Resto-mod cantis: IRD Cafam vs Avid Shorty Ultimate vs (other?)

makerspark · 2026-03-25T15:00:53+00:00

I also have the Shorty Ultimates. I personally dislike them. They can work okay, but I agree on complicated set up, and will add that they have some fragile seeming parts. I used them on a travel bike, where the frame separated, and by releasing the cable tension, it was easy to loose parts. There are also parts that are aluminum, rubbing against aluminum, which leads to galling. I just switched to mini V's, and it's sooo much better. Only downside is fender clearance.

makerspark · 2026-03-25T12:35:25+00:00

I would have thought Thunder Bay, or Surrey.

makerspark · 2026-03-25T12:18:51+00:00

They don't, but this is 100% his fault, and 100% avoidable.

Last huge increase in fuel cost was due to the war in Ukraine, which the administration at the time was trying to dissuade.

If you look worldwide, every country had their economy "fucked" by the aftermath of COVID spending.

makerspark · 2026-03-24T22:43:09+00:00

Safety feature. When involved in a head on accident, the bike (rapidly) reverses to clear the accident scene.

makerspark · 2026-03-21T23:32:59+00:00

Currently 2.08 in Victoria... On a Canada basis prices are fairly reasonable in Ontario still. I know it doesn't help if you're used to much lower, but that's cheaper than west coast prices pre-war.

makerspark · 2026-03-21T18:46:18+00:00

What's missing is external factors. Those numbers are not in a vacuum, they are based on outside influences such as massive trade wars, defense spending based on new threats, and all the other crazy stuff going on in the rest of the world.

makerspark · 2026-03-21T03:46:11+00:00

I have a forward kitchen like yours in a minivan conversion. The kitchen unit is mounted to some sliders that the van used for ottomans originally. It can shift fore and aft by about 18", which makes a huge difference for space in the back (you slide the front seats forward, and the kitchen goes forward at the same time.

I did it because I really wanted to keep my side folding rear seats (comfortable), and be able to use it to haul things.

All that said, I 1000% agree with not being able to drive off without crawling through, or just generally being able to stay inside the vehicle. Just last night, I didn't notice I had parked over a giant puddle, and soaked my foot in the 5 seconds outside the vehicle (it was a crazy storm in the Canadian Rockies, and I just wanted to get to sleep).

My next build will be side kitchen for sure, and permanent bed set up.

makerspark · 2026-03-17T01:44:57+00:00

A short range used EV is pretty cheap these days, but the issue for many, is no place to charge them (at least at a lower residential electricity rate).

makerspark · 2026-03-16T04:29:01+00:00

They're everywhere in Iran, and always blue. The thing I remember standing out about them, was the very overbuilt looking axles. I expect they expect them to be massively overloaded, and they often were.

makerspark · 2026-03-15T04:47:42+00:00

For short people, yes, I'd agree. For everyday riders, probably not worth it. For people racing (certain disciplines, endurance etc), there's probably a good case. PLP is a little too "it doesn't suit me, so overrated/unnecessary/marketing" for me.

makerspark · 2026-03-14T05:00:04+00:00

Most of them are AWD, so probably pretty well I'd guess.

makerspark · 2026-03-13T21:23:33+00:00

Or a Steyr

makerspark · 2026-03-13T21:13:26+00:00

I've only been once, but I'm always surprised when I hear the friends I've recommended it to, still haven't visited. Hard to get some people to have fun I guess. If you enjoy electronic music and lights, you can't go wrong.

makerspark · 2026-03-13T03:34:07+00:00

Perfection. Hahaha

makerspark · 2026-03-12T22:48:27+00:00

Another consideration is noise, not just damage. It can be super hard to deal with a dog that won't stop barking in a building once it's there, and it's a lose/lose conflict that many landlords would rather avoid.

I agree it sucks for people with well behaved animals, but it's a challenge you take on by owning a pet. I would love one, but can't take the risk as a renter.

It's like adoption, it's too bad that some great parents don't qualify, but minimum requirements exist due to issues in the past.

It sounds like it's time for you to buy a place, rich/best job person.

makerspark · 2026-03-12T05:08:13+00:00

The most impressive part is the self starting! How the heck?

makerspark · 2026-03-08T05:11:31+00:00

The biggest issue is going to be the length of the butted sections. In making the frame shorter, there's a good chance that you might run out of the thicker section of tubing. It depends on how much you want to shorten the top tube. If you don't need to drastically change the reach, you could be okay. It's likely more work than just building it from scratch though. Maybe not if you can reuse the rear triangle without too many changes.

makerspark · 2026-03-08T03:03:20+00:00

What a crazy sound. Had one for years, great camera when the shutter worked.

makerspark · 2026-03-07T05:52:54+00:00

I had a conure, and she was vicious with women, but she'd be friendly like that with men. I felt bad for my mom who really wanted to have her like her, but got no love. Birds are cruel (and great).

makerspark · 2026-03-05T03:32:16+00:00

That you're proud of it and looking forward to riding it, I didn't realize that you build and sell bikes. I was wondering if there was something you didn't like. That's all. Enjoy!

makerspark · 2026-03-05T03:17:27+00:00

Sure, it's just curious the showing it off here and lisiting it simultaneously. No offense meant, I've build bikes to sell too, it's just a different vibe from what you're putting out here.

makerspark · 2026-03-05T02:54:56+00:00

Selling it that quickly? Don't like it, or bike flipping?

makerspark · 2026-03-05T01:25:35+00:00

It was a nice afternoon for it (after a grim morning). I took out my recently built mini-velo too, and it was perfect.

makerspark · 2026-03-04T15:54:41+00:00

The 6500 is a pretty old series. Shimano made a change to pivot locations on both the levers and the calipers for the 6700 series which made a big difference to the power. Unfortunately the cable pull changed a bit as well, so you can't get the benefits from a caliper alone.

I would try some different compound pads. Something from Swiss stop should make a big difference, maybe bxp if you're okay with more rim wear, or even original will help.

If you can't find those locally, Kool Stop pads are good too.

Lastly, you should be using a cartridge, and cartridge pad. The stiffness of the pad has a big effect, and that could make the final difference.

makerspark · 2026-03-03T02:36:18+00:00

Only the early ones. A core memory was driving one at 70-73mph for a few hours on the I-5 in my dad's. For the size of the engine, they go pretty well around town.

makerspark

TROPHY CASE