rockshins

35 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

Our 2005 forester was using oil (cylinder head issues) and the dealer scammed me out of warranty by doing long term “oil analysis” until the warranty expired.  I probably could have pursued legal action but just wanted it gone.

Sounds about right, we both look back on the Forester as one of the worst cars we owned, mechanically speaking, but also strangely one our favorites. Just made us want to get outdoors. Maybe it was the marketing, lol. 

On 4/27/2024 at 11:09 AM, AntonioGG said:

I owned a 2005 forester. 

Wife had a 2004 Forester and we loved it. It was underpowered for sure and stuff just fell apart (literally parts of the interior and exterior plastic would just fall off while driving), but dang was it a great car for us. I have to say the automatic transmission felt better in that car than the current Foresters. 

On 4/27/2024 at 11:09 AM, AntonioGG said:

I owned a 2005 forester.  Loved the body stoutness but they are like 20 years behind on powertrains.  They don’t get you the mpg you would expect for such anemic acceleration.  Also they seem to have issues with engine reliability.  I rented an Outback in 2018 and it was very familiar so I’m not sure they’ve changed much.

Test drove the Forester 2 more times and I agree it is a weak engine and don’t like the CVT transmission. Struggles a bit on hills and gets really loud trying to get up to highways speeds. Also they input fake gear changes in the CVT, just feels weird. Talked to a mechanic and he said the current Subie CVT is fine just not good for towing (I plant to tow a small camper). Like you said the mpg is not great considering how weak this thing is. Getting back in my Passport was a huge difference and the purr of that j35y6 v-tec V6 is awesome! Forester is solid car, but really slow and okay gas mileage. Parallel parking and gas mileage is gonna take a hit with this Passport but damn is it comfortable!

6 hours ago, Ridenfool said:

I think the tow rating is lower on later models too, if that makes any difference.

Yep it does, looking at the Subaru it’s 1,500 lbs except for a wilderness model that gets worse mileage. Would be looking for a bigger mpg difference if I am downsizing. Looking at popups and teardrops that are getting close to 1,500 lbs. Might just have to get used to city driving in the Passport 

3 hours ago, AustinBike said:

I rented one once.

Let's just say that it can hold its own against a deer.

Will that is a great sell for the car. One of the things I like about the Passport is the perceived feeling of safety while driving on highways with all the bro-dozers. Feel less safe in the Forester but obviously it is safe. 

11 hours ago, Ridenfool said:

I had a Forester for a few years. After owning an Impreza for several years. Both were great for MTB trips. The AWD will get you places you wouldn't expect to drive to, and through rain, snow, etc. if need be.

Subaru have changed their drivetrain since then, Better mpg, but I have no experience with anything recent.

Might check if there are still discounts for IMBA members. If so, join Austin Ridge Riders for IMBA benefits.

Thanks! Drivetrain is definitely different. Don’t love the CVT transmission but gets decent mpg. 

Any thoughts on a Subaru Forester? Have a Honda Passport but a little big for us and our city life. Looking at Forester for city driving and some trips with the MTB. Anyone have experience with this car?

Reveille Peak is having a festival for the eclipse, have heard they got a permit for 100k, who knows how many will show but dang. Going to be in Leakey for it, not looking forward to the craziness. 

Awesome price, but would bin that drivetrain, nx is pretty bad. Leaves you with a hg freehub, so could go shimano linkglide or Microshift looks good as well!

Sorry to hear about the health troubles. This got me to schedule a doctors appointment and blood draws. Wishing everyone good health going forward!

Spoke to Fox, they said 2019 X2 is one of the most reliable shocks they have ever produced. Looks like 2021-2023 X2 had issues. 

Thanks for the info, have a 2019, looking into this. 

5 hours ago, June Bug said:

Lovely winter day at WC. 

Were you out there today? Was wondering if it is rideable?

59 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

I used to ride it on a hardtail with ~80mm on the fork.

Would love to try it now on my FS carbon 130mm squishy with a seat dropper. I wonder if I would walk away saying, eh, what was all the fuss about?

