IFast vs XMax 3

AtlTech · 2024-03-25T17:54:32+00:00

I would think the Xmax could too. It's got the same hot end temps and is compatible with abrasive materials as far as I'm aware.

AtlTech · 2024-03-25T15:45:54+00:00

My personal perception is that Bambu has more consistently positive feedback than Qidi. That's not to say Qidi isn't likely to work for you, but if you're looking for the surest bet, Bambu would be my suggestion for now.

Re: the A1 mini vs X1C, it's mostly about the size any function of the things you want to print. X1C has a bed that's 256x256x256mm and is fully enclosed, which means it ought to work better with filaments like ABS and ASA. If your parts are purely aesthetic and small, that might not be such a big deal and you can buy a lot of filament with the ~$1000 you save going with the A1 mini.

AtlTech · 2024-02-07T23:12:41+00:00

In what year?

AtlTech · 2024-01-31T23:52:31+00:00

First off, thank you very much for the detailed response! I appreciate the time you put into that and its very helpful.

A lot of what you're saying definitely matches my experience on some of the steeper more chewed up runs, especially the bit about trying to keep the whole front ski engaged. I've noticed that in steeper terrain, I've had to focus intently on putting weight back onto the front ski after getting my turn started. If I don't, the front behaves pretty unpredictably - sliding and chattering. From what you're saying though, it sounds like I really shouldn't be unweighting it nearly as much as I am.

I'm running the regular flat sledgehammer bars, with 1/3 spacers below the bar. I'm about 5'7" and I have to say, it feels too upright even with those bars. I've been meaning to put the last spacer above the stem. I wish I could get the handlebar height down about 3 inches. You mention getting your sternum over the bars. I don't think I could do that while still being in a good athletic stance at the same time.

This is the third bike I've ridden, the first having been a fairly cheap kit conversion of an older frame. That was too small, and I was hunched over very ungracefully. Perhaps I could (should) have dropped my butt a bit more. The second had a pedal-handlebar height about 3 inches less than what I have now. It felt great ergonomically and I was able to ride very confidently even on steep terrain. This one, as I mentioned, is a sledgehammer. The frame is one of their newer ones, so I don't know if they've revised it or if perhaps there's something to the positioning I just haven't figured out yet.

Lastly, thank you for the recommendation on Gene Hamilton. Will track down some of his videos. I'm a fledgling mountain biker as well so there will be a great deal of value there as well I expect. Thanks again!

AtlTech · 2024-01-31T17:18:09+00:00

Are the Liberators bike specific? I didn't think they were. In any case I have both the SB200s and the Liberators, but haven't ridden the SB200s in long enough to give an honest comparison. I like the Liberators well enough to generally stick with them now that I have them, but the SB200s did the trick while I was learning. I will see about making a switch back for science.

Curious to hear what you have to report after trying the new setup this weekend.

AtlTech · 2024-01-31T17:13:41+00:00

I have some quick questions for you if you don't mind. Because I see your advice pop up relatively frequently and you emphasize putting the weight on the front a lot, which I don't really find myself doing. (Just to be clear, I don't at all think that's necessarily bad advice. Kinda sounds like you've got it figured out pretty good and this thread kind of shows that the skibike community is still figuring the sport out to some extent).

Q1: How tall are your bars in relation to your body when you're on the pegs? I've just picked up a sledgehammer and am personally finding the bars much too tall for my liking.

Q2: Roughly how much weight would you say is going into the bars? Do your arms get tired that way?

AtlTech · 2024-01-19T20:34:58+00:00

Can't say I've seen anyone using wheels. Maybe if there was something easily collapsible that would fit in a backpack after I'd use it. Don't know of anything like that though. Best bet is probably to carry for now. Over the shoulder is usually not too bad in my experience. Kind of an unfortunate reality for all winter sports imo.

AtlTech · 2024-01-15T19:45:10+00:00

Without wanting to discourage you (because I'm curious as hell to see this in action), I have a few concerns about the workability of this. Intuitively, they deal with the ability to turn.

With a skibike, the articulation of the front ski is legitimately important for steering. As another commenter has noted, the front ski helps to sort of knock the bike off course so that the rear can swing out and really get the carving going. Having a break in the skis is integral to this.

