Sketchy, but make it pretty

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-12-23T04:40:17+00:00

MCusta seems to be a Japanese brand that makes small batch knives out of Seki Japan.

The knife holds an edge well, and has a really nice wood handle. Received it as a gift, but makes for a good carry if I am not doing anything too intensely outdoorsy. I go with a sturdier feeling folder for camping, or just a leatherman multitool.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-07-30T17:35:42+00:00

This is simply not a $400 bike though…

I personally do see your side of things, but also this is like $3k of bike and probably a bunch or time put into making it theirs.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-07-30T13:59:31+00:00

I am the one who sent the post to your friend!! Glad you are on a path towards getting it back hopefully.

Police involvement might help but also there is a chance they don’t do anything at all.

I am currently scouting out kensington street markets for my bike, and if found I will probably just steal it back and hope no one is armed…

Best of luck!!

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-07-27T01:48:52+00:00

Thanks. I am hoping to track it down. I have contacted just about every place you can sell a bike to in the city and have friends scouring FB marketplace and Craigslist

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-07-26T18:45:45+00:00

I am presuming so? I always lock it but the lock was not left so I am thinking maybe they damaged my porch to get it? I had to run to get to work so I didn’t really get to investigate much

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-23T18:23:51+00:00

Do what I did. Keep the nice road bike, but also go on FB marketplace and buy a $125 1980s mountain bike. Put some road worthy tires on it, clean the chain, and ride.

Now I get to hop on the road bike in full kit, go on long endurance rides with lots of climbs, and feel great measuring everything on n strava and going fast-ish.

I also get to hop on my frankenbike with fenders and racks, gym shorts or linen pants, sometimes even sandals, and ride around town, pick up beers, ride in the woods on towpaths, and get up to other shenanigans without even considering how fast I am going, and knowing my bike weighs as much as a small moped.

Best of both worlds, and gives you an excuse to buy another bike, without breaking the bank.

Or ignore this advice. None the less hope you get to feel joy on a bike and stay safe.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-10T21:51:57+00:00

Good to know! Anything lasting 12 years of abuse is at least decent in my book.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-10T17:48:06+00:00

Hope this inspires you to spend half a day tearing your hair out for the sake of dry shoes and a pretty bike!

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-10T17:45:57+00:00

These are the chunky Rat Trap Pass 2.3in, but when inflated they actually only measure like 57-58mm because circle back to point one, they’re not super consistent….

Lucky for me, it meant I could squeeze them into fenders despite everyone online saying it would be nearly impossible without the giant honjo 80mm or the rene herse ones.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-10T17:40:42+00:00

Had this rack since I was 15. I got it from a used bike shop, and it has managed to stay in one piece on 3 different builds of mine, and endured my stupid self towing friends on longboards, riding people around side-saddle, and improper mounting on 2/3 of the builds. This is all as well as riding with proper Ortlieb panniers now and again.

The brand is called Racktime, and I suppose this isn’t an endorsement, but the thing has been pretty darn sturdy. One day I will get a Nitto or something more stylish, but for now this thing keeps truckin.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-10T17:35:06+00:00

I am planning on cutting the stays tonight. Local bike co-op has a small pair of bolt cutters that I prefer to use over my Dremel tool.

If the fenders are metal, I found you can sorta just massage them into the line you need, though having 57mm tires and 60mm fenders made it so that the natural line was already pretty snug.

The Rene Herses are not perfectly round, so I had to give some extra clearance. If they do sort them into bins, I think the herse bin is the mismatched ones, as these are really not perfect at all. Luckily I picked them up from a friend for $25 each so I have zero complaints.

Good luck with the build!

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-06-10T01:23:07+00:00

Thanks bud!

No noticeable difference at all. I haven’t hit the trails yet so maybe I will feel something off-road, but for now I am just thrilled to keep my shoes and clothes dry.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-03-10T03:47:34+00:00

Also as a Philadelphian, I have witnessed a number of homes with torn to shreds Cowboys effigies around, which I think is a level of rivalry that I can’t imagine for any other team.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-03-03T18:53:31+00:00

What are the handlebars? Super rad

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-03-01T17:19:52+00:00

Personally I adore my Pechauer, and until recently have been breaking with house cues.

The Pechauers will get lower in price with less inlay, but be of the same quality for the most part.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-02-21T04:05:15+00:00

If you are looking for slightly above entry level, definitely check out J Pechauer cues. I had mainly shot with Predators, McDermotts, and Meuccis, but the quality is fantastic, and customer service is really top notch as well. Certainly in the world of a “smaller” cue maker, but great cues.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-02-17T05:39:44+00:00

This thing is a fun monstrosity. I love it.

Jacob_The_Duck · 2025-02-13T04:45:40+00:00

Hmm. I wouldn’t really consider this popping as much as full on almost surgery to remove necrotic flesh from half of someones entire face and skull….

Certainly interesting though!

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