Curiouswill

Hi, this is my first post in the Bicycle Mechanics sub-forum and I'm currently reading up on some book on the maintenances of bikes. I have never really worked on a bike before and would love to learn how to but before I could get to that, I'll need to figure out a good way to store a bike where I could work on it without messing up the carpet of my apartment. I have a spot set aside for when I set it up for the bicycle storage. Unfortunately it is carpeted and I cannot afford to pay for any possible damages to it.

Currently I'm storing my bike in the kitchen and it is starting to dirty up the floor there. At the very least it is easier to clean up there. Because of this, would it be a good idea for me to get a roll of the plastic thing that cover the usual flooring in the restroom and kitchen (you know what I mean?) and screw a strip of woods to the edges to keep it flat? I can set this up right to the opening of the entrance door and set it up to have like 8'x6' spaces to hold all of the tools and chemicals (such as lubes) on it. Other stuffs that can be stored in boxes such as parts will be set on the carpet next to this flooring.

Well, is this a good way of setting up a small workspace area to protect the carpet? is there anything that I've missed or just simply forgot about it?

P.S. If this have already been brought up before then I apologizes, I just didn't know the right words to use for the search.

tool boy

I use a rug for protecting the floor. I picked it up real cheap at a garage sale and it has worked great. Measures 8'X5'. It won't keep all the oil from a fork from leaking through, but when you're done with dirty work, roll it up, take it outside and shake it out (or vacuum if you are super neat).

Cheers!

urbanknight

Yeah, I'd see if I could pick up a remnant/scrap cheap from a carpet store, or even from a construction site if they're willing to let you have the leftovers. Otherwise, rug runner will work fine as well, which you can buy by the linear foot from a hardware store.

ken cummings

Maybe a 5' x 8' piece of sheet metal with the edges turned up ahalf inch or so that you keep the bike on. Kind of a giant cookie tray. Then have a canister of oil absorbant like processed sawdust or (really) kitty litter to sprinkle on any spills which you then sweep up.

Curiouswill

I'll check out about the extra carpets to use. But I still don't want ANY risk of carpet damage since you mentioned some possible leaks.

I wish that I could afford the metal for that. One of the reason why I'm in a tiny apartment and started cycling 1.5 month ago is cause I'm getting a bit tight with my money lately (especially since I've been using the money to buy necessary items such as a rain pant, bike rack, and etc. first).

Ganesha

Here's what I use.

HillRider

Another possibility is to pick up a vinyl floor covering remnant at a carpet and flooring store. These come in a variety of sizes and can be cut to fit your area with a pair of sissors. They are also impervious to oil and can be cleaned easily.

supcom

One of those inexpensive blue tarps from wallmart or a home improvement store should do the trick. You could also get a roll of plastic sheeting from a home improvement store. Get the thicker stuff and change it out when it gets holes in it.

If you really want to avoid carpet damage, don't work on your bike inside. Take it outside - especially if you are doing any lubrication or cleaning.

humble_biker

A layer of heavy weight vis-queen duct taped and then a solid layer of good old fashioned cardboard to absorb the "drippings"

peripatetic

Cardboard and duct tape works great. It's actually very nice to walk on, as well. I use old nashbar boxes.

Raiyn

Before we got the house I did the same thing. Carpet runners work great for that

Horse

...

Blue Jays

How about a sheet of plywood cut down to 3 x 6 and painted to match the same color as the carpeting? You could tack molding around the edges to keep things from rolling off the edges. When you're done using it for repairs, just slide it under the bed!

vrkelley

Ganesha, what sort of stand is that and where did you buy it?

Ganesha

I don't remember the specifics. I just walked into my local bike shop and asked, they pulled out a catalog and special ordered it for me.

Curiouswill

Just a mini-update, I've went to the dollar store yesterday and noticed that they also sells some shower curtain. So until I find a better material to cover the carpet with, this shower curtain will be used as a test run. if it does work well then it shouldn't be too hard to keep it clean. especially since I could just replace it for $1 once it get too dirty.

dobber

An area rug from you local big box store. If you're worried about bleed through, cut a sheet of plastic for underneath.

Lowes has a nice bike rack https://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-2L&lpage=none

Syerflyer

https://www.sofsurfaces.com/softile.html

Check that out, the shop I used to work in had these on the shop floor; they're everything-proof, and super-comfy to stand on for long periods of time, plus they look cool.

B.

PhucNguyen57

I use a bath towel. I fold it in half and put the bicycle on top. It catches and absorbs the drips if the bike is wet, and it keeps the tires off the carpet.