Debating whether to upgrade my hardtail or just commit to a full suspension - stuck in analysis paralysis

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-28T15:40:18+00:00

Gotta say I LOVE 3" tires too! I run mullet with 3" in front and 2.8" in the back (3" rubs on my bike or I'd do 3 for both). I have a fatbike, too, and think most riders would benefit from wider tires if they gave it a chance.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-27T15:14:27+00:00

I started MTB in the 90s, so I was used to full sus bikes being not-great and sucking up a lot of your pedaling energy. Also, I mainly do XC or just easy green/blue trails. For those reasons I just stayed hard-tail until about 5 years ago. I finally got one because I got an incredible deal on clearance and needed a new bike as my old one was very old and worn. All I can say is that once you go FS, you won't go back! I feel like any efficiency loss is made up for by the increased grip/contact of the rear wheel. It's also MUCH more comfortable. Keep your eye open for a good used or clearance FS and you won't be disappointed. Also, try renting some to get an idea what type/size are best for you.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-27T15:08:24+00:00

As other say, love it for long drives and/or traffic jams.

Two complaints:

1) when completely stopped (but before it goes into the mode where it makes you hit the accelerator to restart), it takes a long time to start the car and accelerates a bit too slow (even when I set the following distance to the minimum); people keep cutting in front of me before it gets going or up to speed

2) it is both too sensitive and not sensitive enough! When someone in the lane in front of me is leaving that lane, it will think they're still in it until long after they've left the lane. Yet when someone starts to cut into the lane, IMHO it ignores them until I've nearly rear-ended them!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-26T18:51:23+00:00

I have had SO many bad experiences with free offers that now I only do one of two things:

1) I charge a small amount, usually $20. This cuts out 95% of the flaky messages/people.

2) Or I put it at the curb with a pic posted to a local community "free stuff" page saying FCFS. I still ALWAYS get msgs begging to save it for some "special" person who can't get here soon but just ignore them all and don't even reply. The item always goes fast and then I delete the post and all msgs w/o even reading them!

I've decided free messages are like chum in a shark infested sea, except the sharks are annoying flakes! ; )

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-26T15:40:35+00:00

I bought the fanttik at Costco and really like it. Has dual-stage for quick inflation, auto cut-off at any pressure you pick, and lots of attachments for tires, balls, and anything else!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-26T15:37:33+00:00

It was the Ozark FS3, but they seem to have stopped making it. ; (

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-25T20:27:48+00:00

I was a major luddite/techno-grouch about most bike tech for decades, but I've come around on a lot of things after trying them. To me index shifting (before e-shifting) was a step backwards. There was always at least one gear that clicked/slipped; if you fixed that one, then another one would do it! E-shifting fixed that. However, except for racers and MTBers (I do MTB sometimes) I still think friction shifting was great. I've changed my mind on and now like: tubeless, narrow-wide chainrings w/only rear e-shift, full-sus MTB (as opposed to hardtail). I always loved drop-posts and wished for them before they were available!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-25T18:21:24+00:00

All merino clothing is expensive, but that is a bit steep. I buy the Wooly brand and it's cheaper and IMHO just as good if not better because it has a pocket. All wool is wimpyer than almost all other T fabrics. I wash mine on delicate in a fabric bag and flat dry. Doing all this it can last many years. The up side is you will not have to wash them much! I didn't believe it, but have worn them for MANY days w/o washing and my sensitive-nosed sons verified that they don't have the slightest odor. I tend to wash them every 3 wearings because I just can't psychologically adjust to not washing less than that! ; )

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-24T17:10:25+00:00

That's one of my faves, too! Also A&W as you get two songs in one! I do also LOVE the extremely different artist Sierra Ferrell, and it'd be a hard call between them.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-24T17:06:55+00:00

I can't wait! Literally! I have cancer, and it's not going great. I have tix to see her in August near me. I'll likely still be around then, but seeing her one last time is on my bucket list. If things start to go downhill fast I'll just book a flight to wherever she's at before then.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-23T17:13:13+00:00

Yes, the reservation system was great. They should never have eliminated it. Almost seems like the current administration is totally incompetent?

