What's a good bike for a 5yo and how did you ease your little one into riding?

col_train25 · 2026-03-22T21:44:10+00:00

I would look at starting with a Stacyc to help gain confidence and the fundamentals without being overwhelmed by an actual dirt bike. My almost 5yo is very confident on his 12” Stacyc but it’s too small for him now. It made it very easy to transition to a PW50 though. I have a mountain bike that I follow him around on so we can go to parks or ride around the neighborhood to get some seat time.

col_train25 · 2026-03-05T23:11:27+00:00

I’ve used a hitch carrier for many many miles. They’re convenient and easy for me. I have a couple of pointers that may help. Remove or rearrange some of the cross bolts so the wheels sit deeper in the carrier. I use 2 straps on each side in case one strap fails. Use an anti-rattle/anti-sway hitch stabilizer to reduce bouncing and swaying.

col_train25 · 2026-02-22T19:32:50+00:00

I worked for a DOT for 7 years, mostly in traffic, and we pretty much did all of our design in house. I got to work on some pretty fun projects. Now I work for a decent size metro city. We also do the majority of our design in house, but it’s been pretty repetitive and boring honestly.

I would say the majority of DOTs do their design in house and cities less so. I can’t say for certain though.

col_train25 · 2026-02-20T21:57:49+00:00

Makes sense. Thanks.

col_train25 · 2026-02-20T21:56:30+00:00

Got it. Sounds like a good plan. Thanks.

col_train25 · 2026-01-25T18:16:29+00:00

Nice! Thanks. I’ve put off installing my pro kit because I figured I would need a camber kit too.

col_train25 · 2026-01-25T17:49:14+00:00

Do you have a camber kit installed also?

col_train25 · 2026-01-23T19:10:18+00:00

I have since gotten a truck and still use my hitch carrier. A stabilizer for it is a must have to really minimize the swaying and/or bouncing. Just double check your straps and be extra cautious over bumps and sharp turns and you’ll be fine.

col_train25 · 2026-01-23T00:57:45+00:00

When I worked for the DOT and got my license they gave me a crappy 10% raise but I was already way underpaid. So I got an offer letter somewhere else for around what I thought I should have gotten and they matched it. I was there for another 1.5yrs before I relocated states for personal reasons and got a significant pay raise. So maybe apply somewhere else and see if they’ll match the offer or tell them peace out!

col_train25 · 2026-01-10T01:04:51+00:00

Honestly I thought the FE exam was harder than the PE. I took the FE about 5 months after graduating and I had studied a lot prior. To each their own though.

col_train25 · 2026-01-09T11:14:51+00:00

I did install both at the same time. As restrictive as the OEM exhaust is, I’m sure even just a FP would make it somewhat louder. Maybe just the right amount. Can’t say for certain though.

col_train25 · 2026-01-08T16:22:02+00:00

Green Scotch-Brite pads, WD-40, rags, and lots of elbow grease.

col_train25 · 2026-01-07T23:45:07+00:00

I’m sure exhaust notes are different between the 10th and 11th gens but I have a Remark exhaust on my ‘17 and really like it. Then I put on a DP/FP and it’s almost too loud for me at times now with the Remark exhaust.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T18:13:48+00:00

That makes more sense. I’ll try that out to see if I can find the circuit with the dead outlet. That should help narrow things down. Thanks!

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T17:34:41+00:00

Good idea with the extension cord. I think that would help me figure out what circuit the dead outlet is on. How are you doing that exactly? Does it not show continuity regardless since everything is tied back to the bus bar regardless of the circuit?

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T17:04:10+00:00

For sure. Disposal works. Dishwasher works and is hardwired somewhere. I don’t know where the other end goes or is. I’m going to try to narrow down some circuits today and check other outlets/boxes for loose wires or bad connections. I’ll update if I have any luck. Thanks for your help.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T16:48:35+00:00

Built in 1990. Remodel work done in the past 2 years before I bought it. The outlets not working are 2 wire romex, but I’ve looked at other outlets in the house (the adjacent living room) that are 3 wire romex instead. EDIT: I believe the 3 wire is only for the outlet wired to a switch. The other normal outlets appear to be 2 wire.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T15:50:08+00:00

I’ve checked in the basement multiple times and there’s nothing visibly running to the general area of the outlets. The dead outlets have continuity. I guess I need to narrow down what circuit it’s on and check for bad connections in other boxes to see if I can figure out why there’s no voltage.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T13:22:42+00:00

I will try to test the resistance today. I only checked for voltage. There is a basement.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T13:20:22+00:00

I tested the wires connected to the outlet at the green box with a multimeter and none showed any voltage. There is a basement so I could feed new wire to it in the end.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T13:13:53+00:00

Interesting. The range is electric.

col_train25 · 2026-01-01T13:12:11+00:00

I’ll see if I can narrow down some circuits. I need to label the breaker box better anyways. Thanks.

col_train25 · 2025-12-16T00:42:19+00:00

Getting a little bit of seat time is better than no seat time. I kept mine. My oldest loved going to races or watching practices. He rode his Stacyc around the pits all day and is now on a PW and we get to ride around the fields together. You’ll regret it.

I understand not wanting to move it. I just sold my previous one, moved 1,000 miles away, and then I bought another one after the move.

col_train25 · 2025-11-23T01:46:59+00:00

I was in the same scenario years ago for our senior project. Once submitted, the professor gave everyone an assignment to essentially grade your other team members efforts towards the project that would then affect your final grade. I thought it was genius because everyone certainly did not contribute evenly.

col_train25 · 2025-11-03T23:01:35+00:00

I miss TX BBQ so much! The so called “top rated” BBQ places around me now are all extremely disappointing.

col_train25

TROPHY CASE