Anti-rant thread: sh%^ that makes you happy

[beaterdit]

Hahaha, it’s a step-up situation. It used to be a step-up to step-down but everything’s gotten a little tamer up there.

[TBS]

A new (replaced) derailleur makes me happy. Nice to have fast clean shifts again…

[EWG]

It's been an awesome bike summer:

- My daughter came home from college with the mtn bike bug in full effect and is dragging me out constantly. Happy, proud dad.
- My brother is a professional coach and after having some shitty personal stuff happen to him and his family, and then having the bike industry crater and having to fold the pro team he ran, he just got a super sweet high profile coaching appointment. I'm so stoked for him. It's awesome.
- Bjorn Reilly, family friend, won the US Nationals. Stars and Stripes jersey
- Just scored a sweet super cheap gravel bike for aforementioned daughter which she and I will rebuild and upgrade together before she heads back to college in a week
- Lovely wife is killing things technically this year, turning her normally really good skills into really good, aggressive skills. So fun to be around.
- Kick ass trip with kick ass friends coming up for labor day
- And I'm now shopping for a new mtn bike for myself. Always awesome.

2024 is killin it. I'm bike-happy for sure.

[joetron]

I’m stoked I got this seat post out of this frame.
Clamped that stem on and was smacking the shit out of it with a 12lb hammer while hosing it with Finish Line Chill Zone.
Once it started moving a little I slid and old steel fork through the stem and yarded on that some more, then clamped the stem in the vice and yarded on the frame to slide it out.
Use grease, use fiber grip, use something….don’t slide it in dry…don’t be afraid to move it now and then.

Note: One of our customers just bought this from someone in FtC, we did not touch this bike before we started trying to get this thing out.


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[Andeh]

Holy shit, that's a lot of toxic ass sweat.

[toast2266]

The weather in Montana the last week or two has been really, really nice. Highs in the 70's to low 80's, enough rain to make the dirt really good, but not so much rain as to be a nuisance, and most importantly, very little smoke. Coming out of like 5 years in a row where early August was hot and smokey, this has been super pleasant. And (knock on wood) the pattern looks to continue for the foreseeable future.

Also psyched that we're at the point in the summer where I feel like I've worked off the winter fat and I have some semblance of fitness, so I can actually get some good riding in with this nice weather.

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[joetron]

Holy shit, that's a lot of toxic ass sweat.

We’re thinking the previous owner washed this bike a lot with a lot of Simplegreen. The most corroded spot was the bottom of the tt/st junction. The soapy water got in somewhere and pooled there. That’s our best Bike Shop SVU: Forensic Unit analysis.
The black fork crown and lowers had that matte Simplegreened look.


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[Brasso]

Got a pair of Onyx Vespers and damn, the silence is blissful. Here are a couple of videos to give you an idea. Totally how fast I ride btw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85T1baoo8bM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG5sGEJdWXE

[toast2266]

Did a race today for the first time in about 5 years. Wasn't really sure what to expect - since the last race, I've had kids (now 4 years old) and don't quite have the fitness that I used to. But got a solid result that I'm pretty happy with and generally had a good time. Feels good to wring the body out and see what I can do.

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[mcski]

1st mtb ride that tested my knee since wrecking it last year. Tentative, but So far so good.

[Roxtar]

Did a race today for the first time in about 5 years. Wasn't really sure what to expect - since the last race, I've had kids (now 4 years old) and don't quite have the fitness that I used to. But got a solid result that I'm pretty happy with and generally had a good time. Feels good to wring the body out and see what I can do.

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Had a similar experience last year.
At 63, I decided to do my first Enduro since "retiring" from racing several years ago.
A 5th place (out of only 10) in Masters had me kind of bummed when my wife showed me the ages of those who beat me; 49, 49, 53, & 51.
OK, I suppose 50 year old Roxtar would have kicked my current ass too.
Learning to re-calibrate my expectations.

[grskier]

Thing 2, who has only been on his bike a handful of times this summer, competed in an adventure race in Vail, finished 3rd, and rode his bike well and got his shifts in when he needed to (he's 8)

Thing 1 went on a ride with me last night and I kept hearing her cheer herself on when she was pedaling into rocks and cleaned a few more moves this time.

[Canada1]

generally had a good time. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

The only part that matters.

I've spent / am spending my knee rehab on green and blue trails, rail trails and gravel roads. It's caused a bit of re-calibration. What I've learned.
1. The vast majority of people suck, don't know etiquette, and are having fun.

