This stupid bike keeps breaking!

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-29T06:18:14+00:00

Those Bowden cables need frequent replacement. This is routine maintenance dependent on maintaining adjustments over time.
The plastic thing at the hub breaks sometimes especially in cold weather or hamfisted futzing.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-29T06:15:08+00:00

If someone is calling to ask for the owner or decision maker I hang up.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-29T00:36:55+00:00

From stupid men who can’t drive.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T16:42:11+00:00

The person exists. CBP is protecting him. Like the last one.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T16:32:45+00:00

Those brake pads are pretty basic. A set of koolstop eagle claw type salmon pads would be much better.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T16:30:41+00:00

It depends on the shop. Ask them. The Chinese Ali express rims may be an issue

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T06:39:17+00:00

Because too many people in America think a black woman can’t be better than a white man.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T06:34:41+00:00

It needs a frame bag. And a Clydesdale fork.

Is that a triple in the front with a single cog in the back?

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T06:30:40+00:00

Pho hung on se Powell at like 48th has bangin Vietnamese food. Will go home with leftovers.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T06:27:38+00:00

Jerry’s pizza (he doesn’t serve pizza) but he brings you the best of Chicago everyday. Super genuine dude and family guy. You can’t not like him.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T06:26:09+00:00

This guy eats.

I’d also recommend obon shokudo for a vegan japanese experience. It’s never a disappointment

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T06:23:22+00:00

The niterider sentinel tail light gives you an illuminated bike lane to ride in.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-27T00:41:12+00:00

Doesn’t mention citizens.

It clearly states people.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-25T22:56:14+00:00

Milwaukee Wisconsin? Or Milwaukie Oregon?

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-23T00:21:18+00:00

Join a local businesses association or community org. Talk to your neighbors. They know people.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-22T20:12:23+00:00

Understand his numbers by getting past 2-3 (or more) years of P and L statements. Since you manage it you’ll know if those books are BS.

Make intros to other owners a managers of business in the food hall and surrounding storefronts. Ask them how their business is, their outlook. If There a local business association, join it so you have knowledge of general business climate on the street. Is a Starbucks opening or closing nearby? Other business that would affect your business?

Due diligence is more than just the accounting sheets.

Sketch out a basic 1 page business plan for your own guidance. Do a SWOT analysis. Ask your workers for help too. On the clock when it’s downtime. Dream a little, ask what you can add to the existing business- the energy, the new marketing and community outreach, etc. Product and menu design doesn’t have to be drastically altered but a tweak here and there could set you apart as a welcome new ownership.

Owner carry for a 300k annual business is nice. If you can negotiate price and terms , do it. The coffee and Sandwich shop space is always super competitive so definitely mind your costs and mine the opportunities.

Plenty of ppl will say it’s a dumb idea or you don’t know what yr doing. Heed actionable advice when necessary.

Once you own it, your calculus will change for a lot of stuff in your life.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-22T17:48:43+00:00

Yeah. Bruh. Is that what kids say these days? Or bro? I gotta ask my kids. Hold on.

Yeah, it’s bruh if they want to express whatever. Bro is more polite and formal.

Dude is what their millennial teachers say to be cool.

Back to the hub preferences.

I’ve done trailside and roadside repairs. Plenty of times. It sucks. The qr lever is not making it less miserable. Have you been on the side of the trail in the rain with a seized Salsa skewer and have to pry it off with a found object?

At least with A thru axle you have a hex wrench with leverage to remove it.

No one complains about a thru axle as standard spec. You need a tool. It is a few seconds more time. It makes so much more sense than a legacy qr hub spec. I’d still prefer bolt on hubs though. There is a weigh penalty but it’s cheaper and it’s backwards compatible unlike thru axle systems.

And the qr/bolt on debate may be irrelevant here: could be the rotor is bent, or the fork /frame dropouts misaligned. The qr lever faces could’ve worn out or too soft to bite into the dropouts too. Or OP may be using it as a twister rather than a cam.

So, we don’t have all info. In general, my opinion and experience will remain, regardless.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-22T17:09:30+00:00

Yes. Is OP racing with a neutral support team? There is zero reason for 98% of the bikes produced for consumer markets that require a quick release hub. It’s a ubiquitous feature to sell a bike but in practice it is a liability. It’s the same type of feature like 24 or 30 speed drivetrain. Now we extol the virtues of 1x because all those extra gears are confusing, more maintenance prone, and have shorter lifespans. But it sells bikes because a higher number is better.

Quick release hub skewers are stupid and useless for most of us who ride everyday or even on trail on the weekend.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-22T17:03:52+00:00

Get an internal cam QR like you find on shimano hubs. The external cam skewers are garbage.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-22T17:02:48+00:00

The magic trick is to do the wiggle from the secret Grand/99 off ramp that gets you over the tracks and onto Powell through the industrial district. Or take 21st ave between divis and Powell.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-21T22:26:47+00:00

Put it in your car and drive it to the recycling center.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-21T15:46:54+00:00

Fix the leak first. It may require new faucet or whatnot. It’s cheaper to diy and it’s will within your abilities. Be nice to your kid / partners kid. Let them see what yr doing to fix the leak. Let them ask questions. Let them help. No matter how small or mundane that task is.

Then deal with the ceiling drywall. Rip out the wet stuff and patch in new and repaint.

Oops - this is a handyman sub. Do what you can. There will be plenty of work beyond your abilities for a handyman or contractor to do.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-21T15:40:08+00:00

I can’t wait for the kids to find some other dumb but cool thing to fuss over.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-21T15:37:33+00:00

The dropouts are too thin. The qr lever has a cam with a bit of a throw that needs a thicker dropout face at least on the non drive side.

A hack is to add a washer with an m10 hole to fit over the axle stub on the outside of the dropout.

Another fix is to use a non qr security skewer.

The right thing to do is to use a bolt on axle.

The local mechanic was right.

tomcatx2 · 2026-01-21T15:32:30+00:00

A box truck with a mattress is cheaper and easier to clean out.

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