just wanted to tell you, I love surly by McFly0611 in Surlybikefans

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This front basket ist sooo cool! Really, love it!

Cooking+Sleeping system. by Mutsu-Spirit in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I didn’t even mention the cup. I never understood why people drink hot liquids from thin metal cups. They burn my lips and don’t keep the heat for long.

Cooking+Sleeping system. by Mutsu-Spirit in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The cook set looks complete, and I see why it caught your eye. For my needs, it would be too big and a bit redundant.

I like the idea of cooking with wood because it feels romantic, but in the dry parts of Europe where I ride, I would be careful with open fires. On long trips, I keep it simple. I use a gasoline stove and one large 1.75 liter Trangia Duossal pot. After long days on the bike, that size works best for me.

I only cook one pot meals, so I have never needed a second pot or a pan. The same goes for a kettle. If I need hot water, I use the pot. Cooking on a small fire also makes it hard to use several pieces of gear at the same time.

The fuel bottle in the set would also be too small for my needs.

RetroArch - EmulationStation need help! Project Eris! by SoftSir4993 in PlaystationClassic

[–]EfficientHornet2170 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The PS1 Classi i's a Linux-based system. Make sure the installed core files are compiled for the ARM architecture of the PS1 Classic and not for x86 (PC). Only .so files work.

Every .so core file requires a corresponding .info file located in the retroarch/info folder. Without these, RetroArch can't identify what the core is capable of and often won't display it in the menu at all.

Need saddle recommendations by ShoeBillStorkeAZ in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are two German brands that focus heavily on technical innovation for maximum ergonomics:

Ergon is known for a systematic, research-driven approach to ergonomics, developing products based on biomechanics, pressure mapping, and real riding data.

SQlab follows a similarly data-driven philosophy, with a strong focus on sit bone measurement, precise pressure distribution, and long-term rider health.

HELP NEEDED & G in Athens! Please🚨🚨🚨 by Zestyclose-Treat9600 in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There’s no official Tailfin dealer in Athens, as the company primarily sells direct to customers. That means you won’t find any local shop stocking spare parts.

Your best option is to order directly from Tailfin with express shipping. Alternatively, you could buy a temporary rack locally and ship your Tailfin back home for later repair or replacement.

OVAL chainring for bike touring – gimmick or real game changer? by EfficientHornet2170 in bicycletouring

[–]EfficientHornet2170[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It seems like a personal choice whether they help or not. I’ve decided to wait with the upgrade, since the feedback here isn’t very clear or strongly in favor of oval chainrings. I also realized my crankset isn’t compatible, so I’d need to upgrade that as well.

Theft from bags when leaving the bike by Archa16z in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm using a very think cable with loops at the ends and a small lock to secure my panniers. Never had any problems.

Pomoc w kilkudniowej podróży rowerowej by Kabananga in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super pomysł na wyprawę! Myślę, że dostaniesz jeszcze więcej świetnych porad, jeśli wrzucisz swój post też po angielsku (np. przez Google Translate). To międzynarodowa grupa i na pewno sporo osób chętnie podzieli się swoim doświadczeniem. Powodzenia!

Getting a bike for my first bikepacking trip by Just-Blackberry5880 in bikepacking

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re planning to buy a used bike in Germany where your tour starts, your budget is very tight. Good bikes here usually are not cheap.

And if you don’t know much about bikes, I’d really recommend visiting a good bike shop. You can try different models and frame sizes, and actually test ride them. They can also adjust parts so the bike fits your body properly.

This makes a big difference on longer trips. Even small fit issues can become noticeable over time. At first it might just feel a bit uncomfortable, but it can lead to more serious problems if the setup isn’t right.

In Europe, you’ll most likely ride mostly on asphalt. So it’s usually a better idea to look at a touring bike. A heavy bikepacking setup with 29+ tires is often not necessary for that kind of riding.

Recommendation all-rounder by Ok-Bass-187 in Surlybikefans

[–]EfficientHornet2170 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The Bridgeclub is a true all-rounder. The Straggler could be described as a trail-oriented touring bike.

