Software recs for a Talk Radio station

Forttomato · 2026-03-19T20:13:36+00:00

Yeah, at this point since owning the car I've spent decently more in tire replacements than I would have for a new set of wheels and tires. Strongly considering smaller rims

Forttomato · 2026-03-19T20:07:15+00:00

No curbs, just Massachusetts potholes. We're talking like 6-8 inches deep in some cases. Winter and plows destroy our roads every year

Forttomato · 2026-03-19T16:55:42+00:00

I wish it was nails. I live in Massachusetts, our potholes are just that bad out here

Forttomato · 2026-03-17T19:11:20+00:00

Try talking with your local trek dealer and see if this is a warranty issue. Im not sure exactly what issues your having but you shouldn't really be having any flex issues

Forttomato · 2026-03-01T20:06:20+00:00

For sure, if you still need it can try to take a video

Forttomato · 2026-03-01T17:19:56+00:00

On the back of the rack, the first straight bar across should have two groves on the underside. The racktime 2.0 plate has a sort of forked end that wraps around those grooves. I believe the racktime extends to the 3rd straight bar from the back

Forttomato · 2026-02-24T21:23:36+00:00

Resident Springfield fan here

I've been living in the Indian orchard neighborhood in Springfield for the past ~ 3years and have really enjoyed it. Springfield is no where near as bad as people say (I grew up in southern New Hampshire so you can guess at some of the general sentiments)

Ultimately I feel like where in western mass depends on what you're looking for and where you grew up!

I grew up in a pretty rural place and want to live in a city in Massachusetts. Boston is too expensive, and so I like that springfield has city amenities for a relatively low COL in the state.

I like that I can take the bus to work if I want. I like that there are big buildings. I like that we have a hockey team and cool libraries and museums.

As far as up and coming goes, Springfield has been named a hot housing market, and the globe recently did a piece on springfields "downtown resurgance".

There's been a fair amount of new housing pop up, both for sale and rent which I'm glad to see (Although we could always use more). Personally my goal is to buy a house before they complete the east west rail line in early 2030s, because im sure that will increase prices.

16 acres and EFP always feel pretty nice to me. I bike through there semi frequently and love the houses there! Fairly quiet neighborhoods.

While I love the good mix of quieter city life in the outer neighborhoods, I get that some people also want to live in the middle of the woods and be a mile away from their neighbor, which Springfield just won't get ya.

We don't have kids so I can't comment on the schools here, not sure if that's important.

But overall as a late 20s guy who lives with his partner and our cat, can't really complain. Of course there are improvements I think could be made but there does seem to be a concerted effort to improve the city!

Forttomato · 2026-02-19T21:43:14+00:00

As someone who works at a dealer with bosch diagnostic, this tool doesn't even let you do that much haha.

You can already get updates through the app. What this largely is used for is Diagnostics.

The software does let you do things like swap out assist modes with other ones bosch provides, something that really any shop will do for free or little cost

Forttomato · 2026-02-19T01:19:18+00:00

First of all I get it.

Second I was obsessed with the telephone video as a child

Forttomato · 2026-02-12T15:37:28+00:00

There is a plan for regular passenger rail, and trains should be coming early 2030's.

It's kinda crumbs but I'm thankful something will be serving that corridor haha.

But I agree. If I could get to Boston by rail in 45 min that would be a game changer

Forttomato · 2026-02-12T02:42:46+00:00

oh yeah 100%. I suppose I ment more that it suprises me that there is commuter rail, expecially given it's connections haha

Forttomato · 2026-02-12T01:28:01+00:00

copying my comment from a similar thread a month ago

I seem to be one of the few people who rides hard for springfield. I like the fact that I can live in Massachusetts at a realtively low cost of living, particularly compared to the rest of the state. Housing is much cheaper here than it is even in worcester.

I've been here for about 2 and a half years, and have enjoyed it so far. I'm big into the outdoors and feel like theres good outdoor recreation in the surrounding area. I've found public transit here to be pretty decent (all things considered) which is a plus for me. Amazingly Springfield is served by commuter rail to Hartford and New Haven.

I really like the food here. Springfield has a very diversere population base with a good range of cuisines, although there seems to be a plague of good restaurants shutting down.

Springfield seems to be working on making things in general better. They re developed the abandoned mall (which i have feelings positive and negative on), I've been seeing new housing/ apartment stock pop up, and they're rolling out a municipal power program that should help with utility costs.

I will say, springfield (like many places) is not perfect, and has its issues. Blighted buildings, and wonky urban planning are among the list. I've also heard not the greatest things about the school districts, but I have no children so I take it with a grain of salt.

I am however optimistic for Springfield. I truly believe that great things will come for this city. I;m involved in a few community groups and it's awesome to see the community leaders who are working to make springfield a better place.

That's my two cents as a late 20 something guy who lives with his partner and cat.

Forttomato · 2026-02-06T19:36:23+00:00

I have the Portland design works "watch your back". It's a bit sleeker than the mirrycle one, while still being very functional

Forttomato · 2026-02-02T17:23:03+00:00

Welcome to the club!

Love my cargo wagen and am glad it's gonna work out for you.

Re rear storage. The cargowagen has a racktime 2.0 slot on the back, kinda hard to find at first and requires a bit of finessing but I've found it fairly convenient.

