E-Z Roll Regal Trike on playa? Any good?

Lucidvegas · Post by **Lucidvegas** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:04 pm

Hello all. Is it just me? Seems like the search feature just basically doesnt work? Tried searching threads.....

I just bought a 1980 or 89 I forget.....E-Z Roll Regal Trike from a guy in town.

Has thin wheels which I know are not great....and the back is pretty heavy. I bought it thinking the big giant seat would be pretty comfy, but it actually seems to be a bit in the way.

Kinda got buyers remorse.

Or can anyone confirm if it has decent tires that it can be fun for the playa? I'm a virgin, so I have no idea about how the ground feels or how easy it is to ride on. I've done my home work though and I know it can be challenging to ride on.

Should i scrap this idea and get a beach cruiser instead? I want to have a decent bike/transportation for my first burning man so I can see as much as I can.

Thanks as always people. I really appreciate the input! I'll post a pic of the bike.....

Gabe aka Sweet G aka Lucid

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:05 pm

Pictures or it never happened.

Lucidvegas · Post by **Lucidvegas** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:47 pm

Bam, it did happen!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:56 pm

I brought one in 2001. Was awesome for hauling ice, but that was a particularly dusty year. Any bike sucks in that kind of dust, but a trike wont dump you when you try to turn. If its motor assisted, you need to mutate it, per DMV/BLM.

Also, its not as fast as a bicycle, but that allows you the opportunity to experience more....rather than just speeding by a possibly cool camp.

If you can find fatter tires, use em! The playa in its perfect condition is hard and crusty.

Lucidvegas · Post by **Lucidvegas** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:00 pm

Well, ultimately we will have at least 3 maybe 5 bikes including this trike. So we'll have a bit of everything. But this one will be MINE if it works....

So your experience was good? Did you get new fat tires for it? Really though, did you like it would you prefer a cruiser?

And no it is not motor assist. I just looked up some prices......am I right by thinking it's about 500 for an electric motor?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:00 pm

That would make an *awesome* tall bike.

Lucidvegas · Post by **Lucidvegas** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:02 pm

Do you think a folding trike would be okay? maybe even better as it should be a bit lighter? One on sale for craiglist I might try to talk my buddy into buying.

Keep in mind this is my first burning man.....I'm sure once I see the magic of the monster bikes ect ect I can look into more radical modifications. This year I just want to be able to comfortably drive around :)

ALSO- in case it matters. It is a single speed not a 3 speed. I'm sure it would be nice to have a 3 speed one though minus derauliur issues in the dirt.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:10 pm

Lucidvegas wrote:Well, ultimately we will have at least 3 maybe 5 bikes including this trike. So we'll have a bit of everything. But this one will be MINE if it works....

So your experience was good? Did you get new fat tires for it? Really though, did you like it would you prefer a cruiser?

And no it is not motor assist. I just looked up some prices......am I right by thinking it's about 500 for an electric motor?

I used the stock tires, and it worked fine...motor assisted bikes or trikes need to be mutated and approved by the DMV...I wouldnt do it!

...unless you want to mutate it! Would make a good platform.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:54 pm

Bikes and trikes with motors dont have to go through DMV!

Lucid-V check you messages.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:00 pm

FIGJAM wrote:Bikes and trikes with motors dont have to go through DMV!

Lucid-V check you messages.

Since when?

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:41 pm

Last year when they change the state law.

Road this and never got questioned.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:46 pm

they have to be electric motors though...gas powered still falls under the DMV

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:47 pm

Yes. E-bikes and trikes.

Lucidvegas · Post by **Lucidvegas** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:48 pm

Am I correct that the electric motors are pretty pricy? 500 ish with the controller? Too rich for my blood.

I just hope I can pedel this thing.....

