Do I really need a bike?
Yes.
Why?
Because it will make your life in Black Rock City much more enjoyable. & it will suck when all your BRC friends have bikes & you don’t.
I have a bike; will that one work?
IDK. The ideal Burner Bike is a beach cruiser (fatter wheels) with coaster brakes (pedal brakes) and NO gears.
I also suggest a minimum wheel size of 26” - the smaller the wheel is, the harder you have to work to move. 26” is the standard adult size, but beware of the 24” (often listed as a women’s bike).
Lastly, it really helps if this bike is not your primary getting around town bike.
Burning Man is not kind to bikes. If you are in love with your bike, I’m sure it would be totally acceptable to bring it & marry it. Otherwise, it’s best to leave it behind.
Ok. Where can I find a Burner Bike?
The magical internet.
FREE Options
craigslist.org
freecycle.org
CHEAPer Options [$50 - $100]
cragislist.org
NotAsCheap Options [$100 - X]
your local discount store [i.e. K-mart, WalMart, Target]
I’m on a budget & can’t spend much on a bike.
That’s cool. It is possible to find free beach cruisers but don’t expect quality. It is rare to find something in awesome condition for free. Should you be lucky enough to find a free beach cruiser, check it out before claiming it.
Does it have cable brakes? {No.]
Does it have gears? {No.]
Are the wheels aligned? {Yes. If not, it can be fixed but probably not for cheap.]
Do the wheels look dry & old? {No. Can be replaced for around $50 for both.]
Is the chain too loose or wonky? {You can get a replacement for around $10 - $15.]
Does the seat look like it will eat your butt? {No. Otherwise, you can get a softer one for as low as $20.]
Is it comfortable to ride once adjusted? {Better be a Yes.]
If most everything looks good, you probably don’t have to do much to get it in working order.
Ok. I’m bike stupid but want to be more self reliant.
That’s awesome. If you find a decent bike now, you can take your sweet time to repair / clean it yourself. It’s not that hard but requires patience. & a good resource. I’ve taken my road bike apart & it was a lot of fun but I would have trashed it if I didn’t have a good bike repair book. O yeah, & tools. There are usually some bike specific tools you’ll have to get. But that just depends on how deep you go.
Ok. Maybe I’m not that self reliant.
No worries. There are great bike communities around the city. I go to bikerowave on the west side. They have stands, tools & guidance for a small hourly fee. They also have some parts available for sale but don’t expect a full parts selection.
bikerowave.org
Ok. I have big plans but I might not have time.
Cool. Just take your new to you Burner Bike to one of the thousands of bike shops around town. I believe most tune ups will cost you somewhere between $50 to $150 dollars depending on where you go & what they offer. Keep in mind that if your bike needs a lot of work, you will likely pay a lot of money.
Ok. I’ll get a bike. I’ll make sure it’s fixed up. Now what?
After you get your bike all set up, the last thing you need to do is light it up!!
I’m sure a new post for lighting up yourself & your bike is coming, but please note that glow sticks & bike headlights are not ideal. Things like glow sticks are NOT bright enough & bike headlights kill the playa lighting, can blind people & feel out of place.
But do what you will. Do what you want. Above all, enjoy life.
Cheers!!
