Biking into the dust. General Bike info for the Playa.

[sadie]

Thank you, Canoe, Capt, and Elliot...very helpful information.
The trike has a 3 piece crank, so more attention to detail will be needed if I decide to attempt a swap-out.
At this point, with departure date looming I may just use it as is and let this be a project to work on for next year.
In other words, I should quit while I'm ahead...just now got it all running and adjusted to my satisfaction...and out of the living room..
Thanks again! See you guys in a few weeks.

[Canoe]

If you have a new one with the correct taper, it's a much easier swap than it sounds (if not rusty or damaged). Five to ten minute job.
If it's not the correct taper, it's a world of frustration. Hence the recommendation to do it at a bike co-op (lots of used parts, easy to use crank-arm puller tool).

[ruebear]

more pro-tips: you want a bike with a kickstand so you can park it easily. Put a tennis ball or something rubbery on the end of the kickstand so it doesn't sink into the playa dust.

Let some air out of the tires if you are coming from low elevation.

Lube it up real good on Day 1, esp the chain. Also the wheel bearings. Use real bike lube not WD40. Oil it again every few days while on playa if you want, it doesn't hurt. Just don't oil it so much that you're dripping lube onto the playa.

Bring a spare tube. A flat tire is a buzzzzzzzz killllllllllll!

Back at home, spritz the bike and chain and everything with vinegar water, wipe it down with a rag, and rinse, then oil again. This will help minimize corrosion. It won't prevent all corrosion, but it will help. A full wheel bearing grease and overhaul is in order for my bike after 2-3 burns.

Comfy seat! The playa roads get bumpy.

A cup holder and basket are nice additions.

Thank you for this! I'll be a birgin this year and I figured I'd bring WD40 to lube the bike chain but I'll use your advice and use real bike lube.

[Elliot]

Yes, size matters -- Bicycle Frame edition

Sooooo…. My neighbor Ryan was all jazzed up over his new bicycle, a slightly aging mountain bike that he acquired thru some sort of trade.
Of course, e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g was wrong with it.

But this gives us a wondermuss opportunity for a lecture training session.

Many Burners ride around BRC on bicycles that are too small for them.
The reason is simple enough: Most bicycles sold in the USA today are bought for a youngster.
A pre-teen or early teen. A very short human.

So that’s what’s most readily available to bargain-hunting Burners.

Ryan’s bike has 26” tires. This is a common tire on bikes of many sizes.
Ryan’s bike has a 13” frame.
Crap-Mart rarely even lists frame size on their bikes. They list tire size, which means nothing.

Witness:



This is a Raleigh Twenty, popular in England for decades. The tires are only 20 inches high, but the rest of the bike is sized to accommodate a fairly tall man. Tire size means nothing.


So….



This is how the seat post is supposed to fit in the seat tube – straight in and out, and the post is deep enough into the seat-tube that it stays that way. (I moved the clamp out of the way and held it there with blue tape.)





This is Ryan’s bike. Need I say more?
OK, I will. Never extend the seat post past the Minimum Insertion Mark.




This is a seat-post mark. Right smack in the middle of the photo. Hard to see, but every seat post has one. Obey it. Be sure it is inside the frame.





Yep, there is real damage here. Deformed metal, and cracks too. On Playa last year, a guy brought in a bike with that entire top of the seat tube g.o.n.e..



What you need to pay attention to when you buy a bike is leg extension.




This is proper leg extension.





This is Ryan on his 13” frame.

But the bike fits his eight year old daughter just fine.





This is frame height.
I’m 6’ and I need at least 18” frame height. A tall chap might need a 23”. Crapmart rarely carries anything over 18”, maybe 19” in a men’s model. Lots of 16” and 15” though – even with 26” tires.


So…. All this just to keep from damaging a $30.- thrift store bike?
Not at all. Ever notice your legs get unreasonably tired from riding on the Playa? Your quads and glutes?
Yep, that’s from pedaling with “your knees in your ears”.

Proper leg extension will make your Burn soooooo much more pleasant. And that’s why I bothered to write this up. You can bring me an ice cold beer anytime.

[Eric]

^this is fantastic Elliot, and explains a lot of things clearly. Now I have to go take a look at my beloved playa-bike & see if I can still fix it (it's a little short, I just thought the seat wasn't high enough).

[Elliot]

Thanks, Eric. My pleasure.

And those who want to learn more will find that the interweb is simply awash with articles on proper bicycle fit. Try the R.E.I. sporting goods chain, just as an example I noticed a while back.

