Polystyrene blocks

[JoeBlow]

I have an estate car that I can get my Orbea into the rear of but it's quite hard work and the pedals get in the way. I am thinking about making a polystyrene "sledge" to help with the process. This should work well when I get my boot-buddy liner but I can't find a source for the material. The type of material that fridges, washers etc. come packed in, often blue coloured. I think it may be High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS).

I have tried looking in skips and behind shops and also on line etc. but with no success. Does anyone know a source?

Al

 

[The Hodge]

Not really ..but I think the polystyrene would make more of a mess than the mud ..its pretty fragile stuff.
I just have large thick plastic sheeting which I tuck under the lip of the lid that covers the spare wheel and a large rubber mat to keep the other end in place ( Costco)
I also have a no-stain rug rubber backed ( B& M stores) to put on the ground when I turn the bike upside down to fit the wheel ..
I think everything in total cost less than £40.00..

 

[JoeBlow]

No there are different types of polystyrene. The type I'm thinking of is not fragile and brittle.

 

[urastus]

Nice idea. It would be nice if you could place everything on a slide in table - I imagine this is something like what you have in mind. You could make sure the rear mech and rotors are not against anything too. Then just slide it in. Some low profile rollers would be good - even something simple like those plastic things on the base of big square plastic bins. I'd like to see what you end up with.

 

[JoeBlow]

I tried rollers, didn't work very well, but in theory a Boot-Buddy liner and a block of polystyrene approx the width of the boot might.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Sounds like polyurethane is what you're after you can also buy it quite cheeply as flat insulation panels in different dimensions

 

[JoeBlow]

Sounds like polyurethane is what you're after you can also buy it quite cheeply as flat insulation panels in different dimensions

No the insulation panels are also rather fragile even though they are firmer and more compact in structure. They still tend to shed bits. The stuff I've seen is usually blue.

 

[urastus]

I tried rollers, didn't work very well, but in theory a Boot-Buddy liner and a block of polystyrene approx the width of the boot might.

I found this while I was looking for something else. Not the dimensions you need of course; it really looks like it would adapt well to bikes in the back of wagons.

 

[Gary]

Bikes have these handy things called wheels.
Simply lift the rear wheel in, lay the bike over while holding the bars/fork and roll the bike in backwards on the rear wheel. it takes a little bit of skill but no more than actually riding a bike
to remove the bike simply pull it out reversing the process .

 

[JoeBlow]

Bikes have these handy things called wheels.
Simply lift the rear wheel in, lay the bike over whoile holding the bars/fork and roll the bike in backwards on the rear wheel.
to remove it simply reverse the process.

Oooooh! Sarcasm and wit all in one sentence. It's easy for you to say that you are not 73 years old?

 

[Rusty]

I use this blue foam to protect fork legs etc when loading multiple bikes on racks and the black Laminated Closed Cell Packaging Foam when wanting to line storage areas. The lamininated stuff is about 1M x 1M and glues to a backing easily. When I was using a small hatchback I had it glued to a sheet of polycarbonate sheet I bought from a hardware store. With a couple rope handles and I could lay the bike on it then reach in over the front seats and drag the bike in by the ropes.

 

[Gary]

it's a technique thing @JoeBlow . I suggest actually trying it instead of worrying about how I delivered the advice.

 

[JoeBlow]

Thank you for that advice and the advice to ignore your manner. They are both sound.?

I'm not worrying, I'm simply responding in a similar manner and tone to yours.

 

[The Hodge]

Is this stuff close to what you are looking for ..this is a brake disc protector gifted to me by EMF ..and actually works very well when spraying aerosol ..

 

[JoeBlow]

No I was looking for a solid block, the width of a typical estate boot and perhaps 15mm x 15mm square. I would cut a hole to take the pedals and raise the bike. I accept I may be overthinking this. A tarp on the boot-buddy will probably slide as well. I damaged my last car getting the bike in and out the first few times although I did get the hang of it in the end. Trouble is the bike isn't getting any lighter and I'm not getting any younger ?

Gary's idea also seems quite sensible to use the rear wheel to assist, assuming there is the height, so I'll give that a try. I'm hoping the boot liner will solve a lot of the problems as there will not be any carpeting to create resistance.

 

[Zimmerframe]

No the insulation panels are also rather fragile even though they are firmer and more compact in structure. They still tend to shed bits. The stuff I've seen is usually blue.

