Lots of bikes/dirty-dusty basement/what do you use for covers?
03-20-14, 04:47 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Lots of bikes/dirty-dusty basement/what do you use for covers?
I have more bikes than I care to mention. OK, I'll mention it later. My workshop is in the basement which is dry, but gets very dusty & dirty from various projects. Table saw, grinders, etc. are also in my large basement-man cave. I also have an ancient drop ceiling with cellulose panels that seem to be adding to the problem.
I don't mind working deligently to keep my bikes clean but the workshop ain't the cleanest place (but it is he only place I can store bikes) and it's disheartning to see my bright and shinny bikes constantly gathering dust.
I currently cover them with old bedsheets which are cheap but that's a pain because they don't cover properly (too long one place, too short in others), look like crap, and I can't see what bike is under them which is a problem when you have 20 bikes (family of 3) that get ridden on a regular basis, some frequently, some occasionally.
I've seen bike covers of all types but they usually start at $10 to $15 a pop. I don't intend to start reducing the herd, so looking for cheaper suggestions.
Do you cover your bikes? What do you use? Cost? Source?
Would appreciate any non-snarky (tough I know) helpful suggestions, especially as to see thru covers.
I don't mind working deligently to keep my bikes clean but the workshop ain't the cleanest place (but it is he only place I can store bikes) and it's disheartning to see my bright and shinny bikes constantly gathering dust.
I currently cover them with old bedsheets which are cheap but that's a pain because they don't cover properly (too long one place, too short in others), look like crap, and I can't see what bike is under them which is a problem when you have 20 bikes (family of 3) that get ridden on a regular basis, some frequently, some occasionally.
I've seen bike covers of all types but they usually start at $10 to $15 a pop. I don't intend to start reducing the herd, so looking for cheaper suggestions.
Do you cover your bikes? What do you use? Cost? Source?
Would appreciate any non-snarky (tough I know) helpful suggestions, especially as to see thru covers.
03-20-14, 05:10 AM
#2
Still learning
If your drop ceiling is crumbling, remove the tiles and have an open grid or replace them.
Hang the bikes from the joists or build a rack to hang vertically and use zipwall or drop cloths to pen an area from floor to ceiling.
Set up a dust collection system for your tablesaw to a Shop Vac.
Have an air hose setup outside so you can blast the dust off your bikes before riding.
Hang the bikes from the joists or build a rack to hang vertically and use zipwall or drop cloths to pen an area from floor to ceiling.
Set up a dust collection system for your tablesaw to a Shop Vac.
Have an air hose setup outside so you can blast the dust off your bikes before riding.
03-20-14, 06:17 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Actually, I was going to recommend old sheets. You don't want anything that will trap moisture (plastic or vinyl), and if you have a lot of bikes, cost can be a factor.
I'd rather invest my $$ into another bike than spend $200 on covers (in your example), or thousands for some on the forum with 100+ bikes.
When using power saws, I take them out on the back porch (PITA) so I don't get all the sawdust indoors.
I'd rather invest my $$ into another bike than spend $200 on covers (in your example), or thousands for some on the forum with 100+ bikes.
When using power saws, I take them out on the back porch (PITA) so I don't get all the sawdust indoors.
I really favor the clear plastic, but do you still think that moisture would be a problem if my basement is dry and all bikes get a road work out at least 2 or 3 times a year?
03-20-14, 08:09 AM
#4
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Bikes: Surly-LHT,KM, Schwinn World,Tempo,High Sierra,Trek820,Raleigh Sports
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okane, Would look into replacing ceiling tiles, the old ones are well beyond their useful life span. after that look into a Sears hepa filter to remove dust from air. Replace Furnace filters more often, This would save your lungs from being the air filters.
03-20-14, 08:15 AM
#5
Still learning
Painters drop cloths out of cotton canvas can be room sized to cover the bikes.
Canvas Drop Cloth - 9 Ft. x 12 Ft. Canvas Drop Cloth
Canvas Drop Cloth - 9 Ft. x 12 Ft. Canvas Drop Cloth
03-20-14, 04:43 PM
#6
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...I currently cover them with old bedsheets which are cheap but that's a pain because they don't cover properly (too long one place, too short in others), look like crap, and I can't see what bike is under them which is a problem when you have 20 bikes (family of 3) that get ridden on a regular basis, some frequently, some occasionally.
I've seen bike covers of all types but they usually start at $10 to $15 a pop. ...Would appreciate any non-snarky (tough I know) helpful suggestions, especially as to see thru covers.
I've seen bike covers of all types but they usually start at $10 to $15 a pop. ...Would appreciate any non-snarky (tough I know) helpful suggestions, especially as to see thru covers.
Actually, I was going to recommend old sheets. You don't want anything that will trap moisture (plastic or vinyl), and if you have a lot of bikes, cost can be a factor.
I'd rather invest my $$ into another bike than spend $200 on covers (in your example), or thousands for some on the forum with 100+ bikes.
When using power saws, I take them out on the back porch (PITA) so I don't get all the sawdust indoors.
I'd rather invest my $$ into another bike than spend $200 on covers (in your example), or thousands for some on the forum with 100+ bikes.
When using power saws, I take them out on the back porch (PITA) so I don't get all the sawdust indoors.
Take a felt pen and mark each sheet with the bike underneath it. "Red Road Bike"..... "Little Kitty Bike"..... "Spiderman Bike"...."Tractor Saddle Bike" .... "Hardtail".... etc.
03-20-14, 04:52 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
cut sheets to size, then duct tape
Might work!!! My wife is no seamstress and we don't even have a sewing maching, but the tape I can do. Can identify the bike on the tape. Will try it.
03-21-14, 06:37 AM
#8
Senior Member
I'd suggest a partition wall or curtain between the two areas. Even if you use plastic shower curtains. Better would be floor-to-ceiling draperies.
Check eBay for used hospital privacy curtains. Some are 10' high and 8-12' long and can be sewn together or just use two straight sections of track and two separate panels -- whatever you need to do for your area.
Check eBay for used hospital privacy curtains. Some are 10' high and 8-12' long and can be sewn together or just use two straight sections of track and two separate panels -- whatever you need to do for your area.
