Hi - I'm new to this tribe and new to tribe.net in general.
Hi Everyone!!
My bike was stolen. :-( Then I gave my racing bike to my sister. [wouldn't work at bman anyway.]
I have zero funds right now or I would do what I've done in the past: go out and buy a bike. Thought I would ask if you all had any pointers on finding a bike. Of course I'll do the obvious stuff - yard sales, classifieds... Any pointers appreciated! I don't know much, but can clean up a bike pretty well.
See you on the playa - where I will, hopefully have some kinda clunker decked out bike!!
diane
Hi Everyone!!
My bike was stolen. :-( Then I gave my racing bike to my sister. [wouldn't work at bman anyway.]
I have zero funds right now or I would do what I've done in the past: go out and buy a bike. Thought I would ask if you all had any pointers on finding a bike. Of course I'll do the obvious stuff - yard sales, classifieds... Any pointers appreciated! I don't know much, but can clean up a bike pretty well.
See you on the playa - where I will, hopefully have some kinda clunker decked out bike!!
diane
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California
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Re: acquiring a bike
Thu, June 7, 2007 - 5:41 PMI've heard craigslist and freecycle are good sources for such things. you could also try the playa trading post tribe and offer something in return for an old bike. :) -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Thu, June 7, 2007 - 6:52 PMI just poked my head in 3 or 4 thrift stores in the bay area- they all have plenty of good playa bikes for under $50. Most of the time they need air in the tires and a quick adjustment or 2. And maybe dump $25 or $30 additional to make it actually playa ready before you get to the playa. If you are lucky you might find a trunk rack to haul the bike out there with.
Caveat- It takes a seasoned eye to recognize 'playa good' and just plain junk/moneypit. Take along a bike tinkerer type person with you if you go that route.
and freecycle.org is a good resource too- though it's getting to be that point in time where no-one is looking to give away a cheapo mtn bike- they know it's burner fleecing season.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 10:28 AMand please, please, please take the bike home with you, i know it sounds bad, but people just leave them on the playa. :(
and buy extra, extra tubes! -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 10:39 AMi really dont get the extra tubes thing..... is this advice because people bring beaters out there with old tubes in them? or because they dont let out some pressure due to changes in elevation/thermal expansion?
there are no thorns ... should not be any nails, etc to pop tubes...... -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:23 AMi worked two years straight in the biek repair shop ByB and most of the people in line, had popped tubes......
heat, riding too much weight, LOTSO nails......and sharp bits all around!
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:25 AMpeople buildling stuff all over the place, not only with nails....
if you are buying a bike from someone, and do not check to make sure there are no cracks in tubes on bike you buy....you might need one too.
it is just that if you do need one, or you find someone who does...the place to buy the tubes is hella far away. one of those ounce of prevention things.....or help those not as prepared as yourself....
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:29 AMinteresting
nails? where?? i did not notice a single MOOP nail/sharp bit out there; are other camps that MOOPY?
heat... too much weight ...let some pressure out of tire - dont go for max inflation - should alleviate most problems here ... if old tubes, replace before going out there.... they're not that expensive or hard to take care of.... -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:41 AM
TomCat or CTP can tell you how many were replaced, i dont have the exact numbers, it was A LOT!!!!! -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:44 AMnot so much hard to take care of....more like hard to get on playa IF something happens. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:47 AMand two years ago, i picked up a motorcycle kickstand and brought it home...so, i have no doubt there is a nail or more out there. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:48 AMoh and a fork last year, i am sure the fork could have put a hole in a tube.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:52 AMWhatever the reason, BRING A FRIKIN TUBE or 2!!!
Too much weight is not the issue.
Heat? not an issue either.
I've seen:
- Changes in altitude cause tubes to pop while on the way up- but it's probably more so from crappy worn out tires. If you are coming form sea level and are concerned release 10-20 psi before you leave and you shuld be fine. Just remember to top them off when you are at altitude, near the playa with a floor pump. bTW I've done a lot of mountain biking at much higher altitudes- 8-10-11,000 feet and have never had this happen, nor have I seen it at any NORBA or US Cycling races ever.
- Bikes hung on the back of a car with the tires next to the tailpipe melt the tire.
- Tires dragging on the ground for 280 miles before someone realizes the trunk of the car is hanging a little low. This does a good job of chewing up the tire and wheel too.
