Bicycle tires

Prime Duchess · Post by **Prime Duchess** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:10 pm

Are thin tires(like on a touring bike) bad on the playa?
Should I opt for some thicker ones? Does it really matter?

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:26 pm

This past year I had a standard old style road bike with thin tires. I was OK, but there were times when the playa got a bit soft and I had trouble controlling the bike. Thicker mountain bike tires and rims would have made the going easier. One of those 'beach' bikes with the really wide tires would be perfect.

Prime Duchess · Post by **Prime Duchess** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:31 pm

I havent got a bike so I went to my local freecycle community and asked for one. I got a reply for a schwinn world traveller touring bike, its old and in kinda crappy condition, rusted which I like anyways.( I havent picked it up yet) But I didnt want a nice bike, since I'm 'pimpin' it out anyways and the playa dust will mess it up anyways.
So maybe I can put some thicker tires on it?
I would totally prefer a beach cruiser but beggars cant be choosers.

ThePikey · Post by **ThePikey** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:44 pm

You *definitely* want thick tires. On some of the softer sections of the playa it's like trying to bike through a giant pan of brownies. Thinner tires will tend to cut through and sink deeper, which = pain-in-the-ass.

Silver 2 · Post by **Silver 2** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 7:52 pm

I went out and examined the Schwinn World Sport, about 25 years old (bought it for the ex new -- still is really). It runs 27x1.1/4 tires. If the Playa is hard like it was in '02 it would be OK, not great but OK (esp. if you don't weight much). If it is as soft as it was in '04 it would be a no-go, or at least a real pain in the ass. The odds on finding tires that would: 1. be bigger and fit and 2. be less expensive than a used huffy/murry/unknown is low.

By fit I mean both the rims and the clearance for the brakes. You would also have to buy new tubes. I would suggest you go to your local bike shop and see what they have in the way of tires, also check out yard sales and any flea markets in your area for a huffy/murry/beater bike. I bought my first Playa bike for $30 at a flea market, it was 'good enough' but being the bike snob that I am I spent about 1.5 hours tuning it.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 7:56 pm

My mountain bike tires did great, but...

I had one flat. No problem, really. Just the time to fix it. But I’m looking into getting an extra set of rims, strictly for the burn, and putting the solid rubber knobby tires on them. Anybody ever used these? I gather they’re much better than they used to be some years back.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 8:19 pm

Yeah. I've got ones called Amerityres. They're fucking awesome. about fifty bucks for the pair of them. They're pretty stiff..don't give much cushioning, but that doesn't matter on the playa...you want super-hard tires there anyway, and there are no bumps to speak of, with the exception of the occasional candy-raver speedbump.

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 8:34 pm

Genius, did you get the safety yellow tyres? They're pretty cool looking!

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:15 pm

No, my wife got those ones, too. And it's not obvious, but they actually have a slightly reflective quality to them, so they're extra visible at night. I got the black ones because I waited until the day before I left for the Playa and those were all they had left at the place I got them. If you're coming from the east, I can direct you to a couple retail outlets for them as you pass through UT on your way out. The place I got mine even installed them, which is good because it's a pain in the ass.

BadDawg · Post by **BadDawg** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:18 pm

Duchess, depending on your size , you might be able to get away with a 20" bmx syle bike or the 24" bmx crusier style, i'm starting my search for a good quality steel frame that i can cut the head tube & sprocket tube from and create the rest of the frame to fit what i want

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:47 pm

OOOOO!!! Where have I been, this is the first I've heard of the Amerityre flat-free bike tires http://www.amerityre.com, must get some to try. I do a 12 mile loop to work and back daily (am getting soaked lately grrrrr), that ought to give them a test; will report back on their performance on "the freighter", my xtrabike. Thanks for the tip RG and CO!!! Yellow Bike Tires OOOOO!!!:

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:32 pm

They are fucking awesome. Apparently, if you use them a lot, they soften up a little bit and give more cusioning to the ride. Most users complain that they're rock-hard, and don't give that little bit of shock-absorption that normal tires give you.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:26 am

You want rock hard when you hit the powder in the intersections.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:41 am

Right, which is why amerityres are perfect for the playa. You don't have to worry about getting a flat, or about popping your tubes (change in elevation + change in temperature = big change in tire pressure), and they're really solid, which is great for soft playa. I'm guessing we'll have a pretty solid surface this year, though. But it's hard to know for sure this early.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:47 am

There will be well over 30K folks. That should grind it to dust.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:50 am

Eh. If it's solid enough, it should withstand it pretty well. It certanly won't be as bad as it was last year. By thursday 4:30 was impassable by bicycle.