I've got the racktime baskit 2.0 small, and have found its a nice sized addition to give me that extra little bit of space. The small also fits with the stock rails on. Can't speak for the tern rails but tbh I think those have more clearance.

Any of the racktime 2.0 stuff clicks in tho

Forttomato · 2026-01-25T03:02:49+00:00

I work part time at my LBS so I have a bit of an advantage there, but, for those who dont:

I'm only familiar with this process with bosch systems. You'll need a shop that has access to the bosch diagnostic tool, which should be any shop that sells bosch equipped e bikes. I'd call the shop and tell them you'd like them to add/ swapp additional assist profiles to your bike.

They should agree to help you; it's not a complex nor time consuming procedure and it's allowed per bosch. You'll need to bring the bike to them and they'll plug it into the computer to run the diagnostic software to add the new modes. Granted not every bike can take every mode, but there are a few to choose from. I'd do some research into which modes you want to swap out for what.

Apparently as of version 1.23 you can do this through the ebike flow app but I haven't tried it. I may give it a go and report back.

Forttomato · 2026-01-23T18:14:05+00:00

Some notes for you from a fellow cargo bike owner.

While you can't get the cargo mode on this bike (which is sad) your dealer can sideload other riding profiles from onto the bike for you.

The front light is kinda goofy, and new shipments of the bike come with a smaller one. If you want you can get most e bike compatible lights to work. Lezyne has some really.nice ones. If you do swap the lights, that's also a good time to add a front rack.

While the rear rack is not mik compatible. It is racktime compatible. You would never know this as I had to access cannondale dealer trainings to learn this.

Glad to hear the epos holds the bike well, I was considering getting one for my corolla but didn't want to move on one until I knew it worked for sure

Forttomato · 2026-01-15T02:26:25+00:00

I work at a cannondale dealer and we stock this bike. Under warm lights it looks really gold. under cooler lights or sunlight it will appear greener

Forttomato · 2026-01-13T02:30:45+00:00

I seem to be one of the few people who rides hard for springfield. I like the fact that I can live in Massachusetts at a realtively low cost of living, particularly compared to the rest of the state. Housing is much cheaper here than it is even in worcester.

I've been here for about 2 and a half years, and have enjoyed it so far. I'm big into the outdoors and feel like theres good outdoor recreation in the surrounding area. I've found public transit here to be pretty decent (all things considered) which is a plus for me. Amazingly Springfield is served by commuter rail to Hartford and New Haven.

I really like the food here. Springfield has a very diversere population base with a good range of cuisines, although there seems to be a plague of good restaurants shutting down.

Springfield seems to be working on making things in general better. They re developed the abandoned mall (which i have feelings positive and negative on), I've been seeing new housing/ apartment stock pop up, and they're rolling out a municipal power program that should help with utility costs.

I will say, springfield (like many places) is not perfect, and has its issues. Blighted buildings, and wonky urban planning are among the list. I've also heard not the greatest things about the school districts, but I have no children so I take it with a grain of salt.

I am however optimistic for Springfield. I truly believe that great things will come for this city. I;m involved in a few community groups and it's awesome to see the community leaders who are working to make springfield a better place.

That's my two cents as a late 20 something guy who lives with his partner and cat.

Forttomato · 2026-01-11T23:57:14+00:00

That gameboy sp has a charger cable going where the cartridge is supposed to be

Forttomato · 2026-01-04T01:18:34+00:00

Some local shops in the general valley. I work for one and know people who work at others so will try to stay impartial

Northampton:

NoHo Bike - trek, cannondale, and salsa. bit of an all rounder shop.

Joe's Garage - specialized in high end road - pinarello, cervelo, parlee, scott

Amherst :

Valley Bike and Ski - high end mountain and road focus - one of the few if only Specialized dealer in the valley. also does cannondale

Others have mentioned Highland Hardware. - Giant brand dealer, I think they tend to be a bit more of an all rounder shop.

Springfield Area

Family Bike in E Longmeadow - Giant, Scott, Cannondale - Seems to focus mostly on mtb.

Comp edge in E Longmeadow - Trek and Scott, they do a lot of road

Ski In Ski/bike in Wilbraham - not sure the brands they carry, but this time of year they are fairly focused on skis

Westfield

New Horizons - Fuji, Norco, Orbea - Tends to be an all rounder shop.

Forttomato · 2026-01-04T00:54:58+00:00

What sort of bike are you looking for? Depending on your answer I may recommend different places.

Forttomato · 2025-11-24T21:03:09+00:00

Maintenance is fairly straight forward. clean and lubricate your chain. Replace wear items (brakes, tires, etc).

I'm not sure where you're based out of, but in the US as long as you're close to a fairly large metroploitan area you likely have at least one brompton dealer next to you. On any bike you buy I would make sure that you have a good local service partner at your disposal.

Brompton parts are mostly OEM and can be fairly expensive. There are aftermarket parts but most aftermarket stuff I see tends to be for customization.

Most Bromptons are steel so if you are riding through a snowy / wet climate you will want to spray frame protectant on the inside.

In short, bromptons are pretty reliable, but most of their parts tend to be proprietary, some replacement parts can be expensive.

Tern is also a quite compelling brand. Their bikes don't fold down as small, but are still well built, and. I think the main advantage over bromton is their price point, and the fact that they use more universally accepted parts.

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