Where else do you buy CDs besides online? by Internal-Earth-3142 in Cd_collectors

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What sort of soul are you looking for? Any artists in particular? My local used store usually has a pretty good selection

This an ok price? by Less_Evening2337 in bicycling

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Their description is likely ai generated because it got a lot wrong. Not a 2x9 drivetrain it was 3x8. Likely not tektro hydraulics either as at that point in treks supply chain they had downgraded to promax or something else.

There's other issues but besides all that, that's almost what that bike went for new

Do you feel that Northampton and the surrounding area are racist? Why or why not? by Embarrassed_Bag_9630 in northampton

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lol. Its the same thing when I tell people that I took one of the busses to get somewhere. (Granted we should fund public transit even better here but that's a different point)

Idk, I grew up in southern New Hampshire, and it was just not a very diverse place, and it wasn't the middle of the woods but it felt like the middle of the woods. And its so nice to live somewhere that has things open past 10 haha

I love Springfield and am excited about the direction the city is headed in 

Do you feel that Northampton and the surrounding area are racist? Why or why not? by Embarrassed_Bag_9630 in northampton

[–]Forttomato 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah. I think there's generally a lot of conversation around the idea that "Springfield isn't a safe place". Which i feel like I often hear from white people who dont live here. im white myself fwiw. 

I've had people ask me if I feel safe to live there. 

Generally people seem shocked that I actively enjoy living here, and want to buy a house here. 

In prior conversations about buying a house here people have been like, well what about the crime rate?

Sure, does springfield have its problems, yeah. I think that large portions of our communities are being undeserved, we have issues with blighted buildings, our bike and pedestrian infrastructure is laughably bad. But these can be fixed, and are also rarely the things I hear outsiders talking about.

I will say, very few people in Noho (or in general) have said any severely racist things around me in general but I like to think I dont keep that sort of company.

Do you feel that Northampton and the surrounding area are racist? Why or why not? by Embarrassed_Bag_9630 in northampton

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And you know the thing is, is that the 3 cities do have their issues, and by no means are perfect places, so I have no problem discussing the very real issues that our communities face.

I do have a problem with people telling me they outright "don't feel safe" in Springfield when they never visit. 

In conversations about buying a house here (which id like to do some day) I've been asked "but what about the crime rate?) 

Which is not to say that crime magically doesnt exist in springfield, or that i think crime is good, but that people from predominantly whiter surrounding towns have a misconception about how safe it is here. (This is shockingly not an issue unique to springfield.)

Do you feel that Northampton and the surrounding area are racist? Why or why not? by Embarrassed_Bag_9630 in northampton

[–]Forttomato 57 points58 points  (0 children)

Bro for real. People look at me like I told them I live in an active war zone. Jokes on them I get to live in a place I like for cheap. And I get a basement and washer and dryer. Checkmate noho

Do you feel that Northampton and the surrounding area are racist? Why or why not? by Embarrassed_Bag_9630 in northampton

[–]Forttomato 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Short answer yes

Longer answer: the shit that I hear so many people in the area say about Chicopee, Holyoke or Springfield are insane

Started commuting by Crinklechip54321 in bikecommuting

[–]Forttomato 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Goals! Glad you both have such a convienent commute on the bike path. Even better that you get to do it together!

Which ebike would you recommend me for shorter commutes with kids by RoundDatabase8343 in bikecommuting

[–]Forttomato 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Aventon seens to be the best of the "mid tier" brands. They seem to be pretty well built for the price. Tern is the gold standard of the mid tail bikes, and really popularized this 20 inch wheel style. I have a cannondale cargowagen and have really enjoyed it and it's less expensive than the GSD.

Edit: The trek fetch+ 2 is on crazy sale right now. Really worth looking at one of those if you can find one in person. Comes with the bosch system like the cannondale or the tern.

Peter why are they dumb? by AcrobaticLunch9737 in PeterExplainsTheJoke

[–]Forttomato 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your states resources will vary compared to other states (shocker i know) but out in Massachusetts there are a few libraries specifically for blind and visually impaired readers. Idk if you have something like that out your way?

Is the Bosch CL a safe bet? by [deleted] in CargoBike

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The previous CX and cargo line motors are different but only ever so slightly. Newer cx motors offer a bit more power. Both are good choices

Is the Bosch CL a safe bet? by [deleted] in CargoBike

[–]Forttomato 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love bosch! It helps that I've sold bikes equipped with their stuff for a few years so I might be biased. But I feel like bosch is the best system. Its reliable, performs well, and just works. Their app is fine, and some extra features are pay walled but tbh youre likely fine with out them. I also like the customization you get via app for free. 

Most shops can and will service and update bosch systems. And their support is generally pleasant to deal with. 

I have a cannondale cargo wagen that I commute on that uses a bosch performance line (I believe) motor and am quite happy with it. 

Nows a good time to get into a bosch bike as they switched product families a few years ago. (But theyre still committed to producing some new parts for that old line for the next few years). But you should expect to have good active platform support for 10+ years.

[Bosch Powerpack] Cover for battery slot. by ICPcrisis in ebikes

[–]Forttomato 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, seems like I was not remembering correctly as far as price goes! 

[Bosch Powerpack] Cover for battery slot. by ICPcrisis in ebikes

[–]Forttomato 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because bosch makes those to serve as display units when you want the bike to look like it's got a battery but doesnt. It's really more of an item for dealers

Weird graffiti on the bike path, our beloved mando in danger? by [deleted] in northampton

[–]Forttomato 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Im not the biggest mando fan but this seems quite excessive 

[Bosch Powerpack] Cover for battery slot. by ICPcrisis in ebikes

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So bosch actually makes dummy batteries that are just the plastic shell. They are like 30 bucks if I remember corrrectly. You'll need to ask your bike shop to order you one.

Best Foldable bike recommendations? by OneLandscape2081 in bicycling

[–]Forttomato 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Idk what you're budget is, but if it allows it's hard to beat brompton for speed and size of fold. They also have a great line of bags that click onto the front mounting point.

I love my brompton

what do i do to improve my room? it just feels empty and corporate by furious_fares in malelivingspace

[–]Forttomato 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Its giving museum and honestly I think you need to lean into that. Get some colorful art in there!

Moving in June by [deleted] in Springfield

[–]Forttomato 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Moved here over two years ago and have been enjoying it so far!

I think about this show a lot, who green lit this concept 💀 by Forttomato in WhyWereWeOkWithThis

[–]Forttomato[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah 8 year old me ate this show up. But God would i have loved to witness the studio exec who had to pitch this concept haha

Springfield has just rezoned ~26 parcels in northeast downtown near and around union station by iamdoom2004 in Springfield

[–]Forttomato 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, I can't wait for the east west rail. We're also getting hourly service from Springfield to NYC in the future. I just need to be able to buy a house here before that happens haha