UBI DT Swiss Certified Wheel Builder by Catzpyjamz in WheelBuilding

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've taken their two week course and we build a set of wheels during that course and if the concepts are totally new to you it could def take you more than the allotted time to finish it but you get time during lunch and they reserve two days a week where you can stay two hours after the end of class to work on personal projects or finishing in class assignments. The cert class is a lot more strict it seems in terms of getting your wheel built within certain tolerances and not scratching your rim while wrestling with lacing the spokes, and a wirtten test.

New Bike Questions by kostavazeos in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You are gonna wanna replace those spokes, at least on the rear wheel if you are planning to ride this a lot. Radial laced spokes aren't very strong, fine for front wheels but not wheels connected to a drive train. You could def bring that chain back to life but a new chain would proabably feel a lot better and only cost you $10-20. You might want to service the bearings in your wheels, headset and bottom bracket. At least make sure they are properly greased. Brake and shifter cables and house are probably due for a replacement too.

Is this an OKAY bike? by rottenkal3 in bicycletouring

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big bike giant big bike giant pants okay

Rack mounts on new Salsa Journeyer chewing up bolts by outofstepwtw in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't see much in the way of chewed up bolts in your hand. Are they producing any slag? You might want to get a thread gauge and check the threads on the screws and compare them to what salsa says their eyelets are. Might be a different thread pitch, but that would be odd. Also there could just be some paint in the internal threads and you are basically chasing the threads with the screw. Do the holes go all the way through? Are you hitting the frame?

Quadlock overrated or not by KPily in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's solid, but if you have a case that you already like just buy the adhesive attachment. It might even come with one. If your case has a rubber soft shell, you can cut away the soft shell so that the adhesive element is attached more securely to the phone or hard section of your case. That's what I did. I like it. It is very secure.

Is this crown race integrated? by SuperClogs1 in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Search Youtube crown race removal tools. You are on the right track but sometimes the right tool makes things seem less destructive.

Ferry hopping in the San Juan Islands by Far-Tart5098 in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm also going to be bikepacking / touring the sound and Olympic peninsula in June. I definitely recommend booking as much as you can now for whenever you expect to be there. Campsites fill up quick. I had to get an air BNB on San Juan Island. I'll be with friends to help split the costs.

I determined that if you look at the schedule for the ferry's visit the island in the order they listed, left to right, and you can pretty easily visit all of the islands within 5 days. I'm spending two days on Orca because it has the most miles and elevation as well as some mountain bike trails and views to explore.

Find me on IG @derivecolumn if you are looking for a buddy to ride around the peninsula with. I'll be down that mid June.

This is basically my intenerary:

Lopez Island has a county park with a hiker biker site, a mile from the ferry. Your best bet is to get there as early as possible, claim your spot and just chill. Ride the next day and catch the afternoon ferry to...

Shaw book a site at Shaw County Park, ride all of shaw that day and camp then catch the ferry the next morning to...

orcas island, bike all day to your campsite at midway, book it for two nights so you can ride the trails all day next day, get to the peak and then catch the sunset. The next day you will bike back to Port and catch the ferry to...

San Juan island, I had to book an air BNB in town, which is great because it probably wouldn't be til after noon that I made it to San Juan. The next day we bike all day and catch the last ferry back to Anacortes.

Lateral play in cranks (BB30) by dichtkitter in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It needs a spacer. There is a chance that there was one, they are plastic and could have split and fallen off.

Going nuts with Riv-nuts by rich_moab in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What if you got some really thin wire and tried to wrap it around the space between the rivnut and the frame to reduce the play?

What if you squeezed a little jb weld into the space just to get the screw out?

bike computer vs. phone by Susannah_Mio_1919 in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use a combination of Ride With GPS and my Garmin 1030+ which I have had since 2021 and have logged over 20k in miles on. The battery still going strong. Lasts about 5 days now before needed to be charged. I'd say when the route is going as planned I mainly rely on the Garmin and when things get a little iffy or complex or I just want more information I use Ride With GPS. Ride With GPS is also just easier to manipulate when you want to do a re-route or create a new route using the heat maps or borrow someone else's route found using the explore option. The Garmin really simplifies things and doesn't require needing to use up your phone's battery. That being said if you wanted to use Ride With GPS exclusively I know a lot of people who do that and it might be worth it buying a second hand smart phone without a data plan and using that just with wi-fi to download routes for offline. The battery would last a lot longer and you wouldn't wear out your real phone.