- the number one reason for tube blowouts are bald tires, cracked and crumbling tires. before you replace the tube, take a look at the tires of your bike and make sure they have some life in them. The desert environment and a year of storage really limit tire life.
- Underinflation while on the playa (and anywhere really) causes pinch flats. Inflate your tires to max PSI (it's on the sidewall of the tires).
They are cheap insurance. And shit happens. also- playa dust does a good job of working it's way into the schraeder valves and forces the tiny little o-ring open that keeps air from escaping. A $2 valve removal/repair tool is my best kept playa bike repair secret.
Check your tires- make sure they will not deteriorate in a week. If you are not qualified, drag it into a bike shop or to a bike inclined friend and heed their advice. There are cheap tire alternatives.
To put it in perspective, how much are you going to spend to make your motor vehicle road worthy to get up to BRC, and then let it sit in your camp for a week? Does less than $50 seem reasonable for very basic and routine bike repair and supplies? A car tire costs- what $50 installed? x4? plus a can of fix a flat? and a pump? and a jack? and a spare tire? -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, June 8, 2007 - 11:54 AMWe gave the SM camp 3 boxes of tubes so they can make sex toys out of them- floggers, cat o nine tubes, etc. There must have been 500 tubes total.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 6:07 AMI was once working in a bicycle repair camp, and a dude rides up on his rims- he needed some tubes. And tires. We hooked him up. Another time, a friend crashed his bike into something, quite unplanned for, and taco'd his front wheel. He needed a tube, too. -
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The Great Hookup will not be at 3 oclock plaza anymore
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 11:38 AMImagine a line.
Imagine the line extending into 3 oclock plaza for 200 feet.
Imagine that line extending into 3 oclock plaza for 200 feet from noon until 7pm (but we 'close' at 5pm).
Now, imagine that line with people holding bikes.
Imagine all those bikes not having tubes and or tires. Among other things.
Imagine 3 bike mechanics on Wednesday at 2pm looking at 3 empty boxes that once held tubes. Many tubes. Tubes of all sizes and valves. Patched and new.
Bare rims can make it across the playa and back pretty well, considering the circumstances and alternatives.
Not all of those missing/broken tires and tubes (and wheels, frames, pedals, seats, handlebars, forks, etc) were 'unplanned'.
Take a little time to make a plan for your bike. And include the phrase 'radical self reliance' in that plan.
Not all things can be planned for and mitigated ahead of time, but it's common sense to make sure your (your!) bike is complete and functional to the best of your ability/ expectation before you head out to the playa. Just like your art project, motor vehicle, cooler, food pantry, drugs, beer supply, and water containers. -
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Re: The Great Hookup will not be at 3 oclock plaza anymore
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 4:51 PMYou know, coming from Texas 2000 damn miles one way, for my first burn I planned like I was going to be the only SOB out there so I took everything I thought i would need. This included tools, extra tubes and tires, hell I even brought 2 extra bikes (glad I did as others didnt) and I still do it today.
I have a hard time felling sorry for those on the west coast coming just a few hours (its 33 hour drive for us) that dont plan ahead. or anyone for that matter. (I am just jealous of those on the west coast, not just cause the distance is less)
Even the ladies that camped with us from England had bought new bikes and had extra tubes...they planned ahead (seasoned burners)
Last year 1/3 of our camp lost a trans mission in Arizona on Saturday night on the way. I was in Wyoming. He had the huts, some of our shade structure, a heck of allot of our stuff. But we didn't panic or even sweat, as we had planned for that. We had spare tents in our vehicle as well as enough water for all of us and food etc. In other words we could survive without them and they could survive without us. Sure he had tons of good stuff but it was all stuff we could survive without. (He got it fixed and rolled in on Monday so all was good)
My point is TomCat is so right...make a plan for your bike. Or plan to walk when it breaks. Nothing wrong with walking, just dont expect others to fix the bike and dont get mad when someone doesnt just jump up fix it.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Sat, June 9, 2007 - 9:33 PMwow - people leave bikes on the playa!? that makes NO sense to me.
i always carry a tube in my pack.
i'm sure i'll find a bike in time. thanks for the input. it's been a couple of years for me -- so i'm really getting excited for the experience!!
hasta burners!
look me up at the GPS studio.
diane -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 11:31 PMQuote:
and please, please, please take the bike home with you, i know it sounds bad, but people just leave them on the playa. :(
We'll be happy to accept some bikes at the Kinetic Sculpture Racing Camp. They'll be back next year -- either as Racing Sculptures, or as loaner bikes (Last year's loaner fleet all came back!).
