Chief

13 hours ago, AustinBike said:

We started thinking about owning like leasing. Think about what it costs per month. 

We just got a new 2021 and traded in a 2016 with <30K miles on it. Basically the 2016 fetched $16K and we had bought it for $32K. So $16K for 5 years. Basically that is $266/month. I have some formulas and spreadsheets to look at maintenance costs (~$100/year on our Nissans) and things like tires (~$600-700) and whatnot. When you start doing the math, looking at the increasing costs for maintenance and then things like having to replace tires, some interesting equilibrium points come up. Like it is actually cheaper to buy a new car than put tires on it sometimes because then you have to amortize that purchase.

When people ask me the question of whether they should keep their current aging vehicle or buy new I always tell them to add up the cost of their maintenance over the course of a year and divide that buy 12 that equates to a monthly payment if that payment is less than a new car they usually have their answer. Of course there is alway the issue of "is the cars value worthy of the cost of this repair"?  There is basically only two ways to get the most value from your car purchase one is to have enough equity in it in three years to trade up the other is to drive it for at least ten years. Five years is the breaking point for a cars value after five years the cars value plummets like flight 800.

Wheel base looks kinda short

11 hours ago, throet said:

Ditto!!!!! Happened just the other day and I'm thinking "damn ... how many times am I going to have to say thanks, appreciate you letting me by". 

Only once

The Research store now has Trek signage. I'm kinda curious as to how long the Trek train can keep going. I'm also curious if they can sell enough bikes and parts along with service to keep the doors open.

I owned a Trek road bike years ago but wouldn't buy a Trek now. I think that their bikes are somewhat underwhelming especially for the price you pay getting a bike spec'd with house brand parts.

To each their own though I guess.

P.S. I also will never own a Specialized just because of their predatory business practices.

Here's a long term review of Onyx hubs. They are great hubs but come with a weight and wallet penalty.

https://bikepacking.com/gear/onyx-hubs-review/

14 minutes ago, Shanerpvt said:

Thanks for this.  Any idea how the Onyx Vesper hub compare in durability?  In principle the “cams” seem to operate like pawls?

 

Thanks for your thoughts,

Shaner

Onyx hubs use a sprag clutch design. It's essentially a roller bearing that engages in one direction and when not engaged there is no contact with the hub shell allowing it to freewheel with no friction from the drive mechanism. Here's a good video of how it operates.

15 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

I believe I have now replaced all the original outlets in our house.  As part of the project I mapped each breaker (I still have a few left to map).  I thought I was done with outlet swap years ago then discovered I had 10 more to do.  I've replaced almost all the light switches too.  For any of you in older homes with original electrical stuff, look into replacing them, especially if it's the cheaper builder grade stuff with press-in connections.  Several of my outlets came out in pieces, and several light switches had been arcing.  Breakers wear out too.

 

I need to do mine. Like you said the builder switches and outlets are garbage. I've replaced quite a few as of now but want to swap them all out. I've replaced a bunch of switches that came out in pieces. Kinda scary.

15 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

DT350/DT240 and the CK hubs have different drive mechanisms but I think they still experience extreme pressure.

DT spreads the load over the entire Star ratchet. Pawls spread the load over just the pawls that are engaged typically three pawls even on a 6 pawl freehub only three are usually engaged. Chris King uses a spiral gear for engagement that as load increases the spiral gear engages more. Pawls are OK but usually show their weakness with heavier stronger riders. Higher end pawl hubs usually hold up well it's the OE ones that come spec'd on some bikes that typically fail. Wheels are usually where bike companies cheap out. 

10 hours ago, Cafeend said:

Zero riders, shit ton of bugs

 

Bugs are protein😝

9 hours ago, Austin Smithey said:

I will get back to you on that as I don't need them right now per se. Certainly don't hold them for me if you've got other people asking. But I appreciate it nonetheless

Yeah no worries I'm not actively trying to sell them. Hit me up if you want them.

I felt fine yesterday after the shot arm wasn't even sore. Got some mild chills last night woke up with a mild headache and arm is sore. Like @AntonioGG said this is kind of a booster for me because I had covid. Should be GTG.

Found out I'm getting the J&J shot. One and done!

What are pawls? DT350😉

1 minute ago, AustinBike said:

The best vaccine that you can get is the first one they can put in your arm.

Technically have already had my first dose seeing as I've had Covid. But yeah however it needs to get done.

I get stabbed tomorrow don't know which vaccine though. Would prefer the Pfizer but I'll take what I can get being what a shitshow this whole vaccination rollout has been.

Death throws of a dying government. Average lifespan of a government being 200 years we're getting near the end and all the people with wealth already are trying to gobble up as much as they can in hopes of being able to ride it out until the next form of government comes along. The money grabbers need to keep in mind that you can't spend a confederate dollar anywhere these days.

New Zealand just increased its minimum wage to $20 an hour. The increase is up a $1.14 from what it was. They also increased the tax base for the wealthy to 36%.

We've all heard this nonsense of make America great again. America was great when the corporations were being taxed at 50%+.

11 minutes ago, Teamsloan said:

One other area to wrap that I wouldn't have thought of before, but I'm glad I have it...a strip along the top tube. It doesn't get hit by rocks, but I sit on it a lot and I have my tube and battery (in the winter) strapped to it. That section has probably seen more abuse than all the others.

Top tube also gets scuffed by your foot when you step over.

I have an XT 96BCD but it's 175 arms. Any specific reason you want 170-172.5?

48 minutes ago, throet said:

@WLemke How's your Ride Wrap holding up?

I'm looking at Ride Wrap's generic "covered" package, but wondering if I would be better off just getting a roll of heli-tape to cover those areas that I believe are most vulnerable. Anybody used heli-tape for frame protection, and if so, what thickness works best? Suppose you could vary the thickness, e.g. 18mil strip on the bottom of the downtube and around the chainstays with something thinner around the seatstays and top tube.  

If you're gonna wrap it get the kit for your bike. When done properly it's basically invisible. I had an Invisiframe kit on my Following.

I just figured out what size and what I needed. Yes glued and screwed. Used it for last six years until I sold the vehicle. Pretty easy to make.

Something like this? I know you can't see the whole thing but you can get the idea.

3 hours ago, Austin Smithey said:

This summer I will be working full-time ($$$) and seeing as I just got a gravel bike I would like to build up a 700c wheelset. Where do I even start trying to do something like this?? Any tips or info would be great!

 

I have a set that came off my bike if you're interested. Stock wheel set. 12x142 rear 12 x100 front thru axle. I'll let them go cheap. Alex wheels.

I'd also build you a set if that's what you're looking for. Be forewarned not easy getting parts.

I'm rebuilding the wheels on my FS took three weeks to get spokes standard size nothing custom and I'm still waiting for the hoops to arrive their stuck in Germany somewhere for the last three weeks.

If you plan to hacksaw it make sure you wear gloves and a respirator/dust mask. Carbon dust is not good for you.

Everyone has and is entitled to their own opinions this is part of what makes us who we are. How we respond to these opinions is part of what determines our character as people. Being able to discuss these opinions civilly is the test of our character. 

Your ability to post this shows the quality of your character. 

Thanks.

16 minutes ago, ATXZJ said:

Anyone else have sago palms?

Had three that got hit pretty hard. Dug one out but the roots looked really good so I left the other two hoping theyd come back to life.

There's a short paragraph about Sago palms. 

https://www.statesman.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2021/02/23/texas-winter-snow-storms-survive-plants-trees-garden-dead-dormant/4548153001/