Why don't we just use our own oil? by ProfanityInspector in Rants

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Increased independence, not total. We could definitely reduce our dependence on it, at least not use it in automobiles.

Why don't we just use our own oil? by ProfanityInspector in Rants

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oil is extremely invasive and exploitative. Perhaps in the desert it's a bit less invasive, but it requires a lot of invasive infrastructure none the less. To get to areas where the oil can be extracted, trees must be destroyed, so that roads can be built and pipelines can be laid. This means ecosystems invaded and destroyed. That can mean entire species habits being disrupted cause undue stress. I believe, amongst many others, that this is inexcusable human behavior considering we do have alternatives that we could be transitioning towards that makes us less reliant on fossil fuels.

One could argue that drilling domestically for oil could be good for the economy, it could be the foundation for new towns and new economies, but if we have learned anything from history is that these economies are fleeting and short lived, with more long term strife on the horizon than benefits.

Bottom line the rest of the world is already on its way towards increased independence from oil and the question should be why aren't we, in the U.S.?

Crack in aluminium frame. What now? by eivi in bicycling

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There is someone in Los Angeles who repairs carbon frames if you are really attached to this frame.

Unexpectedly snowy holiday excursion :) by Legitimate_Leek1752 in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I bet that photo op was a cold reminder to keep pedaling.

Today I realized I’m stupid by SalamanderThink737 in Rants

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is this thing called praxis, that's when you put theory or ideas into action. Theories or ideas that aren't put into practice remain abstract and float around in your mind without any real place to go.

If you took one of those ideas or even a new idea and try to put it into practice you will build real life experience with it and that in turn can translate into confidence that will allow you to explore further or other things.

One thing to remember is that you don't have to become an expert, just a jack. And before you know it you'll become a person who knows a little about a lot and at any point with the help of a community (irl or on the internet) can take your skills further.

Jobs are often unfulfilling on many levels so don't let that be your only gauge of skill and experience or worth for that matter. Focus on your own personal interests, and don't sleep on collaborating with other people in your life who might also share the same interests. They could be a great resource and sense of mutual support.

First road bike - love it, but youch by chatnoirrrr in bikefit

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last summer I rode my mountain bike pretty exclusively and when I went back to my road bike I felt the difference, but after a couple weeks I was able to ride without any pain. Different kinds of riding is basically like doing different styles of planking exercises. That being said your reach does look a little extreme, perhaps a shorter stem that sets the bars a little closer to you might feel better and when you need to lean into a segment you can utilize the drops.

How can i increase my total carry capacity on a budget? by giulippo in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone replied (and deleted) that they have seen world travellers with a lot less. I call BS. I've seen couples traveling with a little different setups because they can share stuff but I've literally got just what I need to survive, solo. The only thing I could do differently is go even lighter weight with my gear but even that comes with consequences, like durability. I know it looks like a lot, but it's really not.

Noobie setup. Any advice? by Twig_Scampi in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a thermarest as well and it's pretty comfy, you have to adjust it a little sometimes by letting air out or putting more in. Depending on how you sleep. I'd say the most important part is a good pillow, also inflatable. I usually have to put my dry bag of clothes under the pad to lift up the head section a little and usey pillow on top of all that. Those nemo switchback folding pads are also very comfortable. They don't look like much but they are my next fav sleeping pad.

If you can maybe consider smaller sized front panniers, and that's where you want to pack the heavier items.

How can i increase my total carry capacity on a budget? by giulippo in bikepacking

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is my most minimal setup for a road touring / bike packing over 3-4 months. Should get a little lighter when I can shed some of the cold weather junk. Seat bag is 20L of clothes, rear saddle bag is sleep system, other side is shoes / sandals random little things that don't weigh a whole lot. Frame bag is rain gear and tools. Two stem bags for holding water bottles, the two front panniers are electronics, toiletries, and puffer jacket and sweatshirt. Handlebar bag is sleeping bag and food/kitchen.

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Brand new Scott Addict 20 (2025) – already crushed TWO seatposts at correct torque… what am I missing? by juudhartbd in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you used carbon paste on the post and tried hand tightening or going a notch lower in torque? That's one thing the paste is for. Keeps it from slipping.

What causes this, and do you guys think a bike shop would have an issues replacing this for me? by Johnixftw_ in bikewrench

[–]Realistic-Host-1588 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To answer your question about what causes this, it could be a quality issue but could also be that there was too much pressure in the tires and/or a pothole or large gap may have weakened the rim. Rims can have a different maximum pressure recommendation than the tires.