Bike Builders Unite

[Elliot]

A heim joint can indeed work. Also, a friend of mine once used a universal joint as a trailer coupling. Then there's reinforced rubber.

[unjonharley]

Elliot, you have seen my trailer.. Those batteries are 40+ lb apiece,then the wheel assembly.. It jerked with every bump on the playa.. I tried the joint, It was smooth..
So now to build a new draw bar and trailer tongue.. I plan to use it for runs to the store an so forth.. Along with mounting hitches on the other bikes..

Tomorrow I will attempt to post a picture..

[Elliot]

I'm all for it.

[Canoe]

It's a tried-and-true for DIY hitches.

[unjonharley]

First attempt photo.. Frame concept for Clide the camels base trike.

[unjonharley]

I did it I did it I did it

[sadie]

Congrats on photo uploading skills!!!
And that a cool bike..er, camel...

[lucky420]

I did it I did it I did it

Congrats uj.

Elliot sent me instructions too. I'm going to try posting a pic soon...

[Elliot]

That's the Direct Attachment method of posting a picture. Good job.
And cool-looking camel.

[theCryptofishist]

Woo-hoo, unjon!

[FIGJAM]

Old dog, new trick!!!

[Canoe]

Recumbent meets the Dutch-stretch?

[Canoe]

And the wallyworld mongoose dolomite 1x7 26" fatbike is up.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Mongoose-M ... d/29741123

mongoose dolomite on walmart.com march 4, training wheels sm.png

Me thinks they did a copy & paste to create their catalog entry ("Training wheels for added stability").

[theCryptofishist]

mongoose dolomite on walmart.com march 4, training wheels sm.png

Me thinks they did a copy & paste to create their catalog entry ("Training wheels for added stability").

Actually, that might be a good thing in BRC. It makes balancing your bike when you're drunk and you're carrying various items just gifted to you. Plus, you can do the "stop without putting your bike down" thing that the trike riders always note.

Indeed, maybe I'll bring a "quike" out there this year...

[chuckularone]

Indeed, maybe I'll bring a "quike" out there this year...

I can just imagine catching a guy line or a tent peg with your training wheel and suddenly you're looking up at the sky wondering what the hell happened!

[theCryptofishist]

Indeed, maybe I'll bring a "quike" out there this year...

I can just imagine catching a guy line or a tent peg with your training wheel and suddenly you're looking up at the sky wondering what the hell happened!

Mine was a post with multiple levels of irony.

[chuckularone]

Mine was a post with multiple levels of irony.

I understand the irony. I spent quite a bit of time lurking before ever posted.

[elnuevo]

[quote="Canoe"]And the wallyworld mongoose dolomite 1x7 26" fatbike is up.

I'm curious to see how many of these fat tires bikes make it to the playa this year. I bet they'll do better than most in those deep sand pockets of slowness out there. I'm tempted to buy one, but I hate supporting that store. Maybe I'll get lucky & find one on craigslist.

[Canoe]

Some people reported that they'd managed to order the Mongoose Dolomite fat bike direct from Pacific Cycle (http://www.pacificcycle.com/brands). At least one guy had the bike in hand by this past Saturday. Price from $219 through $240 (as they were following what they expected Walmart to sell them for), plus shipping. Reports that Pacific's price is/will-be the same as Walmart's. Do not know if they'll continue to be available through Pacific now that they're available from Walmart.

Walmart price has free shipping.

Their Beast was available in Reno last year.
viewtopic.php?f=286&t=39589&p=964651#p964651
viewtopic.php?f=351&t=66852&p=973446p973446#p973446

[BigInSeattle]

I ordered my Dolomite last night. Really looking forward to giving it a spin!

[unjonharley]

I ordered my Dolomite last night. Really looking forward to giving it a spin!

My Dolomite id a large wheeled walker..

[Canoe]

I ordered my Dolomite last night. Really looking forward to giving it a spin!

BEFORE riding it, make sure you grease both hubs, the bottom bracket and check what they have for headset bearings (sealed, or grease them too).
This will also let you make sure the bearings are not too tight either.

[maladroit]

I'm curious to see how many of these fat tires bikes make it to the playa this year. I bet they'll do better than most in those deep sand pockets of slowness out there. I'm tempted to buy one, but I hate supporting that store. Maybe I'll get lucky & find one on craigslist.

