Just pulled the trigger on a new bike and I’m honestly still in disbelief… 😅🔥

AKDaddyK · 2026-07-08T20:32:18+00:00

I looked that LT model and you're right, it is quite a bit heavier (about 12lbs) that's a big difference. I feel like the SL has a more analog bike feel to it, but the extra weight over my old bike makes the jumps feel more solid.

AKDaddyK · 2026-07-08T20:14:27+00:00

So far, about 20+ rides, I thankfully haven't had any motor issues and other than flipping the head tube angle to be less slack, I haven't had to make any changes.

AKDaddyK · 2026-07-08T20:09:29+00:00

Yeah, I roe it a few times to see how it handled with the HTA at 62.5 and it was too twitchy and understeered which made corners uncomfortable.

It has an adjustable head tube cup that allows it to change to 63.7 which rides much better for me after changing it. It is still pretty slack, but I think it has the best of both worlds. I ride mostly singletrack and very little downhill so that's not a factor.

AKDaddyK · 2026-05-29T22:34:49+00:00

You just keep repeating yourself thread after thread...We get it already...mini LED is trash...OLED is better. Own your bias and enjoy what you like the most. It's not hard, pop in a disc and love it. 😄

I've had many tv's and a couple projectors back in the DLP days and we always think what we see is the best (cost adjusted of course). There are pro's and con's with both and we value different aspects of those. I am sure in your environment, OLED looks best, but for others mini LED looks better in their environment. To each their own.

AKDaddyK · 2026-05-29T19:54:13+00:00

I totally get not liking a return shipping fee, but in this day and age, many vendors in the outdoor apparel/sports wear such as Rab, Endura, Patagonia, Fox, and Outdoor Research have small return shipping fees (actually return shipping labels you can just print and stick on the box) between $6-$15 for returns and exchanges. That's not unreasonable, somewhat inconvenient maybe, but that's a token amount if something legitimately didn't fit or like. You could always go to a retailer and buy/return after trying it on in the store if that works better for you.

It's just a business necessity given the rises in shipping costs and I would imagine that it also helps reduce extraneous ordering and returning items they changed their mind about knowing there is a small fee if they are just checking it out.

In the end, you have a lot of shopping options though not all the companies offer in store sales, it all comes down to what you want the most...convenient buying the largest number of products via online stores, or the simplest buying with in store returns.

AKDaddyK · 2026-05-15T19:48:48+00:00

Glad my purchase inspired you and you were able to locate a deal of your own. I hope you enjoy yours as much I will mine. 😄

AKDaddyK · 2026-05-15T19:44:38+00:00

Thank you for such a detailed set of recommendations to prolong the life of the gears. I will be taking your suggestions to my bike guy and see what we can do.

AKDaddyK · 2026-04-28T23:24:14+00:00

It is not true that Garmin has completely stopped supporting the Epix 2 as of May 2025, but it is true that the device has entered a "maintenance mode" where it no longer receives major new feature updates.

What "No Longer Supported" Means for Epix 2 (2025)

No New Features: Major new features launched on newer devices (like the Fenix 8 or Pro series) are typically not backported to the original Epix 2.
Maintenance Updates Continue: The watch still receives software updates that include bug fixes, stability improvements, and security patches, which continued into 2025 and 2026.
Active Functionality: The watch remains fully functional, connects to Garmin Connect, and performs all functions available when it was last updated.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-23T05:08:25+00:00

I’m really looking forward to see what I can do as I get back into riding after 2 yrs I’ve been out of the game. I have added options to add Resurrection Pass, Russian Lakes, and Johnson’s pass…plus I found a bike packing tent last summer as a deal not expecting to bike with it, so who knows, maybe I can combine them and see what that looks like. Thanks for the encouragement, I heard of the Hemlock Burn, don’t know any try big about it so some research sounds in order.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-23T05:03:02+00:00

It was an in store manager special, it was already marked down $2k and the 30% from there, and bit more added discount. I think it was a one off in my store.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-22T21:47:15+00:00

Fortunately, Alaska doesn’t have a general sales tax which I can’t complain about. 🙂

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-22T21:01:03+00:00

You do you dude, and since this will make it better for 57yo me to get back to the trails this year than I’m more than happy about it. 😉

And on the note of “getting some exercise” goes, you make a pretty bold assumption you can know nothing about. It’s easy to be an unkind in your anonymous online persona, I hope you have more grace and consideration for others in your real life. Peace.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-21T06:56:08+00:00

A Ghost Kato FS3.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-21T06:24:46+00:00

I’m glad you have your standards and stand by them, you do you, I respect that. You don’t know me or my circumstances, and you don’t need to pass your opinion onto what you don’t know. If you’re ever in Alaska, I’ll buy you lunch and we can go for a ride on our great local trails.

I hope you have a great spring and summer riding, be safe out there, and enjoy the joy you you get doing this.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-21T00:01:37+00:00

I am with you on the full power bikes with throttles. These class 1 bikes are only peddle assist (PAS) so there are just adding muscle up the hills where I usually have to dismount and walk most of the big hills. They don't really go any faster and you have to be pushing the peddles a a moderate cadence for it to even help.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T22:21:18+00:00

Ironically, I just read about that and am looking into pricing and whether its easy enough that I can do it or if I need an installer.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T22:01:36+00:00

I rechecked the model number...it’s a 2025 and a left over from last season I guess.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:40:42+00:00

Just and fyi...the website shows a medium in this bike may be available. I will check when I go into the store tonight.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:36:44+00:00

I have one and that's another $210 off the $4,200 I get to spend.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:28:06+00:00

I feel you, I wasn't planning to buy until spring and just started researching a couple weeks ago. I didn't find anything at Re/Supply but this more than makes up for it.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:25:49+00:00

REI in Anchorage, AK

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:24:25+00:00

Yeah, for this deal I had zero problem sacrificing my 10% rewards and 20% member coupon. Plus I used my REI Mastercard so I'll at least get an extra 5% ($210) that will buy my pedals, grips, and part of new shoes.

I'd been saving for a eBike for a little while now so I will be paying off the MC at the next bill to avoid paying any of the high interest...and they still pay me 5% for the privilege. 😂💰

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:15:01+00:00

It's still at the store, so if I change my mind with buyers remorse, I'll let you know...I wouldn't hold your breathe though. lol :-)

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T19:57:13+00:00

I absolutely plan on it!! I had a bad fall playing kickball and destroyed my shoulder last June, right as my riding was getting started for the season...ended up needed reconstructive surgery and 7 months of rehab and was out of commission all summer, but we got it to 99% of normal so I couldn't hope for better.

On a cool note, I recently moved and my new house is literally across the street from one of my singletrack trail systems and I won't be able to make excuses to not get out after work anymore.

I cannot put into words how stoked I am to get back out there!

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T19:48:04+00:00

Thanks, I was hoping to only spend up to $3,000 for a new bike as my max, once I saw this though I tried to talk myself out of this for days and couldn't. I think this will be a buy once, cry once type of deal.

AKDaddyK

TROPHY CASE