Bike Recommendation: Huffy Cranbrook

[BoyScoutGirl]

Well, I have found the source of the noise in the Huffy rear wheel hubs. ... [clear explanation]

That was perhaps the clearest explanation of a mechanical problem I have ever read. It makes me think about all of the forces acting on a bike at once...

[Elliot]

Thank you, Scout! I wrote magazine articles for almost 20 years, and as we know... "practice makes a-little-bit-closer-to-perfect".

And I have just returned from a visit to my local Walmart, where I happen to be acquainted with the manager from his involvement with my Lions Club.

Bicycles arrive at Walmart in an amazingly tightly packed box, with the following parts un-installed: Both complete wheels with tires, both fenders if so equipped, handlebar, saddle and post, both pedals. And the chain, obviously, since the wheel is not installed.

To my surprise, on bikes with 3-piece crank, both crank arms are installed from the factory. I say surprise, because so many left crank arms fall off.

[Soliton]

it's probably important to remember to check any pre-assembled bike you buy

Elliot,--
It might be helpful if you posted a list of items that you recommend checking on a pre-assembled bike, or double checking on a bike that is assembled by a new owner.

I purchased a bike for the Playa (not a Cranbrook), and assembled it myself -- but it was the first time I'd ever assembled a headset bearing, adjusted disk breaks, etc. The web is very useful in providing info in general, but I didn't even think of checking spoke tension and possibly a few other items. Since you see *lots* of failures from the Playa conditions, your insight on what to check might save someone's day (or a repairperson's time). I could take the bike into a shop and have it inspected, but I try to be kind of a "handle it yourself" person unless I'm clearly outside of my element.

Soliton

[epiazza]

Hi! I see this thread is a little old but hoping someone (maybe Eliot) can see this and give advice..

I'm ordering a bike at Walmart, probably this one, to pick up in Reno. My default in the past few years has been to ride cheap bikes and replace parts as they go - so I already know the inner tubes and chains are at the top of the list.

I usually get a month or two city/beachside riding but don't know how that stacks up to the playa. Should I bring my patch kit, super tubes and chains? Do I need to worry about bringing a full tool set or would that be easy to borrow/share on the playa? (I hope I'm not being radically un-self-reliant here but flying from NY and probably can't bring my tools past TSA, don't want to buy new ones to throw away)

[Canoe]

Elliot runs a bike-repair camp on-playa. Plus extras.
Bike section has tools, tubes and some parts.
Do bring your own spare tubes to be sure.
viewtopic.php?f=403&t=72622

Got placed and had a fundraiser this year.
viewtopic.php?f=329&t=74019

(there's other bike camps too, but guess which will be more fun)

p.s.
he's also posted what things to check on your bike, when you buy it or at least pre-playa.
(don't remember the thread it's in)

[whiskeywhore]

Epiazza,

As a fellow New Yorker, put your tools in checked baggage. You'll have no problem.

[epiazza]

Thanks Canoe and whiskeywhore!

I will look through to see if I can find that thread..

Whiskeywhore- are you still in the Bronx? Are you going this year? It would be cool to meet some people before leaving!

[Canoe]

Probably quickest to search Elliot's posts.

(so I did)
One of them is in this thread, on the first page.
viewtopic.php?f=423&t=74065&p=1086217#p1086217
and in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=286&t=73930

And this thread viewtopic.php?f=286&t=73632

[epiazza]

Wow thanks Canoe!

I started too, but went down a rabbit hole of other posts on ePlaya.....there's too much to read/learn!

[Elliot]

Yeah, bring all the parts and tools you can think of in your checked luggage. Include a pump, and practice using it before leaving home.
A new chain is seldom needed, so you might skip that.

When picking up a new cheapo bike, inspect...

Chain tension if 1-speed or hub gear

Handlebar fastening – both bolts

Axle nuts

Wheel bearing adjustment

Crank and steering adjustment also, I suppose

Cheap bikes often come with no grease in bearings

Spoke tension, but that requires expertise.

If you have a chance, I suggest replacing the original inner-tubes with Thorn Resistant ones. It is not that there are thorns on Playa, but the Thorn Resistant tubes are soooooo much more resistant to all punctures. They also hold air pressure much better, keeping you from riding on under-inflated tires after a few days.

[Elliot]

Update:
In my previous post, I said you would probably not need a new chain. Well....

We saw many broken chains on cheap one-speeds this year. Those chains were pulled apart as if two giants had played tug-of-war with a wimpy string.
The reason is chain adjustment. Well... the real reason is that the sprockets are eccentric (not round). Thus the chain constantly tightens and loosens as the sprockets rotate.

So when adjusting the chain, one must rotate the drive-train with the tire off the ground, many times around, and feel for a position when the chain is tightest. (Don't let the moving chain drag your fingers into a sprocket!) And then adjust the chain so it is gently snug at that spot, but not so tight that you can feel any tension. (Eccentric sprockets will inflict faaaar more pulling force on the chain than any of us will ever do with our muscles and our weight.)
At other spots, it will then be alarmingly loose. You get what you pay for.
But get that adjustment right, and it will probably serve you alright for a week.