The last part is where I am trying to focus my energy. The guy on the E bike that plowed into me doesn't know better, and shame on me for not stopping. The massive bike teams that come up for our cool air are mostly having fun. The people whose dogs chase you, and scare the shit out of you, are just trying to get off the coach. I have been too agro. I'm trying to be better and just smile. The extra 30 seconds the stop costs me is nothing. At least I'm not crippled like I would have been 20 years ago with the same knee injury. I'm trying to care less and smile more.

[Jack Burton]

a good friend and i got to do the Trans BC last month and it was incredible. iv'e been seeking out adventures for a few decades knowing that all attempts do not come up roses, this one was incredible in every way, good folks, fun, new to me, ROWDY trails & incredible weather bookended by a few days windsurfing in the gorge. been back at my desk for three weeks and am still buzzing and looking forward to the next one.

day four video from Nate Hills https://youtu.be/v2VFedtptO4?si=rtH9tInaQahQOnnd

[VTskibum]

The only part that matters.

I've spent / am spending my knee rehab on green and blue trails, rail trails and gravel roads. It's caused a bit of re-calibration. What I've learned.
1. The vast majority of people suck, don't know etiquette, and are having fun.

The last part is where I am trying to focus my energy. The guy on the E bike that plowed into me doesn't know better, and shame on me for not stopping. The massive bike teams that come up for our cool air are mostly having fun. The people whose dogs chase you, and scare the shit out of you, are just trying to get off the coach. I have been too agro. I'm trying to be better and just smile. The extra 30 seconds the stop costs me is nothing. At least I'm not crippled like I would have been 20 years ago with the same knee injury. I'm trying to care less and smile more.

Last points are great and something I am trying to keep in mind more and more. Midwest buddy of mine lives the “assume good intent” mindset.

So many years of being in a relative bubble of very committed riders/racers. Daughter in NICA has helped, everyone is just trying to have some fun and get some exercise.

My anti-rant for the day, is after long break between beach vaca and week of lots of rain, gotten a bunch of riding in this week, including best ride I’ve had w my 13 y/o. Bikes are good for the soul.


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[Roxtar]

Midwest buddy of mine lives the “assume good intent” mindset.

That simple idea will change your entire outlook (midwest people rock).
I once heard a great line; "We judge others by their actions. We judge ourselves by our intentions."
Give others the same benefit we give ourselves.

[joetron]

We got my buddy’s stolen bike back yesterday, this makes me very happy.
It’s a sweet bike nerd townie. A Ti Norse frame(small, now defunct Durango framebuilder) with a custom Bedrock frame bag, front rack and nice mix of parts scavenged from years of bike shop life.
Lock got clipped off his porch 2.5 weeks ago, but he had an AirTag hidden in his bell. He shared the Find My for it with a few us and we’d been watching it, but it was acting funny, sending “last seen” updates that we’d see hours after the fact. Apparently meth enthusiasts don’t use iPhones.
The AirTag wasn’t pinged for over a week after the theft, but then showed up on the north side of the valley on what turned out to be a sketchy fenced in compound with lots of No Trespassing and Beware of Dog signs. I stopped by the spot last week on a road ride and saw a dicey looking fella roll up to the driveway in a little shitbox car blasting some heavy techno. Strong meth vibes.
I checked the Find My status yesterday afternoon on the way back down from riding and saw the tag at the weed store on the north edge of town (Mountain Annie’s).
I called my buddy as I was still 15min away, and he rallied over and saw the loser riding back up the county road. Rolled up and said “Give me my fucking bike or I’m calling the cops”. Dude just stopped, said some bullshit about how he found it on the side of the road and handed it over.
No arrest, no beatdowns, but my friend has his bike back and they didn’t even part it out or paint it.
And that loser had a long 8 mile walk back to his shitty meth hole.


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[homemadesalsa]

A small anti-rant: I ordered new tires as the Rekons that came with my new Element were approaching slicks. I set aside a chunk of time and gathered all the stuff- a stack of tire levers, Lezyne canister pump, 5-gallon bucket (to lay wheel flat), the container of Stan's, and a voile strap. Old Rekons came off easily, then new tires popped over rims easily with a voile strap as 3rd hand (1 Forecaster/ 1 Dissector). Front wheel set the bead with the first fill from the canister- POP! Rear wheel set on 3rd canister blast. Solid tires the next morning. Altogether it took about 20 minutes. Amazing compared to the ugly angry past! N

[climberevan]

Every time I've mounted a tire in the last couple of years it's gone smoothly. Even a road tubeless one went on easily with a floor pump. They seem to have finally figured out the magic formula.

