electric bike recommendations

[usurpedus]

every year i consider going with an electric bike but i decide against it over concerns of cost and reliability(dust+hub, etc)

ive done a search of the forum and havent found any threads where people share their experience or recommendations of electric bikes on playa.

any such input on this thread would be welcome

[jcliff]

There are bikes available that have pedals. You move the pedals with your feet to power the bike. Let me know if you need more information on these human powered bikes.

[BBadger]

Are you not capable of using a normal bike? Or just a lazy fuck?

[junglesmacks]

Are you not capable of using a normal bike? Or just a lazy fuck?

*raises hand*


Lazy fuck.


Got a problem with that?

[lucky420]

Lazy fuck here too.

[trilobyte]

Last year we invested what I thought was a ridiculous amount of money on a pair of trikes. While expensive, they turned out to be worth every penny - three speeds, they're portable/fold-up (which we needed in order to fit into our van and to use back in the city) and the chain/gears never once touched the playa, the cargo basket worked great for ice runs, and it was a lot less effort to get around than with two wheels. This year we added electric assist hub motor kits. It was a massive pain in the ass, and cost even more than the trikes did, but in the end turned out to be an even better investment (we're longtime burners, plus we'll use them in Defaultia).

If you can swing it financially and logistically, I suggest getting 3 wheels, and definitely get the electric assist with the initial bike purchase (when the guy at the bike manufacturer tells you that the upgrade is easy to install, he means it's easy for someone who manufactures bikes for a living to install, not the average customer). I had enough hassles with dealing with the companies involved, delays, and other problems that I don't have any brand or model recommendations for you, but I can say we're glad to have them. Worth the cost, effort, and added weight (the motor kits and batteries add 20+ pounds to each trike).

We're both capable of riding non-powered trikes (and I still pedal mine around quite a bit), but we get tired out and my legs are shot… and we're lazy fucks. This allows us to see and do more with our time and energy.

[gyre]

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... &start=150

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... es#p658906

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... tric+bikes

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... tric+bikes

etc

[oscillator]

As a longtime 2 wheel freak (motos, scoots, bikes all good), I have wanted to experiment and build something. This year got the chance, since I was towing a trailer and a portable flamethrower.

Stripped my old rusted playa beach-cruiser, powdercoated the frame, and found a perfect M-Wave trailer to hold the propane tank.

Did a lot of research and put together a 600w brushless motor on the front, controller, and the latest LIFEPO4 batteries. Yes, it was spendy but now have something, like Trilo says, can be used in Defaultia, plus my old knees are thanking me and now I get out and ride much more often. I use the motor as an assist and it works great.

The hub is sealed, I added some Sugru around the axel entry point, sealed the controller wire ports with E6000, and got some Ortlieb saddlebags for the batteries and adult bevs.

Post-playa, just did the usual bike maintenance, and washed the bags. All Good.

[Aurelia]

Total disaster after all the excitement of my son building me a lovely electric scooter adding an extra tube converter...
my anticipation was of no problem going to EVERY possible wedding event camp sunrise sunset with no worries
But it shorted out Sunday before the week even began !
Aurelia

[FIGJAM]

I've taken mine to the playa for 3 years now with no major problems.

[Savannah]

oscillator, that's the most poetic photo of a bicycle I may have ever seen.

[trilobyte]

I agree - if there is such a thing as a bike 'hero shot' that's it.

[oscillator]

Thnx - befitting a worthy steed, right?

[trilobyte]

Absolutely! Here's a shot of our trikes, not as awesome a shot but gives you an idea on what we had out there. Next year I want to trick things out a bit, and add to/expand on the LED lighting.

[usurpedus]

yep lazy.

thanks for the info/stories.. going to try something similar for next year

[usurpedus]

figjam what make/model is your trike, or did you build it?

[FIGJAM]

Palmer ind. joyrider jr.

http://palmerind.com/manual/joyrider.php

Got mine on CL for $325!

[lucky420]

love your trikes trilo, especially the one with the shade

[trilobyte]

Thanks, Lucky420. The shade was made using half inch PVC pipe and fittings. We used zip ties to secure them to the trike, and I reinforced the connections with screws at the connection points (and a little duct tape). The shade was just a great piece of fabric we picked up while making a fabric store run.

[Turtleburp]

oscillator, that's the most poetic photo of a bicycle I may have ever seen.

The Bumbler likes to make sad bike poem photos

[Bumble]

seriously, you thread killing C**X#T that is a waste of my picture - i was pretty proud of that one

[Marscrumbs]

My first year on the playa with an electric trike it was a real eye catcher. I was warned not to get a ticket at warp speed. Made getting to the outer rim a breeze. On day five my bike chain broke so was grateful for the second alterative to impulse power. Have had depenablity problems back in defaultia not related to playa use.

[Aurelia]

okay, so where are we with this ?
My electric scooter shorted out almost immediately and I was stuck .
Mobility is serious.

[dj_john69]

I own one of these...works great. Took it to BM a few times without issues. Super fast & super quiet.

iZip Tricruiser Electric Tricycle

[Turtleburp]

seriously, you thread killing C**X#T that is a waste of my picture - i was pretty proud of that one

Chill Winston - I simply made us invisible.

On topic; a super fast and quiet bike worries me. The groink groink of a tortured playa bike is a good safety feature!