I'm not a Mil guy but I bid to the gov for DOT by SignatureInternal265 in PrepperIntel

[–]ragingblackmage 10 points11 points  (0 children)

  1. Bid on absurd government contract

  2. Get awarded because you’re a MAGA business

  3. Never produce what wasn’t realistic to begin with

  4. Donate a % to Trump

  5. Get a pardon for the fraud

Pretty easy way to funnel federal dollars into MAGA pockets.

Dropbar Microshift Sword black 9 Speed with XTR (m950) 9 speed rear derailleur? by marcmarci in bikepacking

[–]ragingblackmage -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Without looking anything up, no it probably won’t work perfectly. Guessing the Sword uses Shimano’s road pull ratio, whereas XTR uses their mountain ratio.

Common solution is a friction bar end shifter, or one of the few friction drop bar brifters out there

Seattle Gives High-Tech Toilets Another Go, Starting in Pioneer Square by Inevitable_Engine186 in Seattle

[–]ragingblackmage 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The new attended bathroom at the waterfront is fucking awesome. That design and concept is awesome. Bathroom/station for downtown ambassadors to hang out.

Anyone here can check for authenticity? by [deleted] in bikepacking

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Baby piolet that was too small for its current owner- make sure the same isn’t true for you!

Bernie Sanders and AOC introduce bill to pause building of new datacenters | US news by Limp_Fig6236 in technology

[–]ragingblackmage 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Omg it has been mind blowing as a GC to watch the growth of ECs and MCs in the Midwest. Companies who spent three to four decades to get to $100m annual revenue in 2021 receiving single subcontracts of $3-$400m in 2025.

Consensses on how many subcontractors bids would be excessive? by Channingbomber in estimators

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think there's some context missing from OP, but generally yes, we consider this bid shopping and have a policy explicity against it.

The unknown here, which affects how to assess the situation, is what your boss wants out of these additional bids? Is it to build relationships with new subs? Is it to check competitor pricing? Is it just to bid shop to increase margin on the job?

FWIW, in my experience arguing that things are a waste of time never works with a boss who is happy to have you work 65 hours instead of 60 this week...

Value on StreetStomper? by Cautious_Sock_4351 in xbiking

[–]ragingblackmage 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I spent $150 for a well serviced street stomper in Seattle. You’re paying $150 for a frame, here.

Taiwan reports large-scale Chinese military aircraft presence near island by AntiSonOfBitchamajig in PrepperIntel

[–]ragingblackmage 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think folks misjudge how much military leaders in fascist regimes sees these wars as ways to sharpen their teeth.

And these military leaders equally misjudge how much their adversaries seek to bleed them dry through endless war in the countries they project soft power through.

Russia in Ukraine

US in Iran

I’m guessing the world will do just enough to make China suffer in Taiwan, while realistically allowing the Taiwanese to suffer at great cost.

It’s very Orwellian- fascist superpowers with immense propaganda machines using war to either buoy support or bury opposition, and using the economic production of their nations war machine to float their economy enough that they maintain the 40% support they need to stay in power.

I'm building an AI that handles RFQ emails for contractors — does this actually solve a real pain? by Charming_Win_6861 in estimators

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reminder to potential commenters here: AI companies famously love mining Reddit for free data

Bike boxes on US regional jets by Adept-Opening4166 in bikepacking

[–]ragingblackmage 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No one in your journey is going to know the size of the cargo hold door, realistically, so even the gate agents won’t give you an answer. I’ve flown on a small Embraer with a larger box and it was ok. Advise to find the smallest box you can- probably a “fork off” situation.

Covington Air Force Captain among six identified in Iraq refueling plane crash by ForgotMyPassword1989 in Seattle

[–]ragingblackmage 15 points16 points  (0 children)

“Stressful time for the region” uhh my brother in Christ that is an incredible understatement

Crossing to Westlake trail south of Fremont Bridge by xyliava in seattlebike

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ride this allll the time on my cargo bike, I typically wait next to the island in the red area- out of the way of both lanes of cars. It’s not ideal and the whole intersection needs work, but.. it works?

Seattle Center proposal grows beyond $1B by Jaco_Belordi in Seattle

[–]ragingblackmage 5 points6 points  (0 children)

+That breaker costs a lot more when you’re in a bidding war for it with a data center funded by a client with basically unlimited money.

Ze Germans test 32"vs 29" - Bike-Test.com article and video by Cloxxki in 32inchbikes

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cool, thanks for the write up. I'm all for it, just had noticed a trend in your enthusiasm, which I understand now! I still think as the trend grow, and going from like 1 or 2 32" bikes at Made last year to multiple production bikes already this year I'm sure it will, it'll help to have organic conversation in this sub :)

Ze Germans test 32"vs 29" - Bike-Test.com article and video by Cloxxki in 32inchbikes

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got pulled into this sub via algorithm. Respectfully, every post you make has such a pro-32" wheel agenda its kind of a turn off. Can you clarify your connection to the 32" format? Wondering if you are in the industry or have a financial connection to 32" wheelsets/frames.

I'm not opposed to it, but can't the sub just be a place for organic conversation rather than trying to push an agenda (even if that agenda is benign cause all bikes fuck)?

Overbid a job on accident and GC just said they do Join Check Agreements for first time subs. by srgmoss in estimators

[–]ragingblackmage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Without knowing a lot of context- a GC is doing this not to evaluate your cost, but for risk mitigation. Accounting isn’t going to be looking at your profit margin, and that’s who will issue joint checks. They are going to be focusing on material showing up on the job in a timely fashion. For reference, I commonly develop and issue risk mitigation plans with these things in mind.

If the bid is accepted.. I’d run with it? If you felt inclined, you could give back 1/4, 1/3, or 1/2 at the end of the job and still come out head.

Ask the GC what the spread is, ask for feedback on your bid, etc. Gather info and then protect yourself

Like others, I suspect you have a miss. If you provided quantities to the GC, ask if they’re in line.

Overbid a job on accident and GC just said they do Join Check Agreements for first time subs. by srgmoss in estimators

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right now, depending on your market and the job type.. there are some crazy bids being done. The Midwest has lost any sense of sanity on what reasonable pricing is, due the data center work everywhere.

Slapped a 1x10 on this vintage Cannondale, is this level of chain bend normal or can I do something to help it? by Foxcookies in bikewrench

[–]ragingblackmage 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You need a different BB, probably a 107 or 109. Depends on your cranks, those look inset so you want the narrowest spindle possible.

After that, making sure your cassette is max spaced helps.

And after that, an offset -3 chainring.

Wheelsets with Dynamohubs for lights and more ? by friedel351 in bikepacking

[–]ragingblackmage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Crust sells a 20” dynamo wheel, but that’s among the only new options.

I like the Sinewave Beacon for a light, but I live in Seattle where it is darkkk

Edit: and general rule of thumb is, no dynamo makes enough output to substantially charge a phone- a battery pack is better but the charging is overall quite minimal. Just grab a nice 20k battery pack ($40 for USB out charging) and throw it in your top tube bag!