Sand/Beach Bikes

Harryburgundy · May 8, 2009

Took my youngest down to the 'beach' today....well, Bristol Channel Estuary.....and thought how much fun it would be to ride along the coast at low tide.
Golden sands it aint...but a mixture of sand/clay/pebbles and larger stones....I've tried a normal bike and it just bogs down.
Pugsley is the obvious choice but expensive...loads of other stuff in the States but anything over here that would tackle the terrain?
Cheers
Carl

perry · May 8, 2009

i used to do it on a bmx while the sand was still damp

it was relaxing not having to dodge tourist traffic on the roads and paths getting around , damn i miss those days

Benandemu · May 8, 2009

I grew up on the coast and always used Onza Rip and Rail tyres as they were like paddles. I even learnt how to ride quickly on dry sand, which later in life made it nearly impossible to fall off my bike due to my improved sense of balance. Great way of fine tuning your skills at riding muddy cross country bogs, as the sand behaves in a similar way.

It kills gear systems though. And before all the modern courier wannabees start shouting single speed, you really do need a spread of gears to ride sand effectively.

legrandefromage · May 9, 2009

I'm always down the beach - I use a Continental Survivor 2.3 on the rear

Lysander · May 9, 2009

legrandefromage":2ayzjsof said:
I'm always down the beach........

Dinnae tell me ye're finding Colnagos washed up with the driftwood now??

aye........big tyres, lowish pressure for t'beach- but I'd say all shaley/pebble stuff like at Brighton is pretty much unridable on anything.

hamster · May 11, 2009

There was one I saw once in a mag that had a custom frame and quad bike wheels and tyres, specially for dunes. It had to run a road mech and cassette to get the gears right (and stop the mech dragging on the ground).

mtbfix · May 11, 2009

One gear, soft 2.3 tyres and cheap bearings. Much as recommended above.

yo-eddy · May 11, 2009

Many beach races in Holland

most riders use Schwalbe Super moto's or Big Apple's 1.5 bar pressure

Harryburgundy · May 11, 2009

Ha ha...considerably less sand than that...nice picture.
Fitted some truely aweful Specialized Pro Chunder 2.3 tyres today as I plan to have a go on the 'beach' tommorrow.
I guess the above tyres are downhill or something....completely ruined the feeling of the Kish....anyway....slow and relaxed fun tomorrow maybe.

Harryburgundy · May 12, 2009

Ok...that was very hard work. Tried to ride to the corner in the distance...where the headland disappears.
Not a chance...maybe got half way....too hard.
A combination of:-
38/16 Singlespeed....too hard a ratio
Heavy Tyres....on the road they feel like you are driving with your brakes on!
40kph wind...had to 'tack' back

Never got so knackered going so slowly...but I'll be back!

Sand/Beach Bikes

Harryburgundy

perry

Benandemu

legrandefromage

Lysander

hamster

Retro Wizard

mtbfix

Senior Retro Guru

yo-eddy

Harryburgundy

Harryburgundy

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