The Mongoose Beast (single speed, coaster brake) made a big showing out there last year. I brought two and saw at least a dozen more out there, which means there must have been a couple hundred

Even single speed, they were way better in deep dust than a mountain bike. Torque is not really the issue; once you've gotten a mountain bike stuck deep enough that you want to downshift, you'll just flounder around and lose balance anyway. The fat tires let you keep your speed up and float through the dust...it's really a big difference.

The Dolomite looks even better, with some gearing it'll be easier to pedal into the wind, and the disc brakes will make it easier to navigate crowded areas.

[Elliot]

...
BEFORE riding it, make sure you grease both hubs, the bottom bracket and check what they have for headset bearings (sealed, or grease them too).
This will also let you make sure the bearings are not too tight either.

I second this notion. And this applies to all cheap bikes these days.

[Canoe]

...
BEFORE riding it, make sure you grease both hubs, the bottom bracket and check what they have for headset bearings (sealed, or grease them too).
This will also let you make sure the bearings are not too tight either.

I second this notion. And this applies to all cheap bikes these days.

That's before riding it, before taking to the playa and before taking it to Elliot's Bicycle Service, Camel Saddlery and Beverage Salon to try and save it because you didn't do that.

(Elliot, am I right that it's too late if you're ridden it without being greased? Is worth greasing and trying, or just replace the hubs & BB?)

[Elliot]

...

(Elliot, am I right that it's too late if you're ridden it without being greased? Is worth greasing and trying, or just replace the hubs & BB?)

Naw.... I think we are getting into the realm of hairsplitting here. In concept, a bearing will (1) be damaged by abuse, and (2) break itself in, which alignment should not be changed later, but these are such crappy bearings to start with that sheer fluke and coincidence --(which might be a good name for a rock band)-- is likely to affect lifespan much more.

The main thing is that many of these CrapMart bikes have over-tight bearings from the factory.
And little or no grease. A can of White Lithium Grease from any auto parts store will last you a lifetime, and can be used for many other things.

Of course, it takes skill and tools to do the job. Bearing adjustment can be tricky. For the Playa, a tiny bit on the loose side is best, to -- quite literally -- leave room for some Dust.

[Canoe]

.. Of course, it takes skill and tools to do the job. Bearing adjustment can be tricky. For the Playa, a tiny bit on the loose side is best, to -- quite literally -- leave room for some Dust.

Where can I go to read up on correct bearing adjustment? I can preload car & truck bearings easily, and I can to a proper zero pre-load on Beattle and other VW wheel bearings, but I can't get the front wheel bearing of my Beast set without a lot of wiggle.

[unjonharley]

I bought a book, Bike Repair For Dummies..

[Elliot]

.. Of course, it takes skill and tools to do the job. Bearing adjustment can be tricky. For the Playa, a tiny bit on the loose side is best, to -- quite literally -- leave room for some Dust.

Where can I go to read up on correct bearing adjustment? I can preload car & truck bearings easily, and I can to a proper zero pre-load on Beattle and other VW wheel bearings, but I can't get the front wheel bearing of my Beast set without a lot of wiggle.

Hmmm. Easier done than explained.
If it is like other bicycles, there is a lock nut on each side, and you have to loosen a lock nut before you can move the inner nut that is also the inner bearing-race and known as a cone. Set the cone to "a bit loose", and tighten the lock nut. Cones take a very narrow wrench known as a Cone Wrench. You also need three hands.
When you tighten the lock nut against the cone, play in the thread moves the cone inward and tightens the bearing, so you start with a slightly loose cone and pay attention to how the clearance goes away as you tighten the lock nut.

I don't have much skill -- I'm still learning, and my teacher is experience (after experimenting).

For all I know, the Beast could have completely different types of axles.

[Canoe]

No, that's exactly it. I've done it since I was a kid, but with the beast I get either over tight or too loose. No workable middle. Maybe the bearing is just too crap on mine. I was assuming there's a "pro" way to do it that I know nothing about. Hell, a friend who raced VWs taught me how to zero preload their bearings with also zero wiggle, how hard can a Beast hub be - apparently plenty.