Elliot
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 12:16 AMI think I'll do what I did last time I went to BM and buy a new Schwin from Costco. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Sat, June 30, 2007 - 10:24 AMLast year I bought a bike for $8.95 from the Thrift Store and 2 Tubes for $8 ea. (which I luckily never needed). The thrift store bike held up fine. I am going to use it again this year (and hopefully many more). Other than the fact that it originally was a hideous turquiose color (which I covered in fur) and weighs about 25 lbs., it's a fine Playa Bike. I especially like the fact that I don't have to worry about it being stolen. I realized the value of having a beater bike when I went out with a friend who had a really cool "Chopper" bike last year --we had to lock it up all the time, which wasn't fun (esp. in the dark while trying to undo the combination lock). -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Mon, July 2, 2007 - 3:58 PMdon't forget, hundreds of "beater" bikes get stolen every year.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, August 15, 2007 - 5:39 PM<<<wow - people leave bikes on the playa!? that makes NO sense to me. >>>
to the tune of over 1000 bikes last year alone.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Mon, July 2, 2007 - 4:03 PM<<<i really dont get the extra tubes thing>>>
everyone has two choices.
1) listen to those of us who have been fixing bikes on the playa for many years when we tell you that FAR AND AWAY we fix more flat tires than any other single repair. Hundreds in our camp alone.
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2) don't come prepared with extra tubes and risk having to walk when you'd rather be riding.
When tubes can be had for as little as $2 each on sale, I'll always spend the $4 and bring the tubes. If you don't need them they make an awesome gift to someone who does. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Mon, July 2, 2007 - 4:55 PM
Also since there wont be a main bike fixing camp this year, getting a tube replaced is much easier than patching one.
if you rode up and asked me to replace your tube and you had the tube in hand but not the mechanical ability or the tools I for one would be much more willing to help you out as you thought a little further ahead and it wont take me too long.
But if you ride up on a beater and want a patch because you didn't bring a spare tube that would be a different story.
it takes some of us just a few minutes or so to replace a tube but can take much longer to patch one. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Mon, July 2, 2007 - 5:08 PMthat being said, keep your punctured tube just in case. When no tube is available, patching a patchable one may be someone's last resort! -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Sun, July 15, 2007 - 9:36 PMDiane, too bad you don't live in NYC, people throw away bikes on the street all the time..
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Re: acquiring a bike
Mon, July 30, 2007 - 5:10 PMSomeone left a ladies bike in my driveway last week and it has free playa bike all over it. Needs a tire and tube in front and a bit of a tune up but it's free if you come get it. Not a pretty bike or a glam one but it'll work for a Playa beater and you can make it pretty. In Alameda at Rideable Bicycle Replicas. Ask for me! Greg 510-769-0980 Or maybe you want a High Wheel bike? But that'll cost.
Greg -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Tue, July 31, 2007 - 9:38 AMthanks, both of you.
i'm in Humboldt County - so can't come get.
LOVING the high wheel!! I WANT!!
No dough, though. Most of my trip is being handled via trade. [lots of private yoga sessions on the playa.]
Happy happy burn burn!
diane -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Tue, August 14, 2007 - 10:04 AMsometimes the bikes aren't stolen or purposely dumped. sometimes we're too drunk to remember where we left them and search high and low for days. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Tue, August 14, 2007 - 10:12 AMI don't know that searching high is going to be the most effective...... -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Tue, August 14, 2007 - 10:35 AMis searching low better? i think that is the question....
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, August 15, 2007 - 3:12 PMIt's true, I've done that. Temple Burn, 2004, one bitchin' playa bike never recovered. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, August 15, 2007 - 5:18 PMthat oooooooooooooooh shit, where is my bike? feeling.
or, i just walked for 1.5 hours to get home, and i left my bike 1.5 hours back.
or, damn shes cute, what do i do with my bike???? -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Thu, September 27, 2007 - 10:25 AM<<<or, damn shes cute, what do i do with my bike????>>>
that happens all the time...if she doesn't have a bike then I just walk with mine...never seemed like much of a hassle. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Thu, September 27, 2007 - 4:54 PMor ride her on handle bars, which hurt my ass but worked for two days.....
