taprider profile

Thanks again Mike.

I get the warm fuzzies from your story, from how you are surviving and recovering.

I had my car stolen with all my bike and camping stuff in it, while on the way to a Canada Cup race I was peaking for.  I understand the shopping and repurposing/redisovering therapy you are going through.

best answer to "why"?

is "girls like it"

caked on dried mud rubs off shaved legs easier

@TristanC if you are lucky

don't know if bikepacking is that much of an outlier anymore

although, the majority now seem to use the term to refer to gravel road touring

to me it's not "bikepacking" unless the tires are off the ground regularly (more for lifting and carrying the bike, but also for getting stylish in the trials and BMX kind of ways)

bunny hops, not camp flip flops

This is a great Christmas story

thanks Andrew

singlespeed bikepacker in the making

they would be worse 

unless you can fashion a little umbrella frame over the bottom of the pop out valve so it doesn't push directly against the foam noodle

or you have a hole or indent in the foam that lines up with the valve

try the Pepi's RokLine then (the yellow ones)

I have run flat them in the rear over 20km on rocky terrain without any obvious sign of wear

That proverb/this thread will just lead to bike porn

The best ride I ever had....

"save the planet" speech?

George Carlin pointed out long ago, it’s not the earth that needs saving

start at 1:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmo8sh77G6Y

and go to 5:20 about plastic and the age old question "why are we here"

We had a mouse problem at work and were told to remove all food from our work areas.

Turns out the mice were eating/drinking a sample of bio chain lube in a biodegradable cardboard container.

ProX doesn't have all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Classic Original. ProX can be shipped by air mail, Classic Original can't.

and speaking of sexy chain lube

I have a list of Andrew's gear recommendations that contradict the common EnduroBro and Old School Racer wisdom.

I'll start with lube (which could also be a lube of the year award category)

Turns out Andrew was right when comparing RocknRoll with DumondeTech (classic original not lite).

I started using RocknRoll because that was the only lube being used in a 2009 Stage Race in Kamloops silt that could last a day. But I found that RocknRoll wouldn't last more than a day of Arizona bikepacking.

Picked up some DumondeTech Classic Original and found it lasts much longer and is much quieter and feels like it has less vibration through my feet, so much so it makes the chain feel sexy.

.

What is your lube of the year recommendation and/or what are your experiences with Andrew and/or North Shore wisdom that contradicts the EnduroBro or Old School Racer standards?

I have been experimenting lots lately. 1x2, with some walking, works all-round for ride to the ride on the North Shore.  

1x only works for me it I stick to trails or stick to road/gravel

And even by removing 4 smaller cogs from my road/commuter bike to align the bigger cogs with the rings, makes the bike seem so much quieter.

To be completely rid of all derailleurs would mean buying a new hardtail frame with sliders, swingers or EBB, but I am trying to stick to the best bike "is the one you already own" philosophy.

Posted by: AndrewMajor it's still not at the rule-breaking interest level the way that V2 - rigid and single-speeded though it is - managed to achieve..

but it is still a mtn bike ridden on the North Shore

keep pushing the boundaries Andrew

I am very interested in your rule-breaking in "less gears in my future" kind of way

Speaking of targeted ads. About 2010 the NSMB banner ad was for a resort on the Sunshine Coast but the associated photo was of me at a race in Kamloops

Did any of you click on the Stickman banner ad at the top of the NSMB home page?

"we’re a whole gallery of artistic inspiration, wrapped in Lycra, like a second skin for style-conscious cyclists"

"If you’re reading this, then you’re already a wise and stylish man on a bike... You’ll soon be the cycling equivalent of Picasso merged with Peter Sagan – because yes, attitude is everything"

"Style is never optional – just ask any woman!"

I think I have to grow an ironic moustache before I can wear any of that stuff

https://binarybicycles.com/binary-bicycles-shop/

Binary ti frame deals

Although that North Shore Billet nut sure looks nice.

Does it fit a 6mm or 8mm hex?

Another somewhat related problem- where can you get M7x8.5 bolts without buying that weird XTR crank bolt/cover kit with the weird heavy caps instead of nuts?

(yes I know that the North Shore Billet XTR M9000 narrow wide chain ring is threaded and meant to reuse the original XTR bolts, but old aluminum crank bolts tend to crack)