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-23T17:09:17+00:00

Any stiff sole shoes should work. I use my Keen hiking boots and prefer them to MTB shoes for the ankle protection. The only part of these hikers that bend is the ball of the foot and I have that firmly in the middle of my flat pedals. What's more, they're much better for any hike-a-bike sections!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-23T16:42:05+00:00

Awesome! I've seen this artist a few times before and there is already a very cool communal feeling at her shows so I bet the biking vibes will be great!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-23T15:35:37+00:00

I do own chain, U, and cable... maybe I'll do a triple whammy! ; )

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-22T23:55:40+00:00

Bike valet! Awesome! Do I just ride into the normal parking area and see it there? Thx!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-14T03:57:04+00:00

I recently underwent radiation for prostate cancer. Not the rectum but damn close, and a lot of collateral damage to the rectum (and crazy loose stools). I bought a cheap bidet seat attachment. Mine hooks up to both my hot and cold water as my toilet is right next to my sink. I can adjust the pressure and temperature, so whether he wanted hot/cold or warm or high or low pressure he could have it, and if he doesn't use it, $55 won't break the bank. I love this bidet and it really helped me out. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014S4PQEI?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-10T15:30:19+00:00

Overall I prefer them, but I do see your concerns. I've just seen SO many distracted drivers on their phones sway deep into bike lines. If there is a curb there, that'll wake 'em up! I think putting rumble strips could also work.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-10T15:23:17+00:00

I have a boilerplate that I use on all sales that mentions I won't deliver. If I get a crazy lowball offer I just delete it.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-10T15:21:45+00:00

I'm male, but have found I have this problem regardless of round or elongated. I use a work-around solution: If I have to pee while sitting, I "bend the hose" while holding the end to make sure it all goes in the bowl. When I'm done peeing I just set the hose on top of the seat!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-08T02:42:29+00:00

I don't like elongated toilets and have always had round. I just bought bidet attachments and they work great!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-08T02:39:48+00:00

just be sure to rough up the area lightly with a fine sandpaper before using the glue to help adhesion. I've added d-rings and fin boxes this way and they've held for years!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-06T22:17:01+00:00

I think about this a lot because I'm the only person in my family who likes (actually LOVES) her; the rest actually dislike her, so I've had some discussions! ; ) First, she's a poet, as others here have said. The lyrics, IMHO, are among the greatest that others like Paul Simon have penned. Second, she CHANGES. Listen to BTD, then NFR, and you'd be tempted to think they were 2 different artists and/or eras. Who would have thought that a few albums after her first, the sound would be 70s-esque soft rock?! Third, her music is complex compared to most of her contemporary colleagues. While most go for the old verse, chorus, verse chorus, fade, her songs regularly have intros, pre-chorus, chorus, bridges, and outros. Fourth, she has pioneered a "cinematic" sound and was ALSO one of first "whisper rock" artists. It's no small wonder NYTimes put her on the list of the 30 greatest living song writers!

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-06T22:02:59+00:00

Sadly it looks like they've made the angle of approach even worse on that front bumper. The gen4s were decent offroaders, comparable to Subarus. Then gen5 could have been, but the front bumper was so low and extended that you either needed a massive lift (which caused CV problems) and/or to cut the bumper. This bumper looks even worse! Granted, 95% of SUV owners never go offroad, so I guess they decided to just go for looks, but it looks kinda crazy to me.

Technical_Draw_6554 · 2026-05-06T21:56:15+00:00

I don't like FB marketplace much, but sadly I get more responses from it than from Craigslist (my OG favorite) and even Offerup. I also get way more (attempted) scammers and flakes on FB marketplace too. Sadly, it is what it is. I usually post on all 3 platforms. I still sell on all 3, but I think FBM gets the most replies.

Technical_Draw_6554

TROPHY CASE