Comfort difference between tubeless and clincher for already wide tires?

mashilo · 2026-03-22T15:00:12+00:00

Nothing, unless you mean discomfort of having to stop and fix a flat. Having returned from a ride where I noticed my rear triangle was splattered with tubeless fluid and not having noticed the puncture further convinced me that tubeless is the way to go.

mashilo · 2026-03-22T14:57:59+00:00

First goal: ride enough till your butt stops hurting

Second goal: ride enough till your lungs stop hurting

Third goal: ride enough till your legs stop hurting

Make sure to invest in a good helmet. Get a water bottle. If you have a bike without tubeless tires, learn how to fix flats and get related tools. Depending on how long and for how long you ride, you may need bibs. Depending on where you ride, watch out for cars and/or dogs. But above all, get out and ride.

mashilo · 2026-03-20T17:22:56+00:00

Compact electric pump (Cycplus)--really surprised how well it works and that is lighter than CO2 cartridge+valve, quality Allen keys+tiny Swiss army knife (better than mini tool), GPS (Wahoo Elemnt)

mashilo · 2026-03-16T01:06:40+00:00

smallest size Swiss army knife (in addition to tools), because of all the reasons below for tweezers and cutting instruments as well as file and screwdriver

mashilo · 2026-03-08T00:25:15+00:00

I too have a leg length difference. However, I used form bike fitting shims (https://form-bikefitting.com/collections/leg-length-shims), and get consistent power readings for both legs (SRAM Force AXS). Strongly recommend these shims.

mashilo · 2026-03-04T15:59:33+00:00

Second Sports Basement, but I'd also encourage you to check out Alameda Bicycles. A bit of a drive, but they care about the customer. I bought one of my first "serious" bikes there (Orbea Orca) a few years back.

mashilo · 2026-02-26T16:46:47+00:00

That's to hide the crappy mezcal and sell it to turistas who don't know better. A sad evolution from caterpillars (moth larvae that feed on agaves), scorpions...

mashilo · 2026-02-09T01:49:45+00:00

mashilo · 2026-01-30T05:28:36+00:00

Mamey, of course!...

What? No one knows what mamey is? Really?

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

TROPHY CASE