RedRider3141

A while back I tried some frankenbike work and put my 150/130/110 Fox Talas on my HT in place of the stock 100mm Rockshox Fork. I really liked it at the 130 setting and found it and the Hard Tail a great match to my riding. I've been on the lookout for a straight 1-1/8 steerer, 9mm axle, 120-140 fork. They almost don't exist. Along came a few reviews on this thing and in early December I ended up ordering one of these: Manitou Markhor forks for my HT. https://www.probikesupply.com/products/manitou-markhor-fork-27-5-100mm-travel-9mm-axle-matte-black They've been out of stock and keep messaging me it's going to be another 2 weeks with an option to cancel my order. I just said give it 2 more weeks but then I am thinking of canceling. Really, I'm trying to push off buying a new bike which is not an option for now. I've whined about this before on here: "blah blah, I have two bikes that work and make me smile but I think I really want a *Insert new bike here*." Am I crazy? Should I wait? Should I cancel? For reference, here is the review that pushed me over the edge to buy it in the first place:

I admit, Seth's recent videos did play a part in re-sparking my interest an interest in my RC hobby.

I thought that there was a thread on this already but couldn't find it. I remember it coming up a few times. After buying my first crawler/basher, a Clodbuster, 23 years ago, I purchased a new crawler. I got a Danchee Ridgerock. Right? A what? It's a very entry-level but capable crawler that I think for its price can't be beat. Aside from backyard and a few places around the neighborhood, where are you guys running your crawler?

I have one. I love/hate it but it works.

Next steps: Wife is helping with some vinyl logos and then clearcoat over.

I have far less experience than it sounds X has but I'm pretty happy so far. It helps that the frame wasn't in good shape to begin with.

White and teal.

Yes sir! Just finished wet sanding and cleaning the frame. Hopefully tomorrow afternoon will warm/dry enough to paint.

In preparation for painting my daughter's bike I made some 3D printed masking plugs for the areas that shouldn't be painted. The head tube and seat tube are a slight press fit, the brake posts are held in by an old pair of bolts and the BB has a rubber band keeping them in place.

Rode SN/ church today, great conditions but a little slimy on the rocks due to the weird fog humidity thing going on this morning. Also, checked out a bit of Gandolf, super fun! Bad news, while taking a break, I could clearly see the cedars wafting their potent powder as the wind blew. 👎 Looked like this...

Another tip for setting up your trail tools. Before finalizing what you carry I recommend doing some basic maintenance like changing a tube/ valve stem, adjusting shifters etc. using ONLY your trail tools. This will help identify holes in what you are carrying.

Can't argue with that but it hasn't been an issue for me... so far.

Another fan of the trail boss but for the front. I have it paired with a worn Ikon on the rear. If the Ikon was fresh, I'd probably swap them.

I really like that. Reminds me of the Minimalist T-Handle I used to carry for Dirt Biking.

Mines pretty simple: Pedro's Micro Levers Just picked these up for Christmas (I stuff my own stocking sometimes) I like them because they have some extra functionality and storage. Topeak Mini Morph Pump Compact and easy to use, especially with higher volume tires Topeak HEXUS II Multi Tool My first real bike specific muliti tool and I've found it to be pretty great Gerber Dime I like this because it has some mini pliars that have come in handy I would love an in Stem storage like the OneUp EDC or the one above, but can't bring myself to pay for it, even though I think it's a reasonable price for what it is.

Unpopular opinion. I keep reflectors on my bike, at least my kids bike and my HT. I ride around the neighborhood, often at night, I like the extra visibility. If they fall off on 1/4 notch then I consider it a badge of honor.

I examined/repaired a handful of these overpriced/stored outside bikes in the last 6 months. Every time I told the owner, it's going to cost more than it's worth in just parts...

Can they be cut down? I have been having the same issue as @4fun but I also have a grip shift on my kids bike.

Duh. I had it backwards. Still, enough washers and it would solve the problem...

In Texas finned pads are like stickers, they are worth at least 50W. I agree that the calipers seem to be sitting low, you might getaway with a washer under each mounting lug/boss.

Another Thread Hijack. The story I heard was that there was an argument over this. Some engineers wanted to armor the areas marked by the red because that is where all of the planes returning from battle were shot. However, the other side said, no armor the areas WITHOUT damage because the planes that were hit there never returned.

I'm not much of a bike builder, more of an over qualified dept. store assembler. I did find a surprisingly quality kid seat that's available in multiple colors from Amazon. Not particularly light but lighter than the beat up one that came with the 24" Hotrock. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCTFB5L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_SxeYFbJ841J51?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Am I the only one who's brakes don't change or even get better with time? I installed like new take-off SLX brakes on my Mission 4 years ago. The front has always been a firm engagement and has never changed. The rear was slightly soft when I got it because for some reason the PO swore he had to remove the lower banjo in order to remove it from his frame. I always meant to bleed it/get it bled but it was never that bad, just noticeably softer than the front with a slightly spongy stop at the end. I experimented with tickling it and leaving the lever higher than the caliper by storing the bike vertically but only mildly saw any change. Time went on and this past year I noticed the brakes were evenly firm. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Just put an order in directly from their site. Here goes nothing! FYI, I ordered: 2X Color Smoothing Putty (this frame has some dings) Clear Coat