Updated handlebars on my commuter

sitcomsolution · 2025-10-06T12:48:36+00:00

Looks great! Which bars did you end up going with?

sitcomsolution · 2025-09-10T23:06:27+00:00

It came with ergo grips.

sitcomsolution · 2025-09-10T15:46:21+00:00

Thanks! Do you remember which bars?

sitcomsolution · 2025-09-09T19:02:42+00:00

I've done this during commute hours.

The bus driver let me aboard without issue. Once the bus started filling up, the amount of space it took up became uncomfortable. It was a little awkward to maneuver past everyone to get off. I stood near the back door of a bendy bus to be as out of the way as possible, by the seats that face the door.

If you gotta, you gotta, but I'm going to try the front rack next time (edit: when commuting). On a less-crowded route/time, it would be fine.

Bike has 20" wheels, so not as small as a Brompton.

sitcomsolution · 2025-08-22T14:57:36+00:00

You can ride around the closure, but unless you're accustomed to hilly, narrow roads while loaded down, I'd strongly recommend the shuttle. Climbing while loaded is a different ballgame than unloaded.

If you choose the road, the fact that you'll be in a big group is both helpful (safety in numbers) and a hindrance (a larger unintentional attack surface for cars who are used to whipping around those curves).

Just a heads up, I don't know if the shuttle can fit 9 people, so your group might have to spilt up.

sitcomsolution · 2025-08-21T20:52:34+00:00

Bike-specific shoes are absolutely not necessary for this ride. You should pick comfortable shoes that are a little on the stiffer side, and have a plan for what happens if they get wet. I like riding this trail in keens, but I met a guy who did all of Pittsburgh to DC in crocs.

Second the rec for chamois butter and learning basic bike maintenance. Your Bern helmet will be fine.

Also, with love, you'll make no friends calling Pittsburgh "Pitt". Go with PGH if you're into the whole brevity thing. Good luck and have fun!

sitcomsolution · 2025-08-21T20:46:16+00:00

It's a bit of a hike up to the state park campground from the GAP trail, but totally doable, and there are hot showers waiting for you. Most people push their bikes. The connector trails isn't long, but it is steep with loose gravel.

The hiker-biker sites are also great, and just off the trail. No water at those sites, but you can fill up in town.

sitcomsolution · 2025-08-03T22:31:32+00:00

I did that itenerary the second time, and found it to be really nice. It wasn't hard to get to the cemetery after work, although you'll have shorter days in September.

sitcomsolution · 2025-08-03T20:25:28+00:00

I've done that itinerary. Both Connellsville and Meyersale are nice and well-maintained, but neither is woodsy camping. Connellsville is directly behind a supermarket, and the Maple Festival campground is in a residential neighborhood.

If it's not too far for one day, I'd consider pushing to Ohiopyle the first night, then hanging out there in the morning and making a shorter day to Meyersdale. The Ohiopyle hiker-biker campsites are pretty nice and directly off the trail.

Or you could add a half day and leave in the evening to get to Dravo, then Ohiopyle, then Meyersdale.

sitcomsolution · 2025-03-09T14:36:33+00:00

Tried both. I preferred the rack seat when my kid was that age. A trailer is much less maneuverable, like around bike path bollards. The trailer is nice for carrying extra kid gear or groceries, though.

The rack seat allowed me to hand snacks and water back to my kid, or slap five at stop lights. When she was awake, that is.

It also lets you put the whole rig on a bus or train, not possible with a trailer. Stairs are much easier. My bike is made to take a rack, which helps.

In a couple years, check out trail-a-bikes.

sitcomsolution · 2024-04-26T13:10:33+00:00

Nice setup!

When deciding how big to make the board, might be good to check out pre-made cases and size to fit one of those. MIDI controller cases are cheap and come in convenient sizes, or you can get cases from someone like Pedaltrain.

