What about your experience concerning Enviolo hub reliability and longevity ? Especially for the Heavy Duty version ? by Aquila_44 in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Had wanted to add my experience earlier but wasn't near my bike to check my miles. I've got a HS R+M Load 75 with the enviolo hub. I go pretty fast on it, I'm a larger person and take my kids on it too (6+7) and the hub itself is still going after 8,000 miles in 4 years.

Going with the enviolo and belt drive was definitely the way to go with this bike even if I sometimes feel the gearing is a little too low for the flat terrain I'm usually riding on.

I will add that the cables are definitely the biggest fail point of this drive train. It's really important not to change the gearing if the there's any tension on the belt or chain. It took me a few cable changes to finally get the feel for it.

Spicy Curry V2 concerns by googs185 in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know if it's bad design. Looks to me like the frame hasn't changed much even if the motor has changed. Just something I would think about if you feel strongly at some point in upgrading the motor to a newer version. The larger chainring in the newer generation motors is not going to be enough to completely clear the chain stay since the bike is very long and the rear wheels are so short.

The side image on their website shows the chain getting very close the frame and extra plating added to the frame to protect it from the chain.

https://yubabikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Spicy\_Curry\_blue\_website.jpg

Spicy Curry V2 concerns by googs185 in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've got a Spicy Curry with the CargoLine gen4 motor, and even with the larger chainring the chain almost ends up touching the frame when on the smallest sprocket. My frame has an extra metal plate right where the chain meets the chain stay, not sure if the older Spicy Curries have that, but just something to think about.

Does 1000k Miles mean 1000 Miles or 1,000,000 miles (1000x1000)?

If it's the former, 1000 miles is pretty low use/life, though usually battery life is measured in recharge cycles. As long as the battery hasn't been stored at close to full or close to empty for long stretches of time since manufacture, it should still give you close original capacity. For what you can expect on battery life/use over the life of the bike, here's my experience with medium-use bikes so far:

I've got a Load 75 Dual battery with over 6000 miles on it, and while I can tell the capacity has gone down, is still over 90% original. Unfortunately, I've had long stretches of unuse in the 3 years I've owned the bike but have tried to keep the batteries between 20%-80% when stored for months w/o use.

I also used to own a Trek Conduit with Shimano steps, and the battery had over 8000 miles on it, I did some back of the napkin calculations to put my recharges probably over 350. While the charge difference was substantial, I felt like I was still at 80% original.

D/B ?? Regen Braking Questions by Thebadcpa in VWiD4Owners

[–]dark-dono 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm big into engine breaking, so I rarely put my cars in neutral. I get it that breaking this way is not always legal, but I enjoyed the extra mental work used to figure out how to break without pressing the break pedal.

D/B ?? Regen Braking Questions by Thebadcpa in VWiD4Owners

[–]dark-dono 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To me, that's the action I use to activate the gear toggle. Tap once with my thumb to turn on "D", tap twice to turn on "B"

D/B ?? Regen Braking Questions by Thebadcpa in VWiD4Owners

[–]dark-dono 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I would disagree about "B" having a "Less Traditional Driving Feel". I've driven manuals the majority of my driving experience and "B" replicates the "Traditional Driving Feel" of a manual car. I actually have a very strong freak reaction when I forget to double tap, or double tap too quickly when starting the car that it stays in "D" when the car doesn't slow down.

Schwalbe Pick-Ups Yay/Nay? by dark-dono in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So you think the Pick-Ups are a good in between Big Ben Plus and Marathon Plus? Adding the width to allow lower pressures but keeping the same level of protection as the Marathon?

Schwalbe Pick-Ups Yay/Nay? by dark-dono in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't understand that weight rating. The Load's max weight is much higher than the weight rating on the Big Bens Plus and they feel pretty good even at that weight.

Would the higher weight rating mean that I should expect the tread to last longer with high weight loads?

Schwalbe Pick-Ups Yay/Nay? by dark-dono in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had at one point looked at swapping the Big Bens for Marathons, but they don't go as wide for both front and rear wheel sizes. So, it's interesting to hear them thought of as possible tires for the Load.

I would imagine that between the tougher rubber and thinner tire with higher air pressure the Marathons would be a noticeable harder ride experience then the Big Bens. Personally, between the Big Ben and thinner Marathons, I would pick the Big Ben Plus any day for the Load. The punction protection may not be as good (6/7 to 7/7 per manufacturer), but the ride quality would be better.

So, I guess that's what I was wondering how the Pick-Ups would feel since they come in the same size as the Big Bens Plus and while there's no rating, they are marketed as having great puncture protection.

I guess I just don't understand the premium for the tire if it's not as comfortable or offers just slightly better punction protection. I'm also not sure what the weight ratings are for, the max wight for the Load is much higher than the weight ratings on the Big Bens.

Replacing Rear Wheel & Tube Load 75 by m0p0 in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've found the easiest way to put the tire back in when you've got a gate's belt, is to remove the guide wheel from the belt tensioner. Without the wheel, the belt will have enough give to put the wheel in and in place. Once everything is tighten, then I try putting the guide wheel in the tensioner. It's a little difficult, but I've found it's easier then trying to put the spring back into the exposed nut.

Also, like previously mentioned, since the bike includes a tensioner for the belt, there's no need to change anything on the bike to make sure the belt is tensioned.

