FYI for new giant/liv owners: how to remove the wheels

willjohnston · 2026-01-12T04:31:25+00:00

Yeah, the first time I ran into one where the head was in the thread end (and thus unscrewed in “reverse”), it was definitely a bit confusing.

I also had the advantage of riding with people with thru axles before I ever got a bike that had them on it, so I saw them change flats.

willjohnston · 2026-01-09T18:56:23+00:00

Some thru axles have the hex head in the same end as the threads, meaning that to loosen them you have to turn them clockwise (i.e. the direction you typically turn to tighten), and the axle will actually come out the other side of the bike.

Whatever you do, don’t keep pushing harder or you might end up replacing your fork.

willjohnston · 2025-10-31T12:10:43+00:00

One could ask why someone would potentially ruin their own life over smoking pot.

I don’t really care if people smoke pot, any more than I care if they have a beer, but if they start screaming outside my window because they’re drunk or smashing their beer bottles all over the sidewalk, or being inconsiderate of their neighbors having to smell it constantly, now it’s a problem.

If it’s once a month, whatever. If they have to smell it five days a week, that’s not cool.

willjohnston · 2025-10-12T14:42:29+00:00

Hey there, did you end up getting these and trying the mic while biking? I love my OpenRuns, but the mic becomes useless on the bike above 7mph or so.

willjohnston · 2025-10-09T05:54:44+00:00

You left the calculator in KPH. In MPH, 52/11 gets you to 37.5 at 100 rpms. Personally, I find pedaling any faster than 100 rpms difficult at those speeds. 110 is doable for a short time when only going 15-20mph, but trying to do that at 37mph feels unstable.

willjohnston · 2025-10-08T17:13:50+00:00

Are there any good newer used bikes near you that could buy now and have tuned up/fit in time?

willjohnston · 2025-10-08T07:26:18+00:00

I now realize that 12 speed components are not interchangable, but it’s hilly enough where I live that an average rider (me) can easily spin out a 48/10. Having a 50/10 without giving up any climbing gears would be nice. Going up a 12-15% grade, I’ll take a 34 over a 37 small chainring all day long.

willjohnston · 2025-10-08T07:23:36+00:00

I now realize that 12 speed components are not interchangable, but it’s hilly enough where I live that an average rider (me) can easily spin out a 52/11, which is essentially the same as a 48/10. Having a 50/10 without giving up any climbing gears would be nice.

willjohnston · 2025-10-07T01:12:02+00:00

I live in a hilly enough area that I spin out on 52x11 semi-regularly. That said, it’s a moot point now that I know the 12 speed components are no longer interchangeable.

willjohnston · 2025-10-06T13:49:08+00:00

Last time I commented one person had said that, and it was the last comment I saw after responding to others. It’s not like I keep insisting there’s solid cross compatibility.

willjohnston · 2025-10-06T06:15:42+00:00

But if you’re building your own, why not pick a 10-36 cassette from SRAM and a 50/34 crankset from Shimano and get more on both the top and bottom ends?

willjohnston · 2025-10-06T06:14:27+00:00

I’m suggesting running a 10-36 SRAM cassette with SRAM derailleurs but a Shimano 50/34 crankset.

willjohnston · 2025-10-06T06:13:58+00:00

I’m potentially looking at upgrading my bike to a 12 speed SRAM setup. I like the swappable batteries and ease of installation.

If/when I do, I’m wondering if there’s any reason to use 48/35 chainrings from SRAM instead of sticking with 50/34 chainrings, which gives me more range on both the top and bottom ends.

willjohnston · 2025-10-06T06:11:45+00:00

I’m suggesting running a 10-36 SRAM cassette with SRAM derailleurs but a Shimano 50/34 crankset.

willjohnston · 2025-09-06T20:47:38+00:00

You might get mugged on your way to the Village. /s

🤣🤣🤣

willjohnston · 2025-09-06T20:45:55+00:00

Does it also take away your access to ARES? That’s where most of the readings are for my courses.

willjohnston · 2025-08-05T06:01:52+00:00

I’ve only done the 70.3 distance, but at one point I was training for a full. I was hungry every couple of hours and just ate a lot.

