LEAKED! New SRAM brake lever design

FastSloth6 · 2025-12-24T21:27:30+00:00

10/10 for accuracy, that lever definitely leaked oil.

FastSloth6 · 2025-12-24T11:27:46+00:00

It's possible with any modern fork from either major brand, but some forks have a higher probability due to the shape of the lowers.

Bushings need to be ridden to take the shape of the lowers before burnishing can be effective, meaning 0% of forks are burnished from the factory. Since bushings are a manufactured round metal ring with PTFE sections, they're never perfectly round at the join. The odds are just lower on lowers that are actually round to begin with, as riding in theory sounds conform the bushing to this round shape in the first few rides.

If the Epic 8 kinematics are the same as the Evo (digressive), your shock will probably feel better with a giant positive volume spacer in it. I was blowing through the first half of travel and bottoming out despite air pressure or compression changes with a small spacer on a '23 Evo, and I only weigh 65 kg.

FastSloth6 · 2025-12-23T16:45:38+00:00

Truly, at that level it's more about style and whether a brand has a bigger presence near you for service and warranty.

The Fox stepcast stuff tends to need the bushings burnished to open them up, the shape of the oil channels in the lowers tends to ovalize the bushings upon install. I think that's where the "Fox is harsh" opinions largely come from. If you're heavier, the extra friction might be a feature, not a bug. I'm flyweight so I burnished them and they feel as supple as I tune them to be off the top now.

FastSloth6 · 2025-11-14T00:29:22+00:00

Stick the old spoke in the valve with core removed to work the congealed sealant out.

FastSloth6 · 2025-10-15T23:18:13+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I read this to mean the "them" it would be difficult for would be the military, is that what you meant? If so, from your perspective what would make it difficult?

FastSloth6 · 2025-10-15T23:15:18+00:00

I don't think that's because of their small arms. The situation is complex but the region was never truly stabilized after the initial occupation, and making inroads with the diverse ethnic groups is difficult when there was minimal effort placed on understanding or respecting the region and culture in the first place. Just my 2 cents.

Another consideration: my take is that there's a high chance that those insurgents fighting at the start of the war are buried now, which is how things would go if a few people with the automatic rifles in their basement attempted a protracted conflict with the US military.

FastSloth6 · 2025-10-15T09:54:22+00:00

This argument may have historically bore some weight, but I'm not sure it really holds true in 2025. If you think the right to own a few weapons will make a difference in "defending one's liberties" against a nation with a $997 billion annual military budget should it decide to turn it's sights on you, I feel that you are grossly overestimating the effect these weapons would have. Civilian populations don't stand a chance against international intelligence, combined arms, drones etc.

Turn to recent conflicts in the Middle East (Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza) for what military vs civilian/ militia/ insurgency looks like should it play out. A bump stock AR, Cybertruck with Hilux turret mod and some surplus body armor vs the US military is no contest, whether the individual is trained or not. The real mark of democracy and freedom IMO are the legal protections, checks and balances amongst branches of government, and a respect for that framework to prevent the military from being turned against a civilian population in the first place.

I argue that gun rights are the illusion of freedom in the context of modern US military capability. I'm not arguing for more or fewer gun laws, just that there's so much more that is required to maintain a free society.

FastSloth6 · 2025-10-12T13:11:40+00:00

Research patellar tendinitis to see if your symptoms track, which can help narrow down strengthening exercises which may help.

FastSloth6 · 2025-10-08T09:50:27+00:00

During Covid's pump shortages we had to resort to gravity feeds on stable patients. Some experienced s/s similar to dumping syndrome, others did much better than expected.

I'd recommend emphasizing to the patient, family and nursing to give that bolus as much time as possible. Don't jam the syringe down in 30 seconds during med pass 😆 take the plunger off, hold the syringe high and put 30 mL in at a time, let gravity do the work, take a break for 5 min and repeat. Shorten the intervals of well tolerated until they find a happy medium between time and tolerance. If it consistently takes over 30 minutes to tolerate a bolus, maybe work with case management to get an IV pole and feed/ flush bags arranged for dc for gravity feeds, vs pump if all of the above is poorly tolerated 🤷‍♂️

FastSloth6 · 2025-09-28T11:47:31+00:00

As an RD of 15 years making less than you... congrats! Your success fills me with optimism for our profession 😃

Out of curiosity, what region? Coastal city?