Prime Duchess · Post by **Prime Duchess** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:55 am

Well thanks everyone. But it looks like I wont be able to get a bike out there. GRRR!
I'm most likely taking the train, and my boyfriend doenst seem to think its practical to bring a bike dispite his brother driving there (possibly) with a trailer which could haul a couple bikes. We had this discussion this morning over breakfast.
Maybe I can find/adopt one when I get there. Because I know if I dont have one I'll be sorry. I told him that too.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:02 am

You will DEFINITELY be sorry if you don't have a bicycle. Find a way to get someone to bring one for you. There are a couple groups that bring dozens of loaners to the playa, but I don't know how you would get in touch with them. Try the Theme Camps section of the BM website.

You can live without one, but it really puts a damper on your mobility in the city if you don't have one.

Prime Duchess · Post by **Prime Duchess** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:10 am

Yeah, thats what I was sayin'.
I'll try to talk him into it, I mean why cant his brother just lock em up on the trailer?! Grr stubborn boys
Anyways, thanks.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:33 am

Anti-M's trailer has some bars that stick out from the rear gate of her trailer that she can hang bikes on, so they don't take any space inside the trailer. I'm pretty sure you could find suck a thing at the Home Despot or somewhere, or just rig those bikes onto the back of the trailer.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:58 am

Prime Duchess wrote:Well thanks everyone. But it looks like I wont be able to get a bike out there. GRRR!
I'm most likely taking the train, and my boyfriend doenst seem to think its practical to bring a bike dispite his brother driving there (possibly) with a trailer which could haul a couple bikes. We had this discussion this morning over breakfast.
Maybe I can find/adopt one when I get there. Because I know if I dont have one I'll be sorry. I told him that too.

I've seen peopel amtrak bikes. IF those twits can't find room. Then you'd still have to get from reno to BRC but you can do a ride share thing. Check with amtrak about taking bikes on board.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:27 am

St.Vinnies & Goodwill have bike carries for cheap. Might have to check a couple times to get the right one.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:43 am

Prime Duchess wrote:Well thanks everyone. But it looks like I wont be able to get a bike out there. GRRR!I'm most likely taking the train, and my boyfriend doenst seem to think its practical to bring a bike dispite his brother driving there (possibly) with a trailer which could haul a couple bikes. We had this discussion this morning over breakfast.
Maybe I can find/adopt one when I get there. Because I know if I dont have one I'll be sorry. I told him that too.

There are 3 threads that bring this up, linked is a group that mentions renting that looks like it was posted on JackRabbit Speaks... http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=3877

RAT'S RIDES REDUX

Rat Rites:

For all of you Burners living 1,000 miles or more from Reno, Nv, USA, it's time to consider where you're gonna come up with a bike for the playa. Look no further... Rat's Bikes is about to open for reservations.
For all the newbies out there who (gasp!) haven't heard of Rat's Bikes, here's the scoop. Every year I collect bikes, mostly from returning Burners, and spend all year reconditioning them. They get pretty much whatever they need - new tires, tubes, chains cleaned, bearings lubed, shift cables replaced (altho, as flat as the playa is, shifting gears isn't a high priority with me).
I try to get bikes to the people who would have the hardest time having a bike on the playa otherwise... the Burners who come from at least 1,000 miles away. I try to give a higher priority to the ones coming in from other countries. One change this year... I'll be RENTING the bikes, rather than selling them. This will hopefully reduce the number abandoned on the playa, and at the same time allow me to keep work and repair records on the bikes which should produce a better conditioned bike.
The price is unchanged...$40.00 USD, and the bikes need to be prepaid. Also, since I won't be on the playa myself this year, the bikes can be picked up and returned to my house in Sparks (just East of Reno) at nearly anytime. No more need locking them up in my backyard for late attendees. This also means everyone will have the chance to ride and select their own bike, since I only reserve bikes 'in general', and not any specific bike.
In order to cut down on the flood of e-mail that always comes in when I open, I'm allowing prior customers who have gotten bikes from me for at least two years previously, to reserve their bike beginning the first of May. All others can contact me ([email protected]) beginning the first of June. Those repeat customers won't need to post a deposit on the return of the bike, but I think a token $25.00 deposit by newbies might help remind them NOT to abandon the bikes on the playa. (Fully refundable, of course!)
Please remember, before reserving your bike(s), that they will need to be picked up here.. I can't deliver to the playa this year. I will provide all the necessary driving (and payment) instructions when we reach an agreement. I only have a little over 100 bikes, so don't wait too long!

