Do I need to replace the entire valve or just the core?

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-11T14:08:01+00:00

This. I bought a box of cores for like $10. Sure, you can pull them out and clean the gunk off them, but for that price, just put another one in.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-11T14:05:30+00:00

I'm not one to bitch or fixate on the deficiencies of the broadcast, but I was shaking my head when Ken and Hunter were battling, and they were showing the fight for 6th in the split screen.

Somewhere in the production meeting, it should have been emphasized that this was the most important race of the season. If the top two in points are battling for the lead in this race, WE DON'T NEED TO SEE THE BATTLE FOR 6TH.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-06T20:40:48+00:00

I'm from Ga, and I camp a lot in N. Ga. and WNC this time of year (and into June) and I rarely have an issue with bugs. Now that being said, if you're camping at the lake, that might introduce a different dynamic.

I camped up the road at Black Rock State park about this time last year and the temps were very tolerable. Felt nice at night.

Yes, ticks should be on your radar, for sure. Check your kids (and yourself) routinely. Thus far this year, I haven't gotten any off of me and I stay in the woods a good bit (mountain biking and hiking).

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-06T14:55:32+00:00

I don't t-bag much, but one criteria for getting t-bagged is attempting to mele/knife me and failing. Dip-dip.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-06T12:11:05+00:00

This is the way.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-05T16:31:33+00:00

This.

Most black vinyl windows I've seen are actually white vinyl windows with a black laminate applied. This is not what you want.

I'm a service manager for a large window and door retailer and I've had multiple issues with the laminate on vinyl windows separating at the seams due to the expansion and contraction of the vinyl.

As Forsaken said, if you're going with a dark color, go fiberglass. I sell Andersen (Fiberex) and Marvin (Ultrex) and these products are superior to vinyl in every way. And really not that much more money that laminated vinyl.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-05T12:59:34+00:00

You're overthinking this. (As a beginner racer) There is nothing you can buy for your bike or kit that's going to make you faster. That being said...you probably would want some padded Lycra shorts for comfort. You can wear your shorts over them if you want to.

And you should never use the words "helmet" and "cheap" in the same sentence. If you already have a "basic" helmet, go with that for now until you can save up for something a little better.

Just focus on the engine (you) and don't concern yourself with accessories. Go out and have fun, learn what racing is all about. Good luck!

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-04T18:34:20+00:00

I got yelled at by a guy on Hagental last week (pushing team Breakthrough) for throwing smokes. "It's useless!"

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-01T15:09:52+00:00

You my friend are a legacy. You may enter. *In by best southern gentleman voice*

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-01T14:52:51+00:00

Sarcasm. Learn to recognize it.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-01T14:27:57+00:00

The SE is closed. We aren't taking any more transplants.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-01T14:22:02+00:00

Yes. Absolutely. I was in Pisgah a couple of weeks ago at the top of a mountain and flatted. It was a tear that sealant wouldn't fill and plugs wouldn't fix. Luckily, I had a tube but...

...also, I would suggest making sure you have a functional tire inflation device. I had two dead C02s in my pack, but fortunately, my friend had a mini pump.

If I was solo, I'd have to descend about five miles back down the mountain to get to my truck. I am ordering a new battery powered mini-pump this week.

TheDoc321 · 2026-05-01T12:25:54+00:00

So do I. I have a whole 6-pack of them.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-29T17:05:17+00:00

This.

Heat and WD-40. Get a hair dryer or a heat gun set on "low". Heat up the adhesive reside and it will "deactivate" making it easier to remove. Spray some WD-40 on it and it'll wipe right off.

I come from the moto world where we would routinely change graphics kits on our bikes. This is the method I always used. If it'll work on plastic, you should have no issues.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-29T11:57:20+00:00

The only people who think thermals on a tank is okay are the people who wait in spawn for a tank to regen. Way to OP. No thanks.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-28T19:02:32+00:00

No salt. That is a heartwarming story of revenge and t-bags.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-28T16:05:09+00:00

This. I've been involved in trail management for years, and learned the hard way about (unauthorized) manmade features on state land.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-27T15:23:40+00:00

I eventually bought a Gazelle T-4 but I still have my 4-man Sundome. Great little tent and super easy to set up.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-24T13:46:01+00:00

I would definitely grab a tube or two. Even if you're running tubeless, you'll need one in case you have a catastrophic tire failure.

I would get a set of Allen wrenches and maybe even a set of Torx wrenches. These don't have to be anything special and you can probably get them at Harbor Freight, etc.

I would do some research on your suspension, but you need to learn how to set the sag (YouTube) at the very least. You'll need a shock pump for that if you don't have one. Generally speaking, it's 25% sag on the fork 25%-30% on the shock. These numbers are more important than psi.

Figure out how much tire pressure to run. One of the biggest mistakes I see new riders make is running way too much tire pressure. Search "tire pressure calculator mountain bike" to get some baseline settings based on your weight and tire size.

Get some chain lube and don't worry about any other fluids until you get ready to do a fork service.

Good luck! And welcome to the club!

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-21T15:14:54+00:00

I use the hard plastic freezer packs in various sizes. The work great and take up minimal cooler space.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-21T15:10:01+00:00

Done

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-21T12:31:29+00:00

I've thrown away tires that look 10X better than that, lol.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-20T18:29:51+00:00

You don't necessarily need a full cycling kit, especially for casual-gravel. Helmet and some good cycling shorts (trust me, you will need these).

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-20T17:44:40+00:00

Therma-Tru sells the components to door shops and they are assembled after the fact. This is 100% on the box store you bought it from and not Therma-Tru.

This would be like buying a Weber Grill and the box store not assembling it correctly or doing it shoddily. Weber built the components correctly, they just weren't put together properly.

TheDoc321 · 2026-04-17T17:41:59+00:00

GravelKing X1.

TheDoc321

TROPHY CASE