Riding on beaches...tyres etc...

[topographer]

I like the idea of going to the coast once in a while and ebiking on the beach. I had a look on YouTube. Seems that normal sized MTB tires are OK on wet sand but not good on soft sand. Is that your experience? If so, that'll be OK and I won't need to think about fat tyres; dune busting would be nice but it's not essential. I saw a nice video of some guys doing a little coast safari down the beach at Holderness (Withernsea to Spurn Point) with cliffs on one side, the sea on the other and collapsed WWII defences to navigate around. Looked like a fun day out.

Anyhow, are there other things you need to think about? Do the sand and salty air cause problems for electric bikes? I've no intention of biking in the surf...though it would probably be a good laugh if you could.

 

[Fordulike]

I like the idea of going to the coast once in a while and ebiking on the beach. I had a look on YouTube. Seems that normal sized MTB tires are OK on wet sand but not good on soft sand. Is that your experience? If so, that'll be OK and I won't need to think about fat tyres; dune busting would be nice but it's not essential. I saw a nice video of some guys doing a little coast safari down the beach at Holderness (Withernsea to Spurn Point) with cliffs on one side, the sea on the other and collapsed WWII defences to navigate around. Looked like a fun day out.

Anyhow, are there other things you need to think about? Do the sand and salty air cause problems for electric bikes? I've no intention of biking in the surf...though it would probably be a good laugh if you could.

My personal experience at my local beach is as follows. This is riding with MTB knobbly 26" x 2.0 tyres and BBSO2 motor.

On patches of beach where the sand is wet, then it poses little problem. Traction is reduced at the rear wheel, but steering is still direct and fairly safe.

On the other hand, where the sand is dry and fine, traction on both wheels is reduced dramatically. If I manage to gain enough traction at the rear wheel to pick up speed, the steering becomes wildy unpredictable. Some riders might like this style of riding, but I prefer to know exactly where the bike is going.

Being reliant on a clean drivetrain to operate properly, sand riding isn't particularly good for a BBSxx drive. Although, when I had my MAC hub motored bike, I did a fair bit of beach riding, as I wasn't so concerned about the sand damaging the working parts.

Probably best to hose the bike down after extensive riding on the beach, due to the sand and salt.

 

[topographer]

My personal experience at my local beach is as follows. This is riding with MTB knobbly 26" x 2.0 tyres and BBSO2 motor.

On patches of beach where the sand is wet, then it poses little problem. Traction is reduced at the rear wheel, but steering is still direct and fairly safe.

On the other hand, where the sand is dry and fine, traction on both wheels is reduced dramatically. If I manage to gain enough traction at the rear wheel to pick up speed, the steering becomes wildy unpredictable. Some riders might like this style of riding, but I prefer to know exactly where the bike is going.

Being reliant on a clean drivetrain to operate properly, sand riding isn't particularly good for a BBSxx drive. Although, when I had my MAC hub motored bike, I did a fair bit of beach riding, as I wasn't so concerned about the sand damaging the working parts.

Probably best to hose the bike down after extensive riding on the beach, due to the sand and salt.

Sounds like your MAC machine survived the seaside OK. I'm probably going to get a folding mountain bike with a rear hub. I'm not sure how often I'll get to the coast as I don't live near sadly.

 

[Fordulike]

Sounds like your MAC machine survived the seaside OK. I'm probably going to get a folding mountain bike with a rear hub. I'm not sure how often I'll get to the coast as I don't live near sadly.

The reason I was less concerned about taking the MAC on the beach, than the BBS02, was because it had a throttle and didn't rely on the derailleur. None of the regular derailleur parts needed to move to propel the bike, reducing the effects of any sand grinding down the drivetrain.

 

[nemesis]

Fat bikes with the oversize tyre width were designed for use on sand and snow to provide a larger footprint on the soft ground.I have seen them riding on Formby beach and in the dunes and they hardly leave any trace where they have been because of the massive tyre width.

 

[anotherkiwi]

I live near a beach and changed from slick to Big Ben tyres because of sand on the road. You definitely want something over 2" and with a little tread. So far I have no oxidation problems but my GF who lives a bit further inland has all kinds of rust on her bike including SS bits I put on at the same time I built my bike...

 

[topographer]

The reason I was less concerned about taking the MAC on the beach, than the BBS02, was because it had a throttle and didn't rely on the derailleur. None of the regular derailleur parts needed to move to propel the bike, reducing the effects of any sand grinding down the drivetrain.

Interesting. I'll try to remember that. Yet another reason why throttles are fab.

 

[topographer]

Fat bikes with the oversize tyre width were designed for use on sand and snow to provide a larger footprint on the soft ground.I have seen them riding on Formby beach and in the dunes and they hardly leave any trace where they have been because of the massive tyre width.

Formby would be nice and there's always the chance you'll see a red squirrel.

 

[topographer]

So far I have no oxidation problems but my GF who lives a bit further inland has all kinds of rust on her bike including SS bits I put on at the same time I built my bike...

What's SS, stainless steel?

 

[nemesis]

Formby would be nice and there's always the chance you'll see a red squirrel.

Fantastic place,well worth a visit.

 

[Crockers]

I'm sure it doesn't need saying but please be aware the dunes are a fragile ecosystem; so steer clear. Thanks.

 

[anotherkiwi]

What's SS, stainless steel?

Yes. Brand new SS bits rusted like you wouldn't believe. Made in Germany...

 

[Fordulike]

I'm sure it doesn't need saying but please be aware the dunes are a fragile ecosystem; so steer clear. Thanks.

Is that aimed at dog owners, horse riders, surfers and beach bums.... or cyclists?

 

[Nealh]

Be careful on wet sand or near the surf saline will kill your battery if it finds it's way inside also the same with hub motor.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I was going to say the same. You shouldn't take any electric bike anywhere near the sea. salt water is extremely conductive and corrosive. fresh water is no problem.

 

[topographer]

I was going to say the same. You shouldn't take any electric bike anywhere near the sea. salt water is extremely conductive and corrosive. fresh water is no problem.

Oh bum. Those guys who lark around on beaches with fatbikes must be using bikes especially made for that environment then...or maybe they are just blissfully unaware of what's going to happen to their bikes.

I'll just have to take up land yachting instead.

 

[Nealh]

They may find out the hard way if they go near the surf or ride through any saline water.
Before discarding any lipo cells I plonk them in a saline solution and the next day they are at 0v.