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Re: acquiring a bike
Wed, August 15, 2007 - 12:39 PMWho needs a bike? Ok, I just had a guy come to the shop and leave 2 old 10 speed bikes, 2 20" BMX bikes one is a freestyle bike, 1 24" girls frame 18 speed and a 20" bmx bike wih a trike kit on the rear end. So the question is who needs a bike? Gotta come to Alameda to pick one up though. Diane, I still plan on bringing an extra for giving away but you gotta let me know you will be picking it up at my camp and when you'll be showing up to get it.
Greg
Rideable Bicycle Replicas Inc.
www.hiwheel.com
Of course, if anyone wants to buy a mini hiwheel or a full size hiwheel before the event I need to know pdq. I'm all ready delivering two full size hiwheels to the Playa for folks and have a little room left in the trailer. -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Thu, August 16, 2007 - 12:30 AMI think that most playa flats are caused by tubes being made of natural rubber which doesn't last forever. Tubes dry rot and if you use fresh tubes in your bike you will minimize the chance of a flat. Old bikes are very popular, and old bikes often have old tubes, old tubes will leak without any help from thorns or nails.
Later,
Allan Greenblazer -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Thu, August 16, 2007 - 11:58 AMrubber is a porous material.
Witht he exception of suer high end tubulars, bike tubes are no longer made of 100% natural rubber. It's butyl a mixture of rubber, certain oils, sulphurous checmicals and a bunch of other stuff.
But yes, tubes are not a forever thing. They do wear out, and unexpectantly. If you know the tubes haven't been replaced (not repaired- but replaced) in 5 or more years, its worth spending $3-6 per wheel for a tube. If you are cheap like me, you don;t replace them but bring the spares to the playa just in case.
If the bike is hecka old just replace them anyway- you might learn a new skill- and the replacement process will allow you to inspect the tire, rimstrip and rim for glass, thorns, cracks and bald spots too.
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, August 17, 2007 - 3:32 PM<<<I think that most playa flats are caused by tubes being made of natural rubber which doesn't last forever.>>>
Nope, and nope.
pretty much without exception the flats I see on the playa (and I've seen 1000s over the years) the tube inside had rubber in fine shape. The flats were caused by snakebite pinches, spoke poke-through (usually from broken rim strips), external foreign object intrusion (nail, screw, thorn), over pressure blowouts(usually caused by full inflation at lower temp and altitude on a cheap tire-rim combo), sidewall failure blowouts (i.e. tire sidewall cracks and tube herniates), improper installation (like using sharp objects to remove and replace tire, or tire not centered during inflation and tube herniates, or not removing the thorn that flatted you when you reinstalled thus repuncturing your tube), hot exhaust tire melting, road scrapage, valve stem tear (caused by severe valve stem angle), and stupidity not otherwise specified - ramp of death, bike soccer, crash into art car, riding through "camp thumbtack" seemed like such a great idea, etc.
And you can buy natural latex tubes (although they are pricey), and they are very cool since they are rather hard to puncture, but your good old black made in China inner tube (and tire) is made from Butyl Rubber - otherwise known as Polyisobutylene - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyl_rubber
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, August 17, 2007 - 8:06 AMDiane....you sound like a perfect candidate for the Yellow Bike Program.
bm.tribe.net/thread/fdfe...2f73f7d1c215 -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, August 17, 2007 - 2:10 PMyes, and i posted in that thread and now feel like i sounded like an ass with some of my comments (repetition, bad words etc).
You should try and get a Yellow bike early and take it home with you - although i don't think they're meant for people to keep all week long, right?
my problem with the yellow bike effort is a) the anonymous donor who takes no personal responsibility for the consequence of their actions and expects other people to clean up, b) the 'eminent domain' attitude of the black label people (even though they deserve big props just for the scope of effort and executing on the idea), c) no commitment to a cleanup plan or clear instructions. also communicating the 'rules' of the program will not work by just a few tribe postings on their part.
get a yellow bike, and take it home with you! i believe they're 20" huffy bikes so find out and bring extra innertubes for it regardless ;) -
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Re: acquiring a bike
Fri, August 17, 2007 - 3:12 PMI heard they were cruisers, so 26"
and if you take it home with you you have to leave it in front of your camp for someone else to use when they see it...think of it more like a taxi that you pedal.
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