:wee:
Here we go. . .Notice and note:

tires wear out fast on the playa. If we have good winds, IF, you will be amazed when yer rubber is gone.

So, we notice we have lots of noobs this year! Big Yay, come join the fun, but know, because of certain restrictions that we try to be tongue in cheek about, we have no vending on the lake bed.

Not to worry! At least two of our sponsors are from Las Vegas and are on this forum. If you think you need tires, you may make arrangements by email to have tires delivered on site!

I know, this takes some thought, some planning, some thinking, etc. We've spoken of having a program to cover this, but since so many people run so many different set ups, we just have not been able to figure out how to do it. Doesn't mean we won't figure it out one of these years(hey, you can help!)but so far, the only thing we know how to do is this:

MAKE ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE YOU COME!

Yup, that's right, pre planning. I'll let our sponsors post a little follow up to this, and you can decide.

So, folks, get it going on, talk to one another and remember, we are in the middle of nowhere, if you live by the sea, and buggy in salt water, are you bringing an extra set of bearings? Sure would suck to come all this way and have your custom, i ordered these bearings from France, wheels freeze up!

We will help all we can, and yes, we do perform miracles, but set your expectations low, and i promise you won't be disappointed!

Fast Freddie can only do so much!

Tires, bearings, warm clothes, cool clothes, shoes, helmet, long underwear, sleeping bag if you are camping(who doesn't remember Rustle?)and stuff that you can't go to the corner store for(because it's two hours away round trip!)will really come in handy.

Nothing is worse than to miss prime buggy seat time to some small missing part because YOU didn't check your gear before you came. Oh, and you might also think about who you are keeping from seat time, when they are working on your buggy! I'm just sayin'.

Oh, and please understand, if this is your first time with us, and you are starting to think we are a bunch of stand off stuck up high falootin high rolling sob's. . . we're not. Most of us are the dumb geeky kids in school with the tape on our glasses. We are skateboarders, and nerdlingers, yup, that's right, you can hang with us. Please, please don't thing for one moment you won't fit in. If you haven't met us, you might think(hey, i've heard this said)that we are too cool. Not true. Ask anyone!

Calmer than you are.

On tires.....

We ride on the lake bed pretty regularly all year round....unless its wet of course.

The lake bed can be like riding on sandpaper. As the water seeps into the clay surface and disappears, minerals and ultra fine gravel will remain on the surface - almost cemented into the hardened clay. This gives you exceptional grip. You can even screech your tires doing a power slide.

All that being said, tire wear is what you make it out to be. If you are going to be riding in super strong winds (very possible) with a kite that is way overpowered then you are going to be going somewhat sideways as well as straight, this puts extreme amounts of wear on your tires and you could burn them up pretty quickly.

Using the right kite for the wind conditions and limiting the amount of side sliding will reduce the wear on your tires tremendously. Sandpaper won't sand unless there is friction. Just running over the lake bed normal will put very little wear on your tires (Ok, more than grass but I hope you get the idea).

Pilots who do a ton of 360's, free styling, hard turns, side slides and riding way overpowered can burn up a full set of tires right down to the cords in less than a day. If you are not into this type of riding then you won't have any problems with your tires (unless they are already warn down). We have buggiers here that run on one set of tires for a year or more. Others will be replacing tires pretty regularly. It all depends on how brutal you are to your tread.

Two ply tires don't last long. If your going to purchase some new tread, make sure to get 4 ply minimum. They will last much longer than 2 ply and I personally think they run a bit smoother and are more solid feeling in the bug (less jello feel).

That being said, know your style and you can plan on what kind of tires you will be needing. If you like to cruise around and are not that radical of a rider then your tires should be perfectly fine for the entire week. If you like to power slide your bug and love the feeling of riding sideways....you're probably gonna need a few extra's.

Personally, I usually go through a set of tires about once a year or so.

Hope that helps and also helps clear up some of the fog regarding tires and the Playa.

See ya at NABX!!!

Happy Winds!
Kent

... and if you have not gathered, bring elbow and knee pads along with the helmet.. Falling on beach sand is like falling on 220 grit sandpaper- it takes a good scrape to draw blood. Falling on the lakebed at NABX is like hitting 60 grit- rips the flesh pretty good. Saw some pretty nasty road rash last year...

Thank you Mr. Dean.
for the new riders, if you want to make sure baring is good? lift one tire and spin fast if you hear a ggggrrrrrrrrr sound your baring is no good. I have baring puller so I can change baring on playa if you want to bring there I change for you, and I have some extra baring if you need, but like Mr Dean say, PLEASE dont bring europian size for me to change.

If anybody has used good tires, and want to donate it please bring it. Fast Freddies buggy repair can always use them for the needy.

i buggied everyday last year from wind in the afternoon to dusk, and finally blew my front tire on the last day.

if i have tires left during mid week anyone is welcome to my spares. its better than me taking them home.

*note to self, check tires before going out, blown tires on the playa, may lead to long walks* Sunset-Jim, make sure you come get me again. :bigok:

BURN RUBBER!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites *note to self, check tires before going out, blown tires on the playa, may lead to long walks* Sunset-Jim, make sure you come get me again. :bigok: BURN RUBBER!!!

I now have it marked on my calendar

one more point to add.
air pressure!!!!
if you like to pump up your tires hard. watch out!!!!!!
the heat of the day might cause them to blow out.
you can just be sitting in camp relaxing and all of sudden
you hear a tire blow with the buggy just sitting there.
it happens.

Hey Sailors,
Another point to remember:
Vending at nabx turns a great event into work (for some).
Those of us in the trade welcome the opportunity to play and relax along with our friends. Thanks for understanding.

Kent explained it pretty well.
Nothing to really be scared of out on the playa.
Just use common sense (and any magic spells you might know)

If you're going to be wanting tires or tubes when you get here,
Simply place your order (with either of us) before you arrive
so the items can be waiting for you.
All the business stuff can be taken care of off-playa.

Check tire pressure before going out.
20-24 psi in the front with a few more in the rear - 24-28 psi.
Harder is faster but a harsher ride.
A couple pounds less makes for more cushy comfort.
There are plenty of compressors among the locals.
Just ask.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

:bigok: 480x8 carlyle 4 ply or for the beach 21x12-8 Duro 4 ply grooved or 21x12-8 Nankang 2 ply or KadKat 21x12-8 ribbed. I deliver to the hotel.

Jellis - how much for the array you described?

flex I sent you an email.

me too

I'VE SEEN JESSIS'S STUFF...IT IS INDEED EXACTALLY WHAT YOU WANT.

BY FAR THE BEST BUGGIES AND BUGGY EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH KBSS

HIS ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE A MUST HAVE!