Messages

31

The Lounge / Re: What happened to all the topics?

« on: July 12, 2015, 01:47:07 AM »

I still pop in once or twice a year and came looking for some old photos I posted that I've misplaced locally. Looks like all the old topics got purged.

Yeah, sheep had to hide everything for advertising reasons, can't have pictures of boobs, butts, etc which all those threads were clogged with. If you go to the main page and donate $5 you get "premium" membership and can see the old shit. Not really worth it in my opinion but if you really need the pics I guess.

32

The Lounge / Re: Gay Marriage

« on: July 05, 2015, 10:55:45 AM »

Wasn't LukeTom the one moaning about his family having to pay a couple grand on their million dollar home, willing to disregard the situation of his fellow citizens as long as he was doing ok?  No surprises here I guess.

33

The Bike Shop / Re: "Classic" geometry?

« on: July 05, 2015, 04:12:57 AM »

Surely FBM has something.

34

The Lounge / Re: Cycling apps

« on: June 29, 2015, 04:04:05 AM »

I like Strava quite a bit. Just for my personal enjoyment, I don't get into the social aspect or anything. I like seeing my max speed, miles, how much I climbed, etc. I only use it mountain biking if that makes a difference. It's also a good way to find cool or hidden trails by browsing. I found a couple spots in San Diego people tried being hush hush about just by searching the area.

35

The Bike Shop / Re: Fairdale Taj or SS mtb

« on: June 11, 2015, 06:36:41 PM »

Cant really argue with this.

Get the Taj, but if you are moving to Colorardo I think you should really think seriously about getting a proper MTB too. A full suspension bike is very different to a BMX and it takes a few rides to get used to it and to get into riding distance, but it is a lot of fun and Colorado looks too amazing not to explore off road. Personally I would look for a really good second hand 26" wheel full sus bike with 5-6" of travel. Nearly everyone seems to be jumping to 29" or 27.5"/650b so there are bargains to be had on 26" wheeled bikes second hand and lets face it, they are often more fun anyway.


G.

I've got a full sus MTB already, an '09 Giant Trance x1 that I've upgraded a fair number of parts on so that will be my main ride. But I will admit that I want to make the jump to 650b.  I demo'd a 2015 Bronson and Nomad both in 650b and really liked both (Bronson a bit more because I climb to go down).  It was the one kitted out with ENVE wheels and a 10k price tag though so it'd be hard not to like it.  I'm interested in trying the new Mojo HD3 as well, heard good things.  My fiance has rented MTBs to ride with me a few times and wants to start riding so my plan is to buy an XS frame and swap all my 26'er parts over to get her a badass bike that won't cost much.

The Taj just appeals to me because it's similar to a BMX and I sold mine recently. Plus Taj has been my favorite rider since I was 13 watching ECD and UGP Face Value.  I had a Hoffman Taj as my first legit BMX too.  Just seemed fitting.  But looking at it practically, I just don't know how much I would ride it.  If it's long, low, and less flickable, I don't see myself riding that as much as something more like a BMX eventually. And if I'm honest, I'm not sure how much I'll ride anything except the MTB for a very long time after moving to CO.

Its not like its a risk though. Buy the Taj at that price and chances are you will be able to sell it on for the same money later if you aren't making use of it.

Where have you rented MTB's? I might need to rent one somewhere in Northern California later this month (probably going to have a few days to kill near SF and would rather go ride some amazing wilderness than sit on my arse in a hotel).


G.

I read that the IBIS and Santa Cruz factories both rent their bikes out cheap. I think IBIS was like $20 a day on the article I read. Otherwise just look at whatever larger mtb shops are around. There were 3-4 in San Diego that had demo/rental bikes, there's gotta be way more up that way. Just need a credit card for them to hold for deposit.

36

The Bike Shop / Re: Fairdale Taj or SS mtb

« on: June 09, 2015, 05:50:41 PM »

Cant really argue with this.

