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

I'll state I know nothing about WPL stanchion product, but for several years now their oils have proven the bomb for my DVO forks and shocks best oil I've used. I've been doing forks and shocks for over a decade and experimented a good bit with oils, seals, and the such.

No, I am talking about oil mix contamination especially when it is immediately next to seals and sponges. It is best to eliminate contamination possibilities whenever possible. It's also cheaper to use the same oil. There are discussions on MTB forums about the potential.

An example of contamination issues is when one crosses the two incompatible chain lubes and ends up with sludge on the chain no matter how good each is, nor how clean it was before the cross lube or how clean it was after and stays a mess until one uses solvents to clean the chain to start from a clear slate.

 

The REI dividend can be cashed out for full cash value after mid year. One actually loses money when one use their dividend for purchases at REI because that purchase does NOT earn dividend, one looses that 10%. Best bang for your buck is cash out the dividend and purchase with cash or the REI credit card to earn the full purchase 10%.

I was pissed when that was pointed out to me, yet appreciative.

 

I didn't know you could cash out.....That's genius.....

 

Damn, the more you know *queue starswipe*

 

If you are in CA you might find you don't need that tent a lot of the time : ) Disclosure... I have the same one (non bikepacking version). I normally only bring it when rain is in the forecast or to places like Sierras or Colorado where thunderstorms occur frequently. Nothing wrong with bringing it on any trip, but if you start bikepacking a lot you'll eventually start looking at places to reduce weight, and the tent is an obvious target when the weather is good.

First I'm hearing of this too. Will keep this in mind. I usually end up buying stuff with my dividend I don't necessarily need.

 

About once a year on the bikes I use the most.

 

Been doing that for a couple decades. The REI of today is not the REI of old. 2021 is the last year of dividends. For 2022 and beyond it’s called Rewards and will not be eligible for cash/check, only REI related purchases.

 

Not sure if it was just the my local REI but I purchased a pair of shoes with my rewards this year and then ended up returning. They gave cash back for the rewards instead of a store credit.

 

I don’t work for REI so I can’t speak to their policies aside from what is publicly available.

I doubt the cash back option on your return was exclusive to your purchase being rewards/dividend related. Assuming it was, sounds like you were using 2021 rewards which is the last year for the cash/check payout option.

 

Considering what you pay for a bicycle at REI I think you should get stock in the company.

 

I9’s showed up today

got the new Magic Mary mounted on the front, need to swap the rotor and assemble the rear and it’ll be ready for a rip!

 

Eh. Who needs brakes anyways? They only slow you down. ;p

 

Had to run to the grocery store real quick so took the DJ out for the first time in awhile

 

@mrtonyd figured you’d appreciate this one

 

Start in the redwoods end oceanfront. 25 miles of solo bliss. Spring is here and so is the f’ing poison oak! Small price to pay for playing in the woods.

 

The '20 Wreckoning. Fully torn down and checked for any damage or issues, removed old Invisiframe, replaced with Ridewrap. Added new stickers, rubber frame protection, regressed bearings, rebuilt wheels, cleaned/lubed everything, replaced all cables, housings, sent suspension off to Push for rebuilds, serviced pedals, BB, and headset.
NBD, without actually getting a new bike.

Lowers service every 250 miles, full rebuild every year or 1K. I definitely am careful with maintenance on everything I have though, shit's too expensive to let it degrade and break.

Awesome!

Ah, shit!
Don't know how I never knew about this. Dammit!

Spring riding sure is good right now. SLC peeps, Lost Lad is running prime.

 

Found a spot to practice jumps. Not very good at it but im getting there

 

In CA, Wile E. and I bike pack without a tent on a regular basis. Last year close to 12-15 nights. As evdog suggests cutting weight and bulk (more important in my opinion for bike packing) is crucial. A frame bag affects a ride a bit, a seat bag more so (further from the ground makes it more difficult to toss the frame around), and a handlebar bag messes with things significantly. I started bike packing with a backpack in the 90s until a whop sent the bag upwards and dove me over the bars. Speed gets noticeably more difficult to deal with. I tend to prefer more technical trails for bikepacking for those reasons.

I'd suggest convincing yourself about leaving the tent with a few test nights outside without being in the tent. Like most people, I started camping in the backyard before I was in kindergarten. I do have a huge thin mil garbage bag along

 

I love matt black on bikes. Agreed on the xxxxxxx poison oak. As an fyi, the cheap blue DAWN is exceptional at removing the oil. I use DAWN on the dog after he's been off trail plowing through the 2 leaf green sh uff. I also supplement his diet with fish oils and others to deal with my removing the oils from his coat.

 

Oh cool thanks for the tip! Tecnu can get pricey after a season of riding.