ssorgs

Idk, but saddle to sternum contact going *up* just shouldn't happen. Seems like to you're way too compressed. Ledges are power (and finesse) and most of us need more, not less, leg extension to generate power and increase maneuverability (of our bodies, not nec the bike). Color me contrarian, but I think the saddle is only an *obstacle* going down or in the air; otherwise it's a critical fulcrum that focuses your riding position and enables leverage. I'll offer that bunny hops are not a good model for ledges, imo. You need more run-up distance and more time to provide for compressing/rebounding your suspension, which makes the coordination of the complete move trickier. I think there are also too many limits to that approach - tall ledges, consecutive ledges, dips before ledges, etc - where the technique isn't just harder, it's counterproductive. I also find that compressing shifts my weight forward precisely when I need it backwards. Using your torso as a lever to raise your front wheel can be quicker, more predictable, and more forgiving than compressing. More forgiving because bad timing on the compression can lead to an endo (up!), for instance, whereas if you lever your font wheel up but not enough, you can still roll it because your weight isn't working against you.

Note the difference in saddle height! Maybe it's 'allowing' you to stay compressed too long. Personally, I approach seated, lean back to manual, then stand and punch. I know I don't need my seat lower to go up, only down.

Thanks, but made do. Homemade press wasn’t working. Took it to BSS north as Emile took care of top cup in 3 min.

Looking to borrow a bearing press today Sat 9/18. May just make one - thought I’d check first. For headset replacement. Thanks

Totally agree with putting more weight on your feet... PNW Range is Al, available in 31.5 & 35, and has a 10 deg backsweep (tweener!). https://www.pnwcomponents.com/collections/handlebars/products/range-handlebar-1

Great trip, Ronnie! Props to Sharell for not killing you in your sleep...yet! Updates are great - keep em coming!

They'd look better in bitcoin...

Great story about PNW's move away from the Zon. AS DEMAND FOR BIKES SURGED, AMAZON GOT IN THE WAY A bike parts company ditched Amazon to support indie shops instead https://www.theverge.com/22618306/pacific-northwest-components-bike-company-quit-amazon-support-indie-shops

Was the dump of identical walled posts that caught my eye. Moving on... Thx for the feedback y'all!

Then he's a dealer, not an owner.

I report YOU decide 😉 Guess the "selling my..." vs "selling a..." rubs me wrong; along with 'only 50 miles...and just received a full tune up'.

Just ran across a series for FSBO of lots of "Like New" bikes and components. All the ads start with, "I am selling my..." Sure looks fishy! https://austin.craigslist.org/search/sss?userpostingid=7352311334

Yeah, the link you shared @ATXZJ was enough for me! Ordered 3 pair to go with 1 shimano no-fin I could find (Trek Research). Ill put that on the front and eek a little more from my back until the Truckers come this week. Thanks again for the offer of your park bike's pads - if we weren't so far apart (while both still in Austin!), i woulda gone for it. FWIW, Mellow Johnny's has the fins (and some other M0s) but too pricey and I'm going fin-free...

Wow! Thanks! So far I got 1 pair of the D02S from Trek Research - that would take care of the worser fronts - and get me rolling again. I'll pm you some more thoughts.

AND I do have 2 pair of J02A Resin pads for a great price or trade!

Despite having prepared for this moment by buying 2 spare pad sets (J02A) over a year ago, I just realized they're not compatible with my BL-M8100s. Not optimistic I can find either of these in a LBS today (but I'll try!). Looking for metallics but would take resin at this point too. Fins or not. I can buy them from you today or replace them later in the week. Thanks!

That's how I make lots of adjustments! Go too far and dial it back...

That's about my top priority and Smith does very well with that, except for the Koroyd ones. The Engage I'm using now has a little more coverage and the internal channels may be a little smaller, but it's on par with the Venture.

None given, but no ask. I may have been a little sensitive to the timing, but it is my only helmet and didn't want too many rides on the busted one... If I had to guess, the fact that it separated and that the helmet's only two months old could have been factors. If was older and/or 'just' a divot or something, seems more likely the 30% route. Will say I do really like the helmet. Has an adjustable visor, which allows me to keep it in middle position for most trail rides so I have better visibility and am less likely to smack my bucket (esp at night). Then I can lower when on road during full sun beatdown. I often removed the visor on my previous Smith Venture because even occasional smacks sucked...

Smith helmets have worked well for me: fit, ventilation, weight...and now warranty. Had a wreck last week and didn't even think I hit my head and only noticed a day later. hard to tell but inside of strap frame separated, too. I submitted my crash replacement claim online and called a day later bc I hadn't heard back. I was told they typically offer 30% msrp from their site, but they ended up sending a $150 voucher to use on their site for a replacement helmet. This Engage has a $110 msrp, though was on sale. Cost me about $11 for shipping and tax. Not bad.

Whoa, this shit's for real! 1st ride yesterday afternoon and I was blown away! Rode road to TC and flats were a little awkward, with a weird dead/gap spot at the top of my pedal stroke. Really only went away if I was pushing my cadence or going up hills - though it was smooth climbing seated or standing (standing so long as was in big enough gear). Sounds like that's pretty common and I should adapt in short order. Though I did feel it some on way back. Trail was phenomenal! While still some of the gappy sensation on flat stuff, it made a huge difference climbing and let me cruise through rocky/loose stuff. I could climb really well seated, which is my preference for traction, and I just didn't stall out on ledges. When needed, I could stand and power up and over far more consistently than the before times. I could keep my weight back, which is something I have to work on as I sometimes find myself leaning far enough forward that I lose traction and while making it more trouble getting the front end up (great combo ;-). Another great 'use case' was through baby head-type sections, especially at the top of tricky climbs, where you can really lose momentum trying to crawl over them, I could just keep pedaling. My legs really felt less tired too, especially quads. I kept same tooth count as my round, though I did feel like I was often riding in a higher gear because...I could. Basically, every bit of absoluteBlack's 'Why Oval...' was true for me! Fuck alll y'all for not getting me on it sooner!

Some friends of friends or ours (a lesbian couple) had one of my fave license plates ever on their Element, "Boxy Lady"...

James Balentine of velofix austin does housecalls (contactless before it was cool)!

Sold me. Just order AB 30t.

Uh, that's the joke... Actual point is, why buy new for something used so little. I got my husky at one about 10 yrs ago and still goin strong...enough.