When a bike is too small, it may seem tempting to replace the seat post with a longer one. This can help, but the leverage exerted by an adult on an extra long post should be considered. An other thing is that seat posts come in a bewildering variety of thicknesses, making it quite a long shot to find a longer post for that bike in the first place. Consider looking for a taller (second-hand) frame instead. You might find a suitable bike with bent wheels and moth-eaten saddle for two bucks, and transfer the good parts over to it.


This frame started life as a 10-speed "road racer" half a century ago, with skinny tires and "up-side-down" handlebar. Now it has wheels from a modern mountain bike and a tall BMX handlebar -- and is my personal Playa steed. Yes, it's a Chicago Schwinn.
Before attempting such a wheel swap on a "road" bike, be sure there is room for the new tires. This one is tight, and some are impossible.

[ChicoTerri]

Thank you, Elliot! I am in the midst of looking for bikes for my honey and I...this is better info than anyone has offered me. We are virgins, deep in the throes of preparation...so much to do! I look forward to bringing you a beer on the playa.

[The Hustler]

There is no sand on the playa.

The surface is like concrete, covered in baby powder. In the deep playa it can be soft and rutted and crazy, but closer to "town" or Center Camp the surface is often smooth-ish, but deep ruts and dust-filled potholes can form, especially after rain like 2014.

A week on the playa isn't going to hurt a bike. If you ever spent time in a cold climate and ride through rain, now and salt, that is MUCH worse for a bike. That takes years of neglect to start to harm ferrous parts of a bike, so a week on the playa isn't a big deal.

I bring a "real" bike, except last year when I rented a cruiser on the playa so I could travel lightly.

One thing to note before, is to use a dry chain lube for desert conditions. It may help keep the chain moving more smoothly. Upon return from Burning Man, a simple cleaning will be fine, unless you're lazy, then don't bother. Depending on the type and quality of bearings and seals on the moving parts of the bike, a repacking/sealing one does with annual maintenance is all you need to do. If you really want to get into bike prep, pack any loose bearings with grease for hot weather (like for car bearings or something) so it doesn't break down as much from being in the potentially-scorching sun.

Don't bother with suspension. The dust is fine enough to cause problems and you may need to rebuild it after, unless its a crappy suspension fork, then you just throw it away.

Larger volume tires will help in the softer areas and to cut down on the surface vibration as you're riding along. An upright riding position may be beneficial also.

A sturdy front basket will make carrying the water you're not leaving camp without easier to carry, although it can make handling funny depending on the bike's geometry. A rear rack can be just as wonky, with the added benefit of not being able to reach stuff as easily whilst pedaling, or for those who are not good at paying attention, rear racks are easier to loose stuff while riding.

Playa dust doesn't trash a bike. It doesn't ruin anything. The dust is about 3 microns and is electromagnetically conductive (it gets into everything) and finds itself in odd places, it's not going to be a problem for a properly maintained/built bike.

Some riding tips:

Black Rock City is in the US and we walk and ride on the right side. Do that on the streets like you would at home. If you only ride a bike on the playa, don't. Get used to riding a bike, and doing so where other people are. Those of us who ride bikes for fun and/or transportation have no problems getting around in the dust and chaos of BRC.

Take a day-long bike ride BEFORE you leave for Burning Man, at least. More is better. Make sure you're comfortable on the damn thing, because you're going to be doing a lot more bike riding than you realize.

The playa is flat (ok, it has a slight dome shape from geothermal pressure underneath it, but it's only visible from a few stories up) and the parts where the surface is smooth, it's easy to go top speed. I'm guilty of a few all-out, out-of-the-saddle sprints across the playa from about Center Camp to sort of deep playa. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to exceed 5mph on anything that moves: bikes, people, or even Master on the shoulders of Blaster. (Google: Master Blaster and Bartertown)

[The Hustler]

Noted. I bought a $30 bmx bike for sxsw after having my bike stolen from the stairs below me when I was on the porch in Austin the previous year. BMX bikes don't seem preferred as the main transport, so that bike is mostly ruled out.

I was thinking about bringing my flatland bike so I could do random bike tricks and stuff with all led lights and el wires in the desert, but I have no clue how tires at 90+ psi would function in the dust and what the surface is like for riding on. It may work fine at the skatepark, but it may too much of a pain to mess with. Flatland tricks would be like my poi, hence my username rideincircles. I have an old Dyno that is about 75% complete and I may throw that together, but it would not be as comfortable as riding my custom bike. I don't ride as often as I used to, but I still can do a bunch of bike tricks that very few people can.

