Polymath profile

Absolutely.  I intentionally decided on a full 10 sp XTR setup for my titanium hardtail build a few years ago for a few reasons:  it was cheaper.  The gears I would use (the first 5) are all titanium cogs and take forever to wear.  The lack of a pie plate rear end cog that would wear in 3 months made me cringe.  Moreover, you get the gearing with a 21 front ring.  Bought a whole spare drivetrain at the time thinking it was being cautious.  Now I see it as the best insurance I could of had.  Drivetrain has never failed me and the shifting is superb.  Try finding 10 spd XTR parts new today......

Unfortunately I don't.  This was 2001....I was using a Shimano cassette and RRR supplied a lock ring that was specific to the axle.  Tolerances were VERY tight.  It screwed into the free hub but was not that thick (obviously).  My first hub I had the free hub score the axle (which was also acting as a bearing shaft) and they warrantied the internals.  Seals were very poor.  The act of adjusting the side load every ride was tedious (this again due to the use of too few bearings and none could be used under the freehub).  Hub shells were well made, though, but so is anything CNC'ed.

My 2001 Ellsworth Dare had a 20mm thru axle rear end; at a time only one other bike did: the SC Super 8.

One of only two I knew of hubs that would cut it was Razor Rock Racing.  They made aftermarket levers for Hayes brakes that were popular.  The hubs were shit.  Poorly sealed, poorly engineered with too few bearings in the rear for stability on the free hub.  20mm didn't leave much room for bearings of any sort....constantly had to take the wheel off to readjust the side load on the hub.  Front wasn't too bad but front hubs are impossible to screw up.  Company went under not long after.  Now you know why the 12mm standard is what it is.

I would like to give a prop to Hadley.  Not very common nor seen but IMO they put Chris King to shame (no small feat).  They are run out of a garage and are definitely small but the product is like a fine Swiss watch.  At the time, almost 18 years ago, I had to get a set of hubs for my then new 03 Foes Fly.  I just came off Razor Rock Racing hubs, which, if anyone remembers, made one of the few 20mm thru axle hubs for the rear.  This was how the Ellsworth Dare was fitted, and the RR hubs were terrible.  Improperly sealed, minimal drive side bearing support...you name it.  Couldn't get rid of them fast enough.  Enter the Hadleys.  Freehub is titanium and engagement is by pawls.  My original hubs, on the wheels still on my big bike,  have never had a service (and the entire life of the bike has been Shore only).  I took them apart 5 years ago, I think, just to look and nothing was awry.  Bought a free hub rebuild kit just in case, but they keep on going.  When I built up my new bike just over a year ago, guess what hubs I got, and I had the choice.  I found CK to be expensive, and although they are lighter, perhaps. it is not rotating weight.  And to get almost 18 years (and going!) on a set with no need for new seals, bearings or whatever...remarkable.  I mechanic my own bike and have the tools...never needed any side load adjustment...nothing.  To my knowledge, the best place to get parts is through Balle Racing website.  

I cannot say enough about Hadley.  The epitome of a small company that stays tight and small but delivers the goods.

Know of any shops locally that carry it?  I have the exact fork and stroke as you and I have been a Marzocchi (of old) fan for years; decades, actually.  This looks like something I would look into.  In lbs, what is your weight for reference to the spring rate?  I am 200 so if you use 50......

$500?  Not bad.  Should get into fly fishing.  That would be about mid line for Simms jackets.

I have the Magna 40 rims on Hadley hubs handbuilt by Chromag for me.  I was a little leery about the rims at first but after seeing them built I couldn't be happier.  I run tubeless and the rim/tire interface is very good; the tires hold air very well.  In fact, after getting some help in inflating the tires for the first time, the shop mechanic commented on the fact how well the tires "sat" in the rims.  He commented that they were the finest rims he had worked with tubeless tires.  When I built up my hardtail the wheels sat for about a month, inflated, and needed no air after that time.   Obviously, I give the rims the highest recommendation.

I have a Magna 40 set for my Surface Ti laced to Hadley hubs handbuilt from Pete at Chromag and I would put these wheels against what CB is offering hands down.  Moreover, they are cheaper.  I thought the Magna 40s were way too big but now that I have them I love them.  Also, they are very good with tubeless and hold a seal very well; I have had to put little air in the wheels if left for weeks (this was during the built when the bike was stationary until all the parts showed up).  If CB wanted to really impress me they could start with the Mallet C pedals that I have tried to love but....no spring tension adjustor and the soft brass (I think) cleats that wear so fast you find out they are worn exactly when you don't want to....and the wear time is so fast you would think they were made of plastic.   And the top hoop is $2400 US.  At least aluminum gives or dents.  And as for "you get what you pay for"  I still think nothing beats handbuilt wheels from a true artisan gifted in the craft of wheel building.

Amen.

I totally concur that the part about taking the time to take care of ones self is all to true.  You cannot take care of anyone else if you cannot take care of yourself.  I also am a hardened convert to the moto of "Carp Diem"; in that in the end we all don't know when we are going to be called, so you are best to make every day count.  I recently lost a friend whom at 63 worked all his life to never see one day of retirement.  He did, however, make each day count, and like Ingrid, this is something we can all carry forward with.  Ride more, have more fun, make the effort to do what you want to do.  I wish I could go on Friday, but I am sure like many I will be there in spirit.

