Sofrider-Best bike at Burning Man 2008

[JeffParker]

I ride my Sofrider with an elevation change of 440 feet over 3.75 miles each way to work in San Francisco. I was worried about taking my commuter bike to Burning Man. Everybody told me "don't take a good bike-the alkaline dust will ruin it." I'm glad I did! The playa at Black Rock City this year was lumpy, bumpy, and loose. The City was about 3 miles in diameter with axial Avenues with streets named A-K radiating out from around the center. Miles and miles of places and people to visit all day and all night. The other 45,000 bicyclists were miserable bumping along on their seats and often ditching in the dunes or pits. The Sofrider's front wheel drive technology pulled me through the mushiest spots and with the soft suspended seat (recovered in purple fun fur) I was smiling while everybody else was crying. If there are any other burners out there get yourself a Cruzbike! I power-washed it and oiled the chain when I got home and it's back on the road to work every morning. Thanks for a great bike!!

 

[Mark B]

That's way cool! Thans for the report on BM.

They say not to powerwash bicycles because you can wash the lubrication out of wheel bearings, headsets and bottom brackets. If you tried to keep the brunt of the spray away from these areas, you're probably OK.

Mark

 

[wordy]

I enjoyed your comments about the Softrider over rough ground. I've just ordered one (Note the date 2 December!) and look forward to riding it over some rail trails.

I agree with mark that a pressure washer shouldn't be directed at bearings.

If you look at the mechanics on Le Tour de France, you'll see them power washing the bikes after soaping them up. I guess those bikes are only used for that one race and they're experienced enough to direct the water away from the gaps.