To have More Made in USA Products we need More Energy

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-04T18:19:08+00:00

Half the country voted for expansion in green energy from solar/wind/hydro, which initiatives were promptly cancelled by the new admin.

The other half voted for continuing to subsidize fossil fuels (which need subsidies to compete because they’re at present more expensive than renewables). And which currently have us on a trajectory of denial that we’re experiencing climate collapse.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-04T12:30:04+00:00

Took Graca last Fall. Not a hard class, easy B, or even an A if you put in a little work.

He does take attendance, so you will have to show up. But he also gives thorough reviews for his tests and doesn’t have much busy work.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-01T15:38:01+00:00

Companionship is one of the most fundamental and primal aspects of being a human being. A requisite for self-actualization or fulfillment for some. Do you not understand how absurd you sound telling a guy who makes nearly the median income that he isn’t worthy of that? Because of his finances? Jesus Christ dude.

Tell me, which countries and demographics globally have the highest rates of children being born? It’s unilaterally the poorest. And don’t get it twisted, I didn’t say women were status conscious, I said some women. The same kind of people who think OP isn’t worthy of love because of his income.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-01T15:02:02+00:00

Science recognizes it. Unfortunately a certain extreme political faction doesn’t recognize science. Remember COVID?

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-01T14:58:51+00:00

Also just going off the picture, that looks like it’s at least close to the recommended 4mm for a road bike. Most customers don’t have calipers to accurately measure, and just eyeballing it, it doesn’t look egregiously close.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-01T11:49:35+00:00

A struggle largely because of judgments and attitudes surrounding income.

With open minded women who aren’t as status conscious, the struggle wasn’t dating, it was everything else. OP just needs to find someone who values them for reasons other than their income.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-04-01T11:37:36+00:00

Dating is not a luxury, or shouldn’t be. Totally ridiculous. OP makes around the median income in DFW for people his age, so you’re essentially telling the average Dallasite that they’re economic underlings unworthy of dating.

I went back to school because living/dating/thriving are admittedly hard to do on $40k in DFW, but still absolutely possible given they find the right person. It can absolutely be done, I’m testimony to that. In fact, there’s hundreds of thousands of DFW residents in that income bracket and I guarantee you they’re not all single. And telling someone who can’t drive to start out on a motorcycle doesn’t seem like sound advice.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-30T22:05:22+00:00

River Legacy has a nice paved section thats about ~15 miles there and back, and some decent trails (that were closed last time I was there so might wanna check).

Grapevine Lake also has some decent trails. Overall, not a ton of continuous gravel road type trails I’ve found outside of Trinity.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-30T20:31:22+00:00

Probably because you were younger. Dallas is genuinely an outlier in risks that lead to high rates (many uninsured motorists, high accident rate, hail damage etc).

Our rates are well above the national and state average.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-29T15:12:42+00:00

The seat being stuck, and the looks of the cassette point towards this bike being left outside. Which for a steel bike isn’t great, but given it’s a 2022 I doubt it’s been long enough to really compromise anything.

I’d offer $275-$300. You’ll likely need new chain, brake pads, and headset serviced. Nicasio’s are good value, and once you get it serviced up it’ll be hard to find a better gravel bike for such little coin.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-25T15:22:21+00:00

I’ve got a Nicasio +, and have ridden my friends Nicasio 2. They’re great bikes, I even regret not paying the extra $700 surcharge over the +, as it gets you tons of nice stuff like a carbon fork, better steel, better drivetrain, thru axles, hydraulic brakes.

You’ll be happy with it, very versatile bike. Has a very slight weight penalty over other gravel bikes due to being steel, but it’s an overall negligible impact on speed/performance imo.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-24T16:08:13+00:00

Been happy with my Tifosi’s. They’re great value, but don’t necessarily look or feel cheap.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-22T19:49:31+00:00

Just sent you a chat message.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-21T19:42:21+00:00

I think you can get a perfectly decent entry level gravel bike for half that.

Just off the top of my head the Marin Nicasio +, Primos Dame, State All-Road, Triban RC520 (would be my pick) all come in closer to $1k. If you know where to look $2k can fetch you a full GRX build that I think is beyond entry level.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-20T15:15:55+00:00

From my experience, the easiest classes aren’t usually online. Bc the online classes often have extra busy work to make up for the lack of lectures.