[raisingarizona13]

British Columbia. Holy F the riding is good up there.

I just got back from a quick day trip up to Castle-Gnar for some Captain to Wings Of Merry. I forgot how much I love Canadian steep tech! I'm going back up next weekend.

So........I think I can get up every weekend through September. Fernie, Nelson, Castlegar, Rossland and other locations in between those areas are all within a 3 hour drive or so. What should I go ride?

I was giddy today, SO STOKED!

[Dantheman]

We got my buddy’s stolen bike back yesterday, this makes me very happy.
It’s a sweet bike nerd townie. A Ti Norse frame(small, now defunct Durango framebuilder) with a custom Bedrock frame bag, front rack and nice mix of parts scavenged from years of bike shop life.
Lock got clipped off his porch 2.5 weeks ago, but he had an AirTag hidden in his bell. He shared the Find My for it with a few us and we’d been watching it, but it was acting funny, sending “last seen” updates that we’d see hours after the fact. Apparently meth enthusiasts don’t use iPhones.
The AirTag wasn’t pinged for over a week after the theft, but then showed up on the north side of the valley on what turned out to be a sketchy fenced in compound with lots of No Trespassing and Beware of Dog signs. I stopped by the spot last week on a road ride and saw a dicey looking fella roll up to the driveway in a little shitbox car blasting some heavy techno. Strong meth vibes.
I checked the Find My status yesterday afternoon on the way back down from riding and saw the tag at the weed store on the north edge of town (Mountain Annie’s).
I called my buddy as I was still 15min away, and he rallied over and saw the loser riding back up the county road. Rolled up and said “Give me my fucking bike or I’m calling the cops”. Dude just stopped, said some bullshit about how he found it on the side of the road and handed it over.
No arrest, no beatdowns, but my friend has his bike back and they didn’t even part it out or paint it.
And that loser had a long 8 mile walk back to his shitty meth hole.


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I heart this story.

[evdog]

British Columbia. Holy F the riding is good up there.

Where are you working out of?

Revelstoke is a bit farther up but would be worth the trip if you have a long weekend. Another spot worth it for pristine alpine riding and uncrowded trails is Sol Mountain https://www.trailforks.com/region/sol-mountain/ Hit it on the way up to or way back from Revy.

Closer to the border, head up to Kaslo and ride The Monster. And Retallack Lodge if you've got some money to burn.

[evdog]

No arrest, no beatdowns, but my friend has his bike back and they didn’t even part it out or paint it.
And that loser had a long 8 mile walk back to his shitty meth hole.

Nice work! Must have been satisfying for your buddy to look the guy in the eye and have him walk away.

[t.odd]

Where are you working out of?

Revelstoke is a bit farther up but would be worth the trip if you have a long weekend. Another spot worth it for pristine alpine riding and uncrowded trails is Sol Mountain https://www.trailforks.com/region/sol-mountain/ Hit it on the way up to or way back from Revy.

Closer to the border, head up to Kaslo and ride The Monster. And Retallack Lodge if you've got some money to burn.

don't think Retallack is running a summer program anymore, but the trails are still there...

[Roxtar]

We got my buddy’s stolen bike back yesterday, this makes me very happy.
It’s a sweet bike nerd townie. A Ti Norse frame(small, now defunct Durango framebuilder) with a custom Bedrock frame bag, front rack and nice mix of parts scavenged from years of bike shop life.
Lock got clipped off his porch 2.5 weeks ago, but he had an AirTag hidden in his bell. He shared the Find My for it with a few us and we’d been watching it, but it was acting funny, sending “last seen” updates that we’d see hours after the fact. Apparently meth enthusiasts don’t use iPhones.
The AirTag wasn’t pinged for over a week after the theft, but then showed up on the north side of the valley on what turned out to be a sketchy fenced in compound with lots of No Trespassing and Beware of Dog signs. I stopped by the spot last week on a road ride and saw a dicey looking fella roll up to the driveway in a little shitbox car blasting some heavy techno. Strong meth vibes.
I checked the Find My status yesterday afternoon on the way back down from riding and saw the tag at the weed store on the north edge of town (Mountain Annie’s).
I called my buddy as I was still 15min away, and he rallied over and saw the loser riding back up the county road. Rolled up and said “Give me my fucking bike or I’m calling the cops”. Dude just stopped, said some bullshit about how he found it on the side of the road and handed it over.
No arrest, no beatdowns, but my friend has his bike back and they didn’t even part it out or paint it.
And that loser had a long 8 mile walk back to his shitty meth hole.


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Care to post address of shitty meth hole?