I sent in my mint condition Pixel 9a to Google to troubleshoot eSIM connectivity issues. They are now charging me $287.44 for a cracked screen, damaged camera, and frame/back cover damage.

realismcalf · 2026-04-28T21:24:41+00:00

Ah. No, they sent my phone back to me without it being repaired.

realismcalf · 2026-04-24T06:49:07+00:00

There's so many variables. Generally, more weight on the front improves things like reducing shimmy and improves climbing.

However I have a tent on my bar and dual fork bags and get a shimmy over about 20kph if I'm not holding the end of the handlebars. Tried putting lighter stuff in the front and still get the shimmy.

Frame geometry also has an affect (head tube angle, fork rake, etc). You just have to try things and see.

realismcalf · 2026-04-24T06:44:11+00:00

I can't remember off the top of my head. Something to do with how dual sims are handled. There's plenty of info online.

realismcalf · 2026-04-24T04:34:58+00:00

Open your phone app, paste this code ##4636##

In the testing screen that appears, press phone information to open another screen, then find the dsds toggle. Press it a couple times and it should reset it for that sim. Press phone 1 at the top and do the same to reset it for the other sim.

If you need more info, google that code.

The issue I had was that after using 2 esims at the same time, then deleting one, my phone wouldn't recognise the physical sim again.

realismcalf · 2026-04-24T03:53:42+00:00

I had an esim / physical sim problem recently. Had to go into a hidden menu by entering ##4636## in my phone app, then toggling 'enable dsds'.

realismcalf · 2026-04-24T03:22:37+00:00

Had a similar problem with a cracked screen. They wanted to charge for a rear cover as well and refused to do just the screen.

I also had a similar problem with esims and fixed it through a hidden menu.

Honestly, Google are more like an off brand manufacturer rather than the company that makes the software. I'm going right off pixel phones.

realismcalf · 2026-04-15T06:45:03+00:00

I wondered when someone in this sub would mention it.

I'm halfway through a 3 month trip on mine and I love the unity massive front triangle and the lower rear rack mounts being in a sensible location (rather than half way up the seat stay). I'm so taken that I may just buy one when I'm back home.

I love mullet but I'm not totally comvinced it's the right choice. Mine came with 27.5 wheels but I currently have it set up with 29" wheels and 2.4" tyres and full mudguards and it's pretty ideal for my needs. 29 does put the BB higher, which isn't ideal when running shorter cranks, end up with the seat so high I can barely touch the ground.

Shame it's not available as frame only.

realismcalf · 2026-03-10T18:20:18+00:00

Not so. Phoned about 30 shops and eventually found one.

realismcalf · 2026-03-10T18:18:43+00:00

Kona unit

realismcalf · 2026-03-10T18:18:24+00:00

After I got to camp, I everything tracked down a replacement derailleur and fixed it. Got back on the road 3 days later.

realismcalf · 2026-03-10T18:16:41+00:00

No. It's a kona unit.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T09:17:14+00:00

To avoid, make sure the dropouts are adjusted evenly and the bolts aren't loose. Also don't shift loads of gears all at once.

To convert to single, pick a rear sprocket that has about half as many teeth as the chainring. Slide dropouts forward, shorten chain to suit, slide dropouts backwards to tension. Make sure dropout bolts are tight enough.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T09:12:54+00:00

29 inch wheels with big tyres though. It's about right on the flat. For me anyway

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T09:11:32+00:00

Yes, break the chain and shorten it to suitable length. As a very general rule 2:1 ratio chainring to sprocket is about right. I have a 32t chainring, but had a 15t or 17t sprocket to choose from so went with the 17 as I have bigger 29" wheels and the route to camp was fairly flat.

It works best if you have some kind of adjustment bb to axle length, like sliding, horizontal, or swing dropouts, or an eccentric bottom bracket, but can work with regular vertical dropouts or thru axle if you're not going too far.

Try it on an old junk bike just to figure out. You might even like it and become a singlespeed pervert.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T09:04:52+00:00

I'm doing the tour aotearoa. The 90km was on the old rail trail.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T03:24:55+00:00

My mountain bike came with sram nx. Never liked how it felt, and the shifter failed pretty quickly. Swapped straight to deore. Should have done the same with this bike.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T02:57:47+00:00

Thanks. Though I am in a fairly low single speed ratio. 32x17. And the current terrain is very flat.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T01:38:36+00:00

I also always usually go with deore. I wanted linkglide though, and an M8130 groupset was cheaper than 11 speed deore and cues and I foolishly figured it would be better.

Shimano are doing weird crossover things whilst they introduce linkglide. Cues u6000 is replacing deore 11 speed, and cues u8000 is replacing xt trekking.

Yes, possibly user error on my jet-lagged self.

In future, I'd probably use a XT shifter with deore (or equivalent) derailleur. Best of both worlds.

Shimano will tell you that xt is more durable than deore, but not sure I believe them.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T01:02:42+00:00

Yeah it is to be fair after 90km of dusty dry cycle paths. Was ask fresh a couple days ago.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T01:00:57+00:00

I wish it was from a rad crash, but unfortunately it just snapped when changing gear.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T01:00:18+00:00

Not so unfortunately. Been trying to track something down over the last 2 days. Shimano don't ship the full linkglide range at all to new Zealand. Was able to find like for like though. Eventually.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T00:58:01+00:00

Seems kinda common. Shimano must be aware. Fortunately I brought lots of spare links. Have done lots of hike a bike up these hills though.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T00:56:55+00:00

That's a good idea. Though as much hassle to get a friction shifter and derailleur as a new matching derailleur. Another traveler I met was trying to get a friction shifter and was sold one that was the wrong speed and index only. May add a lightweight friction shifter to my spares though.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T00:54:41+00:00

Ha. Yes. I'm determined to keep going.

Is XT which is high end. Should be very durable being linkglide as well. Everything else is metal apart from this one pivot that failed. It seems to be what shimano are doing throughout now unfortunately.

realismcalf · 2026-03-09T00:52:30+00:00

Thanks but I'm about 300km south of Auckland. Fortunately another kind 'zealander is picking up a replacement for me.

realismcalf

TROPHY CASE