I will start looking for a cheap bike to bring, and will debate on my flatland bike. My Trek will most likely stay home.

I'd love to see someone rolling by doing a hitchhiker or hang 5 (or something not 20 years old).

High end bikes work just as well in the dust as they do anywhere.

I'm bringing a "real" bike as always (except last year with the rental experiment). DT Swiss hubs, XT bottom bracket, Crank Bros headset all have been through a lot worse than a week of dust: flood water, mud, rain, dirt, retarded heat ...

[rideincircles]

I can do hitchhikers on occasion, but don't have them dialed. Megaspins would look cool at night all lit up. I'm not the best at hang-5's but am better with Karl Kruiser's. I have alot of basic flatland tricks down, I just don't ride as often as I would like. I may bring my bike and just switch out my good freecoaster wheel with my other older wheel and a few other parts. It will be based on how much space I have to fit everything.

Aside from that, I will probably switch out my cruiser sprocket for a slightly smaller one. I was also considering having a a bike trailer to serve beer from, but need to see how easy it is to cart around. I bought the cart already and it has 2 20" wheels. Would definitely need lower gearing if i drag it out.

[dragonpilot]

Three Rules for Bike Security:

1. Lock your bike when you are not riding it.
2. Lock your bike when your are not riding it.
3. Lock your bike when you are not riding it.

If you ride your bike to the porta potties, get off it and go inside a potty to pee, are you riding your bike? No! You are peeing! What are the Three Rules for Bike Security? *See above*

If you ride your bike to a big sound camp, get off your bike to go dancing, are you riding your bike? No! You are dancing! Blah, blah, blah....

[Akela]

Re: flatlanders and trick bikes

A camp mate of mine is a year-round professional flatland performer with some various cirque and theme park gigs that each run for months at a time. It seems like he has the most fun on playa though, and performs at some of the big sound camps that have actual stages, as well as fooling around in the dust. He has these ridiculous huge antlers he wears, and is all decked out in blue EL wire. Google "Blake Hicks tron bike," the videos that come up are from like 2011 and he's leveled up immensely since then.

[rideincircles]

I am lifting this from the Bike Builders unite thread since this is the type of info to have in here. More usefulness from FIGJAM which is a common theme around here. Some of this is a little outdated, but most of the info is useful.

Today's JRS is dedicated to that stalwart steed of steel (or aluminum or titanium or whatever) -- the BIKE. First-time Burners might be wondering why we dedicate an entire JRS to bikes, but veterans know how absolutely critical it is to have a trusty bike on the playa.

Black Rock City is a vast open space with incredible things to see, experience and participate in. You're really REALLY going to want to have a bike to get around and explore, cuz like we said: VAST. Burning Man is very much a bike-oriented culture ... in fact, Black Rock City has more bikes per capita than any city in the WORLD. Cool, huh? OK then, onward ...

Here are THREE KEY PIECES OF INFORMATION FOR 2013:

#1: LIGHT YOUR BIKE. There's gonna be 60,000+ people out there. If you can't be seen in the dark, people are going to run into you. And that's a great way to ruin your Burn (let's face it, the medical tent is kind of a downer). Plus creative lighting makes it easier for you to find your bike amongst the hoards of parked bikes.

#2: Unless you're hoping someone steals it, LOCK YOUR BIKE. Whether it happens by accident or intention, walking out of a theme camp to find your bike missing sucks, especially when your friends still have theirs and you're stuck walking.

#3: LABEL YOUR BIKE. Mark your bike with some identifying information, like your camp name and address, so if it does go missing, a thoughtful participant can reunite you with your beloved wheels.

So yes, this is us, loving you up with the beta to make your biking at the Burn better. Get a bike, get it playa ready, reuse or dispose of it properly after the event, and have fun out there!

The Man burns in 52 days!


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{===BIKES: THE ESSENTIAL PLAYA ACCESSORY==}
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WHAT KIND OF BIKE SHOULD YOU BRING TO BURNING MAN?

For the easiest cycling on the playa surface, the ideal bicycle is a beach cruiser with fat tires or a mountain bike. Thin 10-speed or road bike tires can make for some tough travel. They're just not playa-friendly.

