The Org put up a good article here: https://journal.burningman.org/2023/07/black-rock-city/survive-and-thrive/reliable-playa-bike-tips/ - I would suggest reading the comments as well, they're pretty helpful. I especially agree about the step-through design.

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I would add a few words of advice on top of this article.

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1) Unless you ride bikes regularly, consider buying a wide seat and swapping it in for the one that comes with the bike. Your bum will thank you.

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2) I would also consider swapping in a swept back handlebar - this helps a lot with comfort as well, you'll be riding a lot out there.

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3) I disagree with the article about fur on the bikes. Girls have told me that when they wear a bikini, having fur on the seat helps prevent the thigh chafing.

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4) Beach bikes with big tires help when the playa is very soft, but the trade-off is that it has a lot more roll resistance. It will be harder to pedal. (Single speed cruisers are the best choice.)

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5) Rather than a pump, I favor CO2 cartridges. Lot faster and works well.

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6) If you store your bike in your camp's storage unit or container, turn the handles and remove the pedals (or use folding pedals and fold them)! This will reduce space required by 2/3.

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7) I also disagree about Wal-mart bikes. Bikes are going to die after 4-5 years. If you can buy a used bike from one of many places in Reno or Sparks, that's great, but if you can't, then the choice is to spend a lot or a little for a bike that you will ride for 4-5 weeks. I know a lot of people who did fine on Wal-mart bikes. Yes, those may be the ones that the bike repair camps see more of, but the failure rate is probably 1% for Wal-mart bikes and 0.1% for others. So 10X more but 0.9% more as well.

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8) Don't forget you will want a basket or a panier.

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9) Belt drives in theory makes sense but I heard they may be finicky. Airless tires are also good in theory but hard to pedal in practice, apparently.

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10) Don't forget a lock (combo, you will lose the key otherwise) and lights!

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11) If you must get an ebike, 250 watt is plenty of power for the flat playa.

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12) Be careful riding drunk. Almost as dangerous as drunk driving!

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13) Lock you bike. People won't steal it but they will "borrow" it after they forget where they parked theirs. You might put a bike lock through the sleeve of your coat so that doesn't get borrowed either.

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14) Remember where you put your bike! (See #13)

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