Need Advice from Brilliant Burners - Bike Chariot?

[suzyqlll]

Hi my lovely future friends!

I need some expertise from brilliant burners. We are bringing my mom to the playa this year. She's had knee surgery and I want to create a way to transport her. She's been before, but she struggles with getting on and off a regular bike.

I am thinking of buying a kid's bike chariot (the one you pull behind you) and reinforcing it to hold her weight. Or possibly getting a recumbent bike?

Does anyone have any suggestions? Innovations?

Thanks all!
Sunshine

[theCryptofishist]

Adapt a tricycle?
Actually, AntiM has a Rhodescar, which seems to mean a tricycle with bench seating. One person pedals and the other doesn't.
But a tricycle is probably easier to get hold of, and you can adapt the basket in back so she can sit.

I may be wrong about this. I have ideas, but I'm not one of the building geniuses out there. I hope they will chime in with improvements or to say it's impossible.

[TinkerMom]

I picked up a pony cart for free,


Then transformed it into a rickshaw,


Which I pull with this,

[Bob]

I wouldn't trust a standard toddler-type bike trailer to carry more than about twice the weight of a toddler, ie 80-90 lbs. But even with a heavy duty cargo trailer retrofitted with a seat, it's going to be so dusty this year, I think you're just going to royally piss off mom if you put her behind a bicycle kicking crap up in her face.

[gyre]

They make single and two wheel trailers for bikes.
I have a canadian one that is strong enough for an adult, though it is speced for kids.
She can also use a disability permit so you can drive her around with something motorized, or she can drive, if capable.

There is at least one make built for adults, for exactly this purpose.
I posted a link in the past.
It was a two wheel trailer.

http://www.wicycle.com/special_needs_ex ... railer.php
https://cycletote.com/
http://www.tandem-bicycle-central.com/t ... cycle.html
http://www.tonystrailers.com/vehiclesfordisabled/

Xtracycle has some options.
They have made their tech free access for everyone, including anyone wanting to make adapters
http://www.xtracycle.com/

[gyre]

It should be mentioned that this year may be especially difficult for narrow tire bikes.

There are bikes like the Surly Pugsley and Moonlander that will work regardless, but wider and smoother tires will work better.
Also, the surface can get very choppy.
The larger tires deal with this too.
There are some options for narrow rimmed bikes, though they will be limited.
The Pugsley fork can be adapted to most mountain bikes in front.

[Mrpatatomoto]

We made a rickshaw last year to use and even with the ground being hard it was too much to bike around for very much time dragging another person, Not saying don't Just saying with how soft it is this year you may go through all the effort of making something and not be able to use it. Im trying to think of something helpful to say but as late in the game as it is its hard to get permits for motorized transport (not sure about rules for handicapped motorized transport). A recumbent bike might work, but might be hard to get out of without help being so low to the ground. and she would have the problem of peddling herself with a bum knee

[gyre]

Gearing would be key to this.

I know someone with a trike mounted heavy cooler.
He found it easy enough, but it had rickshaw type gear ratios.
I like hubgears for this myself.

If she has the state dmv placard or paperwork for the same, and a real need, burning man dmv will make accommodations.
Medical documentation can also be brought.
Contact the bmdmv.

[Bob]

You don't note where you're from, but with a moniker like "Sunshine" I'm guessing SoCal. Go to the beach boardwalks and see what kind of pedicabs vendors use for the tourists. Ask to pedal one. Ask about cost.

Not sold on Surly fat tires. If a regular beach cruiser tire doesn't work, I doubt a fat knobby tire will help much, and on wet ground following a water truck they'll pick up two or three times as much mud. Also might increase the cost of a bike ten times. Might be worth it for a trailer, though, if you see yourself making long-term use of one.

[Bob]

Surly trailers -- 24" wide, 300 lbs, 16 x 2.5 tires. Not cheap, but that's probably the lightest trailer you'd find with the capacity.

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ted_trailer (click "geometry" for details)

[gyre]

They have a tread more effective than a knobby, but smooth is definitely better on the playa.

I might shave a surly tire, if possible.

