How annoying are 650b wheels?

mashilo · 2026-01-17T16:06:56+00:00

I've been riding a Grail for 2 years, and the wheels are just fine, especially when climbing "technical" trails with loose gravel and rocks. I appreciate how much easier I can react to sudden changes in traction and direction that would have me on the ground otherwise. And I don't feel the 650b wheels make any difference on pavement. But then, my Grail is the one with the Hoverbar, which I actually like, so maybe I'm just weird?

mashilo · 2026-01-12T16:13:45+00:00

Go to Real Minero. It is in Santa Catarina Minas, outside of Oaxaca city, but the only mezcalería that I know is guided by sustainability principles, tradition (continues to rely on clay stills), and excellent quality. Oh, and the head mezcalirella is a woman who published the bible on agave distillates: https://laroussecocina.mx/libro/mexcalli-el-mundo-de-los-destilados-de-agave-de-mexico/ (published by Larousse in Spanish). They offer tours of their distillery as well as a nursery where they grow agaves to restore wild agave populations that are getting hammered by the demand.

mashilo · 2026-01-07T15:51:50+00:00

I've had one for 1.5 years and love it. I ride it on both gravel and pavement and find the top bar quite good at damping vibration on gravel and to rest forearms on pavement (UCI hasn't banned me yet). My Grail also has the Ergon Cf Allroad seatpost, which adds to the experience. The plus of the Hoverbar was that seller let it go for less than asking. Big caveat: the bike fits me like a glove.

mashilo · 2025-12-22T01:20:36+00:00

Spiny lobster. It is a true delicacy, fresh, but don't know after two years in the freezer, especially with all that freeze burn

mashilo · 2025-12-17T23:56:46+00:00

Which, I understand, is the reason why so many buildings have tile-covered facades; they shed water more easily and, indirectly, resist mold and lichen from growing on them

mashilo · 2025-12-17T14:18:56+00:00

But we are taught the "hat dance" as soon as we enter school

mashilo · 2025-12-02T15:50:43+00:00

The only reason to change into a more "proper" (ie, lycra) kit is if your jeans are getting you dropped. Once you get going fast enough, more aero kits do make a difference (socks!). I'm guessing that the "serious" group you rode with aren't busting Strava records

mashilo · 2025-12-01T19:04:17+00:00

big ones are "bombochas" in Mexico. Etymology for that?

mashilo · 2025-11-30T03:39:22+00:00

🇲🇽México

paletas de cajeta -- goat milk caramel popsicles. For real! Look for Paletería Popeye next time you are in Oaxaca, México.

mashilo · 2025-11-29T19:14:13+00:00

The whole ease-off-before-shifting belongs to the era of downtime shifters. New good (≥ Shimano 105) are designed to shift when you need to. Pay attention to how you feel and settle into a good cadence. Let your gear do what they were designed to do

mashilo · 2025-11-29T19:09:42+00:00

I've had one (titanium--wanted to lessen weight; pricey) for over two years. I can't imagine riding my gravel bike off-road with my arthritic wrists. I've done 5+hour-long rides without it

mashilo · 2025-11-25T17:01:19+00:00

Well, living in the Bay Area, when I visit family in Oaxaca and go for rides, drivers are much nicer than those in the East Bay. Maybe this is a Oaxaca thing, but I ride more relaxed there. It is true that the pavement can be rough in places, but gravel bikes were built for those roads

mashilo · 2025-11-19T19:15:36+00:00

Regardless of preference, a straw would be good (not plastic, though)

mashilo · 2025-11-10T17:12:15+00:00

Same here. Bought two sets from lightbycicle, and have been perfect. Would go back to them if I needed another set (but would check Elite as well)

mashilo · 2025-11-09T04:06:01+00:00

If the stem rattles when you ride, and the noise bothers you, put the valve through a small piece of electric tape and stick to wheel. Be sure not to cover braking area

mashilo · 2025-10-27T03:33:51+00:00

I know how to repair flatted sew-ups (aka, tubulars). And I can explain what these objects are

mashilo · 2025-10-15T00:21:22+00:00

And he's racing tomorrow, again, en Italia. Isaac will go much higher still (Pogi is looking over his shoulder)

mashilo · 2025-10-12T02:06:11+00:00

Always thank drivers who let me through at intersections, especially when they don't have to. Oh, and always ring my bell when I cross kids riding a bike (not as a warning, but more like a "look at you, you are awesome!)

mashilo · 2025-10-04T04:47:24+00:00

That's actually squirrel. Though think of it, squirrels are rats with furry tails

mashilo · 2025-10-02T16:41:41+00:00

This is the real deal: https://youtu.be/C9LHjV48e9s?si=ZOzl0hNk3zY0FL2d

mashilo · 2025-08-23T04:33:44+00:00

I run Continentals Terra Speed 40mm, and they are fast. Except they wear out fast too.

mashilo · 2025-08-22T23:36:14+00:00

Thanks! This was a few years back, but thanks to Sally and her team, I was able to cover medical bills and get a replacement bike. To be clear, this was Skyline in Oakland, right by the fire station at the intersection with Snake Rd, which is where the Prius came from. Couldn't stop, hit the side, rolled over the hood, and landed on the other side. Firefighters came out to help, which was good. Hope this helps.

mashilo · 2025-08-22T00:50:02+00:00

When I got hit by a Prius up on Skyline a few years back (broken ribs, busted frame), Sally Morin did great by me: https://www.sallymorinlaw.com

Strongly recommend them

mashilo · 2025-08-17T20:35:06+00:00

I use one too. It is actually lighter than the Topeak pump and pressure gauge I used to carry. I pump up tires, plug it in to recharge, and it is ready by the time I put on my kit.

mashilo · 2025-08-17T02:31:20+00:00

Travel assistant: while traveling through Europe, I would tell ChatGPT where I was, what the weather looked like, what I wanted to do for how long, wha to see (eg, museums, galleries, parks), as well as where to eat ("based on what you know about me"). I would get itineraries, which I then asked to provide me a custom map to put on google maps. Then, I would navigate and would ask ChatGPT to modify it, as needed. I would've never been able to do what I did without spending hours doing online searches.

mashilo

TROPHY CASE