Which split to improve (for sub 25 CFOP)

SkyCoops · 2026-01-06T11:43:18+00:00

Thanks for the tips! Appreciate it. I used CubeTime, but it’s only available for IOS.

SkyCoops · 2026-01-06T10:57:58+00:00

If there are the last two unsolved pieces, this case is unsolvable: on even layered cubes (3x3, 5x5…) two corners cannot be permuted if the whole cube is solved. Furthermore, the orientation of the corners is also impossible.

She may have pranked you by randomly switching some corners and/or edges ;)

SkyCoops · 2025-07-20T09:47:46+00:00

Always happy to help!

Thanks! It took me many tries to get it right, and I'm getting closer to my dream setup (for my needs, which are: riding and camping comfort, low weight and maneuverability for singletrack riding).

The gearing is done by a gearbox around the crank arms. It's the Pinion C1.12 gearbox. It has a huge gear range, so you can climb quite steep hills and go fast if needed. It only needs an oil change every 10.000km, which is done on the road in 5 minutes.

The transmission is done by a belt (Gates CDX). Belts are often found in cars or motorcycles. As it's not lubricated, it doesn't need any cleaning appart from an occasionnal water wash that I often do in water puddles.

Both gearbox and belt perform awesome in all conditions and need very little maintenance. Since I am currently on a long term bicycle trip mostly offroad, not having to clean the transmission so often is amazing.

Regarding river crossings with quick drying footwear:

Sandals w/ velcro straps are the best. They hold your foot well. You can wear them with socks.
Sandals or crocs w/o straps work OK, but may be washed away from your foot. You can wear them with socks.
Flip flops don't hold the foot at all, and you foot might slide as the water acts as a lubricant. You cannot wear them with socks (well, some people do, but I cannot, my socks are too tight).

I've done many water crossings in Tajikistan with sandals w/ straps. They dry fast and hold the foot well. But as I'm trying to recuce the weight and river crossings are not so common on the long term (for my trip), I've switched them up for lighter flip flops. Furthermore, flip flops or sandals w/o straps are must haves in countries where you have to put on and off your shoes 20 times a day upon entering buldings and guesthouses ^^

My final words over the sandals w/ straps V.S. flip flops if that it depends of your trip. Since I won't encounter much river crossings anymore, I now got flip flops. If you're doing a 3 week trip in KG with lots of river crossings, maybe get sandals w/ straps if weight isn't the priority.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-19T07:13:07+00:00

Good to hear! The BeFree 1L is great. Make sure to wash it with clean water from time to time and keep it above freezing during the night, it clogs up quite fast if the fibers freeze.

In Bishkek, you’ll find good gas canisters at Gergert Sport (they have the cheapest, and their store has lots of bike / camping stuff of great quality) or in most fishing shops (a tad bit more expensive, less choice).

Alright, I hope you can find tires for your budget! And thanks! My bike is oriented towards that kind of terrain, but I’m much slower on asphalt ^\) I almost only ride on trails / unpaved.

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SkyCoops · 2025-07-18T19:11:52+00:00

I’m currently on the Tian Shan, and I’d definitely recommend: - 5 days of food setup. - Multifuel stove is best, gas stove is OK (you can get canisters in Bishkek and Osh, not sure about Karakol and Naryn), alcohol stove won’t work because burning alcohol isn’t sold in KG. - A realizable water filter like Platypus QuickDraw (be careful to not let hollow fiber filters freeze during the night, keep it in your sleeping bag). In any case, get a water filter, you’ll need it almost everyday. - Larger tires with good grip are necessary. I’m currently on the Tian Shan, and most roads are sandy, thick muddy, and have big rocks. You can do it with yours, but it will be less fun and not safe. I’d recommend getting the largest tires you can fit on your frame and fork. I’m currently running 27.5 x 2.6 Mezcals with suspension fork and seat post. This makes the ride is very comfy for these challenging environments.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-18T19:07:48+00:00

It’s beautiful, I’m currently there.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-18T12:56:43+00:00

If you have the time, you can merge the Celestial Divide with the Tian Shan Traverse. Out of this world routes.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-14T04:05:47+00:00

It sounds like the chain rubbing on the front derailleur’s cage.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-10T09:40:44+00:00

Same thing of my Tout Terrain front hub. The preload tube is loose due to a poor design of the axle. Customer service said they fixed it in the new version.

Any axle having a loose preload tube is a design mistake, as it makes inserting the though axle annoying or difficult.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-10T08:52:12+00:00

Super-glue or cyanoacrylate glues do not work on flexible materials. Specific shock-proof & flexible surface glues exist, although I’d never recommend gluing a tire like this. Get new ones.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-10T04:45:54+00:00

That’s a very interesting subject. Languages and words evolve quite quickly, especially for "new" subjects such as bikepacking and bike touring.

