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Blog Featured February 8, 2021

How long should a device last?

Rechargeable batteries have a finite lifespan. This is an unavoidable thing. Of course it’s possible to manage that lifespan to extend it a little, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s going to die, and it’s probably something that is going to happen in 2-3 years. Knowing this, is it responsible for a company to build a device where the only course of action is to throw it away and buy…

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Blog February 3, 2021

The seatpost clamp bolt cries out for justice…

YouTube dream builds are a guilty pleasure. One that, given that Gee has 706k subscribers, is shared with quite a few people. There are quite a few reasons why I like watching them, but it’s mostly for the articles… er… I meant tips on how to build a bike. THAT SAID, not all the builders are of equal skill. There are many time where i just have to shake my head at…

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Blog February 2, 2021

Mack’s Bike and Goods – An Awesome LBS

I’ve been at Mack’s a few times now, and every time I have an awesome experience. While I love working on bikes, there are still a few tasks that I’m not comfortable doing, or haven’t been necessary frequently enough that I’ve broken down and bought the tool to get it done. For these things, I always try to go to there first because Sam Mack knows bikes in that effortless way that…

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Blog January 29, 2021

Aiming for sub-4

Getting a fat bike has derailed my winter goals a bit, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t come up with a new target. Just took a break from pursuing it, and didn’t mention it to anyone ;). As should be obvious from the title, I’m going to try to do a [virtual] century in four hours, or less. This might seem like an impossible, or easy goal, depending on how you look…

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Blog January 23, 2021

If you’re looking for a Hayes/Manitou Mastodon Pro EXT (Extended) Fork

My Cannondale Fat CAAD 1 came with a rigid fork. It is perfect for riding groomed snow trails, but when the trails aren’t groomed (like most of what I’ve ridden so far), I think a front suspension fork would soften up the wrist trauma. Contending with frozen foot prints, cross country ski ruts, and sled tracks isn’t a blocking issue, and the soft fat tire up front is still light-years better than…

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Blog Featured January 8, 2021

Hi Xert, I need to take back most of the nasty things I’ve said about you…

About a year ago, on the advice of several of my friends, I gave Baron Biosystem’s Xert platform a try. It was supposed to calculate my FTP, offer automated coaching (i.e. pick the best workout to keep me getting stronger), and provide insight into my fitness that I couldn’t get at the time (now I get some of that, poorly, from Garmin, but that’s the subject for another post). Long story short,…

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Blog January 4, 2021

Where have all the Fat Bikes gone?

While I don’t like cold, per se, I do enjoy riding in the snow. A lot. It’s a very different kind of cycling to what I do the rest of the year. Speed and endurance take the backseat to staying upright, and enjoying the back of the bike squirm. Studs on the gravel bike help, both with confidence and traction, but I learned yesterday that there is no substitute for contact patch.…

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Blog December 16, 2020

Ramp It Up?

Don’t tell anyone, but it’s been ages since I did a structured FTP test. There are a few reasons behind this, but mostly it comes down to laziness. This is something I’ve been meaning to correct, so I’ve been looking at the various tests out there. The last time I did one of these, the 20-Minute Test was the standard, but in the time since the Ramp Test seems to be what…

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