Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Bikes, trikes, personal mobility and getting to/from the event - this is the place to discuss general transportation issues.
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operatorecho
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Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Post by operatorecho » Tue Aug 02, 2016 10:59 pm

So I have been building an awesome chopper bike for this year's burn. But I am wondering if I will be miserable riding it. Its pretty comfortable but its sort of wobbly at low speeds and the crank arms are definitely too short (will likely upgrade)

I was just curious since I see a lot of pics online of crazy bikes that look totally impractical out on the playa. Are these just for short trips? Do people actually ride these all day? Should I bring an extra bike for other adventures? Will I get left in the dust by my freinds? I may buy a nice single speed fat tire bike to bring in addition if the chopper will be too much of hassle.

here it is:
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BBadger
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Re: Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Post by BBadger » Wed Aug 03, 2016 1:43 am

Might be fun if it's geared down and you can control it. I'd bring a second bike just in case though.
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Admiral Fukkit
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Re: Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Post by Admiral Fukkit » Wed Aug 03, 2016 1:47 am

If you built it specifically to take to the playa then by all means bring it and try it out, it's cool as hell... but bring a regular fat tire too.
At home I have a super low stretch cruiser (a Dyno Roadster) but I ride a fat tire Dolomite on the playa.
The issues with your chopper are the raked head tube angle and the forward crank position. You never know what surface conditions you'll get on the playa.
It can be fairly smooth and hard packed or it may be soft and silty - which will make the chopper extremely difficult to ride. You'd be going really slow and having to power through the soft stuff.
If you can bring both, I'd do it. The chopper is infinitely cooler, and maybe the surface won't be too bad.
At home around the neighborhood style wins and I always take my stretch cruiser.
On the playa I always go with my fattie.

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Token
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Re: Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Post by Token » Wed Aug 03, 2016 9:58 am

Fuck YEAH!

Bring it!

Lock it ALWAYS!

That is a smashing good ride.

Yes, there are many cool bikes out there, tall, wide, fat, skinny, stretch ...

Screw the practicality of the transport, be the fucking art!

dustyfux
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Re: Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Post by dustyfux » Wed Aug 03, 2016 10:11 am

Once I finish up the basics/survival necessities/self reliance packing, the issue of good idea vs. bad idea is rarely part of the decision making process. Lots of bad ideas are the best thing ever on the playa.

Yeah, the ride may or may not be the best. But its freaking awesome, will attract attention, and if you cruised by my bar you'd definitely be flagged over for a session.

Lets just push right into the bad idea zone - light that fucker up and make it a night rider.

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operatorecho
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Re: Custom chopper bike on the playa. Good idea?

Post by operatorecho » Wed Aug 03, 2016 10:55 am

Lets just push right into the bad idea zone - light that fucker up and make it a night rider.
I think we are going to be friends. lol

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