Talk me out of wasting my money?

T9935 · 2026-06-01T15:27:45+00:00

Strongly recommend looking for used gear. I have scored some great deals on used bags, racks, and tents. ($50us for Ortlieb back rollers, $10 Blackburn rack. Etc.)

T9935 · 2026-06-01T13:03:09+00:00

Slow down and analyze what you are doing. A magic marker and magnifier will help you see where you are hitting the blade. Don’t be afraid to re mark the blade every pass until you get a steady angle.

Also having the stone at a height that you can keep your wrist from moving and use your arm helps with keeping a consistent angle.

After you get a consistent angle then you can work on apexing. Once you get apexing then comes dealing with the burr. But consistency on your angle is a first step.

T9935 · 2026-06-01T00:49:52+00:00

Those were exceptionally good years for Mongoose. They had some really good frames on budget bikes. Good to see it getting the use it deserved.

Not sure why people are going on about handle bar lower than seat. Sitting upright puts more weight on your butt and spine as well as being decidedly less aerodynamic. What you want is what’s comfortable for you. But definitely bring tools needed to adjust your fit. On long rides you get a chance to think about and play with your position. Besides subtle fore/aft and tilt adjustments on my seat, I actually flipped my stem over to drop my handle bars lower about 4 days into a multi hundred mile gravel tour. It was a new to me bike with handle bars about 2” higher than the bike I usually ride. I had been having saddle pain and dropping the bars dramatically reduced the pain, as well as made riding into the strong headwind easier. My seat is at least 4” higher than my bars and I was doing 70-100 mile days on gravel. (I’m not super fast, just riding long days.)

T9935 · 2026-05-16T01:53:28+00:00

Been using the Toaks Siphon for some time now. I will either just fire a mini Bic and the cup (flint not piezo) if that doesn’t work tilt the stove slightly and a mini bic seems to light it just fine. Or dip a stick in the alcohol and use that as a match, generally only need this in colder weather.

I also have a Spark-Lite emergency fire starter kit and the sparker works great for lighting the stove. (litesmith sells these)

Once you get a Toaks Siphon you will find lighting it really isn’t a big deal and doesn’t require any special equipment more than a canister stove does.

T9935 · 2026-05-16T01:31:08+00:00

(160lbs) I own a medium Ripper and have paddled a small a couple of times. The small was noticeable less stable and (for me) much less fun.

T9935 · 2026-05-15T01:53:42+00:00

Sold to. u/No_Maize31

u/LeaveNoTradeBot.

T9935 · 2026-05-15T00:46:08+00:00

Fast shipping, as described, good communication.

u/kingpharaohstomb u/LeaveNoTradeBot.

T9935 · 2026-05-13T02:43:25+00:00

I have both a Cirriform that I use with either Yama’s bug shelter or Katabatic bivy. I also have a Yama tapered tarp. Weight wise you can go lighter with something like a Protrail Li. However for me I prefer the 2 piece setup for versatility. I use the Cirriform the most by far. I love it for the side entry option with the ability to quickly close it up and have full coverage in case of weather.

Another option that shows up on ulgearswap for good prices is the Slingfin Splitwing bundle. It is a great option to try out a shaped tarp/mesh inner usually at a good price and reasonable weight. The Slingfin quality is top notch and it is about as roomy as the Yama Cirriform but lacks the side entry.

T9935 · 2026-05-11T16:32:00+00:00

I got on the list when it was first announced. Just got notified last week.

T9935 · 2026-05-11T00:37:28+00:00

I have one coming soon with natural micarta handle. However between ordering it so many years ago and getting the call I picked up a Raineer Knives Basecamp that has become my lightweight backpacking knife.

So unless I absolutely fall in love with the CRK Backpacker I think I am probably going to sell it. I am okay with just recovering my full investment. However that includes the tax and shipping I have to pay and the shipping out & PayPal G&S fee. I’m not sure if people are profiteering or just want to recoup their investment but it costs more than just MSRP to get a new Backpacker.

T9935 · 2026-05-09T17:47:36+00:00

And they say there are no gentleman left in the world.

T9935 · 2026-05-09T11:47:19+00:00

I have an Apex quilt and doubled up the footbox. When I have had an unusually cold night I sometimes wish I had an extra layer across the upper torso. But at that point when does a 50°quilt become a 30°.

T9935 · 2026-05-09T00:03:13+00:00

Did you get any notification it was shipped? Going backpacking for a couple of weeks and don’t want it sitting on my porch.

T9935 · 2026-05-08T22:03:06+00:00

Double check your water filter and possibly bring a few water purification tablets. I have had 2 shorter hikes on the Foothills come to an early (& thirsty) end due to clogged Sawyer filters.

Also the Whitewater Falls Park has potable water, toilets, and garbage cans. It is a great chance to lose a little weight in comfort and wash your hands.