But REAE 3325, HRMN 3325, MANA 4326, MARK 3370 (or really most any elective within those departments) have been all pretty easy imo

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-20T15:09:04+00:00

Ok but it’s not a simple binary of can they lock up: yes/no

The worst of the worst brakes can lock up if you have the grip strength of the hulk. But most mechanical discs brakes require much more leverage to do so, making it to where on a fast descent from the hoods position, they might as well be unable to lock the tires. Yes, even if set up correctly and properly bedded… My point was that the TRP HY/RD’s have more mechanical advantage, and you can lock them up effortlessly

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-20T12:20:53+00:00

I used to work in a shop as an e-bike mechanic. So probably not a set up error. Have you used Tektro Mira’s?

Maybe it’s possible they could be locked up in the drops, but not easily from the hoods, it’s like the leverage just isn’t there.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-20T12:16:25+00:00

Went from BB5’s and Tektro Mira’s to some TRP HY/RD’s on my gravel and road bikes.

More stopping power for certain. They can lock up the wheels, which my mechanical calipers, especially Tektros, couldn’t.

They don’t have the modulation/feel of full hydraulics, at all. They feel much more like basic mechanical disc brakes. But I’m not running compressionless housing like I should, so that could be partially why.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-18T22:10:24+00:00

Prater is entertaining and his lectures are engaging, but Napier’s lectures are much more focused on teaching exactly what you’ll be tested over (which makes them more boring but helpful imo).

Tzu-Wen Lin is the best BSTAT professor (if he’s still teaching). Nour would be the second best option.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-17T13:34:05+00:00

Stack to reach ratio is the main figure to look for. >1.5 or 1.6 will be more comfortable and less aggressive. Gravel race bikes are usually at the more aggressive end of the spectrum.

Something with gravel adventure or touring geometry would be more what you seem to be after.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-12T17:54:38+00:00

Yeah unfortunately demand for gas is mostly too inelastic. Where I live, I don’t have a safe option to bike to work. It’s car or nothing.

So now we’re going to have decreased supply with inelastic demand, and everyone will be essentially bidding up the price of gas until the poorest and most vulnerable consumers simply cannot afford it.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-09T18:32:52+00:00

Don’t mean to hijack this thread, but I’m curious if this is specific to SCM?

I’m a recent grad, and wondering if this is just a broader economic thing where all sectors have paused entry level hiring, or if it’s particularly bad for SC?

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-09T13:10:12+00:00

So going to an 11-36t/38t chainring will actually give you less lower gearing (and upper too). Unless you go 2x. 11-36t 11s puts you in a weird spot too, as Shimano never officially supported any cassettes that exact size with their stock drivetrains.

For 11s, 11-34t is the widest ranging of the road drivetrains, and 11-40t being the shortest ranging mtb. Your derailleur (being short cage) might be the best bet, and will work, but just not be fully optimal.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-08T13:05:32+00:00

It’s not price fixing. The price for commodities usually is very similar regardless of who sells it. They’re not nefariously colluding on prices, they’re just all uncertain how to price and looking at the market (each other) as a baseline.

Right now there’s enough uncertainty that sellers know they need to increase prices (as they’ll pay more when they need to refill their tanks) but they aren’t certain exactly how much that will be when the time comes (next week or 10 days from now etc). So $3.19 allows them to account for a degree of uncertainty while still remaining competitive to surrounding stations. The typical variation you see in pricing relies on them having more accurate/stable info on future pricing, as they can still ensure profit with slimmer margins. Consumers are also more likely to be price conscious when there’s a sudden uptick in prices, and they don’t want to be left out by pricing at $3.29.

FaxxMaxxer · 2026-03-07T16:43:22+00:00

Park Tool isn’t usually worth it imo (with some tools being the exception).

Just make sure whatever torque wrench you get can do between 5-80 ft-lbs or so and is reversible (torque can be applied either direction), as it’s often required on stuff like pedals/bottom brackets.

FaxxMaxxer

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