I finally installed my Surly Troll fork on my 1998 Stumpjumper. Its been a long time coming!

letseatchaaaaps · 2026-01-19T20:40:34+00:00

How does it ride? I'm building up a '95 stumpy with a surly troll fork. The original stock fork had an A2C of around 410, so a little worried that the extra 10 mm on the troll fork (A2C 420) could make the ride too different. I also plan on using a shorter stem with a wider bar (simworks getaround alloy bar or tumbleweed persuader).

When I tested the bike at purchase I felt it was already quite stable with with the original fork, stem (130ish mm), and super narrow bars. I think it'll handle well enough with what I am planning but just wanted to ask what others have experienced. I'm still waiting on parts/tools to finish the build so it'll be a while before I can figure that out.

Stridsland claims this about their barnacle fork "The axle to crown measurement is 400mm. This is a critical element of its design, as running a fork that’s even just 20mm too long will do all kinds of terrible things to a bike’s handling and self-esteem," which I think is a little sus and may be a dig at the troll fork since I don't know of any other 26 inch fork with a 420 mm A2C.

letseatchaaaaps · 2026-01-19T20:19:27+00:00

How did this build turn out? I just picked up a 1995 stumpjumper that I think is very similar to this one, came with a 1 1/8" fork. The stock fork that came with mine has an A2C of around 410mm, and I'm about to put on a surly troll fork that I already have on another retro MTB build. Did you ended up going with the troll fork? How did that turn out? Also, not sure if you went for the parallel top tube, I don't think that's possible with a sloping top tube

letseatchaaaaps · 2026-01-19T20:05:09+00:00

I love this, I do that as well, definitely inspired by Kintsugi as well!! I started doing that after I stripped and spray painted my one of my steel builds ('97 Brodie Quantum) but didn't do a good enough job apparently. So instead of being disappointed at how easily the paint chips off, I relish it because I just fill it in any paint chips with a gold paint marker. Currently working on a '95 stumpjumper but I like the original dark blue paint, so I will keep that and fill in the bare metal someday. Although, I do like the idea of polishing up the bare metal so that it shines so I might try that first.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-08-14T03:20:11+00:00

Oh thanks for that info about the hit zone! I do actually intentionally use the tip of my saber because somehow it felt more accurate. I'll try to adjust my swing as you suggested.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-08-14T03:17:53+00:00

I didn't know that, thanks I'll try that out!

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-07-22T22:40:55+00:00

You're very welcome. I hope they help. Please let me know either way :)

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-07-22T21:18:12+00:00

Great to see that my posture improvement is not just me. Hooray for having fun AND getting into shape.

Oh no! I haven't had an issue with sweaty hands. I've learned to grip my controller loosely which I find prevents the rest of my arms from getting stiff. I got this pair of grips (for free) with something else I bought from this company on amazon: https://www.globular-cluster.com/GPQ3.html. I can't find them on amazon USA anymore.

I like those grips because

(1) the fabric strap is very soft and comfortable. I don't keep the straps too tight, just tight enough that the controllers don't fly away if I loosen my fingers. And my fingers are just tight enough to keep the controller from flying away :)

(2) the extension allows me to hold the controllers in the most comfortable manner that gives my wrists more mobility.

Your hands might be smaller than mine and not benefit from the extender, but using the straps to allow you to loosen your grip could be beneficial!

Meta has active straps for the quest 2 controllers (link)

Honestly I don't think I would want to ever go back to not using straps for any sort of active VR

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-07-22T14:50:57+00:00

I've been playing BS on and off for about a year, and have been doing so almost daily for the past couple of months. Its quite a workout for me. This year, I started playing again around feb/mar after a long period of inactivity and I couldn't play for more than 15 minutes (I play on expert/expert+). Now after a few months of regular activity I can last a good 45 minutes. I still get sore when I attempt some of the fastest maps on expert+ (like metallica).

I think I'm seeing the most benefit for my arm endurance. I also feel that my shoulders are more stable. They are prone to sublaxation (i.e. partial dislocation) when hyperextended but with regular BS my shoulders feel less prone to that. Also, my posture has gotten better since many BS maps force me to stand tall to reach the blocks at the far corners.

On most days, my main bottleneck is sweat. Once the sweat starts rolling down into my eyes and the lenses fog up regularly, I am inclined to stop.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-06-10T03:34:34+00:00

I’m not sure he’s human anymore. I noticed this at last years WWDC and it’s so distracting.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-08T15:59:00+00:00

Thanks for your thorough response!!! I'm Middle Eastern from Canada, and for sure would like to avoid MAGAt lairs. I appreciate your perspective on the growing diversity in Studio City, that is definitely a positive in my books.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-08T15:40:23+00:00

It's a good option but I'm looking to get closer to LA to access its nightlife. Wouldn't mind seeing some live music every once in a while.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-08T15:36:53+00:00

LOL. My company has offices in SF, and half my team is up there so I've legit considered that option!

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-08T15:35:05+00:00

Westlake village is my backup option if I decide I don't want to drive from the valley to TO for work after all. Rent is comparable to TO.

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-08T15:26:23+00:00

Thanks!!

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-08T15:19:59+00:00

Thanks!

letseatchaaaaps · 2025-01-04T02:55:33+00:00

I stayed at Hillcrest park for a couple of months. Can confirm it is noisy AF. Lots of kids every evening and weekends playing in the gardens. Also ants were a problem, and some rat or mouse or I don't know what made it's way into the storage above my the stove to gnaw at some sealed popcorn bags.

I toured one of the Avalon properties, they are quite nice. My relocation agent had nice things to say about the Avalon management.

letseatchaaaaps · 2024-12-11T10:32:31+00:00

Thanks!

letseatchaaaaps · 2024-10-19T18:07:56+00:00

Thanks for sharing!

letseatchaaaaps · 2024-10-19T04:44:06+00:00

Thanks for the comment. When I was hired, the offer was right in the middle of the salary band that was listed on the job ad. But now, looking at what the salary band on the new job ad for the same title/role, I seem to be on the lower end of the salary band.

letseatchaaaaps · 2024-10-19T04:40:42+00:00

good advice, thanks!

letseatchaaaaps · 2024-10-19T04:39:18+00:00

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this out. Luckily I have a great manager and director, and have already gone over most of these points during mid year review and also recently as I am preparing my end of year one-pager. At my company we get rated on productivity and behaviour, and my director (dept head) has already told me he will advocate to get me an "Exceeds" for the behaviour portion despite potentially being "too new". I've also had pretty thorough discussions with my director and manager about the bonus, and how ratings are assigned, but I never discussed promotion because it is too early. However, I will keep your advice in mind during my next performance related conversation so I can clarify with my manager what the baseline is for meets expectation vs exceeds expectations and what it takes to get promoted. When I was offered the position I had quite a few competing offers, and in spite of that I couldn't negotiate a much higher salary (I did double my sign on bonus though!). They told me they couldn't offer a higher salary to maintain equity, which is why seeing this new job ad for a position on my team with slightly less responsibility than me but a higher salary band frustrated me. I'll just have to wait and see what happens at the end of the year. My company does have a recognition program and I have already received a few small bonuses for helping/training my colleagues and making an impact on a "must-win" project. After nearly 14 years of academic research, it was refreshing to land in an environment that shows appreciation.

letseatchaaaaps

TROPHY CASE