Reread the sentence, this time with a modicum of understanding english lexicon.  If you read it slower you will notice that it has no sexual connotation at all, and in fact that is not in the least what I was implying.  Read twice, reply once.

Posted by: Couch_Surfer

Also the daily wire is Ben Shapiro’s propaganda rag that is stoking the outrage machine so that he can grift off of it for every last dime.

https://www.mediamatters.org/daily-wire

Maybe.  Maybe he is just telling the truth and most today don't like it since it makes them face the reality that their ideology is flawed.

One thing I notice is that there seems to be an attitude of "entitlement" to the fact that it is a right to live here.  Living in Vancouver is not a right and a privilege that you have to earn.  I notice this especially for those whom want to live on the Shore or do so.  Having been born and raised in Lynn Valley I notice this a lot from those like me whom were also born and raised here.  The idea of having to move to somewhere else or, heaven forbid, Abbotsford or Langley, is unthinkable despite the fact the cost of living is lower (relatively of course).  Many whom I grew up with have never left the Shore wanting to stay but instead of buying when you could of in an affordable area (when it was) they instead rent and now are out of the ability to ever own anything anywhere.  They have built up no equity or savings either.  I live in Langley now and bought when it was attainable but I would love to go back to the Shore and have missed it since leaving (actually, I would prefer Lions Bay or Squamish now that North Van is so congested).  The idea of not living in NV is so unthinkable to many I know it shocks me.  In the end they will be left with nothing since rents can go nothing but up and available units go down.  Many I know have been told to move out as the unit is being used for older children of the landlords whom themselves cannot find anywhere to rent and it stands to reason you are going to think of family first.  

I get it we all want to live in a nice area that suits our lifestyle and proclivities but the simple fact is that Vancouver is turning into another Monaco and attainability and affordability are long gone and never coming back.  I have no idea how anyone under 30 today is going to have any hope of staying here unless they come into money or have a high paying job from the start.  The demographic shift in the next 10 years is going to be a real eye opener.  Even worse is the ambivalence of employers whom seem to think it is not their problem but cannot find workers as the wages offered cannot support the livability of the people they need to work.  But where are these workers coming from?  A Starbucks barista is not living in an apartment downtown alone that's for sure.  Or anyone in the service industry for that matter.

Definitely the rider. Yes, the bike counts if it is really bad and breaks, but I have ridden a long time and have seen many riders on hardtails do sick lines, large drops (even to flat). I myself have gone to a hardtail (but have a big bike too) and "back to my roots" I have tremendous pleasure in it. Some days I am on, some days I am not, and the bike doesn't change, but the rider does.

Just like cars: yes, you can buy a Ferrari or Porsche, but if you have no driving skill to begin with the result is going to be poor. In turn, a good driver in a mediocre car is going to perform well as they know how to maximize the limits of the car they have. Put them in a really capable machine......

But in both cases, it makes for good marketing to push the machine makes the ride, and it seems to be working given the prices of bikes these days. A really interesting poll would be to find out how many bikes are actually ridden to their limits of capability. I suspect it would be similar to numbers done with high end cars too.

In thinking of the bikes we had 30, 25 and 20 years ago and the trails we rode (and considered normal) I think the slant is such that the limiting factor is definitely the trail today.  All trails were hard then, and breakage was common; cranks, frames as no manufacturer could forsee what was coming.  Today, trails are more tame (in general) but bikes have had time to catch up from years of "experimentation".  If most bikes today had to have a steady diet of Bookwus, Grannies, Crippler, Executioner et al I wonder how it would go.  Flow trails don't tax a bike like the aforementioned trails do.

Interesting thread.  Tried the test but it is gone......Not sure if any of you out there are audiophiles (been one for most of my life) but preconceived bias is huge in audio.  If you think you hear it, you do.  Or, you hear only what you want to hear.  Unlike tires, you have grip or you don't.....

Personally I find a lot of belief to be a cop-out for a lack of being informed.  Most of hard science is a given; chemistry, physics etc....philosophy and its ilk not so much.  Problem with today is that regardless of whether it is truth or not it is whether that truth fits your view to your benefit (think vaccines, medicine etc).  

And yet, with the internet, there is no excuse for ignorance.  You can find out whatever you want given the will and time.  I remember the times when the encylopaedia was the only way to get general info.  Thank you Colliers.  And yet it is my observation that we are more ignorant now than ever.   

As for scientific fraud:  if it goes against mainstream ideals you get suppressed.  Or, more bluntly, follow the money to find the real truth.  One example:  DEF fluid for diesel engines (new ones) is to make the exhaust more "clean" (when in fact it is already cleaner than gas exhaust despite the looks).  You put DEF in the tank and it does its thing....but the plastic jugs cannot be recycled.  Clean indeed.   And how many jugs of DEF do you think are used every day in NA?  All commercial trucks are diesel.  And here we are worried about plastic straws.  But DEF becomes mandatory, companies make more money off of it.....I think about this every time I throw out a DEF container and want to take a picture for the David Suzuki Foundation and especially Greta.

