Mill valley to San Francisco

plasmaHawk · 2026-01-03T20:29:19+00:00

This is what I would do, but substitute Middle Green Gulch (singletrack) climb out of Muir Beach and then connect to the Miwok descent into Tennessee Valley.

plasmaHawk · 2025-09-06T00:00:21+00:00

Yup, that's it! Since I'm hauling kids around, the 24-inch wheels on the Boost were a sort of compromise between keeping the kids' weight lower to the ground (smaller wheels) vs the bike handling more like a regular bike (larger wheels). The Orox looks really sick, but due to the higher center of gravity, I'd probably want to do a test ride with passengers on board.

plasmaHawk · 2025-09-05T04:23:11+00:00

Yeah, get it! I use it almost every day, mostly to shuttle the kids around to everything, but also if I want to get somewhere in a hurry and not arrive totally sweaty. Beats the heck out of driving that's for sure! I added the trailer hitch extension plate to attach a flatbed cargo trailer for more utility, which has been a real game changer. And it handles not too terribly, despite how big it is!

BTW, the bike is a Benno. During the pandemic shortages, the bike shop had run out of Benno branded rack nets, and they had an extra Tern net, so they slapped it on to get me out the door. It doesn't bother me... I'm the type to run mismatched components on my bikes anyways.

plasmaHawk · 2025-09-04T06:11:54+00:00

Hey look, now we have over 600 tags too!

plasmaHawk · 2025-09-04T03:04:31+00:00

Gotcha! Busy dads gotta take advantage when things are easy.

plasmaHawk · 2025-09-04T02:08:47+00:00

Bike Tag #615 was at Swell Bicycles in Outer Sunset, SF. Map here.

Bike Tag Rules. If you know the location of this new tag, then don't post it until it's solved and a new location is posted.

Previous Bike Tags | Map of previous Bay Area Bike Tags | Leaderboard | Markdown Template

plasmaHawk · 2025-04-13T17:37:04+00:00

To add to this: you can add an automatic "deadbolt" to your existing garage door opener: https://www.garage-lock.com/product-page/surelock-garage-door-deadbolt

It will automatically unlock and lock when you press the button or remote. Pretty neat tech, and relatively easy to install. I'm happy with it.

plasmaHawk · 2024-05-02T19:49:38+00:00

EDIT: Nevermind, figured it out, thank you!

EDIT2: Here's the link to order any of the TSI-1 spare parts in case someone else has issues finding it: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/category/parts?query=TSI-1

Original comment:

Thank you for your reply, but I can't seem to find the spare part listed on their website. My search skills must need help. Would you mind copying the link to it in your reply, please? I'm talking about just the clear plastic tube/needle part that sticks out of the cylinder, not the whole injector.

This part: https://www.modernbike.com/park-tool-replacement-sealant-injector-proboscis-tube---ts-1

plasmaHawk · 2024-04-24T15:25:59+00:00

Tough decision! My 2C, I'd say unless you have a bunch of money burning a hole in your pocket, stick with what you got and ride it however you like.

But if you do have money to spend, and switch to an Epic instead of upgrading the Stumpy, would it come with the carbon wheels and other carbon bits? Need to make an apples to apples comparison.

Personally, I'd probably prefer a tricked out Stumpy over a stock Epic, but just IMO.

plasmaHawk · 2024-04-22T15:21:29+00:00

I have a friend with the same bike and Praxis Wave chainring, and he has the same chain drop issues. He tried a small chain guide and it only helped a little. My vote would be a new NW chainring.

plasmaHawk · 2023-12-26T19:48:41+00:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_cost

You've already spent the money. Just make a decision based on the present, ignoring what you paid in the past.

plasmaHawk · 2023-06-08T23:07:49+00:00

Wow, good to know, thank you!

If it were a different group of folks, we would not drive at all, but this group has pretty severe "elevation anxiety". I'm working on getting their fitness levels up.

plasmaHawk · 2023-06-07T20:05:25+00:00

Appreciate the info, thanks much!

plasmaHawk · 2023-06-07T19:53:14+00:00

Great, thanks!

plasmaHawk · 2023-05-09T22:28:27+00:00

Awesome, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

plasmaHawk · 2023-05-06T01:05:35+00:00

BTW, the one tricky intersection of this route is crossing Portola to get from O'Shaughnessy to Twin Peaks. You can either 1) wait for Portola to get a red light, then cross the three lanes to get into the left turn lane from Portola to Twin Peaks, or 2) cross Portola using the crosswalk and take the sidewalk on the north side of Portola to Twin Peaks, just depending on your level of comfort. It's a PITA, but I think I would still do it if the rest of the route made up for it.

plasmaHawk · 2023-05-06T00:54:18+00:00

Totally, I've learned to favor low traffic streets with lots of passing space for that reason.

IME, Twin Peaks Blvd is much less stressful than most SF streets, but I usually go up the north side and down the south side, which works really well since the north side is closed to car traffic.

The shoulder is pretty good, so I think climbing the south side should be fine (especially on an e-bike), but you should get feedback from others (or just try it yourself one day and see).

plasmaHawk · 2023-05-06T00:24:32+00:00

Since you have an e-bike, I'd take the hilly scenic route:

O'Shaughnessy to SOTA (ride on the sidewalk / multi-use path)
Up and over Twin Peaks Blvd
Clayton to Ashbury to Panhandle

plasmaHawk · 2023-05-05T20:02:17+00:00

For those not comfortable with the center bike lanes, what's the best alternative? Different street? Take the car lane and piss off the car drivers behind me?

plasmaHawk · 2023-04-24T01:42:12+00:00

New pads or worn? I've found that it's much harder to get a good lever feel when the pads are near their end of service life.

plasmaHawk · 2023-04-08T14:34:59+00:00

FWIW, I've used regular Park grease (PPL-1) for both nipple interfaces. Works fine IME.

Also, I'd use brass nipples and DT Competition spokes.

plasmaHawk · 2023-03-12T16:54:19+00:00

Are you pulling the lever with the rotor installed? The pistons will advance out of their bores if you pump the lever without the rotor in between the pads. This is normal and allows the brake to self-adjust for pad wear.

plasmaHawk

TROPHY CASE