Your bike should be in good enough shape to survive and ride smoothly, but the playa turns any bike into a rustbucket in short order, so don't bring your multi-thousand dollar mountain bike if you don't plan on having it destroyed, or doing some serious cleaning and restoration work on it after the event. Or you're just a masochist.

Many participants (this Rabbit included) have a dedicated "playa bike" that's used exclusively for Burning Man ... just sayin'.

The best information about bikes at Burning Man -- including recommended bikes, how to maintain them, how to be safe and keep them from being stolen -- can be found in your Survival Guide (which you've read, right?), and also online riiiiiiight here:

http://survival.burningman.com


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LIGHT YOUR BIKE, OR DIE

It's super freakin' dangerous to ride around on an unlit bike at night. Dangerous for you, and for those around you. So come on, get some lights and put them on your bike. And we're not talking about weak-kneed pansy lights either ... get good ones that you can see from afar. A headlight and a taillight are key, too.

There's a lot of people running around on playa at night, and guess what? If your bike isn't lit, THEY CAN'T SEE YOU. Riding an unlit bike is just asking to get whacked, and nursing a broken collarbone is a less-than-ideal way to spend your Burn. Without a headlight, you might not see that dude sleeping (read: speed bump) on the open playa. At the very least, it's a lot easier to find your bike amongst others if you light it uniquely.

If you fail to light your bike, and you hear somebody screaming "DARKWAD!!" they're probably talking to you.

So please, if you take just *one* thing away from this JRS, it's this: light your bike. Or die. <Cue the doom-like music.>


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WHERE CAN I GET A BIKE CLOSE TO BURNING MAN?

Say you're flying into Reno, or you don't want to haul a bike from across the country. We've got a few favorite bike shops in the region that still have bikes...

Black Rock Bicycles
Located in northern Reno just a few hours from the playa, Black Rock Bicycles has cruisers for rent, and affordable new and used cruisers for purchase. They come highly recommended, and they always sell out, so reserve early. They also have bike supplies (lighting, baskets, bells, locks, etc.). And, to help make the journey to the playa easier, customers can ship their supplies to them 30 days prior to Burning Man, have them stored without charge, and pick the supplies up along with their bike on their way to the playa. They'll also ship your supplies back to you after the Burn for the cost of the shipping (items must be boxed and ready to ship). Check out their website for contact information, reservations, and questions at http://www.blackrockbicycles.com

Burner Bikes LLC
Barrie and Randy in Gerlach (just 8 miles from Burning Man) are renting very affordable used mountain bikes or cruisers in good condition again this year. You can reserve a bike and coordinate with them now for a pick-up time in Gerlach on your way to the playa. They also have bike baskets and locks available for sale, and you will be able to return your bike to them in Gerlach after Burning Man. Best to reserve one now while they last! To do so, and for further information, email them at [email protected]. You can also call them at 775-686-8200 or 775-557-2290, but it's best to email them first.

Kiwanis Bike Program
145 Catron Drive, Reno
Located in a new spot in north Reno, our good friends at the Kiwanis Bike Program have quality and affordable used bicycles still available for purchase. All funds support repairs and donation of bikes, as well as bicycling education, for at-risk kids in the Reno area. And if you return your bike to Kiwanis on your way home from the playa, they’ll refurbish and reuse it for kids! You can also store your bike with them until next year's Burn. Pretty awesome people, right? NOTE: Due to the enormous demand for their bikes and support for their program, they are unable to take bike reservations. You can, however, get one at their shop while supplies last. Hours will be 9am-9pm during Burning Man. More info at http://www.kiwanisbikes.org. If you have any questions, email them at [email protected].

Reno Bike Project
541 East Fourth Street -- 775-323-4488
Reno Bike Project is a great place to get a well-cared-for and very affordable recycled bike, and to support an invaluable community program. They also repair bikes and carry lighting and accessories, such as el-wire kits, baskets, racks, bells, and backup supplies. They'll also take back and recycle your bike after Burning Man. All purchases go to support this non-profit community bike shop and its mission to make Reno and the world a more bike-friendly place. NOTE: Reno Bike Project is unable to reserve bike purchases over the phone, so you will have to visit the shop in-person to purchase a bike. RBP is open 9am-8pm around Burning Man time. Call ahead though for possible after-hours appointment, and to see if they still have bikes. More info at renobikeproject.com

Rat's Bikes - Did you rent a bike from Rat's Bikes?
We have previously recommended Ray "Rat" Leslie of Reno-Sparks, Nevada, who rented bikes for the playa exclusively to those travelling from overseas. Unfortunately, we've received several reports he has taken reservations but is no longer responding to inquiries. We have made repeated attempts to contact him without success and thus we can no longer recommend him for playa bikes. If you have already made a bike rental arrangement with Rat and have not heard back from him, let us know by emailing [email protected], as we may be able to point you in another direction for a bike in the Reno-Sparks area.


