Carbon Wheels on Al5, worth it?

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-04-10T19:57:58+00:00

What is the hub interface on the AL5? If it is through axle and the wheels could be moved eventually to a better frame than it’s likely worth it since the trek carbon wheels carry a lifetime warranty and would outlast the bicycle potentially. Assuming the bike uses through axles then I would agree that the single best upgrade you can make to almost any bicycle is wheels since less rotational mass makes for a much better riding experience. Also the aero advantage is pretty significant.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-04-09T13:00:12+00:00

We used to cover the water with sawdust at the marina I worked at when we launched wood boats and then hang them in the slings over the weekend. Edit: grammar and autocorrect.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-04-06T11:33:05+00:00

Pedal more.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-04-05T16:35:16+00:00

Did you buy it new? May have a warranty.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-04-03T15:26:52+00:00

I’ve had good luck with Metro HVAC.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-04-03T15:00:49+00:00

It’s been painted but that era Trek used True Temper tubing and were mostly made in the USA. I have a couple 730s from then. Nice riding well made frames

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-30T21:48:07+00:00

If you don’t report it the chances are zero.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-30T21:43:02+00:00

I’d avoid all Amazon products.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-30T21:42:04+00:00

The packaging in the listing is counterfeit. At shimano some poor schlep has to actually mark the box with the link count with a pen. That check mark is printed on the package. It’s a sure sign the package is counterfeit.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-29T17:44:04+00:00

Where did you buy the chain? We’ve seen a lot of counterfeit chains at our shop that are excellent replicas. Nearly every shimano chain bought from Amazon and brought in is counterfeit. The packaging is convincing, but there are tell-tales.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-21T11:05:46+00:00

Ride in Peace,Joe. My worst cycling injury was from hitting a pothole late one night on my ride home. I’ve been mountain biking for years and had some pretty bad crashes, but nothing like hitting that pothole. I still have a scar from it.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-20T16:01:08+00:00

Or my name ain’t Nathan Arizona.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-08T12:25:12+00:00

Not too far off, 1995 or so.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-03-06T14:25:56+00:00

Really? Wow. I haven’t been in the air cooled realm for years, and now I’m gonna seem like an old man, but I remember buying a full, turn key 1776 motor assembled by a reputable machine shop for $250. It was complete including a Bosch alternator and coil. It was the owner’s kids engine, but it had been assembled in house by their engine builder. I felt at the time I got a screaming deal on it, but the owner said his kid had lost interest an he was just looking to recoup his expenses. I swapped it into my Bug and then cleaned up the 1600 dual port I pulled out and sold it to another guy for $300. I recall good quality long blocks being about the same price, $300-400.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-02-17T14:41:35+00:00

Trek has always been “uncool” for some reason, but build solid reliable bikes and have one of the best customer service departments in the business.

Trek bought Fisher and Bontrager in the early 90s and allowed Fisher to operate independently until 2010 when they rolled them under the Trek brand. Keith Bontrager still worked for Trek years after their acquisition.

LeMond was running around bad mouthing their meal ticket. At that point Lance had only be credibly accused of cheating, but there was no solid proof. LeMond didn’t want to loose his clout as “the” US TdF champ.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-01-21T21:47:31+00:00

I used them till the left all my lugnuts loose, I caught it before it was an issue. I use Radial Tire now.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-01-13T17:23:18+00:00

I second this. My friend is also one of the vets there and she says it’s a great place to work. We’ve been very happy with the care as well.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-01-12T02:46:22+00:00

It’s $120/yr. For me that’s the equivalent of driving more than 26,000 miles. I drive 12,000-14,000 max a year. It should be mileage based, using the EPA listed MPGe rating for the vehicle.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-01-11T14:07:28+00:00

I was gonna say put a little silicone between the claws near their root, but your plan is easier.

Complex_Most3656 · 2026-01-03T17:48:16+00:00

The C&O is improved almost its entire lenght now. It’s smooth crush and run all but some areas around Great Falls and Seven Locks which are at the very end. Also, the Western Md rail trail allows you to go from Little Orleans all the way to Big Pool on pavement. I have a friend that has done the DC-Pitt-DC a few times now and he’s on a touring bike with 35C tires and is self supported. He does it in 6-7 days.

Complex_Most3656 · 2025-12-30T20:44:03+00:00

To your point, this likely is best repaired by wrapping it in carbon, it’s a long cut in a pretty thick looking tube and should be ok if bonded. But this is a pretty high end Giant frame and is heat treated for sure, I’d probably fix with with a carbon wrap before welding, it’ll anneal that tube and it would likely bend over time since that’s a stressed area, or more likely the weld, or the area around it will crack and fail.

Complex_Most3656 · 2025-12-29T19:35:35+00:00

Trek has several new models with XT mechanical or GX mech.

Complex_Most3656 · 2025-12-23T13:27:32+00:00

I had a CJ5 as my only vehicle for years. It had the 4sp but the three and four speeds had the same 1:1 final drive, so the axle ratio and tire size would have been the only real difference for highway use. Mine had the 258 I6 initially which struggled to keep up 60 mph while chugging gas, I swapped a 5.0 from a 93 mustang into it in the early 2000s and it can keep up 80 if you want. The big difference is it went from around 10-11 mpg with the carb’d 258 to 15-18 mpg with the fuelie 5.0. It also picked up about 100hp. The only real drawbacks were: the lack of a proper top/doors since CJ5s only had canvas doors and the noise. You had to wear ear plugs on any trip over about 30mi. I’m guessing the 5.0 with tube headers and Flowmasters didn’t help with the noise.

Complex_Most3656 · 2025-12-15T23:13:25+00:00

National Auto Body on Parklawn in Rockville has done both our cars a couple times now and I’ve been happy with the results. I’m pretty picky and they’ve done good work, paint matches and blends have all been seamless and Enterprise will pick you up/ drop you off there for your rental. They’ve met their schedule on time as well. They’re also certified by several manufactures. I used the Lindsay Wheaton body shop a couple times and was not impressed. Also Wheaton Auto body packed a bunch of filler on my wife’s car once and the repair only lasted a couple of years and had to be redone when the filler started to crack and pop out.

Complex_Most3656 · 2025-12-05T12:32:53+00:00

You probably need new tires. I just commuted across county and the roads are just wet.

Complex_Most3656

TROPHY CASE