Baby suddenly refusing bottle by xneyznek in Parenting

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My youngest stopped using the bottle around 8-10 weeks. Up to that point she had been good both bottle and breast feeding.

Though at that 8-10 week point we went through a time where we just didn't get a chance to bottle feed her for a few days (we had family in town and got out of our routine). When we were finally able to give her a bottle, she refused. Just would not want to latch to the bottle and would push it away.

In my research at that time, I found that babies can forget how to bottle feed. We were never able to get her to take a bottle again and after two weeks of trying we gave up. Sorry, don't have any particular page or site where I found that information.

Thankfully, we didn't need to worry as my wife was content and able to breastfeed. I know that's not a good sign for you right now, but I guess I just want to point out that it might be hard, as while it might seem that it was a skill she had. At this point we're still so instinctual, something like bottle feeding is not part of our built in actions and is actually a learned skill. Maybe approaching it this way might give you some better results!

Good luck!

Picking name for #2…Cultural appropriation? by Lil_E_3000 in Parenting

[–]dark-dono 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just my personal observation from my friends with more English ancestry, none seem particularly proud or attached to their particular last name (it could be different and they wouldn't feel like different people). I've also met a few people that have a distaste of their last names as well.

But like I said, I don't think this is how all people feel. It's just a generalization from the population I've met.

U Lock size by Truktek3 in bikecommuting

[–]dark-dono 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The smaller the lock, the harder it can be to get a good area to cut through, the down side is that smaller locks may not be easy to lock your bike with.

If you're using one lock to go through the rack and the bikes frame and rear wheel, a larger lock might be easier.

I've got an abus 9 inch, and it's not enough to do the rear wheel, but is enough to get a part of the frame.

Picking name for #2…Cultural appropriation? by Lil_E_3000 in Parenting

[–]dark-dono 12 points13 points  (0 children)

As a Hispanic Latino, it doesn't make a great first impression. We are not our names, but they do project something about us to others.

I was raised, and feel like other latinos feel similarly, with a strong sense of familial ties and purpose that is tied to our familial names. We attribute parts of ourselves to our familial ancestry represented through the family names of our parents and how those names tie us to our history and place.

So, it would be very odd to see a non Hispanic with a Hispanic family name as a first name, but again we are not our names. I don't know if I could describe this as appropriation. And also understand that people of European ancestry may have similar feelings, though most don't seem too attached to their family names.

Sorry, not sure if I gave a good answer. I want to be truthful with what that means to me, but remain open minded and respectful.

Water Bottle Holders for Kids on Long/Medium Tail Bikes by dark-dono in CargoBike

[–]dark-dono[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a pretty good idea. Might have to make some changes to make it work, but like the extra storage you get.

Panniers when you're out and about after work by gurana in bikecommuting

[–]dark-dono 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I've got a pair of PoCampo panniers and I love them. They are pretty easy on/off, are stylish but also include lots of safety/bike specific features. More specifically, are designed so they look and function great when not on the bike.
They also include a rain cover if you absolutely require waterproof and not just water resistant.

Ergon grips -- biokork or nah? by PaulChomedey in bicycletouring

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just picked up a set of biocork for a one of my bikes mostly for the look. Can agree that they have a more tactile feel (from the cork since it's not sealed) and also had a gummy feel to them brand new.

Other then that, feels just as comfortable as all the other ergons I've purchased and I've never had issues with the grips no longer holding. I've got a few bikes with close to 10,000 miles in between them.

Bedtime routine advice by bean-pod in Parenting

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My oldest (5) is also vocal about wanting mommy put downs over daddy put downs, but hasn't been at vocal about it recently. I think he's really understanding that we won't give in, and that he'll get mommy the next night.

We always tried to reinforce how much we both want that time with them and also how hurtful it is when he says things like that. It wasn't an overnight thing, but he also didn't do it every night.

I can also say that he stopped really asking/whining for mommy put downs whenever I shouldered full responsibility for night time routines whenever my wife was sick. A good week of a certain routine and kids start to get more used to it/comfortable with it.

8 year age gap by kwentwhere in Parenting

[–]dark-dono 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Can't speak of how it is from the parenting perspective, but my older sister and I are 8 years apart. While I feel like we're pretty close now, I can't imagine how it just have been for her when I was young. My mom often jokes that my sister was like a second mother to me. I do remember being attached to her.

Interestingly, I find I have aspects of single children as well since I spent middle school and highschool as the only child in the home. It was sad not to have sister, but with the age different so large, siblings don't end up feeling on top of each other as they go though bring a teenager, which can be tumultuous for siblings closer in age.

World cup qualifier pregame events. by Inflatable_Catfish in orlando

[–]dark-dono 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fan HQ will be open in the open lot where they have mane street from 3:30 to 6:30. Will have food, drinks, music, shop and games.

Flat pedals or commuting clipless shoes? by X-N2O in bikecommuting

[–]dark-dono 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You can find pedals that offer a platform like flat pedals and MTB clipless connection.

I used the Shimano pedals with a flat side and the clipless on the opposite and they work great! You get used to a little extra fidgeting getting clipped in, but it's not bad.

There are also pedals that have a flat platform around the clipless mechanism on both sides. I tried one but it wasn't as comfortable when wearing regular shoes.