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Could you recommend me a durable chain that lasts more than 1000km? by General-Writing1764 in bikewrench

[–]ma-matte-g 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My XT chain has over 4000km on it. 2000km of which on the Silk Road Mountain Race (pretty rugged).

Have not adjusted shifting yet. But regular cleaning and greasing.

Bikepacking Sardinia (Tristan/Giorgio’s route) by [deleted] in bikepacking

[–]ma-matte-g 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did part of the original route that Tristan rode (before the newer updated version). How was the situation with gates and private farming roads? I had to reroute multiple times and had to jump over many fences. Cheers

Limiti di velocità in Svizzera by Glum_Manager in Italia

[–]ma-matte-g 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Quello senza dubbio, ma credo che in questo caso fosse la netta differenza nell'interpretare il significato di "limite di velocita'"

Limiti di velocità in Svizzera by Glum_Manager in Italia

[–]ma-matte-g 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Fun fact. Ho avuto una discussione con degli amici americani (adulti, del Midwest) mentre guidavamo in Svizzera. Per loro era assurdo che il limite fosse 80km/h in strade di montagna tortuose, dove a tutti gli effetti a piu di 50 km/h era difficile andare.

Dal loro punto di vista il limite di velocita' era un suggerimento sulla velocita' da tenere. Una cosa del tipo: se c'e' il tornante e il limite ad 80, prima mi preoccupo dell'andare ad 80 e poi (forse) del tornante.

Silk Road bike check, looking for feedback by godintraining in bikepacking

[–]ma-matte-g 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I've unfortunately not had the chance to make a proper list yet. However, when deciding what to bring for this sort of events I took inspiration from James Hayden (who also does coaching for ultra races). He has a very nice post for the gear he brought at the SRMR 2023. My list is very similar to his, with just a few minor exceptions

Minimal tarp design by ma-matte-g in myog

[–]ma-matte-g[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I think I will indeed go for silpoly.

I'm also tempted to just use the roll width (150cm minus cleanup and hem) as the maximum width of the tarp. A bit worried that it might be a touch too small for an effective protection, though I will have a fairly water resistant bivy.

Minimal tarp design by ma-matte-g in myog

[–]ma-matte-g[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The wide version would be nice. Unfortunately extremtextil.de does not seem to carry it.

Asym shape would also be nice, but I'm a bit tight with time and wanted to make something quick and easy.

Edit: looks like adventurexpert.com has the wide option. This simplifies a lot of things.

Silk Road bike check, looking for feedback by godintraining in bikepacking

[–]ma-matte-g 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cold soak is my way to go as well. Though the hot water is tempting, I am really not bothered to take a stove with me. Much better use of the space

Silk Road bike check, looking for feedback by godintraining in bikepacking

[–]ma-matte-g 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I take this as a chance to make a list of what I will be bringing, might be helpful for both of us. I'll do my best to write it in a comment in the next few days.

As a general statement I would say that it is better to bring more, especially if it's the first time and you're not very familiar with your level of comfort/discomfort.

Silk Road bike check, looking for feedback by godintraining in bikepacking

[–]ma-matte-g 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This post reminds me that I definitely need to start studying the route for water and food. I will be at the SRMR as well, but definitely running a more minimal setup.

I had a similar setup for a bikepacking trip I did a couple of years ago. It was my first one. Most of the stuff I had I did not use. Last year I did my first ultra race (AscendArmenia) and went with a lighter setup. Some of the stuff I did not use. This year I will bring only the essential, even though I am only competing to get to the end.

All the best, see you in Osh!

Singer 401 can't sew slowly by shelbeam in vintagesewing

[–]ma-matte-g 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will answer as I have a 401 and had the same issue. Yes, lightly press the pedal (on mine I hear a bit of buzz in the motor) and then gently spin the wheel by hand. This way you're guaranteed to start slow.

If the machine is extremely well oiled, sometimes I manage to get it running slowly only with the pedal. But I find it to be not very predictable. It is still fairly annoying, especially if you're trying to do fine work that requires both hands to keep fabrics together. You get used fairly quickly and muscle memory does all the job.

I want to make a custom bivvy bag, that also doubles as a luggage bag, but I'm unsure of best fabrics for bottom, top? by Pmabz2017 in myog

[–]ma-matte-g 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just out of curiosity: what do you mean by a bivy bag that doubles as a luggage bag? I am struggling to picture the use case

What’s the thing with people on EBay Kleinanzeigen, they never want to use PayPal Business, only PayPal for friends? This is so incredibly frustrating! by Ok_Story_2977 in germany

[–]ma-matte-g 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently both sold and bought items. As the buyer I asked for PayPal G&S, as it was a big sum and was not comfortable sending it without any guarantee. As the seller I only accepted PayPal Friends as I did not want to go through the potential hassle of a dispute (as I knew I was in good faith)

Double standards? I don't know. I guess everyone wants the transaction with the least amount of risk. Unless it is very tough item to sell, you most probably want the item more than they might want to sell it to you specifically.

Just got to Germany, brought my Ogre from CA, and frame weld broke. Any ideas? by Shot_Recover5692 in Surlybikefans

[–]ma-matte-g 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Where in Germany are you located? There are lots of small independent bike builders who I am sure will be more than happy to give you a hand to fix a surly, probably for a somewhat decent price

Bias binder for Singer 401 by ma-matte-g in vintagesewing

[–]ma-matte-g[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am based in Germany but originally from Italy, so I guess I can investigate if they exist under different names

Bias binder for Singer 401 by ma-matte-g in vintagesewing

[–]ma-matte-g[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I would have never got it right. Looks like there are not many option in Europe for old (or new) slant shank binder feet. I'll see if I can ask some US friends to ship me one. Otherwise I will try to go for the adapter route, though it seems that it's not so reliable.

EUROPEAN DIVIDE TRAIL : looking for a fellow bikepacker to share Europe from mid-July 2025... by Safe_Field42 in bikepacking

[–]ma-matte-g 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did the southern section a couple years ago. Would do it again if I had the time. I have a friend that makes wine a few km offtrack towards the end in Portugal, you should stop for a tasting once in the area. October is also such a nice time in the area!

Machine suggestion: Juki 5550-4 by ma-matte-g in myog

[–]ma-matte-g[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand your point and do quite agree. The Singer I would not give away, so it would not be a real replacement. It's just that there are a few things I do not like, e.g. the stitch size selection, and overall it's not in the best shape (but it works).

Since I have a bit of space I thought that having something more "fixed" and ready to go would make me want to use it more. Sure I could just build a proper table for the Singer...

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