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BURNING MAN'S COMMUNITY BIKES PROGRAM

Once again, Burning Man's Community Bike program is offering a fleet of community bicycles available for anyone who needs a one-way ride. Community Bikes are easy to spot because they are painted BRIGHT GREEN, with no visible brand and/or the words "YELLOW BIKE" painted on the frame.

The only way this program works is if everybody adheres to the guidelines, which are:

- Community Bikes are for temporary use by anyone without immediate access to their own bike. This is not YOUR loaner bike for the week. Bike rides are only a one-way, temporary guarantee.

- Community Bikes are meant for short trips. Grab a community bike, make your trek, and then drop it off where you found it, or leave it in an obvious public place. Do not keep a community bike in your camp.

- If a Community Bike breaks while you're using it, use Radical Self-Reliance to get it repaired for the next person. Check with Playa Info at Center Camp for a repair camp if you can't do it yourself.

- NEVER LOCK A COMMUNITY BIKE. Burning Man's bike team will cut any locks from community bikes. Don't bring a Community Bike into your tent or RV, and don't take it home when you leave the playa.

- Community Bikes should be treated with respect, as if it was your own. Be nice to the bike. Don't trash it, vandalize it or part it out! It's a shared community resource. And don't forget personal hygiene ... pants are required while riding a Community Bike.

We heart the Community Bike program. Let's keep it working. Here's a blog post about it, if you want to share it with your friends:

http://blog.burningman.com/?p=4488


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DON'T WANT YOUR BIKE TO GET STOLEN? OK THEN ...

If you don't want your bike stolen on the playa, then always lock it up wherever you leave it. Rocket science, right? The unfortunate reality is that bicycles get stolen (or "recklessly borrowed") because they're unlocked. This has been the case for years and years. The only bikes that should NEVER be locked are GREEN Community Bikes.

Here's a handy tip: you can always sharpie your name and camp address on the frame of your bike, and maybe some kind soul will find your bike and have the presence of mind to return it to you ("stealing" tends to be of a spontaneous and ultimately temporary nature more often than not). We'd guess the odds of that happening are actually pretty good: the great majority of Burners are good peeps.

Burning Man is not responsible if your bike gets stolen. We're supposed to say that, I think? Either way, we're not.


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BIKE REPAIR ON PLAYA

The key concept when it comes to bike repair on playa is SELF-RELIANCE. You should bring everything you need to service your own bike, including basic tools, a bike pump and extra innertubes or a patch kit.

There is at least one bike repair camp on playa, but (and maybe this is petty), we're not going to tell you where they are, lest they become your first resort and get swamped. They should be your *last* resort. Anyway, they provide NO parts, ONLY tools. If you really need 'em, you can find 'em.

So, again: self-reliance. Key concept.


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GOT A BIG THEME CAMP? PROVIDE BIKE RACKS!

If your theme camp is planning on attracting the masses, do everybody a favor and provide some bike racks! Strewn bikes can present a public safety hazard, considering how hard it is for Rangers and emergency service personnel to respond quickly to a situation when they have to wend their way through a thicket of tossed bikes. Information about building simple and effective bike racks can be found on Burningman.com:

http://bit.ly/r3lwlu


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WHERE TO DISPOSE YOUR BIKE, BUT NOT AT BURNING MAN!!

The absolute least cool thing you do with your bike at the end of the event is to leave it on the playa. WAY UNCOOL! Our hardworking crews are forced to round up all abandoned bikes and dispose of them properly off-playa. And that mountain of work on top of all else that they do really, really sucks.

If you really don't want that bike anymore, that's ok. But please recycle it in Reno, Sparks, or Cedarville, as part of the Exodus Trash and Recycling Network. "Wait .. You can do that?" Yes! And all those bikes will be donated to bike programs in the region in support of kids in-need. Nice. And way better than ditching them on the playa, right? Same result for you, only with EXTRA juju! "Ok, cool! So where can I take 'em?" Here:

THE BURNING MAN EXODUS TRASH AND RECYCLING NETWORK (EXTRA!)
Saturday, August 31 – Wednesday, September 4. OPEN 24 HOURS!

