and 45mm for lower pillar. The size indication is engraved on each band body like as "40" or "45".
BikeTower contains one each. Please don't try to use wrong size.

The recommended tightening torque for the M6 bolt on the stainless band clip is 5.2 N.m (= 46 lbf.in).

Minoura strongly recommends you to use a torque wrench for tightening the bolt at correct power.
However, if you don't have the torque wrench, you can tighten with the following power;

Apply 7.1 kgs (= 15.7 lbs) to the 75mm (= 3 inch) long hex wrench end.

• Check the ceiling condition before installation. The area where the upper rubber cup pushes up must be reinforced with ribs. If it's just a panel without ribs, BikeTower will break the ceiling.
• There is an indicator beneath the upper cup to check if the pole length is correctly set up or not. Check it regularly. If the pillar length is shorter than the required size, it should fall down.
• Depends on the ceiling and floor material, the rubber may leave stain. To avoid this problem, we suggest you to put a thin paper between the rubber cup and floor/ceiling. Do not use slippy vinyl sheet.
• BikeTower is constructed with just a single pole, so it could be possible to rotate if you push the bike or cradle. The pillar angle may also be changed and will become unstable. Make sure you set the pillar exactly vertical, and don't place any fragile items around BikeTower.
• Stainless band clip on ver.5.1 is no longer universal. You need to use correct size (40mm or 45mm) for each pillar diameter.

Extra Bike Cradle
A set of bike hanger
Stainless Basket New
Metal wire basket with new alloy clamp
Shoes Attachment
Holds a pair of racing shoes
Wheel Attachment
Holds a set of bike wheels
Trainer Attachment
Space saving storage for a stationary trainer
Rollers Attachment
Space saving storage for a rollers
40mm Stainless Band Clip
Replacement stainless band set, for 40mm diameter tubing
45mm Stainless Band Clip
Replacement stainless band set, for 45mm diameter tubing

Discontinued Items
Long Cradle Bar
Extra long alloy bar for holding long frame bike
Mesh Basket
Vinyl coated mesh basket with stainless band clip
Helmet Holder
Holds a helmet

Stainless Band Clip Design (ver.5 --> 5.1)
Changed from separated nut style to welded nut style. 2 different sizes (40mm/45mm) available
Cradle Hook Design (ver.4 --> 5)
Changed from vertical thin type to flat low-profile type
Pillar Joint (ver.3 --> 4)
Changed from just plastic to a metal ring reinforced one

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You may worry about the damage or stress to the carbon frame because the bike is supported at only two points by hooks, but you don't need it.
Bike is designed to be capable with over 100 kgs rider's weight as well as the hard shock from the road while riding. There is nothing to worry for supporting just 10 kgs or so on.

The weight balance of bike is not symmetric. The right side has drive train component such as gear, chain or derailleur, so it's heavier than the left side.
Therefore, the bike will have to lean leftward slightly when just hooking the bike horizontally due to this unsymmetrical balance then the handlebar would turn naturally. It's unavoidable destiny.

To avoid this problem, you should set the bike in the position that the front wheel is lower than rear wheel.
Or, you should connect the front wheel and the down-tube with a strap. Hooking a rubber band between the down-tube and the front wheel air valve would be a reasonable solution.

Our stainless band is designed to be held in position when it perfectly wrapping the pillar.
If you insert a soft material shim such as vinyl or urethane sheet, it could be possible the cradle will drop due to the bike weight.
We don't recommend to insert anything between the band and pillar.

When adjusting the cradle height, loosen the band widely to make enough clearance between the band and pillar, then slide it.
The alloy pillar has transparent clear coat on its surface, so it could be scratched if you don't loosen the band enough.

The new low-profile hook is compatible with any version of Minoura BikeTower.
The replacement hook set is available at your local Minoura dealer. The set contains a pair of hooks.

The pillar joint on ver.3 or older BikeTower was made of just plastic, so it could be possible to be broken if you have tighten the bolt too much.
It will cause falling down accident, because the spring will push down the pillar and won't keep proper tension to the ceiling.
We strongly recommend you to replace any old type BikeTower to the new metal reinforced pillar joint for your safety.

To replace the pillar joint, loosen both bolts and pull out the upper pillar.