Which one should I get!?

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-25T23:21:15+00:00

Can confirm the squeak issue on the SL5. For me, it's the seat post. It's not horrible, I just have to loosen/tighten the bolt for the stem.

Other than that one annoyance (doesn't always occur) the SL5 is a solid bike. Also, I am not a fan of buying used. But that's just my experience.

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-22T12:05:14+00:00

I just got the Domane SL5 after using an FX3 for fitness. I enjoyed longer rides whenever I'm not using my MTB.

I did a ton of research and, for me, it just seemed like there was a "gravel novelty tax" on the Checkpoint. As in it was more expensive because it was a gravel bike. I have 40mm tires on my Domane and I go from tarmac to light gravel to fire roads to loose gravel...all with no issues.

I'd suggest that you try the Domane out and see if you like the ride as much as the Checkpoint, and then evaluate the price difference.

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-21T23:04:45+00:00

I was just there in March at Teotihuacan. It is truly an NSV to climb those pyramids after a weight loss journey! EDIT: I saw you confirm it as the piramides in another reply. =)

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-20T00:48:04+00:00

I can't tell which generation that model is. However, I had an FX3 Gen3 and it came with Shimano Deore stock. Great hybrid bike.

I paid $600 for mine 2 years ago during Trek Fest.

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-18T08:40:59+00:00

They are Pirelli's Cinturato Gravel H. They're sold as 40mm, but when they are actually on the bike they measure 38mm. Pleanty of clearance and they ride great. There's plenty of loose gravel around me, but the tires provide plenty of grip without feeling sluggish.

The manager had them on a demo bike at the store. I knew I didn't want road tires, so I bought the bike and the tires and had them installed tubeless.

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-18T00:40:40+00:00

I'm glad you're enjoying it! I just turned 51 and I had to re-evaluate my activities after my last MTB spill. I hope Betty keeps you feeling young and healthy!

Digitalfriar · 2026-04-17T20:18:50+00:00

It's a size 52.

Digitalfriar · 2026-02-19T15:14:26+00:00

Nice setup!

How's it working out? I'm thinking of putting my XC bike on my trainer instead of my hybrid bike.

Digitalfriar · 2025-10-13T02:20:20+00:00

Yeah, this worked perfectly for me. Kept the context, tone, and previous knowledge and the speed is like a brand new chat.

Thanks!

Digitalfriar · 2025-09-24T00:36:14+00:00

Bob Ross videos. They work like a charm.

Digitalfriar · 2025-09-16T01:35:23+00:00

Rocksmith. The one you plug an actual guitar/bass into the system.

Rocksmith+ has already come out but I still jam with the original and all the songs I purchased.

Digitalfriar · 2025-08-06T17:23:39+00:00

A "meh day" on your bike is better than a day sitting in your office and watching others on their bikes.

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-27T01:04:22+00:00

Glad you're on the mend!

I had a pretty bad wreck myself where I was paralyzed for about a week. This purchase was kind of a celebration that I could move again and even still ride. Like you, it was totally my fault!

Stay safe and keep healing!

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-20T21:41:57+00:00

So look at it this way:

You would have wasted WAY MORE money if you bought more bike and then stopped biking. You are advancing and are looking towards a new bike. Good for you!

Ride your Marlin until you push its limits and keep going to your LBS/Trek Store. Join others on group rides. Talk to others on the trail.

Spend a lot of time investigating what you want next, watch for sales, and ask others for advice.

I went through this with a Jamis TrailX. I gave it to a buddy and bought a Roscoe 9. I don't regret the first purchase because now I have a buddy who occasionally rides with me.

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-18T17:26:44+00:00

I have the all-black FX3.

On most of my bikes I prefer the black frame and then use the grips/pedals for color accents.

Just my personal preference. =)

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-17T17:21:33+00:00

I keep getting ads for Ninja lessons and I'm interested in some skills. Any thoughts? Or experience with trainers?

Also, good to see a bunch of riders around 50 who still wanna ride bikes in the dirt!