There are several convenient 24-hour trash and recycling centers along all Exodus routes. Recycling is free and trash disposal is approximately $5 per 35-gallon trash bag. HUMAN AND OTHER HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED!

Accepted Recyclables: Bicycles, plastics (SPI 1-5), glass, all metals, paper, cardboard, plastic bags, household (rechargeable and disposable) batteries, and non-perishable food and water. Please plan ahead, clean your recyclables as much as possible, and have them debagged and sorted before depositing into the appropriate containers. Deposit trash separately into appropriate dumpsters. Again, NO human and other hazardous waste allowed.

And remember this is a tremendously generous service to our community – PLEASE be polite and responsible!

Drop-Off Locations:

To the South, East, & West of BRC...

Save Mart Supermarkets
• 525 Keystone Avenue, Reno, NV, 775-786-2150
• 9750 Pyramid Lake Highway, Sparks, NV, 775-425-2700
• 565 East Prater Way, Sparks, NV, 775-359-9060
• 195 West Plumb Lane, Reno, NV, 775-786-0138 (back of store)

Whole Foods Market:
• 6139 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 775-852-8023

To the North of BRC...

Rabbit Traxx Store
• 580 Patterson Way, Cedarville, CA, 530-279-2022

Project proceeds beyond expenses will be donated to help support new Black Rock Solar installations or other local community programs in the region. Non-perishable food and water will be donated to local Food Banks, and bicycles will be donated to local bike programs to support kids in need. Your mindful participation in the seventh year of this multi-community project community is greatly appreciated! Leave No Trace on and off the playa.


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[rideincircles]

Re: flatlanders and trick bikes

A camp mate of mine is a year-round professional flatland performer with some various cirque and theme park gigs that each run for months at a time. It seems like he has the most fun on playa though, and performs at some of the big sound camps that have actual stages, as well as fooling around in the dust. He has these ridiculous huge antlers he wears, and is all decked out in blue EL wire. Google "Blake Hicks tron bike," the videos that come up are from like 2011 and he's leveled up immensely since then.

His bike looks awesome and is exactly what I always thought would be great for a rave type atmosphere. He is also way better than me, but that's what happens when you are a performer. I could do a few of those tricks, but the pros are able to link things together at a level of fluidity that takes years of practice.

What type of LED wire would he be using? That stuff beats the crap out of my chinese El Wire.

[Soliton]

Let some air out of the tires if you are coming from low elevation.

A little reality check on this advice, seen in this post and many times on this board:

Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7 psia
Atmospheric pressure at 10,000' is 10.1 psia
Pressure variation due to weather is at most about +/- 0.5 psi

If you have a typical bike pressure rated tires (say, 35 psi max fill pressure), then going from sea level to 10,000 feet could result in over-inflation of about 5 psi, or <15%. Would this be enough to cause tire rupture when going over a really high pass? My guess is no, but YMMV.

For a higher pressure tire, the relative importance of atmospheric pressure is even less. A MUCH bigger factor is that most pressure gauges on tire pumps are rather inaccurate: a quick web search suggests that if the indicated pressure is within 10% of the real value then you are doing pretty well. Some gauges have errors closer to 30%!

IMHO, letting air out of your bicycle tires when changing elevation is really unnecessary for most people unless you have both very low pressure tires (like some fat bike tires) and have already overinflated them because of poor gauge accuracy.

Regarding corrosion:
I've read many places on this board that rinsing with a weak acid (diluted vinegar) is recommended to reduce corrosion. Unlike people, most metals (aluminum being an exception) are not attacked by mild alkali (sodium carbonate is probably the most caustic material in playa dust). This is why 'Drano (sodium hydroxide) won't hurt your pipes'. Acids are a different story - and corrode iron, and most other non-ferrous metals readily.

When cleaning metal surfaces after exposure to the playa, I would suggest avoiding any acid rinse, and instead focus on using plenty of water. It is the salt content of the dust (chloride and sulfate salts) that are the real issue, as they increase the conductivity of any moisture present and facilitate galvanic corrosion (corrosion between different metals). Generally, these remarks hold for natural fabrics as well: they are more susceptible to mild acids than mild bases.

Comments from any other materials folks out there?

Soliton

[Roundabout]

Interesting post. Thank you Soliton

[Elliot]

There are so many bicycle-related threads... I just picked the first one I found.

This is about cables -- brake and gear cables.

