All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Should be fine I had to put a sram rotor on with my xt's this summer and no issues

 

Who uses a tailgate pad vs a hitch rack?
I have an older Yakima hitch rack but it's seen better days and has a very small crack developing at the bend from the hitch to the upright.
Im looking at a few different models, but wondered if anyone that has the pad likes/ dislikes it?

 

I use both.

tailgate pad: the Yakima pad is pretty nice because it spaces them out pretty well but you are limited in size. The straps are also sown onto the pad itself so you're not likely to lose it but the velcro on it isn't all that strong. on the flip side, it's impossible to replace the velcro straps.
I'm currently using the evoc tailgate pad. it can hold 6 but IMO that's too many for the tailgate pad. the bikes get REAL tight to each other so you have to be extra careful with how you put the bikes on there. straps being removable have come in handy a few times. I was able to combine a few straps to hold things on the tailgate pad. or even combine a few for ski season to keep my skis from sliding anywhere.

I also (like many herE) have the 1up bike rack. Pretty damn good for 2 or 3 bikes. with 4, i don't like to do it but it's doable. 4 bike rack just pushes the rack out so far, Might as well get a vertical rack like the velocriax or 1up vertical rack at that point.
I've seen the quikrstuff rack around but boy are they pricey. No word on how good they are but since it's the original 1up folks working on it, i doubt it's problematic.

 

For sealant use I bought the overpriced Stan's syringe with tube.
Remove my valve stem and thread this on to the valve stem. Quick and easy injection.
Overpriced, but worth not seating beads all the time.
Three bikes tubeless now, and in hot, dry SoCal I tend to put 2 oz in about three times a year.

 

Blinded by the light….

 

@whitedlite

Dang! Two! Are you running the hangover as well? That’s some light!

 

Went for a quick spin with the 11 Mini. Pretty impressed with the image quality and the new Hyperview. It does a little rubber banding but overall I like it better than Superview.(less tunnel visiony) The boost stabilization is some next level shiz. I also tried the horizon lock mode but it only works in linear and the angle I had with the chesty was way off. I think it would be more suited to a chin mount or top of the helmet. Definitely gonna need some cat hairs for the mics, disappointing they haven't figured out the wind noise yet.

In this clip I caught up with some duder taking a dive off the trail. Saw a bunch of other skids into the bushes too, seems folks been having issues with the wet leaves over slick mud.

Will record some more stuntz come Sunday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAV5AfN1q9E

 

Yes, I have two hangovers. I only did that for photos.
I may try running it in the future, but instead I’d mount them at the stem facing away from center instead of stacked if that makes sense.

I plan on keeping the extra hangover in my pack for night rides and just blasting them fully the whole ride.
I wouldn’t mind doing some long night rides with the second Evo also tagging along, but the Evo is just so dang good by itself on low and medium settings while climbing that it lasts forever.

 

I prefer to have a powerful light on my helmet, and a smaller one on my bars. They say you steer where you look, so the helmet light is actually illuminating where you are going. I found that I ride a bit better after a night ride, as the helmet light gets you to always be pointing your head where you are going.

 

@TenBeers this past week night riding made me realize I probably look a little to close to my front tire on day rides. With the helmet light on, it really got my head up and eyes out. I need to ride more at night to train myself to do this at all times!

 

A little early, since he’s not walking yet, but it was his first birthday so…

 

Did you all see that Travis Rice and Cam Zink built a new buy/sell/rent app? There aren’t many users yet but it could be interesting. I think it launched yesterday. There isn’t anyone near me yet but I could see myself renting out my paddle board and kayak and stuff like that…maybe haha


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sendy-sell-it-rent-it/id1620902414

 

Little man needs some i9 hubs asap.

 

Are the Park Tools P-Handle Hex Wrenches worth the price? I can pick up a 14 piece (SAE and metric) Craftsman set for $31ish at Lowes.

I prefer to buy something that is going to last but I’m not sure the Park set is worth the difference. The Park set does appear to have a nicer grip on them than the Craftsman.

I did some google searches, can’t prove/disprove Park is made in USA or not, same for Craftsman. Also looked at Pedro’s and their website says their tools are made in Taiwan.

 

For that money get Wiha or Wera…

If you’re not a big tool guy get HF. Nothing on a bike should need best of best tool wise. If you’re an enthusiast there’s nothing wrong with buying parktool and they do probably support bike related activities where other brands may not.

Stuff that does have to be bike specific I do prefer nice tools. The Abbey HAG comes to mind.

I love this guys videos for tools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTBiPjCeVwI

 

The P-Handle is the only kind I would use in an actual shop. Mostly because of the speed and ease of use with them. In a work day it adds up turning hundreds of bolts. Other than that...not worth the price. No real benefit to the home mechanic. They aren't any better quality than a cheaper good set.

I just use a set of Wera wrenches at home and, depending on the use, I use them in the shop too. I'd choose Wera over Wiha. Or...black hardened steel over chromed steel.

 

Those Abbey tools are sexy but pricey…

 

Yeah, there's very few things "park tools" that one absolutely needs. I just bought a random kobalt Allen wrench set, long handle, with rounded ends and it has served me very well.

I do have random park tools stuff but sparingly.

 

I have the craftsman set and I like them. Having the handle really speeds things up and let’s you easily loosen bolts that were over tightened. I’m sure all those other tools are nice too but the craftsman set gets the job done.

 

We use Wera and these at the shop:


But at home its Craftsman T-Handles and standard ball end allens. Want to order a set of Wera's but it hasnt been a priority.