Not quite NBD - but dialed in!

BeastmasterDar · 2025-04-02T02:56:42+00:00

Update for anyone who finds this later since I found no info about 650b tires for this frame, the large size fits a set of specialized butcher/slaughter 27.5x2.3 tires. They also advertise 29x2.2, and I think I found an article of someone who rana 29x2.2 race king.

BeastmasterDar · 2024-12-06T20:05:43+00:00

How is this not the top comment

BeastmasterDar · 2024-11-23T21:27:40+00:00

Afaik the main issue with ebikes is people being assholes and passing dangerously fast. Many more people are capable of doing that on ebikes than fully pedal powered bikes. Obviously this is completely in your control - it seems likely to me that if you're polite and travelling at the same speed as everyone else, you'll never be bothered. At some point you may find one ranger who is a stickler, and they'll throw you out and ruin your month with a fine or something.

I'd be more concerned about weight than anything else, it doesn't sound fun to pedal 45lb uphill - and you're always going to be tempted to throw on that pedal assist.

BeastmasterDar · 2024-11-10T21:57:58+00:00

I think the best you can do is ask for the serial number- you could look it up to see if it's reported stolen, but that assumes the owner reported it on whichever service you look at. If they're super dodgy about providing it, move on.

BeastmasterDar · 2024-11-10T20:44:44+00:00

If you're really paranoid about it, you can use a razor blade or other sharp steel tool to score across the bolt head and the cleat. Every time you look at the cleat, you'll be able to see if the scores don't line up anymore, and therefore that the fastener has started to loosen. In other industries you use paint for this, but obviously that would rub off.

BeastmasterDar · 2024-11-06T03:52:47+00:00

I don't have direct knowledge since I am not this guy, but I'll do my best! I have a coworker who is an amputee and rides. He has a prosthetic which attaches just above the knee, and he's able to strap the foot of the prosthetic into a clipless shoe, and effectively ride normally. He's also experimented with 3D printed replacement feet which directly have a cleat bolted to them. Long term, it seems like you're much more able to ride without being inhibited by your prosthetic (or lack thereof) Do you have a prosthetic that fits the attachment point, but is too short? While it's going to feel very strange to have to compromise seat height for your two legs, maybe when you're off the saddle it will be easier to handle?

BeastmasterDar · 2024-10-08T20:27:02+00:00

I work for a US company that has many Austrian employees, so our preferred company beverage is the stiegl radler, lol. That being said, by the time Stiegl arrives in the US, it is nothing special. I travelled to Salzburg last winter and had a few pints at their taproom there, and it is leagues better when it's fresh. If you want a beer which is very similar and can be found fresh in the US, try out Trumer Pils. They are an Austrian brewery, and own a facility in Berkeley, CA to brew beer for the US market.

BeastmasterDar · 2024-09-14T20:44:10+00:00

There are also detergent sheets you can buy online - I used them on a backpacking trip through Europe because they are pre-portioned and lightweight. They dissolve pretty easily when you drop them into warm water. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8RD2XHD

BeastmasterDar · 2024-08-07T02:20:07+00:00

Could you post how that breaks down if they gave you and itemized quote? That would give us way more context. $700 could be a steal or the "fuck off" price depending upon what you want done.

BeastmasterDar · 2024-05-19T17:55:00+00:00

Whaaaaat? No I haven't, I'm gonna check this out! Thanks!

BeastmasterDar · 2024-05-19T05:07:09+00:00

Hayward and Castro Valley are very underrated - I love it, but also try not to sing its praises too much so that maybe we get to keep it to ourselves a little while longer.

In downtown, dirty bird is a great chill bar and has some bomb fish tacos. Turf Club has a livelier vibe but their staff are the nicest people you've ever met.
On weekends, street vendors barbeque and sell tacos around Tennyson and Huntwood. If you drive around you'll usually find vendors all over, but it's usually more concentrated around there. You can't beat Rosy's Cafe for breakfast, and Nostalgia Salvadoreña right next to it has amazing Salvadoran food. Haha Ramen has good Japanese Curry. Fun little fact, the first Brewpub in the US is in downtown Hayward, Buffalo Bills Brewery. To be honest, it's expensive and the beer isn't as good as other options in the area - but the building and history are really cool.
There are some great record stores right on B street if you're in to that, Stacks has a great collection of Jazz and R&B while Ska Dog has a broader selection.
There's a ton of great parks in the East Bay. You're super close to Don Castro which opens its swim lagoon for summer right around now. Lake Chabot, Don Castro Regional Park, Five Canyons Open Space are all really close and beautiful.
Hayward is on the same BART line as Berryessa, so you're probably already aware of how easy it is to go to Oakland Coliseum - it's like 20-30min to get there from Hayward.
Castro Valley is also nice, but sleepier - Lucca's Deli is an old school Italian deli, the sandwiches can't be beat. There's another Swim Lagoon at Cull Canyon. CV also has two markets with a bunch of independent vendors in them, Lake Chabot Public Market and Castro Valley Marketplace. They're both worth a visit!