As someone whom did 7 years in cell biology and genetic engineering in university (UBC) I think it all boils down to the simple: people want to belong and the LGBT thing is "chic" now. You can't be black if you are not, or asian, but sexuality is all in the head (no puns please). Genetically, real gay people are that way by the start. But many "become" that way after conditioning after a bad relationship, abuse, or neglect. The age old "nurture vrs. nature" question comes to mind.

Think back: whom didn't want to be a part of a group, of any kind, that was popular at the time. I doubt seriously many in the LGBT community are genuine or committed.

But haven ridden the Shore for 40+ years all of the aforementioned points are equally applied to mountain biking. Many are here because it is cool and "in". But are they real and committed? Take them down Bookwus or Lower Skull and I think you will find your answer really quick.

Posted by: earleb

The application as submitted proposes 98 rental apartments and approximately 1,115 sq m (12,000 sq ft) of commercial space in a six-storey building with parking for 108 vehicles in an underground parkade (74 for residents; 34 shared visitor-retail) plus 195 bicycle storage spaces.

Why can't there be a pub / eatery within the 12,000 sq ft of commercial space of the redevelopment? 

The old Scotia Bank location is for lease, turn it into a pub. 

Is the Pizza Hut location really making a go of it on only pizza? 

Missing the Black Bear experience? Slip over to Lonsdale and hit Queens Cross. Same same.

Funny....the gentleman whom used to own the QC wanted to open the BB at the same time but the DNV wouldn't allow him to own both concurrently; he sold QC and opened the BB.  

The direction LV is going is unfathomable to me, and I was raised there 30 years.  They introduce all of this development to cash in on the taxes but the road infrastructure cannot be improved; there are only 3 ways into LV...29th, LV Road and Mtn Hwy.  None can be widened.  I am sure those bike lanes will come in handy...and the improved transit......  and you wonder why the Ironworkers interchange area is so bad.

I have wanted to move back to LV for so long but Squamish is looking better every year.   The Shore used to be nice but now.....ruined.   

And the BB was one of those iconic haunts that screamed LV/North Shore.  Too bad it is going but I assume the real reason is that it was a debilitating influence on the children.   Good thing the Coach House Inn is long gone........saw my first show there when I was 16.

Posted by: seanluge

Here's the thing. Look where we live, the most densely populated place in British Columbia and mountain biking is getting really popular, I agree instagram is the worst. But it's bound to happen. Look what happened to Fromme when the parking lot went in. "Oh I don't have to pedal my fat ass 200m extra?"

Anything that's easy to access and close to home is going to get busy. Hence why I actually love having my weekend mid week.

Couldn't agree more about the parking lot. I knew when it went in that it was the end.....now everyone will show up to walk, roam, ride or whatever since the access is now that much easier. Had they not built it I don't think it would be the gong show it is today. I don't even bother trying to park there (done it once). And the days of "a well kept secret" are long gone. Quarry Rock.....where is it? I recall about a month ago it was the first really nice day out in a long time and I went to Seymour and the amount of people out was insane. I can recall when no one was out on even the best days.......long gone.

Posted by: chupacabra

Posted by: tungsten

Ok, so we are the bad guys for giving the dude that lives besides an angry mama bear a spear?  Isn't the narrative the same as the reality and the bear is going to kill the dude with the spear?  And doesn't this make the point that Ukrainians should align with the humans and Russia is an unpredictable animal?  

I think this guy needs to go back to joke school.

No.  We are going after an angry mama bear with a spear when instead we should be using a .375 magnum rifle or 1.25 ounce magnum slug from a shotgun.  Putin will stop at nothing to get what he wants.  If you want an idea of what is coming, find a copy of the movie Threads from the UK made in 1983.  It is about nuclear war and is the most realistic depiction I can think of and I have seen them all.  Consider this film a documentary and put yourself in it for a real wake up call.

I went for a walk in Princess Park where I grew up and the fall all around was bad.  Many years ago I bought a portable swede saw from MEC for tree fall and think taking it along with me in the near future will be on the list.  I think it will be bad all around to say nothing of the wind expected today.......

Posted by: tashi

Or mountain bikers on hiking trails in the 90’s. 

Or even fast cyclists on MUP’s anywhere crowded.

Interesting you bring up hiking trails.  25 years ago we use to do St. Georges and Per Gynt as rideable trails; never gave it a thought (although our numbers were less then too).  For many of us hiking up St. Georges was the best alternative to getting to the road (since going around to Mtn Hwy was long winded and pointless kms). Might of seen the odd hiker on St Georges but I don't recall seeing many hikers at all, even on the Baden Powell.  I only started to notice non-bike traffic increase really when biking became more popular and the trails became more known.  I have noticed a correlation between smooth trails and more hiker/runner use on bike trails as a result.  I could easily argue that bikers on hiking trails was the best thing to happen to hikers since without us the network would of stayed small and hardly used.  I have never, even on the Baden Powell, other than district work, seen a hiking group do any trail work of any type.  Go up St. Georges and Per Gynt today and compare.