MacMorrighan

Hey guy, I'm planning to return to college, which will be out of state, therefore I'll have to live in an apartment. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or advice about storing my bicycle indoors without tracking dirt or mud everywhere (after all, I wouldn't trust the locals as far s I could throw them) and I can't imagine keeping my bike in the exterior hallway!

~Wade

Greg R

My son, years ago, had matting to keep the bike on. Those entrance mats you can get at Costco or commercial kitchen supply. Hand carrying the bike kept tracking dirt down the hallway to a minimum. Keep it indoors. His bike got stolen off the 2nd floor balcony when the apartment was getting rearranged between classes.

It's not just the locals. There have been chop shops in cities that how should we say, "cruise" in college towns. It's really tough on state campuses as it's public property. One rumor at a campus I worked was that a frat house was involved for it's beer/party funds.

rsbob 

Im college, I would carry my wet dirty bike over the carpet and park it on a small tarp in my bedroom.

Lazyass

In my apartment days I would wipe my bike down with an old towel outside the front door before bringing it in if I had been riding in the rain. Besides rain rides, it never really gets dirty. I do kind of miss apartment life, it was so simple. AC system or refrig goes out just call the office haha

canklecat

Cat litter mat by the front door. I had one that was basically astroturf but looked more like brownish natural material. It was almost too efficient, and hard to clean, even beating it with a stick outdoors, so I discarded it after a couple of years. But that's not bad for an inexpensive mat. The other is a rubber mat with pockmarks that trap cat litter or debris from my shoes or bike tires, and it's easier to wash.

SurferRosa

Get a road bike and don't ride in the rain.

themrbruceguy

I'd recommend parking it as close to the door as possible to reduce tracking rain, dirt, mud, etc into your apartment. And I would say that any bath towel long enough to catch all of your bike's drippings from front to back would be sufficient. That's what I did and it worked well. Tarps are also good and even cycling trainer mats specifically designed to catch your sweat and keep it off of the carpet / floor / etc.

atnyc

Depends on what kind of floor have. if it's wooden (or fake wood), you can simply sweep/mop it after you roll your bike in.

Another option is to use your water bottle as a hose. spray water to wash away the worst of the mud/dirt.

I used to live in an apartment. But I had to walk a far long way to get to my unit. By the time I got to my own door, all the dirt/mud had been shed in the hallway/elevator.

Atlas Shrugged

A common solution in Japan to store your bikes and to take them on trains is a Rinko bag. Finish your ride throw a bag over bike and carry it though you apartment.

indyfabz

Same way you avoid tracking dirt and mud from your shoes all over the place. I’m 56 years young and have never stored bikes anywhere except in my living quarters. Never get excessive dirt or mud anywhere. If do get some, I clean it up.

The Chemist

My apartment is too small, so I have no choice - my bikes stay locked up outside in the corridor next to the elevators (I live on the 24th floor of my building).

wesmamyke

I got a small narrow runner carpet to park the winter bike on, Meant for a hallway and about 6-7' long. Pretty cheap at walmart, maybe $20-ish.

rumrunn6

had my own apt, 10 yrs ago, for 4 months, carried my bike to my kitchen, thru the exterior 2nd entrance. guess I was lucky to have sep. door. kept the bike near that door