notyal

9 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

Somehow I have landed on the PR list for some company. I get these emails every week with new beers that they want me to write about. The bad news is that I don't ever write about beer so I am not going to be doing that anyway. The other bad news is, well, look at the "beer"...

Do they send you the beer or expect you to find it, buy it, drink it, then write about it?

I had one of those Ryobi pole saws. Typically I'm a fan of the Ryobi line, but this one sucked. It stopped working reliably about just a few uses. The problem is that the pole has little power connections that have to touch each other to work, but you are actively pulling them apart as you cut. I tried a little to fix this for a little while, but it was also underpowered IMO, so I just gave up on it. Maybe I just got a dud. The 40V battery would be much better for this saw.

15 hours ago, Sluggo said:

Only real answers?

I know what and where I posted.

14 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

I cannot comfortably ride on my wife's WSD saddles.

I have a WSD saddle already mounted on a 27.2 seatpost if you want to try that.  We each have our seatpost + saddle with a collar (pre-set height) for easy swapping.

I have a few other men's saddles you are welcome to try.  You should definitely measure both yourself and your wife's sit bones before you pull the trigger.

Buck's by my neighborhood used to have a box of take-off saddles for super cheap ($12).  I have one Giant saddle you could have for that if it works for you.

Unfortunately, it's a weird proprietary seatpost and not that easy to swap saddles. 

We have a stationary trainer that my wife and I share. She rides it way more, so it's more important that she is happy. On the other hand, I'd like to ride it without the pain in my groin that the current saddle gives me. It's like the blood flow is cut to my inner hamstring area. The saddle is too soft and squishy for me. She doesn't mind it, but I think it's because (even though she loves simulated bike rides) she's not a cyclist and hasn't experienced a decent, more supportive saddle. I swapped a couple of options off my bikes for her to try. After brief tests, she didn't like either because they were too hard. In the end, it's her bike. I need to pick one that she'll love, and I just won't hate.

So here come some questions:

What's the difference in a women's specific saddle?

Would I (a male) be uncomfortable? (I've never been too particular about the saddle I've had on any of my previous bikes.)

Would going to a wider (150mm) saddle give her more comfort? (Neither of us are particularly wide in rear.)

Since it is a stationary trainer, things like weight, durability, and maneuverability aren't really an issue, so I'd prefer to keep it on the cheap side. I really think anything will be an improvement over the current saddle. Also, I have a Jenson gift card burning a hole in my pocket, so it's gotta be from there. A few I was looking at but open to others in the same price range:

https://www.jensonusa.com/WTB-Koda-Steel-Saddle

https://www.jensonusa.com/Ergon-SFC3-Fitness-Gel-Saddle

I redesigned my whole kitchen myself using the IKEA designer tool online. Then I took it into the store and they pulled up my design and made a few very good suggestions. I'd consider trying out that tool even if you don't go that route. It's really easy to move stuff around and see what you like. If you do go that route, there are contractors that specialize in IKEA installs. We've been very happy with the IKEA cabinets.

I did a lot of the work myself, but also had a contractor who did the harder stuff. The entire kitchen with floors, backsplash, counter, and cabinets cost about the same as the quote we got from a custom cabinet maker just for the cabinets.

We had the same weird box thing above the cabinets. We were lucky, but the contractor said that a lot of times there is some ductwork or other stuff hidden in there. Any of that stuff can be relocated, but the cost goes up accordingly. Same with power and plumbing for the island. I assume you are planning on new flooring in there anyway. 

Pictures of the current layout may be helpful.

34 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

One of my coworkers is from EP and is always talking about Chicos tacos.

It's an EP institution. Everyone has their own way of eating them. Some drown the tacos in sauce and cheese (that how I do it), some dip, some even bite the tacos and wash it down with a sip of sauce. The first time I ate it, I thought it was not good at all. Then I found my way of doing it, and now it's probably my favorite of the El Paso guilty pleasures. 

2 hours ago, Chongo Loco said:

Doesnt that fall under the “Red Beer” category they have on the board? Got a little dry heaving going just picturing that. 😜

Hangover cure.

16 hours ago, ATXZJ said:

Think we'll hit up charcoaler on way out to AZ tomorrow. Thanks

I'd recommend the chili cheese hotdog sandwich and an a green chili cheeseburger. They're small. One is not enough so I always get two and feel like a fat kid, but when in Rome...or El Paso.