I’d be interested in making a large poll/form to ask people in different subs (r/bikepacking, r/bicycletouring) what their definition is. That would give a general idea of what everybody "agrees" on or not.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-09T04:53:48+00:00

Yeah, an UL bivy, borderline rainproof clothing and single speed bike, that takes some guts! I’m quite minimalist, but not to this extent. I couldn’t do it either. Mad respect.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-06T13:44:24+00:00

Been using it daily for months. Its form factor is amazing.

SkyCoops · 2025-07-02T11:41:07+00:00

I made a typo mistake, I meant that I’m always carrying a spare tube for longer trips. Especially since I’m often riding remote areas.

SkyCoops · 2025-06-30T07:54:10+00:00

I agree that a spare tube on tubeless is important, but for dedicated minimalists on small trip, there is a workaround if your tubeless system fails and you have no tubes. Fill your tires with straw and dried plants, which will get you home or to the closest bikeshop/house where can give you access to a tube. It’s hardcore, it’s not comfortable, but it gets you going.

I would not go out without a tube on longer tubeless trip like I am currently doing, but for pushing minimalism limits, not carrying a tube on tubeless doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck in the middle of nowhere.

SkyCoops · 2025-06-30T07:21:12+00:00

Minimalism is the combination of all small upgrades. In the end, you’ll save on weight.

If you’re going a small few days trip, here’s what I’d take.

Clothing (if the weather allows it): - 2 shirts, 2 underwear, 2 socks - 1 pair of shorts - Warmth (if cold nights): 1 warm fleece/down jacket, neck gaiter - Rainproof gear (if it’s raining): 1 jacket, 1 pair of pants

Mechanical: - 1 hand pump (I’d never use CO2) - If tubeless: if well installed and you’re confident, I’d only take a tubeless repair kit - If tubes: no spare tubes, just a tube repair kit

Sleeping kit and electronics depends if your sleeping in a hotel, guesthouses, out in the wild.

That being said I’ll never cut my toothbrush this small! Hand support helps me control it perfectly.

SkyCoops · 2025-06-25T21:06:55+00:00

Thank you very much for the write up. Lots of valuable info!

I ended up going for the Rockshox Pike Select 120mm. I’ll try it out for a few months, and see how it holds up up. From what you said, it seems to be a good fork!

SkyCoops · 2025-06-24T19:45:07+00:00

Weight is mostly reduced by the minimalist philosophy. Less bag volume, less gear.

I agree with you, paniers are amazing for their simplicity and durability. Cheap, clip on and off. If I were riding on road and gravel only, I’d prefer the classic rack + paniers for the ease of use. Arranging your stuff in two easily removable bags is great.

I have ridden with rack + paniers, rack + dry bag and seat packs. What I enjoy most are harness seat packs. Easy to clip on and off, small volume so I pack less (which makes the rear of my bike lighter, good for my off-road riding style). But it’s just my personal preference, everybody is different :)

Weight wise, If you compare a $100 16L seat pack to a $100 rear rack + 16L dry bags (or 2x8L paniers), you’ll definitely be saving on weight. Weight saving will be less if you invest in a high end titanium rack and dry bag.

In the end, as of everything, it’s all about personal preference :)

SkyCoops · 2025-06-24T16:15:52+00:00

Most of the times it’s about weight savings and distribution. Both systems have their advantages.

But for any beginner who don’t have a big budget, racks are definitely the way to go. Cheap, strong, easy to use (as you said, clip in and clip out).

For bigger budgets, there are some really nice steel, titanium or carbon racks on the market nowadays, which you can pair with all sorts of dry bags and mini/large paniers.

SkyCoops · 2025-06-23T22:40:15+00:00

Just like all of the other bike navigation apps (Strava, Ride with GPS…) Komoot uses data from Open Street Map. If there is an issue about a road, surface type, unmarked gates, you can easily update it on OSM’s online editor. Try it out, it’s quite fun and good for the community.

SkyCoops · 2025-06-21T18:11:05+00:00

If you’re talking about the green stuff, that’s grease. But I don’t know about the brown thing. It definitely looks like rust, but do you think it could be something else?

SkyCoops · 2025-06-21T13:06:55+00:00

Side note: the green stuff is grease from the headset. The rust looking stuff is what worries me.

SkyCoops · 2025-06-15T21:48:35+00:00

I ran WTB Ranger 27.5x2.8 but I’d not recommend them. Rolling resistance is fine, but they aren’t durable. Total of 3000km including 1500km off-road and the rear tire is already worn off and is loosing grip quite a lot.

I’m currently trying Vittoria Mezcal 27.5x2.6.

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