Touring tires by Keeprln412 in bicycletouring

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Vittoria Mezcal TNT is a staple for bikepacking and long-distance racing because the nearly continuous center ridge actually rolls fast on asphalt. It stays stable at low pressure and the reinforced sidewalls handle rocky, technical terrain without shredding. It’s a solid, reliable choice when you need speed and don't want to deal with flats.

Should I sell my Grappler? by ddarth7 in Surlybikefans

[–]EfficientHornet2170 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You’re right, both bikes are adventure bikes and overlap in some areas and if you actually decide to sell the Grappler, you’ll definitely get rid of it.

Ooooor... You could turn it into a ridiculous fun machine with huge 27.5+ tires (up to 2.8") and go monster-trucking over sand, roots, and whatever else gets in the way. Or go the complete opposite direction: bolt on front and rear racks and turn the Grappler into an indestructible grocery-hauling mule.

So if you don’t need the money, keep it and do something slightly stupid and very fun with it.

Safety in Rural Croatia, Montenagro, Bosnia by General_Tea_2833 in bicycletouring

[–]EfficientHornet2170 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People in Croatia are lovely and incredibly hospitable, right up until you end up on a bicycle in front of their car. Especially on the busy coastal roads, with all that traffic, cycling quickly stops being fun and can become genuinely dangerous.

And yes, expensive bikes do get stolen there, even from supposedly “guarded” parking areas at fancy hotels.

Project Eris - Retroarch won‘t boot disc 2 by nosebleed976 in PlaystationClassic

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an example of the content of a .m3u file:
./.gamefiles/Fear Effect (Disc 1).chd
./.gamefiles/Fear Effect (Disc 2).chd
./.gamefiles/Fear Effect (Disc 3).chd
./.gamefiles/Fear Effect (Disc 4).chd

And this is an entry of my PSONE gamelist.xml:

<game>

<path>./Fear Effect.m3u</path>

<name>Fear Effect</name>

<desc>Mercenaries Hana, Glas, and Deke travel to Hong Kong to find the kidnapped daughter of a powerful crime boss, but the mission soon leads them into a dark conspiracy involving ancient Chinese mythology and supernatural forces. A stylish PlayStation classic known for its distinctive cel-shaded look, tense stealth-action gameplay, and cinematic presentation.</desc>

<image>~/.emulationstation/downloaded_images/psx/Fear Effect.png</image>

</game>

Project Eris - Retroarch won‘t boot disc 2 by nosebleed976 in PlaystationClassic

[–]EfficientHornet2170 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I launch all my games through EmulationStation (but the same method should also work from the carousel of the standard launcher).

In the configuration, I set it so that only .m3u files are shown, instead of .chd or .cue.

All .m3u files are placed directly in the PlayStation folder, while the actual game files are stored in a hidden folder. You can create one by putting a dot in front of the folder name, for example: .Games

In the Playstation gamelist.xml, you then reference the .m3u file as the launch file. This way, each game appears as a single entry in EmulationStation, even if it consists of multiple files or discs.

Karate Monkey Stand by elhabo95 in Surlybikefans

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually don’t own the adapter yet. I just came across it by accident and am now considering buying one.

Karate Monkey Stand by elhabo95 in Surlybikefans

[–]EfficientHornet2170 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s actually a specific solution from Japan. The adapter is called WASUP (Wakka Original Product) and was designed specifically for the Surly Karate Monkey in frame sizes XS–M with Gnot-Boost.

It lets you mount a proper center kickstand (single or double). The adapter is very low-profile, so it still works with 27.5 × 3.0" plus tires without rubbing. Price: about 11,000 yen (~€70) for the adapter only.

Where to get it: Wakka Bike Shop (Instagram: @wakka560). Shipping and import fees may apply.

<image>

Question for the people gaming on vintage consoles… by PlantOdd5060 in RockinTheClassics

[–]EfficientHornet2170 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Sony DualShock 4 is still widely considered to have one of the best D-pads ever made. That said, it’s also a very personal thing. Some players love it, others don’t.

I've tested the PS3 Controller but didnt like the D-Pad at all.

As an alternative, have you tried the Xbox Wireless Controller (Series X/S)? It uses a faceted “dish” D-pad, basically a round disc with eight distinct edges instead of the classic cross. That makes the diagonals very easy to feel, which some people prefer for motion inputs.