I had to look up the travel on Rockshox Indy and I found this, would also like to check out that trail again on modern suspension. 

1 hour ago, ATXZJ said:

The countdown begins. Snowshoe WV

 

How are the conditions? Looked wet and foggy earlier in the week up top. 

Forest Ridge was so good, might have heard about some “friends” that did some secret rides out there with a get away car, lol. 
I had that MTB booklet, well a photocopy of it, but as a kid that thing was amazing, can’t find it for the life of me. Remember it listing where to swim nearby after the rides. Good luck with that nowadays. 

1 hour ago, AntonioGG said:

I tried this.  Maybe 10 years ago I bought a 1994 Rockhoper. It was in pristine condition (other than tires and brake pads being dry) with original clean chain grease.  Someone bought it back then maybe rode it once on the street and hung it up.  I replaced the parts and rode it at WC.  It was not enjoyable.

My first real MTB bike was a ‘94 rockhopper, lived by City Park and rode it rigid all the time (was a dumb teenager though). Was a big deal when at Christmas I got a Rockshox Indy fork. Made city park life so much better. Cantilever brakes were the weak link. 

I live in Mueller and we got pummeled last night. Worst hail storm I have ever been through and I have been through a lot. Sounded and felt like mortars were hitting our building. It was like a heavy rain shower but baseball sized hail. Neighborhood is a mess. Both our cars are most likely total losses. Luckily our windows didn’t get destroyed like a lot of our neighbors. Gonna miss rides until car situation gets sorted and it will be slow, walking around and any car parked outside has massive damage. 

My first real trail ride was at Forest Ridge as well! ‘94 on my Rockhopper. Rode up from bull creek. It was such a great trail and had good elevation. Crashed into barbed wired and got a cut on my stomach. Luckily had my tetanus shot before that. Loved that trail. RIP. Still ride once in a blue moon over at St. Ed’s. 

I think on Shimano brakes you are supposed to open the reservoir whenever you push the pistons back in, but I usually never do that. Sounds like you had too much fluid for sure. I use the Park tools pad spreader (pp1.2 methinks)but not on the pistons themselves, can damage the pistons. Just keep pads in and keep the tool nice and clean. The new one the p2-1 I think is more to get the the brake pads spaced as to not rub. 

2 minutes ago, TAF said:

I bought my first PC in Sim Lim Tower!

Oh wow, great memories!

35 minutes ago, TAF said:

We lived in Melbourne, and often used to stop off in Singapore to buy electronics. That humidity was nuts! I remember walking outside and you’d count to three, by which time you’d be dripping in sweat.

Brutal humidity, ladies would spend a lot of time on their hair for it to flop down as soon as they walked outside. I had a whole collection of VHS tapes that got ruined in the shipping container b/c of the humidity. I miss haggling on electronics prices, back when I lived there it was years ahead of the west on electronics. 

Living in Singapore for my secondary school years it was hot and humid. Had lots of local friends who either didn’t have “aircon” or never used it (people that bought our house never used our amazing mini splits in every room setup). Just open window and fans, not a lot of wind unless there was a storm. We played sports like basketball in open air gyms, American football in full pads etc. Definitely took some acclimation but totally doable and you just stay hydrated and enjoy the daily rain. It was weird seeing the Chinese teams drinking hot water during games. When I visit Singapore I don’t suffer and my friends come here and say, “it’s almost as bad, lol.”  So guess these brutal summers keep me honest and it makes sense why I prefer the muggy mornings! 

Yep I fill my camelback about 40% full of water, blow some air inside, lay it flat in freezer with the tube on top so water will flow and cold side is backside. 
I do better in the humidity over the heat for some reason, sweating buckets is annoying but feels kind of good. Sometimes there is a breeze in the am. I just suffer in the late afternoon heat more and am afraid of the dark, so morning rides for me. I also don’t drink anything special, Gatorade powder so I can water it down and I make my own salt drinks. Seems to work just fine, I know there are better mixes that are healthier etc, but haven’t really seen an improvement and I am just a weekend warrior.