sanesh-iyer profile

Looks like you've got some rain coming next week, looking forward to hearing the sweat stories. On rainy days just throw the cell phone in a plastic bag anyways I guess.

I'd like to see the phone in a different place I'm constantly wondering about safest place for a phone in terms of it a) hurting you in a crash, b) not breaking in a crash, and c) being accessible in an emergency. This pack seems to fail all three categories. I've never had my phone in a place where all three of those would be the case, especially the access in an emergency where my mobility has been reduced. Maybe I'm overthinking this as a procrastination tool. Would love to see some sort of top-load firmly sealed velcro pocket on each shoulder blade... or maybe I need to just stop eating dirt.

Thanks for reviewing this one Andrew, I'm sold now. Venting was my concern and I haven't had the chance to try one on. I like my bum-bag fine, but I want something bigger for riding w/ a first aid kit, a running bag/vest of some sort, and ideally something which fits underneath my rainshell. Looks like this checks all the very particular boxes. 

Also, I like this Sherpa idea. I can see it already: Client rides e-XC bike up hill while the Sherpa lugs up an enduro bike and a backpack full of snacks and gear. They swap bikes (but certainly NOT packs) for the descent. This could go very far. Maybe it's a way for the LSCR Equestrians to make some money too....

Cool bikes! My bells go off anytime someone makes sustainability claims, I hope they're supported because that'd be a great direction!

I'm interested to know how they're working on sustainability with their manufacturer, and specifically carbon recycling. That's a nebulous dark art that's not possible with current technology in my understanding, at least in a way as-good-or-better than what we do with metals and plastics, so what exactly are they doing with scrap?

I'm also curious as to how many times a bike bag has to be used before it offsets the footprint of a cardboard box? Especially when you include the cross-shipping...

EDIT: After reading the interview, I'm even more curious. What standards? ISO 14000? Those are pretty aggressive? Have they considered registering as a BCorp?

I ride clipped as well... It's entirely possible that it's placebo effect as I'm on my first pair of Aluminum cranks in about 6 years and I definitely notice I've gotten generally more temperature sensitive in that time. The bar, however, is immediate.

Carbon bars on in fall/winter are huge. I've got nerve relates grip strength issues in my right hand and I find the carbon bar makes a world of difference with the temperature. My feet also get less cold with carbon cranks... And the weight savings is great value as you said.  Other than cranks and bars I'll probably be off the carbon train thanks to cost for a while though!

Andrew, I absolutely agree with you on public street parking in that area (most of those houses have driveways or are big enough to have one anyways). 
About the places to park, I'm aware of them (even though I don't drive...) but the problem is newer users aren't. There needs to be some sort of signage saying "If full, go to Coleman or Braemar".

This came up in a heated Christmas dinner debate between some experienced North Shore trail users and some people newer to the area. The end result:

1) Parking Lots (Fromme, Lynn Headwaters, Mushroom) need to clearly list alternative parking places. Lots of people (new day hikers) apparently don't know about less apparent lots and spaces.

2) Routing. Newer trail users don't know about the different access routes to trails, viewpoints, attractions, etc. They do their due diligence planning a hike, printing a map, etc. However they're understandably uncomfortable starting from a point different to their plan. The Google search result for most popular routes reinforces stress on certain parking areas. 

So, maps at lots and clearly marked alternative lots should help distribute use, maybe?

Mmmmmm Neoshell. Any thoughts on cycling pants or tights Andrew? I'd love something comfortable for MTB & commuting that doesn't get super heavy when wet (a la Windstopper), but is burlier that a lightweight wool. 

Also, my guess is that the most complicated way to manufacture a brake lever is glass fiber with aluminum core. Metallic cores just add weight and complexity. If you're really hankering for a composite lever, measure it up yourself and send it off to Proto3000 to print one for you!

Also, I've seen a fair bit of Di2 MTB stuff out there on consumer bikes... Some on the shore, lots at BCBR, plenty in Quebec, and an incredible amount in the eurozone. Qualitatively, the people I have met who run it typically lack a decent LBS who do good service. Di2 pretty slick, I just can't afford it!

I can!

In the cycling industry, I actually get a sense that there's an aversion to change based on my time in it. The status quo is generally good, so there needs to be strong reasons to change (boost is actually a good idea, so are tapered head tubes, and I even empathize with press fit BBs because carbon, etc). [Royal] we, or the royal you rather because I'm officially an out of industry keyboard warrior, are generally a mechanically inclined group who know about chasing and facing and taps and threads and carbon paste and why they all do and don't make sense. We understand how to make decisions about mechanical things because bikes are mechanically dominated historically. 

Then iBikes come along. There communications protocols and plugs out the Ying yang. Di2 cross compatibility is new to the last few years, and some how still cannot be charged from ebike power. The 18650 battery  cell is used in Tesla's and Laptops and ebikes, yet we end up with >3 different connectors and chargers for a single iBike if we're lucky. Theres no standard for motor or battery mounts, one cannot even upgrade those parts within the same brand often. What I see with the iBike is that nobody is really working towards it as an ecosystem, just a bunch of independent systems. For the cycling industry electronics are new. There's no status quo, and we're exploring new things (connectors, protocols, battery management, etc) so change happens rapidly for even less significant reasons than boost. The outsider brain trust, i.e. those in motorsport who are brought in to work on bikes, I think may not be fully aware of the good standardization and backwards compatibility in cycling

Costco wool shirts is back!