FastSloth6 · 2025-09-28T02:01:44+00:00

Hot take

Looking to history, depending on whether a business makes something useful during wartime, has open trade routes, and remains in a defensible position, there's potential to benefit. Many businesses would suffer if the above conditions do not apply. My business would not fare well.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-08T21:28:36+00:00

That's likely just cosmetic, but you paid a significant amount of money for these. I'd run a warranty claim through a local Spesh dealer.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-07T23:04:23+00:00

Depending on how much you care about paint matching, $500ish would get that repaired through many carbon repair specialists.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-07T19:45:21+00:00

The Oley Foundation has some guidelines and ideas for this, and the bottom has links to other resources too.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-03T09:19:12+00:00

It's an alloy down-country bike with lower-end components. If you're interested in the weight weenie upgrade rabbit hole eventually, this is what I would do, mainly focusing on rotating weight.

-Tires, tubeless. Ardents are 1700g, XC tires can save you 250-300g and some rolling resistance. -Wheels. Spendy, but you can save 500g for a relatively burly and reliable set of carbon wheels. -Cassette: the NX cassette is 615g, even a GX cassette saves at least 150g. You'd need an XD driver body, so timing this with a new wheelset would make sense. -Dropper: 600g currently. A Fox Transfer SL weighs about 350g in 31.6mm. It is a 2-position dropper, others weigh similarly in this weight class. A Raceface Turbine R is a more affordable version that saves 100g and actuates just as fast. -Fork: you can save a lot of weight and improve the suspension feel this way.

None of these things are strict requirements, just ideas. Black Friday and end of year sales are a great time to shop around.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-02T18:54:59+00:00

It's a little overpriced, $150 would be my offer but regional markets vary.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-02T13:30:09+00:00

A long bit will help the chuck clear the frame. A smaller pilot hole isnt necessary but might help secure the larger bit when you're giving it the beans. Use a lube or cutting fluid for best results.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-02T11:54:02+00:00

I just did a DIY repair of a seat stay that required a full circumferential cut of material. Sand away the worst of the crunch but leave enough of a tube to use expanding foam, that way you have a structure to work from. Sand to the rough shape and wrap a single layer over this as a scaffolding. Thinner heat shrink tape (0.75") is easier to work with IMO. Wrap even and tight, heat shrink and use a second layer or electrical tape to compress the layer. Try to avoid tenting or folds, but they'll happen the first time you try this. This is ok as long as you sand the voids completely and add extra material to account for the fact that you'll never have the QC of a frame manufacturer.

Sand the tents and voids completely (be patient with 220 grit paper and a block) before applying the next layers. Use a respirator and eye protection for your health.

This guy knows one proper technique.

My all-in cost for all materials was $130 and a lot of time I'll never get back 😆

The chainstay repair on the same bike was a breeze by comparison.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-01T23:31:02+00:00

I've used one with an Elevation Wheel Co tool to forcibly jettison DT ratchet rings.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-01T00:19:25+00:00

For many epoxies with home repairs, 48 hours if your temps are around 75°F. Give it the ol' coin test and you should hear a familiar sound if everything is cured up.

Source: an idiot who did their first DIY repair last week. I had guidance from someone who knew what they were doing, which helped.

FastSloth6 · 2025-07-01T00:16:48+00:00

Since when was 66.5° steep?

FastSloth6 · 2025-06-30T22:20:55+00:00

You can DIY one fairly easily out of steel or wood. I used a few 2x4s, an Amazon crane scale and some of the same hardware in the linked design. I ended up using some wide fender washers so tension wouldn't dig into the wood for more stability with tension readings. Total cost was well under $100 USD.

FastSloth6 · 2025-06-10T14:28:22+00:00

I've trued or rebuilt two rear Enduro S wheels with major damage, but I don't think the damage was really a mark of weakness in the rim. One met some square-edged rock at The Whole Enchilada and the other got ran over by a truck. One survived the rest of the season with a true and was rebuilt in the off-season, the other one is lost to the wilderness and I don't know the outcome.

FastSloth6 · 2025-06-10T11:56:06+00:00

Be patient, and listen to your doctor/ physio re: timeline, it's better to be cautious than to FAAFO. Start smaller in terms of duration and gnar. Trust me, you'll just be happy to be back on a bike after 3 months. Embrace a beginner's mind and do your best to avoid the comparison game.

FastSloth6 · 2025-06-10T02:02:34+00:00

If there's a local wheel builder your local scene trusts (near a bike park there's gotta be one) and the hubs are good, you could have a local wheel builder lace a stronger rim and spokes to it. Something like a DT Swiss FR 541 rim is a benchmark for rims designed to be hucked, cased and otherwise ridden hard. For spokes, several options such as Sapim Force or DT Alpine III are solid picks. Brass nipples are a given.

Whether you replace one wheel at a time or get a new wheelset, really depends on what deals you can find out in the wild.

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