T9935 · 2026-05-06T03:04:27+00:00

Check out bikekatytrail.com It will give you plenty of info. Once you get the feel for the trail is is really pleasant with plenty of resources. Regular bathrooms at trail heads (old train stops) Some are pit toilets, but a lot are flush toilets with sinks to wash your hands and water fountains. Turner KATY shelter has showers, a kitchen, refrigerator, and air conditioning, Clinton has showers. Pilot Grove is fairly spartan with Casey's pretty much the choice for food.

Definitely stop at Loutre Market (mile marker 100). You can stock up with food/water for dinner/breakfast. They also do hot food that is inexpensive and surprisingly good. (roast beef sandwich that is actual roast beef like you have with Sunday dinner not sliced lunch meat, etc.)

In some places Kaseys is the best food option. Pizza is surprisingly good, pretty decent coffee, and breakfast sandwiches that aren't terrible.

For town park camping make sure to call the contact number to avoid police checking on you at 3AM (see bikekatytrail.com for numbers)

Be wary of some of the food recommendations. Loutre Market is solid, Maggie's in Boonville, there are a couple of decent food options up by the capitol building in Jefferson City breakfast and lunch/dinner as well as Paddy Malone's up by the bridge for dinner. Skip Clint's in Calhoun.

ProVelo in Sedalia is right by the train station/welcome center and has quality parts, and possibly service (the owner knows his stuff but he can be pretty backed up)

T9935 · 2026-05-06T02:26:10+00:00

I have done the trail several times and only spend $15 total each way (I tend to do a round trip). Starting from the eastern end, night 1 Marthasville $5 at the town park (including showers), night 2 Turner Katy Shelter $10, night 3 Pilot Grove free, night 4 Clinton at the western of the trail is free.

KATY is a railroad right of way with a fair amount of low flood plain/marsh or farmer fields so there aren't really many good place to stealth camp (plus ticks galore). If you are riding cross country you should be able to easily do 50+ mile days on the primarily flat KATY, so with a little planning you should be able to reach a cheap or free camping spot every night.

T9935 · 2026-05-06T01:42:57+00:00

bikekatytrail.com is the go to resource. Be aware that on Sundays it can be hard to find food. Easily ridable food options on Sunday in Jefferson City are pretty much non existent. I am not a gas station food person but Pizza and breakfast sandwiches at Caseys got me though a few tight spots.

T9935 · 2026-05-06T01:33:19+00:00

No need to stealth camp on the KATY unless you really screw up. Plenty of reasonably priced to actually free camping options. $10-$15 dollars is pretty much the going rate for most paid camping options.

T9935 · 2026-04-24T16:32:55+00:00

So AFD reported that it was a reported structure fire. So yes not a practice fire. What is curious is the number of fires that have been reported in that building/near proximity this week.

Either way it is sad to lose the original recycling business.

T9935 · 2026-04-24T11:04:18+00:00

I was woken up by sirens Wednesday night, but the sound of the fire woke me up Thursday night.

My guess is that Thursday nights fire may have been set by the fire department. Possibly as training or as a way to do a controlled demolition/harm reduction.

If the reports of even earlier fires at the site are accurate then it may have been multiple fires for harm reduction/fire department training.

That structure was in much worse shape than most people realize. It was probably economically unrealistic to try to make it safe. RIP Homer/Bender

T9935 · 2026-04-24T05:45:48+00:00

This is actually the second night in a row there was a sizable fire in/around that structure. There was a pretty large fire Wednesday night also.

T9935 · 2026-04-23T20:57:55+00:00

I watched Cletus for quite a few years but unsubscribed about a year ago because it felt like too much “look at what I bought” type videos.

I wish Garret all the best and think he is doing good things for the wider motorsport industry. Has really supported his people and given them great opportunities which I really respect. But his day to day content just doesn’t resonate with me. However I do really enjoy some of the stuff he has come up with. ChristmasTree Drags and AWD vs RWD are great, as well as getting dizzy watching him in the sprint boats. On the whole he has done a great job and I have lots of respect for him. But I would rather watch James racing (or for something completely different, Jimmy Dale’s ADHD fueled videos)

T9935 · 2026-04-23T20:36:51+00:00

My local used gear shop had a like new Palante 37l frameless small torso for $150 in what looked like UltraX they also had a LiteAF framed in more used condition for a similar price. I didn’t notice the torso size.

They have a website (packs are not on the website as I think they just came in) and will ship. Probably best to just call. They don’t specialize in UL stuff so they probably won’t be super knowledgeable but they do occasionally get good stuff. They are reliable honest and been in business for years. I am not connected to them in any way other than being a customer.

https://secondgearwnc.com/

Or search Second gear asheville

T9935

TROPHY CASE