bike, parts shortage

[art walsh]

I've read that there is a pretty severe shortage of lower end bikes also, parts.

If you've haven't done repairs/upgrades to your playa bike, you may want to do it sooner than later, especially if you need parts.

[Elliot]

Decision, decisions!

[Elliot]

That was rude of me, since you are new to this. I apologize.

In addition, I forgot that ePlaya is essentially defunct, so no onslaught of "competing" comments could be expected.

And perhaps my biggest error, outside my rudidity: Out of habit, I assumed you meant On Playa -- which is why I expected a flood of replies. Again, my mistake.

Now... it finally dawned on me....
You must mean that "default world" bicycle dealers and parts-suppliers are low on inventory because of Covid?

I am reminded of an instruction given to me by radio and TV journalists when they have interviewed me: When replying to a question, I should begin my reply by briefly recapping the question, for instant context.
Similarly, an unsolicited statement or question can sometimes benefit from a full introduction, such as perhaps "Considering the Covid-induced interruption of international supply lines, during this time of year when Burners normally acquire and prepair their Playa bicycles...."

In which case....
Your suggestion is indeed an excellent one.
You may be a Birgin, but you are already contributing to the Community.


Now... if only all Burners would do that, every year.
Thanks!
Elliot
camp lead (ret.)
Elliot's Bicycle Service & Piano Lounge (2015 - 2018)

[gaminwench]

We keep our bikes (playa and tandem) in good repair. Now we need to hang them.

[Elliot]

Yes, absolutely hang bicycles up off the floor, so there is no weight on the tires.
The alternative is to put the bike up-side-down on the floor, but this can risk damaging other parts.

All inner-tubes leak -- it is only a question of degree. Precious few inner-tubes will hold enough pressure for 50 weeks to keep the tire from flattening against the floor.
Heck, on many brand-new $69.95 Crap-Mart bikes, the tires go flat on Playa by around Thursday.

And a flattened tire is a cracking tire, and next time you pump it up and ride it you have a blown-out tire.

"Thorn Resistant" very-thick-rubber tubes can hold a few months, but I do not trust them for 11 months.

That said, I would urge everyone to install Thorn Resistant tubes, even at full retail price of as much as $16 each. The extra thickness protects against "normal" punctures -- which invariably happen from any use, even on the thorn-free Playa.

[Miura-7]

At least double wall rims. Spokes puncture the tube on single wall rims, even on a flat surface.

[Captain Goddammit]

If you’re got a 1974-1976 Yamaha Moto-Bike BMX bike, don’t hang it upside down, the shocks will leak oil.

[asteroid]

If you’re got a 1974-1976 Yamaha Moto-Bike BMX bike, don’t hang it upside down, the shocks will leak oil.

That sounds like the voice of experience ...

[art walsh]

Now is the time to check and prep your bike(s).

There is still some parts shortage. So if you need to do repairs, get spare parts, upgrade parts etc. now is the time.

Some items I know are in short supply are inner tubes, some chains and cassettes.

For cleaning off old lubricants, try using engine starting fluid. It is basically ether with a very slight bit of lubricant.
It dissolves almost anything oil bases. I've used it for years to remove roofing tar. Only ~$3-4 a can. Be careful - it is HIGHLY flammable.

[Elorrum]

I checked in at a local bike store last year while walking by. I asked if they had 26” tires, the kind that used to be on a hook at any Thrifty’s. I was told they’d have to see the actual tire or wheel to match it,, but it t would be in the thirty dollar range. I swallowed and said thank you. But inside I was thinking, a bike! Not a car!

[Strata]

Yes, the $30+ price tag for a new inner tube is what tipped the scales in favor of getting rid of my not so trusty 2011 $50 Kiwanis bike and getting a generic cheapo cruiser. When you can get a whole new bike for under $100, and the old bike has a fiddly set of brakes etc, why not. Someone who is more of a bike mechanic than I can easily rehabilitate that bike, so I will offer it for free up to the local burner community list.

[trilobyte]

One of the advantages of longer-term planning for the burn (versus getting it all done in a rush at the last second) is that you can identify the parts and components you need for a project (in this case, bikes) and then keep an eye on the market to see what happens with pricing. Ideally it also means that you can catch something during a seasonal sale, and you can take advantage of less expensive (but often longer lead times) when having items shipped.

I recommend the same with bikes. Figure out your tire/tub needs and other bits earlier, then keep an eye on where the prices are. Supply chain madness is affecting all kinds of stuff, bike tires and chain would not surprise me. The cost of international shipping (containers that used to cost $1500 to ship across the pacific now cost over $17K) also changes the economics on cheap junker bikes, which quite possibly affects what kind of stuff may be on offer. Prior to the pandemic I'd also been hearing that some of the big box stores previously known for bulking up on the least expensive bikes they could get would be making changes too - shifting away from the low end not only improves margins but to reduce returns.