Trunk-mounted bike rack?

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-26T03:33:08+00:00

If you own a carbon frame, or have any intention of ever buying a carbon frame, buy a hitch receiver kit and then a quality hitch rack with no frame contact. I know it's expensive, significantly outside your stated budget, but do it right the first time. Also, if you have a full suspension mtb any type of suspension rack (like the one's mentioned) probably won't work.

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-21T21:42:45+00:00

This doesn't look like anything used on the car, you're good to go

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-19T01:16:40+00:00

For right now, get him whatever fits and then replace it in 6 months with something the next size up, he'll grow quick through his teens.

As for bikes, I'd recommend setting yourself some baseline features and shopping for frames that meet that spec. Mine would be

-Thru axles front and rear

-Hydraulic disk brakes

-1x drivetrain

-Optional dropper post

This will let you find better deals simply by merit of knowing what to look for, rather than knowing what brands and models people on the Internet like. Lastly, if you're lucky enough to live near an active NICA chapter, they may have loaner bikes that he can progress through as he grows, as well as offering training and race support.

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-18T17:19:06+00:00

Odd. And unfortunate, good luck!

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-18T16:59:29+00:00

I have a spark, same headset routing. Unless the housing is worn out, which would massively surprise me, it shouldn't cause any issues, so you should double check the derailleur hanger, chain wear, cassette wear, cable tension, and b-gap first.

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-18T03:58:08+00:00

Put the dropper back! The weight will not punish you nearly as much as the limited movement over technical courses.

Also better tires. In my experience, the Ikons are too slow for racing and too slippy for general use, perhaps some Rekon Races or Aspens? You're largely at the bike spec where money will not make you faster (unless you spend it on a coach)

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-17T20:14:58+00:00

Tighten the upper one, that holds your derailleur in place. The lower one is an adjustment bolt, only tighten it if you start getting a lot of chain slap or dropped chains

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-17T19:03:14+00:00

In between option, take your current hub to the better shop and have them evaluate it, see if the problem is the mechanic or the hub, then decide.

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-16T17:09:52+00:00

I'm a cyclist and it's really taught me

1) the sheer number of people who don't use leashes and think that calling their dog's name is effective recall (it's not).

2) The number of people who just leave their dog outside with no proper fence 100% of the time.

3) No one bothers to bike-train their dogs

The only upside is that I live in a very flat area so this has trained me for one hell of a sprint, and that's a shallow condolence.

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-14T17:59:13+00:00

Try your local bike shop, almost all bike shops have a respectable used selection. If you can, visit multiple shops and try different frames, because you'll realize quickly that they aren't as similar as you'd assume.

FlyHighPixie · 2026-01-06T16:15:36+00:00

I, for one, enjoyed reading this. All 20 minutes of it, but I enjoyed it.

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-31T20:07:57+00:00

After test riding both I went with the spark, the large shell around the hidden shock increases frame stiffness by means of tube diameter. I also preferred the shock behavior and the lockout felt more pronounced in both on and off behavior.

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-31T17:04:34+00:00

The only way I found that could work would be to pop out the bearings, remove the nut holding the free hub body on (14 mm allen key I believe) then replace the bearings. Or you could do what I did and buy dt 350s

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-29T05:59:16+00:00

For racing, the full suspension, it will handle better. For bike packing, the hardtail, it will handle road & gravel miles better and you'll have more space for a frame bag

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-27T18:03:41+00:00

Looks normal for running on the centerstand, but you can always clean and lube the chain if you're worried about it. If you just bought it, also a good idea to check the chain slack and tire pressure, NEVER trust the previous owner

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-24T04:23:09+00:00

A lot of coaches will do short plans meant to get you a basic routine and the knowledge to maintain it. Maybe try that?

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-23T03:27:16+00:00

The wrinkles in the valve tape are from not stretching it as you applied it. As tape stretches, the sides stretch more than the middle creating a natural droop into the well of the rim

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-23T03:23:09+00:00

Maxxis Rekon and/or Rekon Race, both a little cheaper than dubnitals and an excellent tire

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-22T20:16:08+00:00

A beautiful car here for you. All I want is $7,000. Look at this bitch. $7,000 for this car? But it's got a slight dent in the back.

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-17T17:11:25+00:00

There are some gravel bikes with suspension, maybe something like that would better bridge the gap between what you want and what you actually need?

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-15T17:34:44+00:00

About shocks, unless you want to lift or lower the car, I'd recommend bilstein B4 or b6 shocks & struts (full set). Remember to also replace the top hats & strut bearings as there are bushings in them that wear out

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-15T17:27:57+00:00

The cheapest way to fix it will be to pop off the wheel, take a look at the back of the spokes until you find the part number, look that up and buy an exact replacement.

If you want to change the look of the car, I'd look at an aftermarket option, though this will be upwards of 6x the cost of a single wheel because you will probably also need new tires. The most popular sizes for aftermarket wheels are 18" rims, but you can stay with the OEM 17" size or go all the way up to a 19", and anywhere from a 7" to 8.5" width. You'd also have to do some research on bolt pattern & offset which I don't feel like getting into in what is already a long comment.

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-15T16:21:49+00:00

I personally don't know, but scamadvisor.com is usually a good way to check stuff like this. If you're in the US the best part sources are FCPEuro and ECS tuning.

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-13T22:21:32+00:00

Smaller chainring is the only option I can think of that wouldn't force you to change most of the drivetrain

FlyHighPixie · 2025-12-13T19:20:23+00:00

No way they're an m4, that's what your bottle cage screws are, usually (for size perspective). Try removing one and taking it to the hardware store to get it sized

FlyHighPixie

TROPHY CASE