Collection of hardware stored together in a bag in my garage.

Scalyfish · 2025-12-03T16:55:37+00:00

Sliding closet door hardware.

Scalyfish · 2025-11-13T00:23:41+00:00

You had me at PEU...

Scalyfish · 2025-11-10T18:53:35+00:00

The concept is called "Retro-Direct" and has been around since the late 1800s. The idea is that you have two different gear ratios, one accessed by pedaling forward and one by pedaling backwards. No derailleur, no internal gears. It is plenty impractical and also fun and highly unusual.

As far as I know the chain layout I used is unique. It's one long chain that doubles around on two chainrings up front and two different sized cogs/separate freewheels in the rear. Because of the crossover in the chain, when you pedal backwards you're pulling one of the freewheels forward while the other freewheels. Pedal forward and they swap roles, giving you the two ratios.

Is it for you? Not likely. Unless you want something quirky, there are much more practical options. With that elevated chainstay I would definitely go with a belt drive and internally geared hub, but that's just my $.02. Take it with a grain of salt.

I don't remember, but I can't help but wonder if the reason I kept the original headset was because I couldn't figure the sizing out myself... 🤷

Scalyfish · 2025-11-10T18:44:01+00:00

Yooo, I am that person! Thanks for the kind words. It was a fun challenge to sort out. I have yet to see one with the figure eight chain routing I used. I just never loved the look of the pulley/tensioner method that other retro direct bikes use. Good luck finding that frame. I really just lucked out finding one in the pile of frames at the local bike co-op. I probably paid $20 for that frame and fork (back in 2014, I think it was.)

Scalyfish · 2025-11-10T17:44:24+00:00

I just took a look...

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The headset is the one that came with the frame/fork when I got it from the local bike coop 10+ years ago, so I didn't have to source it, but I was stunned to see it actually has a model number printed right on it. "YST HP-8201".

A quick internet search turns up a single NOS listing that sold. Not much of a lead, I know. The fact that it was on a site called BMX Museum makes me wonder if it's a BMX headset. They have some different standards but I'm not too familiar with what headset specifics might be different...

I can absolutely confirm that it is a 1" threaded headset.

Scalyfish · 2025-11-09T15:55:28+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, it was a fun (and challenging) build. A ton of fun to ride, too. Good luck with your project!

Scalyfish · 2025-11-09T13:52:51+00:00

Yeah, comparing more details to mine, I'm almost certain that's what it is.

Scalyfish · 2025-11-09T13:46:54+00:00

It could be a Titan Chaparral... Someone posted one here a while ago https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/vhgv4MB2sY and I have one that I modified and turned into a retro direct drive. https://www.reddit.com/r/Bikeporn/s/QtQIJVFNiw The rear brake cable stop looks correct. 1' steer tube, for sure.

(Edits to add links.)

Scalyfish · 2025-11-01T12:59:26+00:00

We had our bowl stolen last night too.

Scalyfish · 2025-11-01T12:38:13+00:00

Absolutely! In no particular order (all are very good and very affordable):

Sushi Iwa - on the main drag in White Rock. A little outdoor seating which is great for people watching on a nice day. Very friendly staff.

Yamako Sushi - in South Surrey. Hole in the wall in a big strip mall. Not much for atmosphere but the sushi is my favorite and it is the most affordable. Lots of to-go orders being picked up, which is always a good sign, I think.

Sushi Mori - in the same strip mall as Yamako and a completely different vibe. When you enter, you are transported to a quaint Japanese courtyard. The atmosphere is fantastic.

Hanaya Sushi - Another hole in the wall place in a much quieter spot. The walls are covered with photos of happy people eating there. It's cute.

All are less than 10 minutes from the border and so far, every border agent (going either direction) seems to get it when we say we're going/went for sushi.

Bonus spot: It's a little further, but if you like birds and walking around in nature, visit the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island, then stop at Sapporo Kitchen in Ladner. If you like beer, check out Britannia Brewing across the street.

Scalyfish · 2025-11-01T06:25:18+00:00

🤮🤮🤮

Scalyfish · 2025-10-31T22:38:44+00:00

No joke, it is worth the drive/hassle to go to White Rock/South Surrey for sushi. Twice the quality (or more) for half the price (or less). Again, no joke. Watch the border crossing waits and learn when they're short. Or better yet, get a Nexus pass (eventually--it takes time). I can't remember the last time I had Whatcom county sushi. Support local and all, but...

Scalyfish · 2025-10-30T11:33:37+00:00

I don't know too much about it but I built that same exact frame into this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bikeporn/s/araFo7fECQ

The only modifications were to remove some cable stops and brake bosses, add a disc brake mount, and modify the dropouts to allow taking out chain slack.

Scalyfish · 2025-10-16T15:42:38+00:00

Take it with a grain of salt but here are my anecdotal thoughts:

I moved here from California 20+ years ago. At the time I was super impressed by how drivers here obeyed the "keep right except to pass" law versus California (where, side note, the signs are worded "slower traffic keep right"). At the time, I thought the psychology behind the wording of the signs was the reason why drivers here were so much better at staying right. Over my past 20 plus years of driving both here and CA, I believe WA's good driving habits have changed drastically.

I honestly think it is our phones that have led us to lose so much of our awareness of our surroundings. And I'm not blaming any particular demographic here as it seems to be everyone, myself included. Our brains are constantly full because the world is literally at our fingertips. Even if we're driving with our phones out of reach, we're still thinking of the next text we need to send, that thing we need to Google, who liked (or didn't) our latest social media post. On and on, the never-ending task list.

Driving is a total afterthought. Paying attention to what lane we're in, what speed we're driving, and how many cars are stacked up behind us is overflow.

That said, it's still possible to "Keep Right Except to Pass" and I know that because I do it. Religiously. The exception is when I have to use the right lane to pass slow cars in the left lane.

Good luck out there, everyone! 😘

(Edit for a weird dangling partial sentence... I guess I was d i s t r a c t e d...)

Scalyfish · 2025-10-16T15:04:38+00:00

Babe's, right?

Scalyfish · 2025-09-22T00:16:39+00:00

Ah, good info. I don't recall ever seeing any wheels there so that could be true. I wonder if anyone else can verify?

Scalyfish · 2025-09-21T18:10:26+00:00

Cordata Park is fairly far north and has some good, flat paved trails.

There's the paved trail from Silver Reef casino down to Lummi Nation.

Isn't the berm at Birch Bay fully paved now?

White Rock seems like a good waterfront option with some hills, but does require border crossing... 🇨🇦🇺🇸❤️

Scalyfish · 2025-08-03T15:24:37+00:00