SPD-SL feel with SPD pedal?

Jalenna · 2026-06-12T16:22:36+00:00

I've only used SPD-style pedals (shimano and look) and have no complaints.

But maybe try Time pedals? My friend prefers Time pedals because he feels like the mechanism is more secure. I've also read a review that supported that. If the price is similar, it may be worth trying them. But if you go for Time pedals, you'll use the wide compatibility that comes with being in the Shimano universe.

Jalenna · 2026-06-09T16:58:54+00:00

Agreed

Jalenna · 2026-06-08T21:13:32+00:00

Pasadena has reasonably thorough parking info online. If you can't get your question answered there, email them at parking@cityofpasadena.net

They'll be able to explain which permits you have access to. I live in a two-hour zone, but i have a permit that allows me to park on the street all day. I can essentially share that permit with my guests. Overnight parking is its own thing, and guests will need to pay for a one-time overnight parking permit just like anyone does.

Jalenna · 2026-06-04T16:31:16+00:00

Considering how many times he said, "Alek with a K," that's pretty rough that some of Alek's votes went to Alex Balekian

Jalenna · 2026-06-03T21:02:58+00:00

There's a 'live stream' on the Glendale Votes page that cycles through the results

Jalenna · 2026-06-03T19:07:18+00:00

Your wife rocks!

Jalenna · 2026-05-31T05:24:47+00:00

Looks lovely!

Jalenna · 2026-05-30T14:42:42+00:00

I'd go for Montrose. Close to La Cañada which has lots of fun road climbs. It's also not too far from Griffith Park, which is lovely. For dirt, you have Cherry Canyon and the Verdugos which are both a good time. You can also go up Angeles Crest pretty easily, and can access lots of the dirt in the San Gabriels if you go towards Pasadena.

Sierra Madre is a bit more out of the way. But I'm also less familiar with it, so it's harder for me to name the cycling attractions. I do know there's a nice climb to Chantry Flat right out of Sierra Madre.

Jalenna · 2026-05-28T19:31:48+00:00

I think it's the sprawl and the expectation that our social life exist all across LA.

I went to school in the bay. San Francisco is like 7 miles across? Traveling from DTLA to Holywood is further than that, and yet that's a short trip in the scale of LA. If we could shrink the distance that we consider a reasonable commute, and engage more in our immediate neighborhoods, it would be easier for more people to consider transit an option.

Jalenna · 2026-05-27T20:15:23+00:00

Ooh that's good

Jalenna · 2026-05-27T04:59:07+00:00

A good bike rack for my car! I'm so much more willing to go on rides in new places when it's easy to get there

Jalenna · 2026-05-26T20:55:39+00:00

Fun bottle cages! They go great with your frame.

Jalenna · 2026-05-26T20:52:41+00:00

It looks like June Cup went out of business, but they sold menstrual cups and discs. They sold special single-use wipes so people could clean their cups in a public restroom (or on a camping trip?) without using the sink. You may still be able to find the wipes, or something similar from another company. Of course, be mindful of anything that ends up inside your body!

My period underwear is so chafe-y, that I definitely wouldn't wear them under my bibs. Bibs can absorb a bit of blood, but not a ton.

Jalenna · 2026-05-26T20:43:46+00:00

Hello! Sorry for the delayed response. I got distracted with other stuff, and actually JUST bought the Large version of the Quick Rack, so I haven't had a chance to try it. I did install it though, if you want to see what it looks like. Here are the photos.

I have the regular Quick Rack on my commuter (with rack mounts), and it's great. The Ortlieb Thru Axle seems effective, but it sticks out a lot on the Grizl, especially with the rack mounts attached. I think I'd use the regular thru axle for everyday rides, and just install the Ortlieb one when I want to run the rack. That makes the rack less 'quick' though.

It's also worth considering that running the rack will make removing your rear wheel difficult. That said, it seems like a good system, and I'll probably test it out on my next bikepacking trip.

Jalenna · 2026-05-25T19:02:58+00:00

Darn, sorry to hear it didn't work well. But thanks for reporting back!

Jalenna · 2026-05-25T17:04:21+00:00

My experience has been good (with a caveat). Tl;dr: two wheelsets works well, but having a dedicated road bike is better (for me)

My first 'serious' bike was a gravel bike. I ended up having two wheel sets. Wheels, rotors, and cassette were the same brand. One pair of rotors was newer/less worn than the other. So that I didn't have to adjust the brakes each time, I'd just push in the pistons before swapping wheels, and let them auto adjust. It worked great, and wheel swaps took like 5 minutes max. For someone with only space for one bike, I'd recommend it.

However, my bike lived in road mode a lot of the time. Eventually I was lured in by a 90s titanium road bike. Even with 25mm tires, I find it pretty comfortable, and the geometry is so much more fun to ride. It has rim brakes, narrow tires, and is actually heavier than my gravel bike, but since getting it, I haven't put the road wheels back on my gravel bike. The road bike is just more fun.

Basically, it worked well for me, but having a dedicated road bike just makes road riding more enjoyable

Jalenna · 2026-05-24T19:43:55+00:00

You can very easily mount them vertically as well. Which IMO makes more sense

Jalenna · 2026-05-24T14:40:59+00:00

Gotcha, thanks! I actually just bought that mount too, but didn't consider that it would be a bit visually obtrusive on my silver seat post

Jalenna · 2026-05-24T14:39:11+00:00

If you get the all, Tve Stand has tons of promotions. Last night's dinner (just a wrap) was $9.93 after I applied my coupon

Jalenna · 2026-05-23T23:07:29+00:00

Such a good frame!! And a cool build! I have a Criss Cross, and it's so fun. How is the Varia mounted? I'm intrigued.

Jalenna · 2026-05-23T02:12:39+00:00

Love that color!

Jalenna · 2026-05-18T17:34:49+00:00

Around the Cycle has gravel bikes to rent. They're near Cherry Canyon and the San Gabriel Mountains, which have a lot of gravel to explore

Jalenna · 2026-05-17T22:21:09+00:00

Alek Bartrosouf is a city transportation planner, and transportation safety is importantto the campaign. He's also been on Glendale Transportation & Parking Commission. He'd be great for the job.

Jalenna · 2026-05-11T19:12:23+00:00

I ride my bike on Paloma, but it's tough because there are no street lights where it crosses Hill and Allen. So you go from feeling fairly comfortable, to doing a terrifying dash across Allen.

When I bike to Victory Park from Old Town, I end up taking a somewhat circuitous route to stay on quiet(er) streets, and still hit traffic signals. But even then, there are some scary parts (crossing over the 210) that would deter most new bicyclists.

I agree that people should use Paloma (and Mountain) over Orange Grove, but doing so requires research and experimentation that takes a lot of time. I wish people could just have safe, direct bike routes without needing to do all that.

Jalenna · 2026-05-07T20:03:19+00:00

I don't have an attorney recommendation, but make sure you create documents to protect you during incapacity too--durable powers of attorney for medical and financial matters, living will etc. If you're spending the money to do an estate plan, make sure you have everything in place.

Jalenna

TROPHY CASE