Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Top Pick: Recommended Manitoba Vehicles list

Here is an excerpt from a highly awaited press release from an little known Canadian research outfit, on the topic of vehicles suitable for the prairie winters we know and love.

The winner of the search for the most suitable vehicle in our climate is ideal for nearly all conditions experienced here in the geographic region of the Canadian prairies.  
Highlights:
  • Always starts, no plugging in needed.
  • Fuel economy is extremely high in all weather.
  • Climate control systems are completely consistent with current conditions.
  • Never needs a tow rope, user is able to extricate vehicle from snowdrifts unaided.
  • All terrain capability.
  • Low cost, user may own several of these specialized vehicles, each customized to different seasons, if desired.
  • Luggage space roughly equivalent to high performance luxury cars such as Porsche Boxster.

Deciding on the winning vehicle was difficult, but it's not exactly brain surgery, now is it.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Ghetto Tubeless - Take 1

I set up Tristan's front wheel with a new tire and a home tubeless conversion.  I used a 20" BMX tube stretched into the rim, sliced and spread open, tire seated into it, 2 cups Stan's brew, blow up, and trim.  Net loss 140g from previous setup, mind you I used a much lighter tire.  But over a quarter pound loss on a kid's wheel will feel good.

Spoiler alert:  this is not me in the video.
 I had issues with my pump and my new old compressor and compatibility with presta and ... so the job took a lot longer than expected.  Still, I got to spend some quality time with my apron on and the evocative smell of name-brand tire sealant.  Kids weren't too interested, so kudos to Ramona for doing a bit more than usual for a Sunday afternoon.

Snow tonight - maybe storm day tomorrow?  

Friday, March 1, 2013

What comes down must come up.

Who wants to go flying?
 

 
Wouldn't it be fun to take a ride in a plane like that?  Fatbikers, wipe your chins.
What do you think, Tristan?  It might be hard to find one with the big tires, but...