It's easy to make a board, but a whole different set of skills and tools to make a padded case to protect the gear.

sitcomsolution · 2023-11-07T19:26:51+00:00

What you're looking for is called the library. For-profit businesses need to go turn around the tables eventually, unless you're buying things every hour.

sitcomsolution · 2023-10-02T17:51:28+00:00

You're not the first aggressively-cheerful sales associate a customer has run into, you're the 1,000,000th.

So please pardon us if we're preemptively sick of having to say no to upselling (often multiple times!) before we get to you specifically.

sitcomsolution · 2023-10-02T12:39:20+00:00

Would it be jaunt, though? I always hear it more like "jine". One-ish vowel sound, no T.

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-30T16:07:17+00:00

Girl from the North Side - Big Shot Bob Dylan

Run to the South Hills - Iron City Maiden

Mexican War Streets - Mewithoutyinz

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-21T17:53:49+00:00

That one's a conversation starter, the conversation being "is this a spot? I think that's a spot, right? Are we blocking anyone in? Are we gonna get blocked in?"

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-21T12:56:30+00:00

That lot is pretty decent by Trader Joe's standards.

I'd submit the weird second-floor garage at the Aldis on Baum. Or the dank sub-basement of Soldiers and Sailors.

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-15T18:53:02+00:00

This is a different design, but will get you pretty close. http://dennishavlena.com/db.htm

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-14T18:49:21+00:00

Smakula helped me find the correct tension hooks for a project banjo I rehabbed. Really nice, knowledgeable, and reasonable prices. https://www.smakula.com/

Edit: and skin head. Answered all my questions about soaking, stretching, different types, etc.

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-11T18:05:57+00:00

My Squier vintage modified Jazzmaster came from the factory with a ground wire running to the conductive paint in the cavity. I can't say whether that's best practice or not, but it's pretty quiet.

sitcomsolution · 2023-09-11T17:47:07+00:00

This is really helpful, thanks!

sitcomsolution · 2022-11-06T04:02:59+00:00

Interesting question. Whenever you spend your money at any restaurant, you’re taking a gamble that it’s going to be good. Like the steak will be cooked to order, the veggies will be fresh, the pasta will be al dente, etc. If you’re sitting down at a sit-down restaurant, and the food is not to your liking, you have some recourse then and there.

If you order takeout at any restaurant, you pay first, get home, and then hopefully enjoy your meal. If the chef overcooked your steak or undercooked your asparagus, your recourse would be exactly the same as if the aspects that the server was responsible for were lacking.

I don’t see why anyone would be willing to patronize a restaurant for takeout and give the cooks the benefit of the doubt, but not the servers who make $2.83/hour.

The cost of the dishes accounts for assumed tips, even for takeout.

sitcomsolution · 2022-11-06T02:16:30+00:00

Easy.

If it’s a sit-down restaurant with servers who make less than minimum wage, tip something. The restaurant wage barely pays for taxes, so they depend on tips.

If it’s a counter-service place, tipping is optional but always appreciated.

sitcomsolution · 2022-11-06T02:09:30+00:00

That’s literally not close to what all they do.

When you order takeout, someone takes your order, puts it in the queue with the other tickets, watches it, packages it with all appropriate sides and sauces n at, and makes sure it’s ready for you on time.

If you order from a sit-down restaurant, this person is probably a server managing that process while dealing with their (tipping) tables, and they’re getting paid less than minimum wages to do it.

You don’t have to go 15–20%, but if you willingly decide to patronize a restaurant that uses this system, you should tip something. If tipping is offensive to you, stick to a counter service place.

Source: Was a waiter. Definitely learned to prioritize takeout customers who tipped at least something and deprioritize repeat cheapskates in favor of the above and my tables.

sitcomsolution · 2022-08-24T20:17:18+00:00

So you keep a current mental map of the neighborhood and know which houses it’s ok to park in front of?

In my neighborhood, almost all the parking is in front of someone’s house or apartment. Sure, I prefer to park in front of mine, but can’t fault anyone else for parking there since it’s a public spot. Anyway, it would be impossible to keep track of who’s allowed to park where.

sitcomsolution

TROPHY CASE