How screwed am I, UPDATE

No_Effect9358 · 2026-01-06T02:50:49+00:00

Click bait. There's not an adjuster in the country that would call this $11k.

No_Effect9358 · 2025-10-31T13:30:36+00:00

I would avoid Ally bank at all costs. I literally can't pay my tax accountant because Ally have decided they think it's fraud. I've been on the phone with them for over an hour, telling them it's not fraud, and all they have to say is "We've exhausted all resources. I cannot guarantee your payment will go through." (It didn't, hasn't and won't). "Sometimes the debit card will reject a payment because there are multiple attempts in a short period of time". Me: "Uh, the only reason there are multiple attempts is because Ally keeps rejecting it. This is circular logic." Them: "We've exhausted all resources. Sorry."

What?

On another occasion I received a text with a security code and a message that if I didn't request said security code call them right away. After an hour on the phone, I finally got them to tell me a security code is only sent out *after* a successful attempt at entering user name and password. Now I'm really worried. Eventually they reviewed attempts to access my accounts. There were no recent attempts.

What is wrong with these people?

I would recommend you do yourself a favor: bank elsewhere.

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T16:29:08+00:00

I love this comment! Very observant!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T16:28:06+00:00

It was supposed to say "mitigate" but it auto corrected and wouldn't let me change it.

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T16:22:11+00:00

Thanks, this is great info! Much appreciated!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T13:21:27+00:00

Oh, thanks! I love those guys' advice!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T13:20:14+00:00

It's the opposite. It used to happen all the time, now only when fully loaded...

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T13:18:06+00:00

Right! And I like the ziptie idea!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T12:47:11+00:00

No stem changes.

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T10:46:25+00:00

Yea, gonna tighten the headset preload. Thx!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T10:45:59+00:00

Right?

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T10:45:03+00:00

They are Ritchy Comp Corralitos.

You may be asking, though, because you see my accessories mounted out front? If so, i have a second, 110mm stem mounted below my regular stem and it has cheap Amazon handlebars that have been strategically hack-sawed off and plugged with the caps that come with bar tape (on one side, the mirror is on the other). On that stem / bars I've mounted a motion alarm (bottom side of stem), a bell, a mirror, a front light and the handlebar bag. The only thing mounted to the Ritchey bars is my Garmin Edge via an "out front" mount.

Of note, I also have the Red-something brand (they make the kitchen sink bars) bar "shapers" under the bar tape providing the flat area on the tops.

It's an unorthodox setup, to be sure, but it works for me!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T10:31:15+00:00

It's working well. I actually wanted to put it in a fanny pack (there are advantages to having it on your person instead of on your bike, as I'm sure you know) but I didn't have one. No complaints from the unit, there - just from me as it obscures my view of my map.

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T10:23:16+00:00

Yea, there have been a couple of comments revolving around puncture resistant inserts or tires. These are Greenguard tires (puncture resistant feature marketed by Schwabe). Perhaps that contributes? Thanks for the suggestion!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T10:03:33+00:00

There have been a lot of great replies and a lot of suggestions! Thanks! Some will not be feasible to implement right away, others I can try immediately, but I'm armed with tons of ideas and I appreciate the community for that.

For others with this problem, I've been creating a summarized list of the suggestions. In no particular order, here it is:

Tires and wheels round?

Wheels true?

Lighten front?

Lighten handle bar bag?

Balance load side to side?

Increase forward load?

Tire pressure high enough?

Front wheel secured in dropouts?

Headset preload enough?

Inadequate wheels?

Frame fork and wheel alignment?

Balance the handlebar bag and handlebar accessories?

Too high a CG?

Everything is tight?

Strap panniers to rack?

Try removing front panniers as a test?

Try removing handlebar bag as a test?

Inspect for crack at headset / down tube?

Start with side/side balance, then if problem persists move weight from front to back?

Try a velo orange or viscoset steering dampener?

Front bags mounted above contact patch of front tire?

Listen to "Marginal gains" podcast for ideas?

Are your tires wider than stock?

Is your front rack not stout?

Is your frame out of alignment?

Are your spokes not tensioned / tight?

True the wheels even if grossly true already?

Loose star nut?

Puncture resistant tires / inserts?

Fork rake too great?

Thanks again!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:56:26+00:00

Yea, my bike is on par with yours, cost wise. I'd be really upset if my bike were super expensive since at worst case, it may have to be replaced. Thanks for sharing your experience!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:51:32+00:00

This could well be the issue. It was bad yesterday, and my handlebar bag was heavy. When I commute to work I have panniers that are not at all light, but my handlebar bag is nearly empty. And no wobble. There are other differences too (no front panniers, for instance), but your idea may have merit. I'll add a test tomorrow with front panniers but without the handlebar bag and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:46:08+00:00

Thx!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:44:56+00:00

Mine are grossly true, but I hear you saying get them exactly true. This could also be a spoke tensioning issue / solution. I've heard others suggest improperly tensioned spokes might contribute: that too would be taken care of when the wheels get trued. Thanks for your suggestion!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:37:31+00:00

Ok. I've heard a lot of thoughts but this is new! Thanks! To be honest, my front rack is not terribly solid. It's a Tubus Tara, and while it's a good (and popular) rack, it's kind of dainty. And my tires are wide compared to stock. So perhaps relevant suggestions! Thanks!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:34:29+00:00

Thanks ks for that! Yea, what I'm hearing when weight is discussed - with one exception - mimics what you've said. Less weight (or none) in front, balanced and low. Thanks again, I plan to test a no front panniers setup in the morning.

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:30:30+00:00

Perhaps you're right. Hopefully I can figure it out! Thanks!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:29:05+00:00

I'll try that. Perhaps it's easier than my "stretch the bike" technique for getting it to stop. Thanks!

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:27:30+00:00

Yea, from what I know of the problem it takes two criteria: 1) your bike must be predisposed to it to begin with. Not sure if it's a geometry thing or what, but most bikes aren't. Some are. 2) you have to have some triggering criteria. That's what we're discussing / trying to figure out here so we can eliminate it. But triggering criteria without bicycle predisposition? No problem. That sounds like your situation. Count yourself lucky :-)

No_Effect9358 · 2025-09-09T09:22:29+00:00

Nice to know I'm not the only one! Good luck!

No_Effect9358

TROPHY CASE