5 minutes ago, ATXZJ said:

Yes. It was surprisingly good. The winter and makers were standoouts. Old Sheepdog brewing is on our list but the hours are tough to negotiate. Lasty ep has a pretty rock solid distillery too. 

Downtown is hit & miss when it comes to food but the stuff by utep is pretty good. Crave has killer breakfast if you need a break from Mexican food.

 

Close as everyone appears to be near death. El Paso

My wife grew up there, so we usually hit her old favorites. Chicos Tacos, Charcoaler, and J&R's Mexican Food. Not exactly health food, or good beer selection. 

15 hours ago, ATXZJ said:

 

Anyone up for a game of guess the taproom?

I cheated, so I won't divulge the answer. I'm heading to that part of the world this weekend for a wedding. Would you recommend trying this place out?

16 hours ago, Chongo Loco said:

“No CO2 cartridges inside” 

That's exactly what some who had CO2 cartridges would say. Don't put a "No cocaine stuffed in downtube" sign on your bike either. 

The EVOC bags are badass. I rented one from BSS before it was Trek. I don't know why more (or any) shops don't do this. My week long trip with a day on each side to pack it and return it cost around $100. Great deal for me as it is less than shipping my bike or getting a rental bike. For them, one more rental and they are probably free and clear of the initial cost of the bag.

I thought a port was a town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload, especially one where customs officers are stationed. 

This could be bike related. You won't know until you purchase and open these (presumably legally acquired) random Amazon boxes. 

Can't we just Focus on random bike pictures? This thread is turning into a Giant waste of time. 

14 hours ago, mack_turtle said:

I thought about it, but I didn't.

Thought about posting another bike name pun, but didn't? Thank you.

14 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

I bought the Berryman's to try it too, and I have a worn out Maxxis Rambler 40c that will be sacrificed for this purpose.  I'll try both Stan's and Berryman's at 50/50 with various size hole making devices.  I just need to get the time to do it.

Please be sure to get that on video.

23 hours ago, RedRider3141 said:

For every gear below 12 you need at least one oil slick accessory/farkle. 

Ahh, that's why the singlespeeders love ano so much.

29 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

After getting a flat at CP last Saturday I discovered a flaw in my torque strategy: rear through axle is bolt on and say 10nm on the bolt. Didn't happen to have a torque wrench with me.

Was thinking about getting one of these to throw in the pack:

https://www.prestacycle.com/product/prestacycle-torqkey-10nm-t-handle-torque-limiting-bits-tool/

Anyone else have a better idea? The problem is 10nm is a lot of force and probably easy to misjudge, in either direction.

That should work. My question is, is it that important to have your rear axle precisely torqued in the unfortunate situation of replacing a flat? You're already running compromised with a tube. At home, you're going to remove the wheel to replace the tire and can reset the torque there. So, you're going to carry an single purpose tool for every mile of every trail ride just to have the exact torque for one bolt for a handful of miles after a flat? 

Evangeline's Hank Williams platter. Jambalaya, crawfish pie, filé gumbo.

12 hours ago, sherpaxc said:

Sold. Went back to its homeland. 

Ti-land?

34 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

it can easily serve to amplify said dickishness.

I'd wager that riders of e-bikes encounter more dickishness on the trail directed at them than they direct towards other. (Just judging by the tone of this and other e-bike discussions)

"e-STRAVAAAAAA!!!!!"

7 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

*mojo mode*

still, I would want to ask such a young man, "why are you such a wussy? ride a real bike, you entitled, participation trophy-expecting little bitch."

Then, I would post 20 extreme close-up pictures of anuses. Man, MoJo was wild. 

5 minutes ago, ATXZJ said:

When I'm shit and can't ride a regular bike, I'll consider an e-bike. But again, where exactly in flatlandia are these things necessary?

You can make the same argument for suspension, gears, etc., etc. Even if you are a 21 y/o in the peak of your athletic performance and have more fun riding an eMTB than a regular one, I say, go have fun young man. Ride the bike that you have the most fun riding.

14 minutes ago, ATXZJ said:

True but he's sponsored by yeti , who recently released an e-bike. I take that kind of stuff about as seriously as I do pro riders drinking energy drinks. 

What!? Is my whole life a lie??