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I use my MTB for everything from gravel to technical single track. It's dual suspension, carbon frame & wheels, SRAM XX1, the best all-around XC MTB bike I could find about 10 years ago when I got it new. I've done some epic rides on it over the years including OTGG, WRIAD and other 100 mile...

After several thousand miles my road bike was ready for new brake pads. I had a hard time finding Shimano OEM pads (Ultegra R8000 hydraulic disc). Nobody had them in stock. I did find this aftermarket brand called SwissStop that had decent reviews in various bike forums. Price is similar to the...

This recall was announced yesterday. As many of you know, Shimano DA and Ultegra cranks have been glued together for the past several years. It's a bit lighter than Shimano 105, which is forged. But of course it is less durable. Plenty of documented cases of the glue failing, causing the cranks...

The OEM pads were sintered, worked well, lasted a long time (several years & thousands of miles). Next I used organic pads. They were quieter and worked well when cold, but faded with extended heavy braking, and did not last as long. On a dual suspension bike, riding is a mix of everything from...

So many people post complaining about tickets I figured I'd buck the trend and offer a recent more positive experience. I parked here in Seattle at a location where the only way to pay was the mobile app. I did so, then later when when I got back to my car I had a ticket. Reviewing the details...

My road bike has a low gear 34-34 and I love the 1:1 ratio since I hit 15-20% grades on every ride. However, the top gear is 50-11 which is shorter than my last bike, which was 52-11. It seems a small difference, only about 4%, but I actually do notice it. Occasionally I go fast enough on...

My daughter's 2004 Subaru Forester (manual) has about 110k miles. We've owned it since new, I did the 100k service (timing belt, pulleys, water pump, coolant, etc.) and it still runs like new. She reports the car started making a creaking noise when steering is full to one side or the other...

Cat-back exhaust systems don't generally make much difference in power/torque/efficiency on modern cars, as they are usually well optimized from the factory. And they can be obnoxiously loud both inside & outside the car. The Racing Beat exhaust for the 2014+ Mazda 3 is an exception on both...

The White Rim Trail is near Moab Utah, 100 miles and 8000' of climb. I may have mentioned training for this ride. We did it last weekend. Trip report. TLDR; a physically tough ride, beautiful scenery, a bucket-list experience.

The situation: My MTB is a dual suspension with Reynolds carbon wheels from 2014. The rear wheel has been trouble over the years. First, the rim delaminated, so Reynolds sent me a new one under warranty and I rebuilt it. Next, the spoke nipples corroded on both wheels (never use Al spoke nipples...

So while I was rebuilding my hub (broken axle, worn freehub pawls), I figured I might as well put in new bearings (size 6902). I ordered a pair of NSK bearings, which are supposed to be excellent. I cleaned out the rat piss they use for OEM grease and lubed it up with Schaeffer's 221 #2. They...

The ride did not go as planned, but it was still memorable. They don't make bikes as durable as they used to. This bike has Reynolds carbon wheels, one of their best in 2014 when it was new. Some of you have read about the SRAM sticky brake levers. They used a nylon-abs like material for the...

Back when oxygenated fuel was mandated, many of the car engines on the road were carbureted or early generation fuel injection "dumb" engines. Oxygenated fuel made them run leaner, they could not detect it and compensate. In that sense, the oxygenates could have achieved the intended effect of...

My MTB uses tubeless tires in 27.5" x 2.2 or so. They've worked well for several years. I've gone back and forth between gravel tires like the Maxxis Rambler, and knobbies like the Minion DHF/DHR, depending on the ride. Finally I got tired of swapping tires so I found one all-around tire, the...

Bike chain maintenance makes a BIG difference in drivetrain efficiency and longevity. There are different methods: some work better than others, and more than one way to do it right. How do you maintain your bike chain? And why do you use that method? My method is "old school" but has worked...

My MTB came with SRAM XX1. The original chain lasted about 5 years & thousands of miles through some tough rides, steep hill climbs, deserts, mud, etc. Last year it finally showed some stretch so I replaced it right before a big 5-day stage ride (OTGG, 350 miles and 30,000' of climbing). It's an...

My 2014 Mazda 3 (2.0 stick) has developed some clutch shudder. It's most apparent when cold and goes away when it warms up. It's got about 42000 miles. Also, the passenger side engine mount (#3) is leaking with oil seepage around it. I wouldn't say it's blown, still feels solid, but definitely...

I wore out the front chainring on my MTB, SRAM XX1 circa 2014. Very hard time finding replacements whether because it's so old, or due to COVID supply chain disruptions. Called the manufacturer, they recommended Wolf Tooth. Perfect fit, better than OEM quality, and immediately available. Made in...

The hydraulic disc brakes on my MTB, SRAM Guide RSC, are 7 years old with several thousand miles. As I was bleeding them yesterday, when I applied vacuum to the caliper end, it drew air in through the lever, even while the lever was fully depressed/activated. The only way the air can get in, is...

My friends had an early 90s Diamondback road bike (chromoly lugged frame). It was unrideable. Front wheel had broken spokes and was way out of round/true. Rear wheel was almost as bad. Only 3 of its original 14 (2x7) gears were usable, as the original Shimano Tiagra levers were internally...