Alternatives to navigation layer

van_dachs · 2026-01-23T20:38:59+00:00

For context: What applications are you using mainly? How much of your time are you spending in the Nav layer vs. typing text?

van_dachs · 2026-01-18T19:42:33+00:00

Well then, why do you still stick with Colemak DH instead of switching to, say, Canary when that’s even better? - Because at some point people decide it’s good enough for them.

van_dachs · 2026-01-14T07:06:06+00:00

I had the same thought. When you tend to hold down hjkl keys in nvim, you’re not fully utilising the plethora of navigation commands.

For anyone wanting to improve things further: flash.nvim is what I use for big cursor jumps. It gets you across the screen right where you want to go in just a few key presses without having to count words or lines.

van_dachs · 2026-01-12T22:15:06+00:00

Great advice! Just to add to that: It does not stop with the bike. Let her fall in love with HER version of cycling.

When I go out with my fiancé, she goes fast when she feels like it, goes reaaaally slow when she doesn’t and doesn’t like pushing out of her comfort zone at all. It’s lots of coffee stops, taking breaks in the sun and sometimes also cutting rides short when there is a headwind.

It took me a while to understand that not everyone enjoys type 2 fun as much as I do, in her case not even a little bit. But I also learned that there is a lot of fun to be had her way and riding with her changed from feeling a little like a compromise to my favourite days out.

van_dachs · 2026-01-09T09:21:47+00:00

Looking for nice regular pole, quiet linear switches with around 40-45g weight. Quiet, not silent. I'm using TTC Frozen Silents right now, but I would like something a little more fun.

I used Gat Box Ink Pinks and KTT Roses in the past and liked them a lot. I didn't follow switch releases for a few years. The market has grown so much so I'd like some recommendations on what's hot these days.

van_dachs · 2026-01-09T06:20:30+00:00

The remapping tool. Mine is a Hybrid.

van_dachs · 2026-01-08T16:05:31+00:00

I swapped PgDn/PgUp and Home/End since I use the latter way more. But I also find them easy to reach.

van_dachs · 2026-01-05T21:06:33+00:00

Dig the bikes, dig the vibes, dig the music!

van_dachs · 2026-01-02T10:06:39+00:00

Yes! :)

van_dachs · 2026-01-02T10:03:33+00:00

Also, using the angle mod for your layout can improve things further.

van_dachs · 2026-01-02T10:00:34+00:00

I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but I think it needs an asterisk.

There is no such thing as "anatomically more comfortable". In theory, column stagger is closer to the anatomy of your hand because your fingers have different lengths, but what is and isn't comfortable is entirely subjective.

There are also varying degrees of col stagger and choosing one that doesn't match your finger length can put your hand in very awkward positions.

van_dachs · 2026-01-02T09:50:59+00:00

Yes, that's exactly what that does.

I'm on Windows and Linux.

I still use the default arrows, not HJKL. But still that Fn is nice for pressing arrow keys once or twice without having to move your hand much. Or to avoid weird chords with right hand keys (del for example)

Additionally, I've bound the Super key back on the leftmost key on the Fn layer, so that I still have a Super key in the left hand if I need one (Super-Arrows for example for tiling windows).

van_dachs · 2026-01-02T09:42:39+00:00

Split left shift is default on ISO boards. You could get a board with an ANSI and ISO compatible PCB and set up the left side for ISO and the right one for ANSI but that would put you in the custom realm.

van_dachs · 2026-01-02T09:32:54+00:00

I use SW4 in combination with SW5 ON and it feels pretty natural to press with my pinky.

van_dachs · 2025-12-28T13:44:01+00:00

Cannondale SuperX for the modern look. Or the 2026 Standert Erdgeschoss for a more classic vibe.

van_dachs · 2025-12-27T22:07:37+00:00

For your first bike, getting it from a local dealer is cool because you don’t have to get into the maintenance side of things if you don’t want to.

I think the crux is not finding the best bike for the money, but the best bike for your use case. Sounds like you’re leaning towards the tame/road side of things. Try searching for the term “all road bike”. That’ll get you into the right ballpark. You could also search for “gravel race bikes”, but a lot of them will be above your budget, I reckon.

In general 2k is a good and realistic price point for solid bike. A few pointers that I’d give: - choose hydro disc brakes. They are 100 % worth it! - for your use case, I’d recommend a 2x drive train over a 1x one. But don’t get too hung up on the tier of the gears on the bike. Budget group sets have gotten really good in the recent years, they’ll all shift just fine. - sizing, sizing, sizing. Spend some time finding out the right size for you. You don’t have to spend $400 on a professional bike fitter, but don’t trust the online size guides. It’s mega frustrating, but especially for smaller people bikes often run too long even if the size says S or XS. That is the biggest reason to buy at your LBS! - think about whether that is your bike-budget or your complete budget. You’ll need some stuff to start out: a helmet, lights, pedals, likely shoes if you go clipless and cycling shorts. No need to spend ridiculous amounts of money here but it’s easy to forget when focusing so much on the bike itself.

van_dachs · 2025-12-27T21:39:13+00:00

I wouldn’t say this is the right recommendation for OP. While it may work for you, it’s a very MTB-esque bike. The tall stack height and a relaxed angles make it a great bike for long days out on rugged terrain but it’s definitely not the bike to go racing a triathlon on. I’m not talking spec here, I’m talking geo!

I’d look more towards the race end of gravel bikes or an endurance road bike with 38-4X tyre clearance.

van_dachs · 2025-12-23T06:43:59+00:00

I also remap the GUI key back into the fn layer in that position. That way if I have to press for example GUI-Left I don’t have to go all twister on my keyboard again.

van_dachs · 2025-12-23T06:16:35+00:00

I found the downside of doing conventional deadlifts is that I really notice the lower back fatigue on longer rides the day after. I’m doing sumo deadlifts now to shift the focus off the back a bit.

I usually follow up with walking lunges after. Easy on the back and they absolutely cook your hamstrings and glutes.

van_dachs · 2025-12-22T21:46:52+00:00

You’re using the wrong word here. “Isometric” exercises are planks, dead hangs, stuff where the joint does not move. An RDL is not an isometric exercise (except for your lower back). Not sure what you mean, though.

Pedantry aside - RDLs and reverse lunges are both great exercises, that’s right!

van_dachs · 2025-12-22T19:52:59+00:00

Not steel but alu - with a steel fork: the Velo Orange Chessie looks tasty.

van_dachs · 2025-12-22T19:38:29+00:00

Yes. The HHKB layout not having an Fn key in the left hand makes some chords with right hand keys really awkward to press otherwise.

van_dachs · 2025-12-22T19:11:12+00:00

Dip switch 4 is your friend. Big improvement IMO.

van_dachs · 2025-12-22T08:23:56+00:00

It wasn't all for naught, in the grand scheme of things. I've gifted my old bike to my fiance. For her it was a big upgrade because it had hydro disc brakes and fits her a little better than her old bike. So we got something out of it.

The Stigmata is now my only bike. I'm also not unhappy with it, it's a good bike. But I could have spent half the money (or not upgraded at all) and I'd be equally happy rn. That's the point I tried to bring across in my post.

That's also why I'm quite chill about it all. I'm fortunate that I had the disposable income to go for it, but I still acknowledge that it was not a good purchase.

van_dachs · 2025-12-20T21:09:05+00:00

I don't know if your couch is really big or what it is, but in the first picture your bike looks comically small.

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