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When I take my bicycle indoors, and there's snow, ice, etc on it, the snow melts and the water runs onto the floor. Long-term water damage to rugs is an issue, and I don't want to leave the bicycle outside, due to fear of it being stolen.
Are there any trays or the like that will collect the melted water and preclude it from getting onto my rug? Extra points if they're cheap.
Try a Garden Centre, they usually sell a range of trays and they should have something suitable.
An example would be this "Giant Plus Garden Tray" which at 120cm x 55cm should be big enough to place a bike on.
I use a few cardboard boxes taped together with gaffer's tape. The tape is waterproof. 2 layers of cardboard (staggered at edges if you're using small boxes) is plenty to make it through a season. Use the box edges up against a wall to prevent splatter. If you have uneven floors and the water rolls off of the boxes, fold an edge over to cause it to be shimmed up a bit, keeping the water on top of the cardboard.
My heavily used cardboard is due for replacing now that we've had quite a bit of snow. No leakage on the hardwood underneath it though, for a few years now.
If I could find one again... I used to have a plastic shipping pallet that was rectangular with a solid bottom and a decent lip on it (3" or so). I would put cardboard inside (like those cat cardboard circle things) to soak up water, and then the bike on top. That way there is a guaranteed solid base, and you can still throw away the cardboard layer taking all the road gunk with it. This might work with Tom's idea if you can find a tray that's deep enough.
On the cheaper side, a tarp or a vinyl tablecloth should do the trick, and be more easily tidied away and stored. Even a decent-weight shower curtain!
My grandparents used to cover their entry way carpets with a vinyl carpet protector in the winter. The nice thing about this is that you can roll it up for storage when you aren't using it.