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:58 pm

A bigger sprocket on the back will make it easy to peddle.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:09 pm

Just peddal it! I did, and it worked fine! If you want to put a motor on, ask the DMV. In the end, its really not worth the trouble for a basic source of transportation. Keep the trike though! and lock it up!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:13 pm

Tiahaar wrote:they have to be electric motors though...gas powered still falls under the DMV

Im not going to argue your point...since its been years since I worked at the DMV...but Electric golf carts are the same as internal combustion carts in their eyes.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:31 pm

It has to be a pedalec.
If you fit a golf cart with pedals, it would be legal, if it has three wheels.

Pedal powered with an electric assist is legal with two and three wheels.

Safety rules still apply.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:37 pm

Lucidvegas wrote:Am I correct that the electric motors are pretty pricy? 500 ish with the controller? Too rich for my blood.

I just hope I can pedel this thing.....

A Heinzmann with a battery pack is about $800 up.
Other types vary a lot.
Used ones with a lead acid battery can be cheap.
I was offered the complete L'eco (itialian) new with lead batteries for about $600.
Found older stock for much less.
I have the kit from one, but they lack a real controller which improves efficiency a lot.
A trike can get away with larger batteries.

Wider tires are recommended.
There's a thread.

Herring · Post by **Herring** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:08 pm

I'm really tempted to buy a fun schwinn trike or fold up trike, since I don't want to mess up my daily commute bike by subjecting it to the desert. If I found one on CL I'd be stoked!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:31 pm

http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/ ... iving.html

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:41 pm

That should have been updated by now.

The policy change on electric bikes is official.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:50 pm

Ask the DMV, then, ask the BLM...BLM established the rules.

I wish we could still bring firearms...but we can't. I doubt the rules have been loosened.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:17 am

The last page 2nd post under Electric bicycles shows the JRS notice.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:11 am

Lucidvegas wrote:...Should i scrap this idea and get a beach cruiser instead?...

Probably, if you want to bike anywhere.

Lucidvegas · Post by **Lucidvegas** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:50 am

Bob- do you have experience with a pedal trike? I'm hearing different things, now I'm even more confused.

Why do you say scrap it?

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:51 am

Don't scrap it!
Trikes are great on the playa! Just get a bigger gear for the rear end. Should only cost like $20 - $30.
If you are mechanically inclined or know a smitten young lad that is....there are cheaper ways to add electric motor assist.

Here's an option: Click this link and scroll down to the motor labeled, "24 Volt 450 Watt Electric Bicycle Gear Motor" it's $99.95.
http://www.electricscooterparts.com/motors24volt.html

Then you'll need a controller: Again, click the link and scroll dow to "24V 500W Electric Scooter Speed Controller" it's $39.95.
http://www.electricscooterparts.com/spe ... 4volt.html

You'll also need a throttle and some batteries, they sell both but I wouldn't buy their batteries.

I've bought these motors and controllers and have had no complaints.
Plenty of power for a trike. I'm not sure how easy it would be to fit it up to a trike, but I'm sure it can be done.
Here in a couple months, this is exactly what I'm gonna do. There's always trikes for sale on Craigslist in Eugene.

As long as the vehicle has no more than 3 wheels, has pedals, is not more than 750 watts, and top speed on flat land is less than 20mph.....no need to register it. This isn't just a Burningman thing either. Most states DMV's have very similar restrictions....2010 was the first year that BM adopted this as policy.

All I'm saying, is don't scrap the trike. They are great on the Playa, with or without a motor. If a motor is what you want, it doesn't have to cost $500.....you just need to get dirty.

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:55 am

[quote="JRS"]Burning Man Update: The Jack Rabbit Speaks
Volume 14, Issue #32: TRANSPORTATION EDITION
August 23, 2010

As far as electric bikes go, those are allowed. As per NRS 482.0287 â€œElectric bicycleâ€

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:00 am

Yeah, what Phil said.

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:02 am

Anybody know what "1 brake horsepower" means?

E-Z Roll Regal Trike on playa? Any good?

E-Z Roll Regal Trike on playa? Any good?

Re: E-Z Roll Regal Trike on playa? Any good?