I’m moving soon and while there are lots of upsides of the new apartment, there is one downside: losing the balcony which was my place where I did all bike maintenance.
I’m looking for a floor protection where I can do drip-on waxing, doing small repairs I dont use the bike stand for but want to use it below the stand as well.
I can imagine a gigantic aluminum tray would be awesome but can’t find a way to source those. Or a mat? Any other recommendations from people without a garage? (we seem to be the minority here)
Aye, aye. Apartment dweller here as well. I usually lay a tarpaulin (or similar) around the work area, when I’m working. Bring waterproof, I have no issues/worries about lubes, grease, etc getting into the floor. When it gets too gunky, I take it down to the basement carpark, stay sober degreaser on it and scrub if I have to, and then hose everything down.
This works for me, since I can’t easily fold the sheet and store it away, if I need to.
I use a picnic blanket. The top side is this sturdy cloth material and the underside is some sort of waterproof nylon something something. Never had anything go through it. Also rolls up pretty small for storage. Would recommend.
My boot tray is slightly less than 1m long (35 inches x 17 inches). I could use a larger one, but this size is big enough to cover the area under the drivetrain while applying chain lube. I would also recommend laying paper towels or shipping paper in the tray for easier cleanup.
I have an ancient Finish Line Absorb-it mat that has an absorbent top and rubbery backing - quite thin, so can be rolled up and tucked away. Think a few companies do similar for motorcycles/workshops for bigger sizes.
We have one of our rooms devoted to our bikes, trainers and maintenance and have covered the carpet with waterproof backed carpet squares- dark of course. I seem to recall getting them from a hardware store like Bunnings.
The white carpet under the carpet squares/tiles is still pristine after 5 years of heavy use.
For messy jobs like removing factory grease from new chains, before waxing, that’s done in the laundry sink or taken outside where there’s also some ventilation.
Bike washing - we’ve a common area in the basement car park to attach a hose that works for us; though I do know of some people who use their shower in their apartment.
I have an apartment that is almost completely carpeted (please send your thoughts and prayers), and I use the KOLON floor protector mat from IKEA. It’s meant to put under your desk so you can move around your wheely chair, but it’s a perfect place to park my bike and keep all the gunk off of my (ugh) carpet.
The mats they sell for putting under stationary bikes would work well. Mine has a rubbery nubbins on the bottom that grip the floor and reasonable traction on the top. It’s heavy enough to lay flat on its own, big enough to be useful, reasonably sturdy, and flat enough that you can fold it up and stow it away (unlike a rug, say).
You could also go to Home Depot or equivalent and get a square of indoor/outdoor carpeting.
in their apartment.