They are expensive, but I have ridden one on the playa enough to be impressed.
I have ridden the Endomorph on the playa.
I think it is adequate for a normal rider on a non-electric during any playa conditions.
More weight or worse surfaces might make the larger tire a good idea.

I will probably do the front wheel conversion first, when I can.

For 65 mm rims


Endomorph


100 mm rims - Big Larry
I would shave these for sure

[gyre]

Surly is no longer the only option for wide bike tires, though they may have the widest.
There are a lot more 2"+ width tires now that may fit mountain bikes or cruisers.

The playa has unusual requirements, and as usual, normal riders tend to be ignored, but there are some choices.
Snow tires often work well in a reverse pattern.
I have seen contis in that pattern on the playa.
Snow requirements mimic our need to not pick up dust or mud.
Look for chamfered tread.

Schwalbe has some choices.

The best tires tend to be made in too narrow a width.

I am sold on the wide, low pressure approach, especially on rough playa.
It is cheaper and lighter than a full suspension too.

[gyre]

Anyone considering a surly front wheel conversion that uses a front hubmotor, be aware that the surly trick is to use rear wheels on both front and rear.

This has some obvious advantages, but may require some thought, or a different hub, if you have a front drive hub now.

[gyre]

This might come in handy for anyone having trouble finding a tree to lean their bike against on the playa.


Yes they have big feet for soft surfaces too.
Can't say it'll stand up to the wind, but what does?

If anyone has a better idea, I'm interested, even if I have to build it.
Maybe a lightweight version of a motorcycle stand?

[theCryptofishist]

(not sure about rules for handicapped motorized transport).

Tomorrow or Tuesday is the last day to apply and you need to have a handicapped placard. Since that involves both a doctor and the (other) DMV I think we can say, too late.

[ranger magnum]

You don't note where you're from, but with a moniker like "Sunshine" I'm guessing SoCal. Go to the beach boardwalks and see what kind of pedicabs vendors use for the tourists. Ask to pedal one. Ask about cost.

Not sold on Surly fat tires. If a regular beach cruiser tire doesn't work, I doubt a fat knobby tire will help much, and on wet ground following a water truck they'll pick up two or three times as much mud. Also might increase the cost of a bike ten times. Might be worth it for a trailer, though, if you see yourself making long-term use of one.

We have one of those sureys that the tourists pedal around venice beach and the like. It has no gears, and is tough to pedal on playa. Plus you are seated on a bench seat, and the pedals are below you and slightly forward. You cant use your weight or back for power, and as such all the energy comes from your quads. After the first 30 minutes on playa, you will be done for.

They also take a lot of room; so much that I built a special trailer just to haul it to playa.

[suzyqlll]

These are all really good ideas. I really, really appreciate everyone's input. Right now I am tied between 4 options:

1.) A Flatbed Bike Chariot
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MS ... PDKIKX0DER

2.) A Recumbent Bike
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PG ... GLMI4TYM1E

3.) Folding Tricycle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z8 ... PDKIKX0DER

4.) Adding Training Wheels/ Bike Stabilizing Wheels
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BR ... PDKIKX0DER

We live in Portland so the boxes the items come in will be flying with us.

If anyone has any more advice I would love it, otherwise it is up to me to make a decision! I've got to get going - it's almost Burning Man time!!!

[Canoe]

These are all really good ideas. I really, really appreciate everyone's input. Right now I am tied between 4 options:

3.) Folding Tricycle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z8 ... PDKIKX0DER

We live in Portland so the boxes the items come in will be flying with us.

Tricycle is stable.
Due to anticipated soft playa, maybe find one that can have 2.35" wide tires or wider?

One of gyre's links led to a tow-bar for towing a trike.
http://www.tonystrailers.com/vehiclesfo ... atrike.php

Ship it to a UPS store in Reno. Send it home the same way. Much much cheaper than cargo on a plane.
You may find someone willing to bring it back with their driven cargo to Portland. Or maybe even round trip? Check rideshare for cargo.

[gyre]

There have been some posts about training wheels before.

Tricky to set up, some more than others.
A problem in soft.

Worked though, as I recall.