You can buy all four complete cables -- housings and wires -- in one kit for seven bucks at K-Mart. The brand is Schwinn. These housings are nylon-lined, so work smoothly and are rust resistant.

You can buy a similar kit at Walmart, but the housings are not lined. This brand is Bell. The housings are bare steel, so these should be greased.

Both brands must to cut to fit and properly assembled, so it is not a beginner's project -- unless you have a bit of mechanical aptitude to start with.

But all four complete cables, with nylon lining, for seven bucks is a true bargain.

[danibel]

Elliot. I want to mount a pvc pipe flag to the back tire of my cruiser. But I don't even know where to begin. A few years ago I saw a diagram on the playa flies PDF that showed how, but that PDF is a 404 page now. Any ideas? Links? I want to run lights up it or something. help.

[FIGJAM]

2 hose clamps around the pvc and an upright bracket on the bike.

[Elliot]

Something like this?
I installed this a year or two ago for Smilemore.





The pipe that looks striped is top rail for chain link fencing. I included an insert at the bottom that protrudes below the chain-stays with a bolt thru, to keep the pole from slipping upward.

The tube that fastens to the bicycle is quite short, and the real flagpole slips into it. (The actual flag pole is much taller than the one with the sock on it.)

Note use of hose clamps. Hose clamps are wonderfully useful for countless purposes.

[danibel]

Thank you Figjam and Elliot! I think I can rig something with the clamps. I am headed to big box improvement store tomorrow!

[Ann_Vader]

Tires!

I have questions for you experienced playa cyclists

I'm bringing my 1960s Schwinn cruiser, coaster brake, Ashtabula cranks, basket and big comfy seat. Upgrades from classic Schwinn components are the saddle, platform pedals and most importantly - wheels!

I've rebuilt the wheels with standard Sun 26" ATB rims, laced to the original coaster brake/upgraded front hub. This rebuild allows me to put pretty much any ATB tire under 2.2 on the rim.

Am I better off with a low pressure generic 1.95" knobby or something like a Maxxis Overdrive 1.65" with minimal tread and rolling resistance?

I figure I need to get the practical parts ironed out before I go for the fun lighting and fur bits.

And yes, I'll be locking my baby up when I'm not on her. I've had her since 92 and I'd like to keep her!

[Captain Goddammit]

First and best advice, DON'T bring a cool vintage bike you care about to the playa! Even if it doesn't get stolen, the playa is very corrosive. I'd love to ride my Dyno stretch cruiser at Burning Man but there's no fucking way I'd take it there.

If you're gonna do it anyway, for tires I'd go as fat and as smooth as possible. You don't need knobby tread on the playa, minimum rolling resistance is better. Fat as possible seems counter to that, but sometimes there are soft silty areas where as much floatation as possible is needed. Some years that's the whole playa.

[FIGJAM]

Widest tires you can get and inflate to max AFTER you get to the playa.

[Ann_Vader]

First and best advice, DON'T bring a cool vintage bike you care about to the playa! Even if it doesn't get stolen, the playa is very corrosive. I'd love to ride my Dyno stretch cruiser at Burning Man but there's no fucking way I'd take it there.

If you're gonna do it anyway, for tires I'd go as fat and as smooth as possible. You don't need knobby tread on the playa, minimum rolling resistance is better. Fat as possible seems counter to that, but sometimes there are soft silty areas where as much floatation as possible is needed. Some years that's the whole playa.

Thanks! And its far from original/vintage condition. Rattlecan rustoleum blue, no decals. Its just a funky classic single speed that has some mechanical modernization and is a platform to go kind of nuts with LEDs and all the leftover fur from making my playa coat!

I figure anything that goes to the playa is going to be a potential sacrifice to the dust.

[Captain Goddammit]

Ok... well in that case, you do get major style points for rocking a '60s Schwinn!!

[Elliot]

What they said! Widest tires that will fit in the fork and the rear stays, with something like 1/4" minimum clearance on each side. And fairly smooth "city" tread. 26 x 2.125 is a common size, but may be too wide. A smaller common size is 1.95.

And FIGJAM's point about inflation relates to the fact that if a tire is fully inflated at low elevation, it may detonate at high elevation where the atmospheric pressure is lower. (Calculations do not support this concept, but empirical evidence does. It has definitely happened to me.) Then use full pressure as marked on the tire while on Playa.

