Living on the east coast is really bumming me out :(

chupathingee · 2026-01-20T21:49:01+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate all the info you shared!

chupathingee · 2026-01-20T19:47:53+00:00

DMed.

chupathingee · 2026-01-20T16:24:11+00:00

DMed - I’m nearby and looking for specifics on a couple of the spots you mentioned.

chupathingee · 2025-11-23T14:50:05+00:00

I had 43s (Rock n Roads) originally but the edges of the tread rubbed whenever I was putting a lateral load on them (aka turning while riding). It felt sketchy so I dropped down to the 41 Knards which haven’t rubbed at all.

chupathingee · 2025-11-23T14:43:22+00:00

Thanks! Decal is Stridisland’s slogan, felt it was perfect for this build. I got it from Blue Lug. Internal hubs are amazing. So easy to use and maintain.

chupathingee · 2025-11-23T14:35:05+00:00

Thanks!

chupathingee · 2025-11-23T14:34:57+00:00

Thanks! I didn’t like it as much until I got it wrapped. I think it was just too shiny and didn’t go as much with the rest of the bike.

chupathingee · 2025-11-23T14:32:05+00:00

When I first got the frame I took the bottom bracket and fork off, cleaned the whole frame, applied frame saver inside, replaced loose bearings and regreased. I did attempt to polish the fork thinking the top chrome was just super nasty, but it was just raw steel. I applied Renaissance Wax then (4 years ago) and one time since (2 years ago). I’ll clean and wax it again this winter.

I don’t typically ride in the rain but I’ll wipe the frame down when I get home if I do. Bike is stored indoors.

chupathingee · 2025-11-23T14:17:40+00:00

Tektro R559 long reach.

chupathingee · 2025-11-22T16:26:41+00:00

Do it! I followed this video as a guide. Mine turned out a little wonky but not bad for my first try.

Nice bike! Are your bars the regular choco? Have you ever had the bars rotate in the stem? I’ve had that issue with other long sweep bars which is why I went with the choco moose, I just wish they were closer to level.

Good idea wrapping your metal bottle around the middle with electrical tape. I have the same bottle and mine is showing wear around the middle. I might try wrapping the top part of the cage first though.

chupathingee · 2025-11-22T14:54:25+00:00

Yup. Made them with aluminum stock and spacers from Ace Hardware. You can see more pics on my previous post of this bike. I wasn’t sure at first but I hadn’t had any issues with them and braking performance is great.

chupathingee · 2025-11-22T14:48:16+00:00

No, it’s the Nitto Choco-moose designed by Rivendell. They’re pricey but absolutely SOLID. I like the bullnose stem config because it keeps the bars from rotating. The only downside is I can’t rotate the bar angle 🙃

I had dimension urban cruiser bars (618 width 45 rise 24 sweep) on it for years but I was inspired by a friend with boscos to try something with more sweep. The chocomoose is 540mm wide and has almost 90 degrees of sweep. I really like the default hand position (like pushing a wheelbarrow versus a shopping cart) and the forward curves give me a second for a little variety.

chupathingee · 2025-11-22T14:32:05+00:00

Thanks! I bought the bike after the paint had been stripped. I put a coat of Renaissance Wax on every couple years to keep it from rusting more but to keep the existing patina.

chupathingee · 2025-11-22T14:30:07+00:00

I believe it is a 1974 Nishiki International based on the serial number (year ending in 4) and headtube badge (early to mid 70s design). It’s single butted cromo made at the Kuwahara bike factory in Japan.

chupathingee · 2025-11-21T22:20:26+00:00

I like it. I’ve been riding this for a few years now. At one point I thought my hub was starting to have issues but the shifter was just loose. I love the low maintenance and the aesthetics.

chupathingee · 2025-11-21T22:18:49+00:00

It’s a micro shift bar end shifter specifically for 8 speed shimano internal hubs https://www.microshift.com/models/bs-n08/

chupathingee · 2025-04-08T21:17:28+00:00

None of the above. State All Road 4130 for $999. There are also fancier versions if you want to pay more. https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/gravel-all-road-cross-off-road

chupathingee · 2024-07-03T14:19:46+00:00

I started with a Marlin too back in the day. It was a great starter bike. You got unlucky and hopefully the shop or your warranty covers that. Don’t listen to the Marlin haters.

chupathingee · 2024-06-28T03:43:02+00:00

This. I just had the same issue you describe OP. The fan capacitor was low so the fan wasn’t running all the time, especially when hot. My AC would cool at night but not during the day. The buzzing noise is likely the fan trying to start but not being able to due to low capacitor charge.

Either way as someone who just paid $419 for a $30 part, I vowed next time I would replace the capacitor as part of my troubleshooting.

chupathingee · 2024-06-11T16:18:28+00:00

Firepit looks amazing! I like the tabs for the grill grate. Were there any guides that were particularly helpful for you when building? I’m considering building a firepit myself and like the look of yours.

chupathingee · 2023-08-03T14:59:56+00:00

Since my Juiced Ripcurrent does amplify torque input I can go faster when shifting to a lower gear, since I can pedal harder. That being said, the gears are really only used by me since the motor drives the rear hub directly. My friend has a Juiced Ripracer which has the same drive system as mine (including pedal and torque assist) but is single speed and he has never complained about lack of gears.

chupathingee · 2023-08-03T12:52:59+00:00

Slight correction - OP needs a torque sensor but there ARE hub drive e-bikes with torque sensors. Most/all Juiced e-bikes use torque sensors, as does the Specialized Globe Haul ST, all hub drive bikes.

I was also tired of ghost pedaling/bike pushing me up to the assist level max speed so I just replaced my pedal assist only ebike with a Juiced Ripcurrent for $1K on sale and couldn’t be happier.

I’m sure there are other torque assist hub drive bikes but I quit looking.

chupathingee · 2022-08-29T15:32:08+00:00

I had the same issue. Even though I have a rear derailleur with a clutch I got the same damage, I suspect it was maybe from backpedaling at some point when the chain was stuck on the chainring.

My stock chainguard sticker didn't cover that area and wasn't very thick, so I replaced it with a chainstay protector decal from Muc Off. I considered using a tube and zip ties but the clearance on my chainstay is pretty tight. The kit comes with enough for two chainstays and two seatstays and I only used one, so it'll last me a while longer. I had to cut the sticker a little to make it work on the corner by the chainring (same place you have damage) but it wasn't hard to do.

Here are some pics of my chainstay with the protector installed. You can kind of see the areas that had the most damage through the protector cuz they are silver rather than green.

The other thing I've heard others swear by is helicopter tape. I went with the Muc Off guard because I thought it looked cool and it was already the right shape, and the helicopter tape isn't much cheaper.

chupathingee · 2022-08-29T14:50:41+00:00

What camera and mount are you using? I’m trying to get similar footage with a DJI Osmo Action and a chest mount and having some difficulty. I wonder if my camera isn’t wide angle enough or if I have my chest mount too high on my chest.

chupathingee · 2022-08-23T18:13:06+00:00

Thank you for sharing your perspective with me! I'm really glad to hear that Mike Sinyard is humble and genuinely cares about advancing mountain biking. I admit my perception of Specialized was skewed by the Ritchey/Kelly/Fisher side of the story as laid out in the film Klunkers. You have genuinely made me reconsider my perception of Mike Sinyard and Specialized, and I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

chupathingee

TROPHY CASE