Sand Dragster
by Brian Miller
A class of riding improved through
rigorous testing at the beach.
With some friends and people I didn’t
know, I had rented a island beach house for
the summer. I wanted more than just the everyday
beach frolic, drugs, and sex; I I started a
project. Since I needed transportation on the
car-free island, I got to work smuggling pieces
across on the ferry.
Hey, I gotta pay homage to the classic, but
I am smarter than a fanatic, I need multiple
speeds. The coaster brake, seat, and bars do
have advantages. I spoked up an internal geared
7 speed hub with the widest rim I could get
– Array RM-25.
Much tire research was performed. Several
designs were tested. Of course wide tire floatation
is necessary. Beyond that, one of the biggest
problems I discovered was the tendency for sand
to be picked up on the side faces of the upward
rotating knobbies. This added weight contributed
to the drag and would slow the tire. The best
drive tire design turns out to be one with more
ramp sided knobbies, sloped in the direction
of power. The front needs to be smooth; the
side ribs of the Moby Bite reduce drag and improve
cornering. This bike rides well through medium-deep
sand. Upright bottle cage for beer.