It comes in different colours. It will be a polyurethane or a similar mix of high density polystyrene, though the polystyrene is more likely to shed particles and break up. You're probably comparing it to polystyrene insulating panels and not polyurethane insulating panels. You can also buy it in a can and make a custom tray. Just put a plastic sheet over your bike, spray the foam where you want protection. Then spray it thicker all over so you build up a semi level finish of foam (which will be expanding - the rate and amount dependent on the variety you purchase). Put another plastic sheet over that and then a flat board and weight it. Once it sets, take the board off and you'll have a custom polyurethane sled with a flat bottom you can slide in and out of the car.

 

[Gary]

Gary's idea also seems quite sensible to use the rear wheel to assist

It wasn't an an idea. Been doing it the way i described twice daily for 5 years.

assuming there is the height

You don't need height. just lean the bike over far enough and turn the bars as you roll it in

so I'll give that a try.

might take you a few times to figure it out. but persevere. I don't even bother folding all 3 middle row seats down (one seat left upright)

I accept I may be overthinking this.

Massively.
I actually can't believe you think wrestling with a 6ftx5ft 15mm thick block of polystyrene and dragging in and out of the car with a 20kg bike on it each journey will make anything easier for you. Not to mention thre polystyrene lasting any amount of time.
I didn't understand whether you already have some sort of bootliner but I just use an old cardboard bike box cut to fit the car's floor space. protects everything enough, keeps the car clean(ish) easy to sweep/clean out or discard and infinitely replacable for free. (each box tends to last me over a year)

 

[JoeBlow]

It wasn't an an idea. Been doing it the way i described twice daily for 5 years.

You don't need height. just lean the bike over far enough and turn the bars as you roll it in

might take you a few times to figure it out. but persevere. I don't even bother folding all 3 middle row seats down (one seat left upright)

Massively.
I actually can't believe you think wrestling with a 6ftx5ft 15mm thick block of polystyrene and dragging in and out of the car with a 20kg bike on it each journey will make anything easier for you. Not to mention thre polystyrene lasting any amount of time.
I didn't understand whether you already have some sort of bootliner but I just use an old cardboard bike box cut to fit the car's floor space. protects everything enough, keeps the car clean(ish) easy to sweep/clean out or discard and infinitely replacable for free. (each box tends to last me over a year)

The boot liner is one of these: Car Boot Liners, Load Liners & Dog Guards - Boot Buddy

It's rigid lightweight plastic that covers the whole boot with the seats down. It simply lifts in and out. My idea was to have a block of polystyrene foam, the width of the boot and about 15mm x 15mm or so (the sledge) with a hole to accommodate the pedal and crank. I have explained this previously but obvioulsy not well enough. The material I have in mind weighs nothing as it is not as dense as the insulating material being suggested by others.

I have tried your suggestion, thanks for that, and it works but it's not quite as easy as you suggest. I can see that it will probably get better with practice.

 

[Gary]

You're welcome! ?
And yeah. I did understand your idea.
Just wasn't sure if you already had the boot buddy

 

[Zimmerframe]

Just get yourself a custom bike transporter, much easier on the back.

 

[Jackware]

Just get yourself a custom bike transporter, much easier on the back.

View attachment 70070

So the Kenevo's getting consigned to the slurry tank then?

 

[JoeBlow]

I admit to being a little paranoid about this. I damaged my previous car loading the bike on it's first day on the drive. My new car is a little more plush and in immaculate condition so I intend to start as I mean to go on and not skimp on solutions and bodges.

 

[Zimmerframe]

So the Kenevo's getting consigned to the slurry tank then?

It's made a magic recovery .. I need to message Spesh .. Having bathed it for several weeks in more lube than an OAP porn shoot, it's magically giving at least 25% more power AND ! 25% more range since new - with a 90% battery.

So it's back in circulation again. Though at the moment, mainly as a long travel Gravel Bike ...

 

[Zimmerframe]

I admit to being a little paranoid about this. I damaged my previous car loading the bike on it's first day on the drive. My new car is a little more plush and in immaculate condition so I intend to start as I mean to go on and not skimp on solutions and bodges.

Instead of overly protecting the car.. Why not soften the bikes extremities .. like pedals - wife's oven gloves. Handlebars .. wife's spare oven gloves. And so on ..

 

[JoeBlow]

Instead of overly protecting the car.. Why not soften the bikes extremities .. like pedals - wife's oven gloves. Handlebars .. wife's spare oven gloves. And so on ..

Been there done that, learnt the hard way ? Now I want it to be as easy and straight forward as I can possibly make it.

 

[Giff]

I think you are looking for Styrofoam which is blue but can be grey or cream. It is dense and hard to compress and is used in vac forming among other things. It comes in sheets 25mm 50mm & 100mm.
Sources could be VacPress suppliers (woodworking) or model shops may sell the thinner sheets in smaller quantities that can be bonded easily with PU glue.
It is easy to cut and machine if necessary.

 

[JoeBlow]

Thank you.