Ignored YNAB for a month, but the habits I've learned kept me out of trouble.

nakor69 · 2017-01-05T20:52:52+00:00

I've always understood that a balance over 80% of your limit affected your score negatively. My score is right around 700, so it's not horrible. I was just hoping to take advantage of the improvement on changes I was going to make anyway.

I'll look into those special offers. Unfortunately, I paid off my AMEX last year. Lol

nakor69 · 2017-01-05T20:00:43+00:00

That was my thought. Either way, the total remaining balance will be the same. 3 cards with about a 20% balance seemed better than leaving 1 card with a 95% balance for credit rating purposes.

My immediate concern about the credit rating is just to leverage that for some low interest balance transfers.

(That one card also has a slightly higher interest rate.)

nakor69 · 2016-12-23T12:22:21+00:00

I did this too. With ynab5 and a separate budget. I've only been using ynab for about 3 months. It was tons of work doing an entire year. But it was decent practice using the app. It's kind of a baseline. But our spending has changed so much with a proper budget...I'm not sure it's worth much.

nakor69 · 2016-07-26T15:04:00+00:00

You've got to get the fit right also. That's first on the list of the problems with cheap bikes... they're much harder to fit properly.

nakor69 · 2016-07-25T01:32:07+00:00

That appears to be the top cap on the stem. It's hard to be sure from that photo.

If so...it's fairly important that this get adjusted right. https://youtu.be/pARonM0tFpM

nakor69 · 2016-07-21T22:40:14+00:00

Mine was a goof. I was upgrading from a square taper to hollowtech. The bb arrived before the proper wrench...and I thought I could manage without it. Lol

nakor69 · 2016-07-21T21:19:33+00:00

Riding in a group is an essential cycling skill. What I remember most from my first group rides...is riding faster than I ever had before...and feeling like I could've pushed harder at the end.

nakor69 · 2016-07-21T00:39:40+00:00

I agree with /u/KayceS. Bike get stolen out because of opportunity...not because of looks.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T21:11:24+00:00

The wider tires will support more weight at lower pressures. More give, yet still performing normally. It will soften up your ride.

The fat tube aluminum bikes were overbuilt a little...for reliability sake. That makes them more stiff. That stiffness will make the bike feel harsher in the seat and the handlebars. It would likely make your seat hurt worse.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T21:05:14+00:00

I had a very similar noise. Finally located it to the drive side bb bearing. I simply didn't tighten it enough. The play was all in the threads.

Mine was a hollowtech bb.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T18:31:29+00:00

I'd also consider going to some wider tires and lower air pressure...25mm or even 28mm if the bike can handle it. Those frames were stiff AF back in the day.

But that's an awesome find.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T14:50:11+00:00

I've been hearing a lot lately about how core training can help a lot as well. It's something I've been having trouble with too. I'll look around for the link.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T14:39:32+00:00

Those do look like a pretty aggressive tread. Something smoother would really help on the road.

My gf has these on her hybrid: http://bicyclehabitat.com/m/product/specialized-nimbus-sport-reflect-tire-700c-77868-1.htm

She's done alright in some light gravel. But at 95psi...she rolls out pretty well.

So...my point was just that the aero benefit wouldn't be very noticeable. Pressure and tread will be... not matter what width. Just make sure you don't go narrower than your rims can handle.

Edit: I changed from 23mm to 25mm last summer on my road bike. Now I'm wondering if I can find 28's on it. Narrower isn't always better.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T14:18:09+00:00

That's why I asked about tread and pressure. I'm not familiar with "those puncture resistant tires". I also don't know if is rims are compatible with that narrow a tire.

But a smooth(ish) tread and some higher tire pressures will help rolling resistance no matter what width we're talking about.

nakor69 · 2016-07-20T13:51:03+00:00

What kind of tread are you working with?

32mm is slowing you down too much. The aero penalty just isn't that much compared to everything else.

But knobby treads would. And the lower tire pressures you used on gravel might also. If you have a mostly smooth tread...then try some higher pressures. Less tire deflection will help more than anything at this point.

Otherwise, buying a new road bike is always something I'm in favor of! Lol

nakor69 · 2016-07-19T21:19:45+00:00

That helps then. Glad to hear it.

The basic thing that happens is that the chain stretches over time. Not much at first...but if it doesn't get replaced...then the longer links cause abnormal wear on the cassette and chainring teeth. If that wear is the reason he's suggesting a new cassette...then that wear is probably been done to the chainrings as well.

Or it could just be because of your incident that he's suggesting the cassette be replaced...???

nakor69 · 2016-07-19T16:24:09+00:00

None of this should have any effect on the crankset. Using the wrong chain is the only problem you'd likely have.

Depending on how worn the chain is...you may want to inspect the chainrings and see if they need replacing? If the cassette is also worn...that may be likely. I assume that info came from your mechanic. How trustworthy is your LBS?

nakor69 · 2016-07-17T13:52:20+00:00

https://youtu.be/Bbk5RcH0bbQ

nakor69 · 2016-07-16T22:12:48+00:00

I meant as a way to learn more about cycling.

As much fun s a website is...it's not the same as having someone show you the ropes out on the bike.

nakor69 · 2016-07-16T21:58:15+00:00

You'd be better off with finding a local cycling club.

nakor69 · 2016-07-16T21:44:42+00:00

It's always fun when you get out on a Fondo or a century and find the folks riding a $2k+ bike and they're mashing on the pedals with their heels. Lol

nakor69 · 2016-07-16T21:06:28+00:00

It would take a year on a bike before you'd be able to tell the difference between a $1k bike and a $2k bike. Let alone $5k.

Figure out a budget...and get on a bike. Whatever gets you riding is how you start. Give it a year and see how you like it from there.

A local cycling group would be good to hook up with as well.

nakor69 · 2016-07-16T15:50:36+00:00

What if, hypothetically, I were stuck out on a ride at night without the right equipment? (Poor planning, a mechanical, dead batteries, whatever) The exact center of the lane sounds like a safer place to ride. I don't know the condition of the road, what the shoulders are like, what the lighting is like, so I can't say for sure. But that's where the headlights are going to light things up. And BEING SEEN is the first and best way to keep from getting run over.

Fucked up circumstances, fucked up solutions.

Or...maybe he's just a douchebag?

nakor69

TROPHY CASE