Get the Taj, but if you are moving to Colorardo I think you should really think seriously about getting a proper MTB too. A full suspension bike is very different to a BMX and it takes a few rides to get used to it and to get into riding distance, but it is a lot of fun and Colorado looks too amazing not to explore off road. Personally I would look for a really good second hand 26" wheel full sus bike with 5-6" of travel. Nearly everyone seems to be jumping to 29" or 27.5"/650b so there are bargains to be had on 26" wheeled bikes second hand and lets face it, they are often more fun anyway.


G.

I've got a full sus MTB already, an '09 Giant Trance x1 that I've upgraded a fair number of parts on so that will be my main ride. But I will admit that I want to make the jump to 650b.  I demo'd a 2015 Bronson and Nomad both in 650b and really liked both (Bronson a bit more because I climb to go down).  It was the one kitted out with ENVE wheels and a 10k price tag though so it'd be hard not to like it.  I'm interested in trying the new Mojo HD3 as well, heard good things.  My fiance has rented MTBs to ride with me a few times and wants to start riding so my plan is to buy an XS frame and swap all my 26'er parts over to get her a badass bike that won't cost much.

The Taj just appeals to me because it's similar to a BMX and I sold mine recently. Plus Taj has been my favorite rider since I was 13 watching ECD and UGP Face Value.  I had a Hoffman Taj as my first legit BMX too.  Just seemed fitting.  But looking at it practically, I just don't know how much I would ride it.  If it's long, low, and less flickable, I don't see myself riding that as much as something more like a BMX eventually. And if I'm honest, I'm not sure how much I'll ride anything except the MTB for a very long time after moving to CO.

37

The Bike Shop / Fairdale Taj or SS mtb

« on: June 07, 2015, 11:32:44 AM »

Someone here in town is offering a like new (looks barely ridden) Fairdale Taj for $350. Anyone have experience on one? Are they safe to jump and ramp around? We're moving to Colorado soon and there's a couple small dirt jump parks/pump tracks around and I thought since I sold my BMX maybe this would cure the itch. Plus seems like I could use it as a bar cruiser too.

My other thought is would a dirt jump oriented SS mtb be a better idea and is anything in the $500 and under (used) category even worth looking at?

38

The Bike Shop / Re: big boys bike advice.

« on: June 05, 2015, 10:24:38 PM »

So this rack would do? Or would anyone recommend anything?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-super-tourist-dx-fdisc-rear-rack/

Another thing - can someone recommend a decent light that's not massively expensive.

Do you need it for seeing where you're going or just to give cars a flash letting them know you're there?  I've been using this combo for a few years now.

http://www.rei.com/product/853629/cateye-hl-el135-front-omni-3-rear-bike-light-set

Easy to mount and then remove when heading inside (had a couple stolen at the bar when I've forgotten) and the battery life is good in my opinion if you run them on flash.  I used a set commuting to work daily for about 2.5 years and think I only changed the battery once or twice and that's with riding around town too.  The front light isn't especially bright but I just have it on flash for safety moreso than for actual light.

39

The Lounge / Re: Things to look forward to this year

« on: May 31, 2015, 01:53:06 PM »

Moving to Denver late summer. Can't wait to get the fuck out of Texas.

Already out of Austin? I remember last year when I visited you, you were still in San Diego getting ready to head over there.

Billy I'm down with a sesh sooner than later. Let me get my half sorted out first.

If it was Austin it might have been tolerable. We're in San Antonio which I fully recommend no one going to ever. I will say the job I have has been awesome but everything else here is the pits. Now with flooding and unbearably hot summer coming up, I'm really ready to go.

40

The Lounge / Re: Vapes?

« on: May 31, 2015, 01:43:48 PM »

Not claiming that it's completely healthy, but it's better than smoking.

Hugh, the only reason I spent that much money on one was for the availability of parts, went with some more popular brands that I can buy stuff for anywhere. The store I was in yesterday, the guy had a vape that he was about 300 into, and his wife had one that she was about 250 in to. But, they were both ex smokers, and they were super pumped when I told them I'd stopped smoking for a while now, and were very eager to help me out with getting something quality together.