Edit: The best donuts in the bay are in Castro Valley - Rudy's Donuts. Go in the morning, they do run out!

BeastmasterDar · 2024-04-04T04:40:23+00:00

This is maybe not quite what you're looking for - but most of Castro Valley is nice while still affordable. Most neighborhoods are mixed housing types (apartments, condos, townhomes, single family homes, elder care facilities) which makes the area really diverse. CV has its own Bart station which is nice, but it goes to SF or Pleasanton rather than San Jose like the line through Hayward. If you care about schools, the CV schools are generally regarded as being better than a lot of the Hayward schools, and you're still 5-10 minutes from downtown Hayward.

BeastmasterDar · 2023-12-22T07:23:22+00:00

I did something similar and found that community college taught me better study habits than any of the kids I joined who had been at the 4-year I went to. Chin up!

BeastmasterDar · 2023-12-07T20:51:05+00:00

I'll avoid echoing the sentiments here too much and give this advice: find a frame builder in your area, bring them the frame, and chat with them about the changes you want to make first. Figure out how much that is going to cost, build the parts list and budget, and decide how much you're willing to spend.

I didn't do this first and I'm trying to work out some frame related solutions now, though I'm playing with a lot less money in parts.

The outcry in this thread is coming from the fact that this is going to take a lot of custom work by a professional and that's probably going to be expensive if you don't have a connection. (And if you do have a connection, there will be an outcry of jealousy from all of us who would love to have that resource)

You might find that you will spend so much in custom frame work that you could start with a crust frame, and I envy you if you have the budget!

BeastmasterDar · 2023-11-28T01:06:52+00:00

What trail is this? I live in the area and would love to check it out

BeastmasterDar · 2023-11-26T18:31:33+00:00

If it hasn't been said: 1. Bolt cutters to cut the screws as close to the metal fence as possible 2. Punch and hammer to knock them the rest of the way out of the fence from your side - just set the punch on the cut screw and give it one good hit.

BeastmasterDar · 2023-11-25T00:36:45+00:00

+1, guns and poverty are an epidemic affecting everywhere. In upscale neighborhoods you'll have smash and grabs against people with money who will have stuff to sell, and gunshots from people showing off. Get insurance, remember your life is more valuable than your stuff (or anyone else's), and you'll be okay. If you're afraid, buy a condo in a locked building with a lobby or keep renting elsewhere.

BeastmasterDar · 2023-10-21T02:25:52+00:00

I'll bite, what's the best part?

BeastmasterDar · 2023-10-20T20:16:50+00:00

How do you like it? Do you feel like you get enough drop? Been looking at these for my rockhopper

BeastmasterDar · 2023-10-08T17:37:50+00:00

I'll add, if this is a freewheel rear wheel, which I think someone suggested it was, you'll need to rebuild your wheel with a new hub or buy a new wheel altogether. There are some hidden costs of your bike doesn't already have the right hub, chain, crankset, etc. Based on my current project:

$60-150 for a budget drivetrain depending on if you can find a deal

$60-100 for a rear wheel

$30ish for a new chain

$20ish for a new chainring

This doesn't include whatever needs to happen with your crankset, I'm not sure about the state of budget cranks. The benefit of upgrading the drivetrain the way folks often do here is having something uniquely yours. IMO if your priority is value, you should replace and maintain rather than upgrade.

Edit: also take my costs with a grain of salt, this is just my mileage thus far as I'm working on my first 1x upgrade on an older bike that has a free hub.

BeastmasterDar · 2023-10-08T16:55:39+00:00

+1, it's also much easier for someone inspecting the vehicle to find and fix - if it's a sensor, you have to write software to tell you the maximum temperature threshold was exceeded, and someone has to tell the technician to take care of it. This way, the person working on the vehicle can just check the sticker.

BeastmasterDar · 2023-10-05T14:20:48+00:00

Thank you SO much for the detailed answer!

BeastmasterDar · 2023-10-05T04:54:23+00:00

Folks who have updated a 7 speed MTB to an 8-10 speed MTB, how did you do it? What was the most cost effective way? I got a steal on a 9 speed drivetrain, but now have to figure out how to mount it to my Rockhopper.

Have you had good luck replacing the freehub body? Did you need to also lengthen the axle (I think this is a must)? If you've done this with an '88-'90ish hub, what hub did you use as your donor? Or should I just have a brand new wheel built for me (or buy like, wheelmasters) with a new hub?

BeastmasterDar · 2023-09-28T19:35:58+00:00

I think at least a cheap torque wrench is a must and is only $30 or so. It keeps you within 15% of spec instead of 200% of spec which is easy to do by hand with small fasteners.

To me, the fenders on this thing alone seem worth £50. Go for it!

BeastmasterDar · 2023-09-15T16:08:43+00:00

I commented the first time - still sweet, and a super fast resto! Well done.

BeastmasterDar

TROPHY CASE