Bike mods, types of bikes, etc for bad playa conditions

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:41 pm

If you have toe clips, take them off. It's easy to loose control of your bike in the soft spots and severely sprain or injure your knee or ankle. Seen it.

Zman · Post by **Zman** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:02 am

Ya, The more rain we get the harder packed the playa is. In 2008 we had very little rain, this is why it was so hard to ride that year. Any bike should be easy to ride this year.

Slord · Post by **Slord** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:45 am

Btw, does anyone know the best way to clean up rust on a bike? I've heard that 'bronze wool' does a good job. Any suggestions would be swell!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:50 am

You have a steel bike?

I would start with a wire brush.
I use a good fuller brush, very aggressive.
But are you talking about just small spots or neutralizing the dust?

Depends

Slord · Post by **Slord** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:57 am

honestly not sure yet. I went out to 'check out' ye old bike last night and saw that anywhere it had exposed metal on the frame was covered in brown fun. Maybe it's not rust...but some kind of corrosion/discoloration from the metallic finish it had.

Frankenstipe · Post by **Frankenstipe** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:52 am

What kind of damage should I expect to my bike if I bring it out to the Playa? I have an early 90's Bridgestone MB5 Mountain Bike, it's got a steel frame, rigid fork and 2.1 inch wide tires. There's a small spot on the frame where the steel is exposed.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:00 am

First of all, how much do you like this bike? It will never be exactly the same. The exposed metal shouldn't be a problem, but, is this the time to give it a snazzy new paint job? I high pressure wash it, the gears, the chain and then relube it. My bike from last year survived like this.

Frankenstipe · Post by **Frankenstipe** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:10 am

I intend to ride it on some trails after Burning Man I just wanted to know if the Playa would completely destroy it after a week.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:16 am

Playa gets in everything. I know folks who bring good bikes down and have them completely cleaned and lubed. I've got old beach cruisers with fat, street tires, no knobbies, and I know it will be ruined eventually. One rule: Don't take anything you don't care if it's lost or ruined.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:25 am

Slord wrote:Btw, does anyone know the best way to clean up rust on a bike? I've heard that 'bronze wool' does a good job. Any suggestions would be swell!

naval jelly works pretty good

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:15 am

A lot of people take their good bikes and clean and lube them after the burn.

Not all do a full rebuild either.

Many suggest using looser settings out there.

You definitely want the widest tires you can get.
And smooth.

I won't find any surley frames used around here, so I'm prepared to bend a frame to get a bigger tire on.

If you must have a pattern, I suggest a reverse.

I like cold galvanizing on steel.
And there is oil for the inside of tube frames if you're inclined.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:30 am

I agree - definitely adjust all bearings on the loose side. They will jam with the dust if they are "nice and perfectly" adjusted.
I realize most normal people are not bike mechanics, but if you take your soon-to-be Playa-bike to a shop for a checkup -- and you should -- tell them where you are going and ask for loose bearing adjustments.

baconqurlyq · Post by **baconqurlyq** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:08 pm

I follow @blackrockcity on Twitter, and they posted that the word is the playa is nice n' hard packed this year. Hells yeah!

Slord · Post by **Slord** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:24 pm

That sir, is some fantastic news!

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:26 pm

I am working on modifying my BMX bike for the playa. I ride a cruiser model with 24" wheels and will swap out to the widest tires I can buy. Probably 2.75" or so. Beyond that I am putting a big comfy seat on it with a long seat tube for comfortable height. Building a rack for the rear that will have a milk crate for storage. Headlight mounted to the handle bars and flashing red on the rear rack. For decoration I will be covering all parts of the bike with glow in the dark adhesive sheeting as well as LEDs and EL wire for effect. Hopefully it will be functional and good looking especially at night.

baconqurlyq · Post by **baconqurlyq** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:05 pm

[quote="Slord"]That sir, is some fantastic news![/quote]

*cough* I'm a ma'am ;)

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:17 pm

>>>>Btw, does anyone know the best way to clean up rust on a bike? I've heard that 'bronze wool' does a good job. <<<<

bronze wool is excellent for cleaning up rust on your bikes chrome and steel. won't scratch and won't rust if a few slivers find their way into the frame.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:35 pm

Many bikes are made from magnesium alloy. Are these flammable????????????!?!!!!!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:36 am

Ugly Dougly wrote:Many bikes are made from magnesium alloy. Are these flammable????????????!?!!!!!

Let's find out!