I highly recommend you install Thorn Resistant inner-tubes. The rubber is twice as thick as normal, which greatly reduces punctures from all sources. They also hold pressure longer. They cost around ten bucks, which is a bargain for what they do.
Some Thorn Resistant tubes come with liquid sealant inside. A common brand is Slime. This does no harm, and can help. Just be aware that the stuff makes an unholy mess when the day eventually comes that it escapes. Luckily, the stuff washes away with water.

A comment on terminology: You used "Ashtabula" and "saddle". You are one of us!

[The Hustler]

I still haven't done a bit of maintenance to the bike I brought to the playa, other than lubing the chain. I added some layers of grit (mud, wet sand, some of which washed away from rain and creek crossings) and it works just fine.

I should mention it's not a cheap bike (the hubs are bombproof DT Swiss 240s, Shimano XT bottom bracket and a curiously well made, stainless steel Crank Brothers headset that should have died two years ago) and I ride it regularly.

If finances work out this year, I plan to get a new adventure bike: a Salsa Cutthroat Rival 1, with a SON 28/K-Lite dyno front hub and light/USB combo. And, yes, I plan to bring that to the playa. (It's a durable bike designed for long distances over unpaved and potentially horrible conditions. Perfect for the playa)

There are a couple of potentially conflicting take-aways here: The bike doesn't matter; cheap parts cost more.

[The Hustler]

What they said! Widest tires that will fit in the fork and the rear stays, with something like 1/4" minimum clearance on each side. And fairly smooth "city" tread. 26 x 2.125 is a common size, but may be too wide. A smaller common size is 1.95.

And FIGJAM's point about inflation relates to the fact that if a tire is fully inflated at low elevation, it may detonate at high elevation where the atmospheric pressure is lower. (Calculations do not support this concept, but empirical evidence does. It has definitely happened to me.) Then use full pressure as marked on the tire while on Playa.

I highly recommend you install Thorn Resistant inner-tubes. The rubber is twice as thick as normal, which greatly reduces punctures from all sources. They also hold pressure longer. They cost around ten bucks, which is a bargain for what they do.
Some Thorn Resistant tubes come with liquid sealant inside. A common brand is Slime. This does no harm, and can help. Just be aware that the stuff makes an unholy mess when the day eventually comes that it escapes. Luckily, the stuff washes away with water.

A comment on terminology: You used "Ashtabula" and "saddle". You are one of us!

(Did I mention I changed my screen name from Super Evil Brian to the Caveat-appointed The Hustler?)

In past years I brought a fixed gear track bike (I'm not the only one!) with 25mm tires. Given the concrete like state of the playa, it rolled nicely, until the potholed and deeply dusty streets near 6:00 and Media Mecca and Center Camp. Oh dear, that was problematic.

Last year on my beloved 26" x 2.125 and 26 x 2.3 (I believe) and with the magic of coasting and Avid BB7 disc brakes (and one gear) the bumps and deep dust were less of a problem. I even rode though the deep dust dunes in deep playa just for fun. I had a Schwalbe Marathon Mondial on the rear and the wonderfully durable and inexpensive CST Caballero in front; a stellar combination.

But that Huffy I rented one year from Hammer and Cyclery on playa (paid for before Burning Man) with its cheap tires, dusty bottom bracket, questionable coaster brake and horrible seat was also kind of nice. It had an upright position and it was the first time I rode something that wasn't a 700 road tire.

[DoctorIknow]

But that Huffy I rented one year from Hammer and Cyclery on playa (paid for before Burning Man) with its cheap tires, dusty bottom bracket, questionable coaster brake and horrible seat was also kind of nice. It had an upright position and it was the first time I rode something that wasn't a 700 road tire.

"upright position"

A big YES to that.

After more than a decade on the playa with cheapo "mountain" bikes, I noticed my friends with cruisers were never bent out of shape struggling thru drifts. They were working their legs for sure, but sitting upright with a smile. Me, hunched over in low gear, standing up. Yeah, uncomfortable.

Last year I bought a cruiser, and the wider tires (2.5") made a huge difference over the 2.125's I'd been using.
The upright position ROCKS. It makes looking around the playa like sitting in a movie theater watching a 70mm flim vs. all bent over looking at a tiny smartphone of the same movie.

The only downside is that I'll never have the speed I had with the cheapos, but then again, the days of the entire playa surface being like a bowling alley are long gone as us burners have wrecked the playa for who knows how long in our overused location that only moves a few hundred yards every year. Long timers know this is true: the playa may have spots of flatness, but drifts and ruts on streets are a constant now.

So, hell yeah about cruisers!
Relax and enjoy!