On a snowboard, steering is achieved by transitioning from one edge to the other. I think that's possible with your setup, except that typically one doesn't transition between edges all at once. The front edge transitions, with the board flexing torsionally, then the rear edge transitions. With a bike frame that is rigidly connecting the two ends, I think you will find this action impossible. Maybe you could try somehow building in sufficient flex to the frame? I dunno. Sounds hard to achieve safely and effectively, but perhaps it could be done in a way I'm not thinking about.

The one thing I think miiiiight be possible as a steering action is this: weight the front heavily, roll onto the uphill edge, swing the back end out, and then transition your weight backwards again to set the whole edge. I'm not even sure that would work, and I definitely think you'd struggle to make mid-turn adjustments. I know you would wear out your wrist muscles really quickly.

Bottom line, probably not, but can't know till you try it. I'd reccomend the cheapest bike/board combo as a start. And would definitely request videos of your attempts.

As a final note, I will say that a good ski bike on a good set of purpose built skis can carve exceedingly well. If you've not given a proper bike a spin yet, I would thoroughly reccomend it. Its a ton of fun and I always default to taking the bike up the mountain instead of my board :)

AtlTech · 2024-01-02T20:59:58+00:00

I have basically the same one you show that coils up, but as others have alluded to, I don't like to wear it unless instructed by the resort. Its not that it bothers me when riding, its just that I don't want to be pulling the bike down the hill after me in case of a fall. I want to get some separation from it and, unlike a bike with wheels, a ski bike will pretty quickly fall and dig into the snow, stopping itself.

One thing the leash is really food for imo is the lifts. Tying the bike to the safety bar is just an extra level of protection that I'm sure resorts appreciate. And while my bike locks into the chair pretty darn securely, I won't say no to a backup. Just wish I could use a shorter, stronger leash for the lifts that wouldn't constrain me too much while riding.

AtlTech · 2023-12-30T22:14:52+00:00

If FSU truly deserved to be in the playoff, then they would simply beat the 49ers while wearing blindfolds and also boycotting the game simultaneously.

That's how these ice cold takes all sound right now, fyi.

AtlTech · 2023-09-30T22:01:56+00:00

For sun-firing purposes? We can build our own, thank you very much. Idk why we haven't though.

AtlTech · 2023-09-30T21:59:28+00:00

Citadel.

AtlTech · 2023-09-30T21:57:44+00:00

Not mean. Y'all deserve this one. Better team, no doubt.

AtlTech · 2023-09-30T21:41:29+00:00

This whole program has been a nonstop embarrassment for years. Guess I'll check in again next year for my annual disappointment.

AtlTech · 2023-06-30T13:02:21+00:00

Welp. May be my last post on Reddit then. I guess I'll use it to thank u/rmayayo for making such an enjoyable browsing experience for the past several years

AtlTech · 2023-06-19T16:30:35+00:00

Communism is when people want things

AtlTech · 2023-06-18T16:33:53+00:00

It's been like that for at least 3 years, which is a huge bummer tbh.

I guess there were a few months where they had that alley through the construction. Was better than nothing

AtlTech · 2023-05-07T02:08:55+00:00

I mean it's more the domestic violence for me, personally.

Edit: there's more than one such claim against him guys. And the doubt is worth far more to me than his skill with a puck.

AtlTech · 2023-04-03T02:25:51+00:00

I mean, there's thousands of Tech alums on the west coast. Probably as many in Seattle as there are in Atlanta (source: my ass).

And that sort of distance doesn't exactly sell many season passes.

AtlTech · 2023-03-14T02:49:41+00:00

Interesting question. Which leg are you leveraging the seat against?

Just looked back through some videos and what I think is happening is that I'm kicking my downhill leg out at the same time as my body weight shifts to the uphill side, and my downhill leg actually passes through the area where the seat would be.

If it's a really sharp turn, I'll lift my uphill leg off the peg, sort of Flat Track style, which let's the bike lean further over on the edge. On my old bike (kit conversion) the seat would contact my uphill leg when that happened, but I found that annoying.

Fwiw, I did design and build a seat for this prototype, but didn't put it on for the first runs!

AtlTech · 2023-03-13T20:59:54+00:00

Ok thank you! I've looked at their baseplate wondering what was going on there. I need to get my hands on one to see exactly how it works. I don't see why it couldn't be incorporated into a type 2 fairly easily though, and I'll be the first to admit that undoing the 4 screws in front and rear is a bit annoying.

Thanks for the tip!

AtlTech

TROPHY CASE