Thanks!
Rat

This one mentions important and helpful maintenance... http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=2031

YOUR PLAYA BIKE: WE CAN REBUILD IT

Thanks to the crack team of Da Rat and Shanan Carney for these
"Post-Playa Rehab for Bikes" tips!

So you're back from the playa, bike in tow, and thanks to an
excellent Esplanade adventure or two as well as a few memorable dust
storms, your wheels may not be turning the way nature intended (we
speak of the ones on your bike). Well, good news: If you're willing
to admit your bike has a problem (after all, it was powerless over
the playa), your favorite bicycle cronies are back with a few tips on
After-Burn Bike Care, a.k.a. Post-Playa Bike Rehab.

Heed this advice sooner rather than later, however, as the
alkaline-intense playa dust is NOT kind on metal parts, and is
particularly BRUTAL when it comes to the very lifeblood of your bike
- the CHAIN. Fortunately, for us, playa dust is water-soluble, so
here are the simple steps to ensure your loved one is on the road to
full recovery-and in plenty of time to return next year!

---> Bare Minimum Care: Hose your bike off, both upside down and
upright (a bit of acid helps dissolve playa dust quickly; vinegar is
an excellent choice because it's mild and evaporates quickly/easily).
Use a wire brush to clean the chain and gear teeth. Lightly oil chain
(WD-40 will do) and wipe off excess.
---> More Extensive Care: See "Bare Minimum Care"; then remove both
wheels, clean axles with small wire brush, clean fork with soft rag,
including wheel mount area (you'll notice a lot of grit is hidden by
axles), clean brake mechanism with small wire brush then soft rag.
---> Total Lovin' Care: See "Bare Minimum Care"; then check wheel
axles, front fork and crank for lube, clean and relube. Deflate
tires, remove from rims, wipe inside of rims (LOTS of playa comes
home in there!) with oily rag, wipe down spokes to remove
rust-forming playa dust. Spray WD-40 or similar lubrication into
brake and gear housing cables, work controls to spread the lube
through-out the housing. reassemble, wipe with soft rag, inflate to
proper psi; test ride.

This one talks about a repair camp... http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=7654[/i]

Prime Duchess · Post by **Prime Duchess** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:58 am

You guys are all so helpful. Thanks.

I did find some info on the Amtrak site about bringing bikes along, there should be someway(either boxed, carry-on, etc) for me to bring a bike on the train. WOO!
I still need to *get* a bike first.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:05 am

Thrift stores, yard sales, freecycle are our friends.

Prime Duchess · Post by **Prime Duchess** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:08 am

Yes, thats my next step Salvation Army, goodwill etc.
I did find one though my local freecycle but its a touring bike with thin tires, hence the start of this thread.
I think I should pass it up and opt for thicker tires

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:10 am

Yes. Thinner tires will cut down into the playa and not only cause a lot of drag, but make it very hard to steer. The wider, the better...spread the weight over more surface area = lower amount of force PSI...

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:15 pm

Oh, one additional thing, might just want to get a junk bike. Unfortunately there have been a few situations where a bike goes 'missing,' which really sucks for it happening at an event like burningman.

Then there was that one year where me and a bunch of tweakers were dancing around the fire, looking for things to keep the fire going and suddenly a bike lands in it and...

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:55 pm

What tread? Mountain or all terrain? What's the difference?

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:14 pm

Mountain tread is more aggressive than all-terrain tread. Go with all-terrain, since it'll tear up the playa less, is cheaper, and traction is not an issue on the playa.

Bicycle tires

Bicycle tires

Yellow Flourescent Tires!!!!!