Purchasing a bicycle

[Shinxy]

Hey all. First time caller long time listener and all that.

My situation is, I'm going to be flying into Reno from Boston. I'm all about biking on the playa but it's not going to be possible for me to bring a bike. What's a good place to buy a cheap bike? Should I get a cheapie in Reno or should I expect to be able to barter for one at Burning Man?What should I look for in a bike? Also if anyone has any decorating tips with regards to our mechanical be-wheeled counterparts they would be greatly appreciated.

[Lydia Love]

barter for one at Burning Man

nooooo. uh uh.

I would suggest you do a search for the bike topic on the boards (it's already been discussed many many times). But you will need to supply your own.

As for decorating... the more outrageous and unique the better because (a) everywhere you go there will be a couple bajillion bikes parked there already - it's nice to be able to zero in on yours immediately (b) one non-descript bike looks much like another and extremely high people can't tell the difference at all... your bike could get accidentally taken if it blends in (oh yeah, pick up a bikelock too) and (c) it's fun.

[zorro sings]

I live in Reno and know that the thrifts double the bike prices the week of BM.In fact quite difficult to find one even then.However bikes are everywhere at local garage sales throughout the summer at very reasonable prices.I would be happy to pick up a bike for any burner in need.You pick up at my house when you arrive.

[robbidobbs]

Wow! That's extremely altruistic of you! Bravo!

[zorro sings]

Thanks for the kind words.Glad to do it.Howver before anyone interprets"altruistic"a bit too liberally let me add a jolt of realism.These will still cost some dough.Have picked up 6 bikes already for our camp at around $15 per.All good fat tired playamobiles that hold air.No problem picking up some more as a staple at garage sales are bikes and exercise equipment.Just let me know what sort of bike you want(ie boys/girls,height)drop me $15 and will take care of it for any burner in need.Decorations not included.Contact at [email protected] you on the playa.Can't come soon enough for me.

[Icepack]

Hey all. First time caller long time listener and all that.

My situation is, I'm going to be flying into Reno from Boston. I'm all about biking on the playa but it's not going to be possible for me to bring a bike. What's a good place to buy a cheap bike? Should I get a cheapie in Reno or should I expect to be able to barter for one at Burning Man?What should I look for in a bike? Also if anyone has any decorating tips with regards to our mechanical be-wheeled counterparts they would be greatly appreciated.

The Boston Burner people will put a bike on their truck for you for about $75. I would buy a cheapie at a tag sale or flea market, and ship it with them.

[Last Real Burner]

Hey all. First time caller long time listener and all that.

My situation is, I'm going to be flying into Reno from Boston. I'm all about biking on the playa but it's not going to be possible for me to bring a bike. What's a good place to buy a cheap bike? Should I get a cheapie in Reno or should I expect to be able to barter for one at Burning Man?What should I look for in a bike? Also if anyone has any decorating tips with regards to our mechanical be-wheeled counterparts they would be greatly appreciated.

The Boston Burner people will put a bike on their truck for you for about $75. I would buy a cheapie at a tag sale or flea market, and ship it with them.

Why don't you just give me $65, and I'll say that I shipped them through the Boston Burners, buy them from Shinxy, and split the $10 profit with you.

What do you mean there's $60 left over? Why yes I know but there is that little matter of a paperwork fee....


allegedly,
mr smith

[Icepack]

Hey all. First time caller long time listener and all that.

My situation is, I'm going to be flying into Reno from Boston. I'm all about biking on the playa but it's not going to be possible for me to bring a bike. What's a good place to buy a cheap bike? Should I get a cheapie in Reno or should I expect to be able to barter for one at Burning Man?What should I look for in a bike? Also if anyone has any decorating tips with regards to our mechanical be-wheeled counterparts they would be greatly appreciated.

The Boston Burner people will put a bike on their truck for you for about $75. I would buy a cheapie at a tag sale or flea market, and ship it with them.

Why don't you just give me $65, and I'll say that I shipped them through the Boston Burners, buy them from Shinxy, and split the $10 profit with you.

What do you mean there's $60 left over? Why yes I know but there is that little matter of a paperwork fee....


allegedly,
mr smith

Personally, I consider the cross-country drive to be part of the experience! The idea of packing my tent, coolers, etc into airport-approved regulations just does not appeal to me. How are you going to get rebar or super-tent stakes through airport security? Oh wait, I forgot! 2 of the planes on 9/11 originated from LOGAN!

Yet another reason to drive. I could do a Top 10 Reasons to Drive. Maybe I will.

(And yes, I've flown from Logan since 9/11. Security was very good.)

[Shinxy]

Though i agree and road trips are great, it's just not feasable this time. I have school immediately after burningman.

[Dork]

In case you aren't on Jackrabbit Speaks yet (which you should be) here's something from today's:

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!