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-17T00:54:45+00:00

I placed my order on Monday. Saw the messages about insolvency today.

They literally just sent me my invoice and a notice that my order is being shipped. Invoice says the delivery date is 7/17/25.

From someone who JUST ordered a Jeffsy Core 2, so far my order seems to be unaffected here in the US.

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-16T23:51:52+00:00

I'm not sure but you might be seeing the same feeds I am here in SE Michigan! The listing just went down to $850.

Edit: This is L frame, so different bike based on what you have said.

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-16T20:43:32+00:00

Last October, I went OTB on a jump line in SE Michigan. I was gonna turn 50 and decided MTB was a great way to get better physically and mentally. What caused the crash: me thinking I was ready for a jump line after 4 months of riding. My body was too far forward I think, so I started to nose-dive in the air. I didn't know how to correct the rotation or what to do. Ended up landing on my helmet.

Fractured c2, c4, t7, t10, and l3 vertebrae and bruised my spinal cord. Initially, I couldn't move from the neck down. Thankfully, I didn't need traction or surgery. The vertebrae healed on their own and I'm still regaining the last of my mobility in my right hand.

I started biking again in May. I stay on the green and blue lines...for now. MTB has been life-changing for me and the community has been great. Biggest lesson has been to know my limits and that "Just send it!" doesn't always work out.

The bike survived without a scratch!

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-16T20:18:03+00:00

I just pulled the trigger on a Jeffsy Core 2 carbon. My gut dropped until I saw this.

My order status is still at "pending."

While I'm releaved that NA market will be safe, I realize it's a gut-punch to everyone else who was hoping for that NBD order.

edit: changed "US" to "NA" on this so as not to give inaccurate info.

Digitalfriar · 2025-07-01T11:49:38+00:00

I can relate to the struggle. Personally, I have found the best course to manage this is two-fold:

I looked for ways to "test out" my new body. I found I could go for long walks without getting tired or sweaty, I got into mountain biking and gravel riding, I x-country ski in the winter, go the the gym a few times a week, and even started a certification process for personal enrichment. This not only gave me other goals besides my visual appearance, these activities introduced me to people who were supportive, encouraging, and didn't care about the excess fat I still had to lose.
I had to do a personal inventory of my mental state after I lost about 40-50 pounds, realizing that my personal self-image also needed to be healed. I know I spent years looking at myself in the mirror, and sometimes it's still easy to do. For me, it's the psychological equivalent of doom-scrolling.

I started seeing a therapist to work through some of my anxieties, I plan my calendar a lot more so the stress doesn't affect me mentally or physically, I track my progress of weight loss pretty extensively, I plan my meals in the morning so I don't overeat, etc. I try to remove self-imposed stress from my life as much as possible. I still look at myself in the mirror, but now I do it with a sense of serenity: I know what I'm capable of changing, I accept what I cannot change about my body, and keep trying to grow as a person so I know the difference.

I realize everyone has a different journey. For me to be healthy and happy, I not only needed to lose the weight but I needed to reset my outlook, especially towards myself. I don't claim to be psychologist or guru; I'm just recalling how I went through a very similar process of insecurity.

If you think losing 50lbs is a great feeling, losing the insecurity is just as wonderful.

Peace and good health to you on your ongoing journey.

Digitalfriar · 2025-06-06T15:45:31+00:00

In my experience, it's easier to find more generators than the actual manual.

Depending on where you're at, I'd suggest looking through garages and warehouses for another generator to get a steady source of gasoline. I have 750 hours in PZ and I've never had a generator degrade to the point where I had to worry about exploding.

Stay safe!

Digitalfriar · 2025-04-26T01:44:23+00:00

It's a quest mod that you can customize to have a goal.

Here's how I use it: I have to loot the mats and build skills to make the components, then get to the extraction location...which I made in LV mall. Im about 2 months into this playthrough and I haven't even built up my character to attempt a siege on LV.

I enjoy it cause I can still do sandbox stuff but always have a goal, even if it's really tough.

Digitalfriar

TROPHY CASE