Bat56

Armageddon bike. Bail out bike. Whatever. Describe it. Sky is the limit but keep it real.

Artkansas 

There you go. But I've upgraded to racks that will take panniers.

Or you could try this

Airless tires, powder coated, built-in generator light, driveshaft and 8 speed IGH, pretty much bulletproof.

CraigB

Is this anything like a zombie apocalypse bike?

iheartbacon

https://www.amazon.com/Kamp-Rite-Bush...I35PFURA6D194D

I'd put some mountain bike tires on that trailer and hook it up to a good hard tail mountain bike. Some basics like water filter system, solar panel to recharge batteries in electronics, good backpacking oriented gear, a good map and a compass.

spectastic

how do you expect me to keep it real if the sky is the limit?

wahoonc

Which ever one is closest to the door and ready to roll?

Seriously, I work and live in hurricane zones so for 6 months out of the year I keep an eye on the skies, so to speak. I used to travel with a pickup truck and ALWAYS had a bicycle with me. I was working in Mobile, AL when Katrina hit. I had my old Raleigh 3 speed with me on that trip. It allowed me freedom to move about without having to take detours around road blocks, or spend 2-3 hours a day sitting in line waiting to get 5 gallons of gas that would only last me a day or two.

Now I travel in a Honda Accord so I have downsized my bike accordingly. Currently I use a Dahon Classic III.

Any bicycle that will haul me and my basic needs up the road is a candidate.

Of my current stable I would probably either grab my city bike or my expedition tour bike.

Aaron

AlmostGreenGuy

Hmmmmm.... Definitely a steel mountain bike. Steel Fork. Single speed. Dynamo lights. Tubeless tires. VERY good quality wheels. Racks on the front and rear. As little to go wrong as possible, with a maximum amount of versatility.

rebel1916

Drz 400

fietsbob

heavy steel flash-welded Schwinn Varsity , hard rubber airless tires.
Gearing optional..
tubes are not made in the post collapsed society..
probably every one will be armed and shooting each other for their stuff..

bud16415

https://www.vintagecolumbiabikes.com/id111.html

https://www.militarybikes.com/products.html

https://www.militarybikes.com/gallery.html

https://gearjunkie.com/montague-paratrooper-pro-bike

Booger1

60's-70's Schwinn beach cruiser......

1nterceptor

Meh, I'll just add gloves to whatever bike I'm riding at the time.

GrandaddyBiker

A get away bike would be useless to me. I am not going anywhere without my children and grandchildren and my bike won’t carry nine people. In my case nine different bikes would not work either. Whatever the disaster maybe, nature or manmade, I would have to stand my ground and fight it. None of us knows what the future holds. The only Armageddon I see in our nation’s future is a financial one. If that happens a dependable bike will be a good thing to have but not for the purpose of running away.

In a total collapse a bike would be more valuable than money. The more bikes you own the better. I have just given you an excuse to go get that n+1.

Keith99

Only thing I can think of where A bike would be of any use for in So Cal is a quake.

Sorry I have a couple hundred Pounds of Charcoal, a well stocked panty and freezer and a pool full of water. (and enough chlorine to make safe if a bit distasteful).

I'm sitting tight. I can get to mom's house or my brothers house without crossing or going under any bridges. Sisters, Neices and nephews I could still likely make by car, but if a bike is the way my standard road bike is as good as any.

iheartbacon

In a total meltdown of U.S. society I only have to make it the 200 miles or so to Canada, I figure I can do that in 7 days. Once there I'll find a quiet spot in the Yukon and figure out how the hell to live in the country. Support myself by growing and selling pot. Maybe get my resume writing business going again if I have internet. You guys in the south can build rafts and head for Cuba.

Artkansas 

Then do it in style.

GrandaddyBiker

Do they make that in a folding model? My n+1 has got to be a folding bike.

LarDasse74

Surly big dummy, 2X8 drivetrain (so is compatible with parts scavenged off X-mart bikes) with friction shifters. Hidden quick-draw mount for sawed-off shotgun behind the seat. Because this thread got me thinking, I have ordered two spare tubes and 1,000 patch kits. I may be desparate to survive, but no way I am riding on solid rubber or hi-density foam tires!

Poor iheartbacon has a little too much faith in us here in the Great White North, but not enough in the ability of the fine people of Yukon Territory to grow their own weed.
I cannot imagine any scenario that actually requires 'escape' from the USA that does not immediately spill over into Canada - I would bet 25% of American civilians are better armed than Canadian border crossings - although I think the border guards are all armed with pistols as of 2006. And I guarantee it will be easier to get weed than potatoes in Whitehorse (if it isn't already).

So you have exactly one tank of gas (~300 km maybe) then you are stranded. Well done!

iheartbacon

Hmmm, maybe I'll use my bike to smuggle bacon and maple syrup out of Canada and to the millions of starving Americans during the crisis. It'll be like bootlegging, only gayer.

Now I have to find a Canadian to marry to get the free healthcare and easy weed in Whitehorse.

wahoonc

After what fietsbob said I am going to stock up on inner tubes, might be the new currency I already have the n+1 covered to the tune of 30+ at the moment

Aaron

bobdell

xenologer

Assuming total collapse of industry: Surly Troll frame.
Setup will vary over the years based on what other bikes you salvage parts from. Need not worry; almost any dead bike you find in the cursed earth will be useable for parts.
Trolls can use disk or rim or coaster brakes;
singlespeed, derailer, igh, or rolhloff drivetrains;
26" wheels and tires will be common; but if need be there is frame clearance for 700c in disk brake mode.
Frankenbike/cannibalism compatibility allows longest term survival.

rebel1916

I live close enough to NYC that the ability to move quickly ahead of the fallout is of primo concern to me! Once I'm in the Adirondacks I can scavenge from the camps of all the citiots who are sstuck down in the city with their hair falling out.

Doohickie