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I've got a recumbent bike that I'm preparing to take out there. It's not a high end bike, but it's a nice ride. I've pimped it out and yet at the same time I'm thinking maybe this bike won't work out.
I'm fully cognizant of the different playa conditions. Somehow the appeal of the recumbent ride is overcoming my natural sensibility. I need an outside opinion or two or three.
Anyhoos, the bike has nice road slick tires, maybe 1" across on 16 and 20" wheels. It's not a narrow tire like road bike type, but still relatively narrow compared to an mtb tire. The model is an Sun EZ-1. I have a thicker front tire I can use. The 21" rear is pretty much a done deal unless I buy a fat tire just for the playa.
I know that people ride just about everything imaginable out there. So, any comments on the suitability of recumbents in general, and my setup in particular?
I'm fully cognizant of the different playa conditions. Somehow the appeal of the recumbent ride is overcoming my natural sensibility. I need an outside opinion or two or three.
Anyhoos, the bike has nice road slick tires, maybe 1" across on 16 and 20" wheels. It's not a narrow tire like road bike type, but still relatively narrow compared to an mtb tire. The model is an Sun EZ-1. I have a thicker front tire I can use. The 21" rear is pretty much a done deal unless I buy a fat tire just for the playa.
I know that people ride just about everything imaginable out there. So, any comments on the suitability of recumbents in general, and my setup in particular?
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Oregon
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Re: right bike for playa??
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 4:59 PMMy experience.
I built a trike that was low to the ground like a recumbent bike and found that being down low was too dusty. I was right about level with everyone else's mountain bike tires which kicked dust directly in my face. I wound up using a friends cruiser most of the time.
Dust mask and goggles are a necessity if you're down low.
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Re: right bike for playa??
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 9:12 PMYou'll want something easy to mount and dismount, and that handles well in loose conditions. Think riding off-road in loose sand maybe 6" deep... by the end of the week, heavy traffic areas are quite dusty. A really low recumbent would be dusty during the day, and more dangerous at night. Being well lit is important! I think small narrow tires would be pretty poor in the dust, too.
- Bart
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Re: right bike for playa??
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 1:09 AMi'll third the vote. leave the recumbent at home. you can tolerate the dust for a while but the surface conditions will become intolerable for that kind of bike quickly. especially on the more heavily trod streets.
it might be nice out in the open playa before the hordes leave wakes of dust in their paths. -
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Re: right bike for playa??
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 11:25 AMvote 3.5
Leave it home & go for cheeepo Mt. bike.
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Re: right bike for playa??
Wed, August 5, 2009 - 10:05 AMOkay, the wisdom of the assembled is overwhelming. Despite my recumbent's pimp job, the recumbent stays home. How where can i find a cheap beach cruiser ASAP? -
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Re: right bike for playa??
Wed, August 5, 2009 - 12:10 PMAfter last year's bump-p-p-p-p-p-y roads, I'm looking for suspension in my 2009 ride.
You might want to consider an inexpensive mountain / hybrid / comfort / whatever kind of bike.
just make sure it is in good working order before you get out there!
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Re: right bike for playa??
Wed, August 5, 2009 - 1:33 PMYou can try a Wanted ad on your local Freecycle: www.freecycle.org/
Or Craigslist: sfbay.craigslist.org/
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Re: right bike for playa??
Sun, August 23, 2009 - 1:00 AMI found a Univega at a goodwill for $7.99. The replacement seatpost cost me more than the bike did. Sweet ride, clean, everything works. Hard to believe people just give this stuff away and then gets resold for so little. I can't think of any other category of stuff that is so consistently undervalued. -
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Re: right bike for playa??
Sun, August 23, 2009 - 6:49 PMI'm a big fan of beach cruisers 1) because of the fat balloon tires, and 2) because of the simplicity. Caliper brakes and derailleurs are just a recipe for mechanical failure on the playa. -
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Re: right bike for playa??
Mon, August 24, 2009 - 9:41 PMa derailleur bike becomes a 1speed in a few days out there.
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