Taz123 profile

I've got a few bars at 755 or so that I could easily part with (31.8 diameter). PM me if interested.

Yeah #4 gets my vote

I've always wondered if you could generate some power from the stationary trainer.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, did you see that!!!"

AM9s have worked for my wide feet - Lake is hit or miss.

Road shoes - Northwave hands down.

Sidis if you have deeper pockets.

Where are you located in Vancouver? Web makes it seem like this is a fully web-based service.

A few more details would be helpful.

Has anyone experimented with needle bearings on the shock (top/bottom) mounts as aftermarket installations? If so, from who?

I know the new RM Slayer uses them, but I'm not sure what else. They apparently replace the shock bushings and should be a push in installation.

Get a harness - it was magic for both our kids.  Make sure it is a harness that goes around the waist (like a climbing harness). This ensures that when you are holding the kid back (speedwise), they are not leaning back with their entire upper body, but are moving their center of gravity back over the toes of their boots to be more in control. Edgie-wedgies worked for our kids, but are not critical (especially once they turn 3 and have a bit more leg strength).

Play Play Play - that is key. Lots of fun and excitement - treats (smarties on the slope), songs on the chairlift, hot chocolate (bring some from home with marshmallows so you don't have to pay $7).

Final thing - lower your expectations. 1-2 runs may be it - and that needs to be ok. It is an expensive few years as a result, but pays dividends. We have a 7 and 4 year old and we are skiing together as a family now without any harnesses/wedgies - and it is great - I can see the light.

Our beloved new vehicle had the opportunity to kiss a "no-post" or "deliniator" in a parking garage recently...and it couldn't resist the attraction...so we need a bit of body work (slight dent and a handful of scratches through to primer).

Any recommendations on who to take it to?

Aggressor for the shore?

I did briefly last winter - they don't clear mud too well. So while the side knobs engage in the turns well, the straight-line breaking seems to get worse in the wet of the shore. I switched to a DHR II and then to a Mary - both were night and day better than the Aggressor. The Mary is just that bit more stable straight-line breaking - but we are talking the slightest of differences.

I've looked a bit, the main issue being young kids with swing doors + a garage that doesn't have a huge opening.

We have a Santa Fe now, but need something bigger. Most of the larger SUVs will be too tall/wide.

For Chrysler, sounds like every review is a hit or miss on whether you get a good one or a lemon. I get the same thing from reviews on the Honda/Toyota, so really it is a crap-shoot.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

The Toyota is awesome with AWD, but other than that, it really needs a refresh and the delivery is months out.

Honda - haven't had a chance to drive this. The downside to Honda is that you can't really customize options - its either package A, B or C. And unfortunately, there isn't an option package that the boss really likes.

Pacifica - just so happens that pretty well the perfect vehicle (custom order) just landed at the dealership after the original buyer reneged (and forfeited their deposit). They seem quite motivated to sell, so we may be moving faster than planned so as to take advantage of the month-end. The risk is if things are better/worse on financing and factory rebates as of Aug 1.

The Flex does look interesting.

Our challenge is: young kids that like to swing open doors and our garage isn't terribly huge.

Our Santa Fe is pretty well the tallest things we can put in there, so most larger SUVs are non-starters.

Has anyone bitten the bullet? Need something that can still handle a hitch-mount 4-bike rack.

Leaning toward the Chrysler Pacifica or Honda Odyssey.

Any comments or recommendations are appreciated.