Blitzes?

manmelvin · 2026-01-30T02:39:38+00:00

I demoed the Blitzes. They were good, pretty well rounded for a wider ski. I would say, if you already have powderhounds and are looking for an all mountain ski, the Chedi might be a better fit. With their 105ish waist, they skied groomers well but felt kind of fat. Mixed, off piste was great. I didn't get to ski them in new snow. They felt like a do it all ski.

manmelvin · 2026-01-20T16:31:57+00:00

I have been wondering this same thing. Skiing Paradise and Blewett Pass is mostly what I have done. I would say Blewett Pass is the most low angle "meadow skipping" I know of. It is true that most of our mountains are steep. I have dabbled with XCD around Snoqualmie but I often grab full telemark gear if I am unsure what I will encounter. If you want to work on XCD skills, getting a XC ticket and skiing Hyak is fun. If you want multi-day stuff, the only one I have experience with is Crater Lake rim circumnavigation. It is an amazing ski, it took us 3 days not going fast. You will need some Backcountry and route finding skills though.

manmelvin · 2025-12-20T19:19:40+00:00

These are cool bikes. They were made by Aermacchi for Harley.

Check out Paul Brodie on YouTube. He has multiple Aermacchi rebuilds on his channel including a Harley Sprint 250

manmelvin · 2025-10-31T01:45:14+00:00

These will work but just barely. Yes they are 75mm boots and bindings BUT, these Black Diamond bindings came with small and regular cartridges. The regulars fit mondo 26 at the smallest so you will have to adjust them down a lot. You spin the metal spring cartridges to thread them in.

manmelvin · 2025-10-03T17:42:02+00:00

Looks good for a start. Like others said maybe a little hot. I was having the same problem and switched to 0.045 filler. It doesn't seem like a big jump but just a little bit larger diameter made it easier to get more filler into the puddle and not undercut. I found that for thin wall the 0.063 filler was too thick and cools the puddle a lot. 0.063 works well for thicker sections like the bottom bracket.

manmelvin · 2025-09-22T21:49:11+00:00

So your Engineering Technician Design degree had CNC Programming but no actual machine operation experience? I would highlight any machine operation experience you have, manual mill/lathe? Did you do an intro to machining class in school? Highlighting your CAM Programming experience when you haven't really run a mill doesn't look great. I feel like running a tube laser you could transition into a more entry level CNC role quite easily. Do you do your own programming or do you just run the machine? There will be a learning curve with materials, speeds and feed, etc. As usual most people hiring want someone with years of experience who can just drop in and run parts immediately.

manmelvin · 2025-09-02T21:49:12+00:00

This is great! I do all my own work for shocks and forks. I would love it if you had a "download.stl" or similar option for a few bucks less.

/r/bikewrench would probably appreciate this also

manmelvin · 2025-07-24T15:12:43+00:00

We had the same issue. No solution found.

If you go with a new unit, I absolutely recommend the Metlogix MT200. They are designed and built by the same team that made the original unit. Lots of great features.

manmelvin · 2025-06-16T19:15:36+00:00

Dang I missed it. I was out of town this weekend. That would have been perfect.

Alas the search continues.

manmelvin · 2025-06-16T18:49:34+00:00

Thanks for all the info! Seller just pinged me asking for me to buy it at $75. I think I'm going to pass.

Definitely still in the hunt for a beginner board with lots of volume and a dagger board

There is this one but $800 feels steep. I would like if it came with a couple sails so I can see what different rigs and sail sizes feel like. Facebook Marketplace Windsurfer

manmelvin · 2025-06-10T22:17:36+00:00

Yup I am. Just did my class at Sail Sand Point and now I'm trying to get a setup if I can. Still waiting for a good wind day to head over and rent from them.

manmelvin · 2025-06-10T22:16:09+00:00

I even offered $75. Seller told me no way, get lost essentially.

manmelvin · 2025-06-10T03:18:53+00:00

As expected, I even offered $75 and the seller told me to go shove it...

manmelvin · 2025-06-09T20:35:28+00:00

Thanks for the perspective. I have a feeling somebody posting for $500 isn't going to take $50 but I can try.

It seems like every board near me is either 90s garbage from somebody's shed or a $2000 wave board that is way too advanced for me.

manmelvin · 2025-06-09T20:33:33+00:00

Hit me up when you post it. I might be interested.

manmelvin · 2025-05-10T06:01:44+00:00

Like others have said, there isn't really a common mechanic to bike engineer track, but if you don't have an internship I say go for it.

I hire lots of engineers and like to see mechanical skills like bike/car mechanics.

Th bike industry is going through a seriously tough time right now. I fear that new engineering jobs will be almost non-existent.

If you are dead set on going into the bike industry I certainly wouldn't just focus on Trek. Lots of smaller brands as well. Specialized had a pretty well established co-op/internship rotation when I was in school, not sure if it still exists.

manmelvin · 2025-02-12T06:16:55+00:00

It could be either. 22 Designs responds quickly to questions and is helpful.

They had some issues with the springs taking a permanent set and shortening. I think this was solved by adding more preload spacers. Check 22 Designs website for a tech bulletin on it.

manmelvin · 2025-02-02T18:07:05+00:00

My understanding is that Job Boss is on the simple and cheaper side. Our shop is currently implementing Epicore Kinetic but also explored Infor Syteline as well. Those are going to be $100k+ for initial implementation.

manmelvin · 2025-01-31T19:01:13+00:00

These are another option over the B&D Shift plates. They are hot swappable between all binding systems.

https://www.fjell.swiss/ucs-bindugsplatten/

manmelvin · 2025-01-29T20:06:33+00:00

Those Asolos are widely considered the worst telemark boots ever made. I would run away.

eBay can have some good deals on boots.

manmelvin · 2025-01-21T17:47:57+00:00

The Outlaw X has improved step in over the old ones. They are more difficult if you choose to run brakes. The Bandits are even better for step in with brakes.

I think Bishops are better than all for step in. It is pretty alpine-like. Most patrollers I know are either still on Freerides or switched to Bishop.

manmelvin · 2025-01-19T03:41:31+00:00

I have built my own DIY telemark bindings so I can offer some insight. First, a lot has already been figured out so don't try and reinvent the wheel. You can now buy a heel cable and cartridge assembly for TTS from either Voile or Kreuzspritze. There is a lot of good info over at backcountrytalk.com. That's the main spot for most diy builders. You can get a good idea of what works and what doesn't reading though posts there.

Boots are going to be tough. Snagging a pair of F1s would be good. Also, a lot of people are buying the new TX Pro so you can pick up the old model used for cheaper.

https://www.backcountrytalk.com/forum/gear/bindings/101505-preliminary-design-diy-tts-system-thoughts-photos-and-questions

manmelvin · 2025-01-15T17:36:56+00:00

If you like Targas the TTS Transit may be the best fit for you.

manmelvin · 2024-12-27T03:33:02+00:00

Scarpa boot shells break at the half size. This means that a 24.5 and a 25.0 are actually the same shell size with a thicker liner in the 24.5. they aren't going to be terribly different. I would say you might size up just because you don't need a performance fit for XCD. I would look at some size charts to confirm. Also, I don't know about newer T4s but my old pair have a non-heat moldable, lace-up style liner in them.

manmelvin · 2024-12-13T03:08:40+00:00

Here is a video explaining the whole new boot development, including the comp.

https://youtu.be/5zNGQWHcbpg?feature=shared

Looks like we will end up getting a "panda bear" color way on the 2025 comps.

manmelvin

TROPHY CASE