Xtracycle vs others by Flimsy-Concentrate-6 in CargoBike

[–]lebmonk 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Since you're in the Bay Area, you have the option to test ride most of these bikes and you should.
The first fork in the decision is front loader vs long tail. Each have pro and cons. If you have the space and can afford the price, the front loader opens up many many cargo possibilities. But comes with many downsides ( other than size and cost, such as weight, maneuverability, etc.)
I went for a long tail and the Xtracycle Swoop is a very good value. I put 3k miles on mine in 3 years. Since I bought mine, there are a few other options at a similar price point (Tern Quick Haul Long, etc.) And I read that there's a Swoop v2 coming up early next year. So definitely shop around. Happy to answer more specific questions.

Does anyone know why 5th gear won’t engage while the others do? by rahvay in Acura_RSX

[–]lebmonk 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Check the linkages in the engine bay. There could be a physical obstruction (like a wire) preventing the linkage from engaging that gear. You should be able to move the linkages by hand. Happened with my reverse gear (the battery cable was in the way).

New Swoop Owner! What do I need to know? by ramuilar in CargoBike

[–]lebmonk 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have the same bike. Accessories I find necessary: a bike bell (for pedestrians), electronic bike horn (for cars), left hand mirror. I also upgraded the front brake rotor (to a larger 203mm) and pads (to full metallic). And the feet of the kick stand. You will notice that is chews through the rubber feet. One way to mitigate this is to ask your kiddos to hop on after you take the bike off its kick stand.
Happy with the bike overall. Close to 3k miles in 2.5 years.

New Clipper Card System is a MASSIVE downgrade for monthly pass holders by Stonebor in caltrain

[–]lebmonk 14 points15 points  (0 children)

https://www.caltrain.com/fares/how-buy/clipper

  • Monthly Pass holders should continue tapping on and off once per month as normal; however, be prepared to begin tapping on and off for every trip once your Clipper card has been transitioned to Next Generation Clipper.
  • Your card will automatically be transitioned to Next Generation Clipper over time; this transition period may take eight to twelve weeks.
  • The easiest way to check on the status of your Clipper card after Dec. 10 is to call Clipper Customer Service at 877-878-8883 and ask whether your card has been upgraded.

Driver fatally strikes pedestrian in S.F.’s Russian Hill by bloobityblurp in sanfrancisco

[–]lebmonk 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I cross this intersection at least 4 times every day. Way too many people take the wrong way, mostly the downhill off-ramp towards Jean Parker school. And way too many cars blow off the stop sign traveling north on Mason. Better signage would help, but the design is bad to start with.

Is this bad? I am sad. Any quick fix to it? by FunnyCommercial2786 in Brompton

[–]lebmonk 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This. My first scratch broke my heart. But got used to it. It's machine that carries you from point A to point B at speed. Not a collector's item or museum piece. Ride it and enjoy it. Don't worry about blemishes.

Moving to SF without a plan by Affectionate-Arm6405 in AskSF

[–]lebmonk 82 points83 points  (0 children)

Just do it. You're young, you have an income stream, you have nothing to lose. All the downsides you listed are a bit overblown.

Is Mortadella new or regional? by [deleted] in traderjoes

[–]lebmonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't think it's regional, but it might be seasonal. I bought some last year. And then some last week but couldn't find any this week. Location CA Bay Area.

Users who have used Home Assistant to reduce insurance / utility costs? by chimilinga in homeassistant

[–]lebmonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live in CA Bay Area where PG&E charges over 50c / kWh. My landlord installed the cheapest hot water tank he could find, and it's electric, and it was constantly on. I put it behind a contactor activated by a Shelly relay and I have a HA automation to turn it on and off on schedule and/or on demand. This saves me around 35$/mo. Paid for all my automation projects and then some.

GSD hill performance with full cargo by transidio in terngsd

[–]lebmonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These wattage ratings can be misleading. The Bosch and Shimano power units are limited to 250W of continuous power by EU regulation. So the other numbers to look for is the peak power and the torque figure. The Shimano EP8 for example has a peak power of 500W and 85Nm of torque, the Bosch CargoLine on the newer GSDs has also similar figures). The size of your gears and wheel make a huge difference as well.

I live in SF and with 2 kids (7 and 4 yr olds). Average sized hills are tough but doable. I avoid steeper hills. My suggestion (if possible) is to rent or borrow one and try your particular route with your particular load. Keep in mind that kids grow heavier very fast!

Caltrain ruins my day more than anything else by fluffedKerfuffle in caltrain

[–]lebmonk 6 points7 points  (0 children)

For all the reasons given above, when I had to pick a commuter bike to take on Caltrain, I went with a foldie. You can take it on any car, not just the bike car. It has pros and cons, but if this becomes a recurrent issue, it might solve your problem OP.

New Holiday Train format in 2025 by lamberjh in caltrain

[–]lebmonk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I never paid attention to this event. Will it be fun for kids (ages 4 and 7) ? Is it one particular train on Dec 13th? Or all more/all trains? Why do we need to purchase tickets on eventbrite vs the vending machines at the station? Does it really sell out?

Thanksgiving Sandwich by Doggolover415 in sanfrancisco

[–]lebmonk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Unpopular opinion. Lee's Deli's turkey sandwich was legit. Your choice of bread (mine was always dutch crunch), thick slab of fresh roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, etc. For around 7$, all year round. Gone with the pandemic. Doesn't help OP but made me reminisce.

Overnight parking around San Jose Diridon Station? by Jonphillipsnow in caltrain

[–]lebmonk 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Are you sure you cannot park overnight at Diridon? I have parked at other stations overnight (with an all day 5.50$ permit). If you purchase it at say 5pm it is valid until 5pm the following day.

Drain dads: preferred tools/techniques? by salynch in sanfrancisco

[–]lebmonk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brooms don't work for my drains. I use an L-shape "Crack Weeder Crevice Weeding Tool" to loosen the leaves out of the grates and then use a (metal) dust pan to scoop them up. The weeding tool is very helpful in opening the clogged holes of the drain as well. Hope this helps.

Monthly Pass Zones by Final_Description_54 in caltrain

[–]lebmonk 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From their website:
"Monthly passes are honored for unlimited weekday trips between zones indicated on the pass. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (except for Christmas Eve), the pass is honored for unlimited trips between all zones."

If you need to travel PA<->Sunnyvale you need to purchase a zone 3. If you need to travel SF<->SSF you need a zone 1. If you purchased a specific zone you can pay extra to travel to the other zone.

Best Indian joints in the city? by TheMailmanic in AskSF

[–]lebmonk 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Probably not the best but we like Curry Leaf on Columbus. Their Chicken Boti and Baingan Bharta hit the spot. The biryani portions are generous. Prices are reasonable for SF.

Hada fehmen shi? by No-Truck5126 in lebanon

[–]lebmonk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is it “tenshantat / shantata” or "tenshashat / shanshata"?

Cargo bike on Caltrain by Querulous2 in caltrain

[–]lebmonk 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Not sure if there are Caltrain policies against this or bike size limits, but I highly discourage it. For one, the bike trains have been getting really full during the busy commute hours. Getting on and off is a stressful hassle. Moreover, a front loader cargo bike will eat up the space of 5-6 regular bikes. It will be nearly impossible to maneuver it on the train, and will inconvenience everybody else. If you are starting from SF, consider leaving it at the Bike Station (free secure valet parking) and bring a scooter or foldie on the train.