Bicycle...

[keves]

Hello, and I hope this topic wasn't ground to death (I tried searching a bit but didn't reach a conclusive answer)

So, last year I bought a $100 Walmart bike for the burn, and I guess it was fine. It survived the week and got me to places. I don't use bicycles in the default world, and basically learned how to ride one just for the burn so I am not very knowledgeable about them.
This year I want to invest a bit more and get something better (hopefully?). I noticed the favorite buzzwords seem to be "fat tires" and "cruiser". Gears seems to be useful too, to an extent. I'm guessing cruiser means the higher handle bars?
Anyway, the higher handlebars do seem more comfortable, especially when trying to look at all the crazy stuff going around you. I'd say my budget is around $200-300, and I rather buy it before the burn so I could try it out a few times and get used to it.
I did the following Amazon search: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_t ... 2988422011
Is there anything here that you would recommend? Is this even a legitimate way to buy a bike, or should I go to bike shops? (I live in SF)

Thanks guys!

[lucky420]

i dont think cruiser means higher handle bars. The tires are what will make the difference, get a bike with the fattest tires possible. I think in the link you posted the fattest go to 2.75 inches although there is a fatter tire bike, I think it's called a mongoose...

That disgusting store fuckmart has them for sale.

[keves]

Okay, so fat tires. Thanks

[Fidget]

Fat tires are definitely the way to go. Having ape hangers (the high bars) are generally good for comfort as it allows you to sit a little more upright as opposed to being slightly hunched over your handlebars. A decent seat is paramount! Find one that has a pile of springs in it or any kind of absorption, it'll go a long way toward comfort over the course of the week.
Gears are good, but not really necessary, you won't be doing any hill climbing or going crazy fast. Also external gear systems (as opposed to ones which are housed in the hub of your rear wheel) can be problematic with all of the playa dust. Most cruisers generally have internal 3 speed hubs anyway.

[Eric]

I'm guessing cruiser means the higher handle bars?

Cruiser means single speed & fat tires - the fat tires make them better for riding on sand (or playa). Just google "beach cruiser" and hit the "shopping" tab, you'll come up with lots of hits. In my area they start at about $70 and go up to several hundred.

Personally, I ride a mountain bike I got for $40 from a place they teaches kids skills and makes their money by repairing and selling used bikes. It's been with me 3 Burns, and hopefully will be with me for many more. Get a bike you like & that's comfortable (if you can ride it before the playa that's a bonus), and do not skimp on the seat! You will regret it if you do.

[keves]

Awesome! Thank y'all

[Canoe]

while still being a bicycle, there's fat at 2.35", fat at 3.7", fat at 4.5 then fat at 6"
Here's in the middle.

fat with on-one color.jpg

And this is about the cheapest buy-in to fat with gears.
viewtopic.php?f=286&t=39589&hilit=dolo& ... 0#p1001038

[BBadger]

I found that a nice seat and positioning handlebars such that I could sit up straight while riding instead of leading forward helped a lot. I also find the cruisers tiring because of their single gear, as compared to the low gears I usually use on mountain bikes. I was even able to power through sandy drifts. Then again, maybe on the cruiser I tried the tires just weren't fat enough.

[trilobyte]

You live in SF - go to Bike Hut (indie bike/rental shop) on the Embarcadero. The owner and many of the staffers are burners, and know what you need in the way of a good playa bike. As I'm sure you'd discover if you did any of the basic research (radical self reliance for the win), knobby tires for the win. No gears is less complicated and easier to repair, but a couple gears means it's easier to deal with deep playa dunes... the choice is up to you. Whatever you get, pick up a couple extra innertubes for your tire size (a couple bucks at most bike shops), you can always gift them towards the end of the week if you don't end up needing them for yourself.

[keves]

Awesome advices. Will do!
And thanks, of course ^_^

[Elliot]

My 2 cents, even for people who do not live in San Francisco:

First of all, I recommend you go to a proper bicycle store. You will pay a bit more, and it will be very much worth it.

Be sure you buy a bike with a tall enough frame to fit you. A proper bike shop is the only place you can reliably expect to get skilled guidance in this regard.
Far too many people ride bicycles that are too short for them. This wears you out fast, even though you may not realize why.
Tire size (24, 26) is NOT a guide. Frame size numbers are smaller numbers, and measure the height of the frame itself.

Since you have the opportunity, I recommend you get a 3-speed to 7-speed. There are going to be times when you have to ride into the wind, and thru loose dust, and a couple gears will be a godsend.

Gears that are built into the hub of the rear wheel are more reliable in the dust than “derailer” gearing. But derailer will work too. If the derailer malfunctions, squirt WD-40 on the derailer mechanism itself – it has ten pivot points and tends to stick.

Do NOT buy more than seven gears. No front derailer.

As for the handlebar, many “retro” cruisers have a handlebar that sweeps rearward a great deal. These are awful. You may even bang your knees into the ends of the bar. I routinely replace these with tall, straighter, BMX bars.

In your Amazon selection, the yellow Hollandia Holiday appears to have the worst handlebar, while the Schwinn Lakeshore looks to have a decent handlebar.

I am inclined to believe that fairly smooth cruiser tires have less rolling resistance, and kick up less dust, than knobbies. Lack of traction does not seem to be a problem on Playa. Get tires at least 2.125 wide.

As always, just my personal impression of things!

[theCryptofishist]

for the win...

Just increasing the density of that phrase on this thread... for the win!