There's a lot of different factors when it comes to vapes, and it all depends on how involved you want to get in it. The smaller, cheaper ones I found didn't have a big enough tank, the battery didn't last long enough and the airflow wasn't enough. The second one I had, was a bit better, still a very small tank, but thee battery and the airflow was better. The new one I have, the battery will last a few days, the tank will last hours and hours and the airflow is amazing. To me, it was worth it to spend that much compared to the amount of money id be spending on smokes.

Still not sure why people who aren't smokers got into using vapourizers.

I think the point he was making is that you're getting invested in it which generally means you're not viewing it as a means to an end. Now you've spent money on something that was supposed to be a short/temporary thing to quit smoking meaning you're less likely to quit altogether.

As for being unsure why non-smokers vape, same reasons non-smokers start smoking. You were a non-smoker once and started smoking cigs, why did you do it? Friends were doing it, thought it looked cool, just loved having things in your mouth and sucking on them?

I also think vaping is becoming more popular because you can burn hash with some of them and also get "juice" with THC in it. So you can toke in public and look like you're not. Plus it's acceptable to do inside bars so you can still look cool to the ladies sucking that robot penis. 

41

The Lounge / Re: Vapes?

« on: May 31, 2015, 04:16:08 AM »

Are there any legit independent studies into whether it's much better than smoking out there, or has any side effects? A mate of mine is a preacher about these vapes and quotes completely biased articles he's more than likely read on vape4president420.com or similar. Every article I've read (for and against) seems to have an agenda.

It's not something I'm into at all but each to their own.

Studies are lacking but most of the actual carcinogens come from the smoke/burning of tobacco plant. Nicotine is harmful as well but not as much as the actual tobacco smoke. The main dangerous part right now is that "e-juice", the shit you put in there, is completely unregulated so there's stories, anecdotal stuff about all kinds of horrible chemicals being used. I'm sure the vast majority of the shit you buy at some gas station is made in shady Chinese labs along with bath salts, fake pot, and the like. I don't vape or have any close friends doing it but I'm assuming there's companies producing safer, more expensive "e-juice" that's held to higher standards. It's something like a billion+ dollar industry now and there's a lot of ongoing research into long term effects. General consensus seems to be it has the potential to be overall less damaging than cigarettes but of course, nicotine is still a vasoconstrictor and bad for your heart health no matter how you slice it.

42

The Lounge / Re: Anyone heard from couch/Zodiac?

« on: May 31, 2015, 12:56:28 AM »

I like how couch gets a pass for being a shit businessman to the bmx world.

I still like his products tho.. :0

I don't think "shit businessman" is an accurate description. Dude is never not working. Shit falls through the cracks with everyone, especially smaller stuff when you have a ton of big projects you're working on. People cut him slack because they know he is accountable for the products he sells and isn't going to up and disappear after taking your loot like another infamous BMX machinist...

I have to agree with Billy here, there are multiple instances of Ken dragging his feet for up to a year on relatively simple bmx jobs. He does great work and he's a cool guy... but that doesn't mean that a paying customer should get the shaft and then just be happy about it.

Fast. Quality. Cheap.  You get to pick two.

43

The Lounge / Re: Vapes?

« on: May 31, 2015, 12:02:50 AM »

Vaping is ok in my books as a way to quit smoking, it's better than burning tobacco, and you still get some nicotine to help with cravings while you're stopping.  But the fact you bought a $120 "rig" and want 0 nicotine strawberry cheesecake juice is just the gayest. 

44

The Lounge / Re: New Random Thoughts Thread

« on: May 29, 2015, 03:46:13 AM »

Why do stupid certifications have to cost so much? Just finished dropping close to $500 on 3 of them for work. They won't affect the way I do things, I just need the credentials.

45

The Lounge / Re: Weird Habits

« on: May 28, 2015, 01:28:46 PM »

I hoard old clothes I would never be able to wear again. I just can't part with it cause of the memories attached to it.

I do the same with band shirts. Little local acts, I never wear them, but I have probably 20 still after getting rid of maybe 25 or so.