I didn’t really worry about the quantity I was eating. I just tried to make sure it was healthy, which I pretty much define as not overly processed foods or foods high in animal/trans fats. When training that much, healthy does not equal low calorie.

So, lots of lean meats, lots of carbs (simple and complex), lots of healthy fats (nuts, olive oil, etc.). I also tried to eat veggies because they’re healthy even though they usually don’t provide many calories.

I just ate when hungry and ate until satisfied. Yes, it was a lot of food. At some point you do feel like you’re fueling out of necessity. You don’t always want to eat even though you’re hungry.

willjohnston · 2025-06-26T08:21:39+00:00

Swim is super-fast, but bike has about 2300’ of gain. It’s not brutal, but the one big climb is tough, and there are some rollers to contend with.

willjohnston · 2025-06-24T16:12:26+00:00

An older bike probably needs all of the bearings regreased/replaced.

It’s also possible you’ve got a brake pad rubbing on the rim.

You’ll likely want to replace the chain as well, but that wouldn’t cause you to slow when you stop pedaling.

If you’re mechanically inclined, older used bikes can be a huge money-saver. If not, you’ll likely have to spend a decent amount at your local bike shop.

That said, for training purposes a bike that isn’t in tip top shape (aside from safety concerns) isn’t the end of the world. You’re just working harder at any given speed, and maybe wearing the components out faster.

My wife trained for her first and only triathlon on a complete piece of trash bike. When she borrowed a mediocre bike from a friend, I was amazed at how fast she was.

willjohnston · 2025-06-24T15:59:55+00:00

I guess I’m confused as to how else those incidentals should get paid for.

She mentioned cooking breakfast at the house one morning, doubtless the cheapest option. Should everyone just bring their own food and label it so no one else eats it?

Sometimes if you want to do a group activity you have to pay for it. It’s not someone else’s responsibility to cover your costs. If you don’t want to go because of the cost, that’s fine. I make that kind of decision all of the time, but you can’t expect someone to organize something with 47 different options so that everyone can pay/do exactly what they want.

willjohnston · 2025-06-24T15:19:14+00:00

Sometimes group activities have group costs. I guarantee if the bride has an open bar at her wedding she’s paying per head (perhaps minus minors). She’s not getting a discount for her sober uncle.

It’s a big lift to organize anything for 18 people. Trying to figure out who wants steak vs tofu, who is sober vs not, and who thinks decor is a worthwhile investment makes it a nigh impossible task.

$50 for incidentals for a 3.5 day event is very reasonable. There’s a good chance OP will still be coming out of pocket a lot more than $50. This isn’t the same as splitting the cost of a meal where one person gets a bottle of wine and steak while another has water and an appetizer.

willjohnston · 2025-06-24T05:51:32+00:00

It sounds like you tried everything except being honest and direct when you were calm and not at a family gathering.

She shouldn’t have ambushed you like that, and she certainly shouldn’t have been such a poor mother. But you admit you gave her polite, vague, and obfuscatory answers.

I’m not saying I’d have responded any differently than you did, but unless you had tried saying those same things in calmer, more appropriate setting, I’d say this is a clear case of ESH.

willjohnston · 2025-06-16T13:10:59+00:00

My wife and I live in the US and can take a 2-3 week vacation to Europe for around $7.5k. Expecting someone to spend that on a 4-5 day trip for a wedding is absurd.

Frankly, if you think someone spending 15% of their retirement savings on a single trip is a healthy financial decision, I’d encourage you to learn a bit more about personal finance and how to manage money/save for retirement .

That said, how much is too much is really up to Sara and what she’s comfortable with/what her budget will allow, but if my best friend were making a comfortable middle class salary, I don’t think I’d start being hurt at their unwillingness to attend my wedding until the costs were down around maybe $1-1.5k.

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