u/Intelligent_Bed_526

​Hey everyone,

​I currently ride a flatbar bike equipped with a 2x10 Shimano Tiagra drivetrain.

​After riding it for a while, I’ve realized I almost never touch my front shifter—I spend 95% of my time in the large chainring and just work through the rear cassette. Because of that, I’m considering converting the setup to a 1x (single front chainring) to clean up the handlebars, drop a little weight, and simplify maintenance.

​Before I start buying parts, I’d love to get some input from anyone who has done a similar conversion on a flatbar or hybrid setup:

​Gear Range: If you moved from 2x to 1x on a flatbar/hybrid, did you stick with your 10-speed setup or upgrade the whole cassette/derailleur/shifter to a wider-range 1x11?

​Overall Value: For those who made the switch purely for simplicity, was the conversion worth the cost and effort, or is it better to just leave the front derailleur in place and treat it as a "set and forget"?

​Appreciate any advice, component recommendations, or lessons learned!

Hi everyone,

I'm based in Miri and planning to purchase a road bike strictly for exercise/fitness workouts. Before pulling the trigger, I wanted to check in with local cyclists here regarding routes and safety.

1. Popular/Safe Routes: Where do road cyclists usually ride around Miri? Are there specific loops or stretches with wider shoulders, decent asphalt, and predictable traffic?
2. Solo Riding Safety: How safe is it to ride solo around here (traffic-wise, morning/evening conditions, driver awareness)? Any specific roads or time windows I should definitely avoid?
3. Local Groups: Are there active local cycling groups or casual weekend ride groups in Miri that welcome solo riders looking for fitness buddies?

Appreciate any advice, tips, or route suggestions! Thanks in advance.

I’ve been an avid cyclist for a few years now. There was a time when nothing brought me more peace than clipping into my pedals and hitting the open road.

Living in Malaysia, if you want to get any serious riding in, you have to wake up ridiculously early. By 8:00 AM, the heat and humidity are suffocating, making 5:00 AM the golden hour—it’s blessedly cool, the roads are practically empty, and the breeze off the ocean feels incredible.

I had planned a morning ride along a long, coastal road—a stretch of highway running directly parallel to the beach. Naturally, I didn't want to ride alone, so I invited a few of my usual cycling buddies to join me.

Every single one of them bailed last minute. One claimed he overspent his alarm, another suddenly felt under the weather.

Looking back, I wish I had just stayed in bed, too. Because that day happened to be the start of 鬼节 (Guǐ Jié)—the Hungry Ghost Festival.

For those unfamiliar with Malaysian-Chinese culture, the Hungry Ghost Festival takes place during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. Belief has it that the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits, ghosts, and hungry souls to roam the living world. People celebrate—or rather, appease them—by burning joss paper, hell bank notes, and elaborate paper offerings (like cars or houses) at roadside altars. Food offerings are set out, and staged performances called getai are held to entertain the spirits.

Even though I am Chinese, I’ve always been a strict skeptic. I thought of it as nothing more than old-school folklore and an excuse for local communities to gather. Ghosts? Spirits? It all sounded absurd to me.

So, despite being completely alone on a festival morning, I shrugged off their cancellations, strapped on my helmet, and rolled out into the pitch-black morning at 5:00 AM.

The air was crisp and cool as I hit the coastal stretch. On my left was the pitch-black ocean, the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. On my right was the tree line, smelling heavily of burnt incense and ash left over from the midnight offerings. The only light came from my front bike mount and the occasional flickering streetlamp.

I was about an hour into the ride, holding a fast, steady pace—probably around 35 to 40 km/h. My legs were warm, my mind was clear, and the hum of my tires on the smooth asphalt was hypnotic.

Then, the air shifted.

The wind suddenly blew cold—not a refreshing morning chill, but a heavy, damp cold that smelled faintly of salt water and rotting flowers.

And then I heard it.

Right behind my left ear. So close I could feel a faint draft against my neck.

A woman’s laughter.

It wasn’t a scream, nor was it a quiet chuckle. It was a high-pitched, melodic, and sickeningly cheerful laugh—echoing clearly over the sound of the ocean waves and the spinning of my gears.

A wave of pure, primal terror shot down my spine. My stomach dropped. I panicked.

In that split second of blind fright, my hands twitched on the handlebars. At nearly 40 km/h, even the slightest mistake is fatal. My front wheel wobbled violently, locked up, and sent me flying over the bars.

The impact was brutal.

I hit the asphalt hard, sliding several yards along the rough pavement. The sound of my skin tearing against the road was drowned out only by my own screams. When I finally ground to a halt, the silence returned—dead, heavy, and suffocating. No laughter. Just the quiet click-click-click of my bike's rear wheel spinning upside down in the middle of the road.

I lay there in the dark, gasping for air. The entire right side of my body was screaming in pain. My arm and leg were gushing blood, and large patches of skin had been completely shredded off from the friction.

Shaking, crying from both the agony and the sheer horror of what I had heard, I fumbled for my phone with my left hand. I couldn't even bring myself to look into the darkness toward the trees or the beach. I kept my eyes glued to the phone screen as I dialed my parents, sobbing for them to come pick me up.

It took weeks for my road rash to heal, and the scars on my arm and leg will likely be there for the rest of my life.

As soon as I was able to walk properly again, I listed my road bike online and sold it to the first buyer who made an offer. I haven't touched a bicycle since.

People ask me why I gave up a hobby I was so passionate about. I usually just tell them I had a bad crash and lost my nerve.

I never tell them about the laughter. Because every time I look at the scars on my arm, I remember how close that voice was—and I know that if I ever get back on a bike, she'll be waiting to finish her joke.

Hey everyone,

​I just wrapped up my playthrough of Mass Effect 1 (Legendary Edition) and absolutely loved it. I’m getting ready to jump straight into Mass Effect 2 LE, but I'm planning to change things up and run as an Engineer this time around.

​For those who have played ME2 LE or mained Engineer:

​Gameplay & Combat Shifts: How drastically does combat change from ME1 to ME2 overall?

​Engineer Playstyle: How does Engineer feel in ME2? Any key abilities, combos, or power synergy I should keep an eye on?

​Build / Squad Tips: Any specific squadmates or power upgrades that pair particularly well with an Engineer?

​Would love to hear your thoughts, tips, or what to brace myself for without spoiling major plot points. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m curious about how people here balance their bike fleets and fitness routines.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of folding bikes vs. full-sized bicycles and wanted to throw a few questions out to the community:

1. Is your folding bike your only bicycle? Or do you also own "traditional" non-folding bikes (like a road bike, gravel bike, MTB, or hybrid)?
2. Does anyone here use their folder primarily for fitness/exercise? (e.g., long weekend training rides, interval workouts, or fitness laps rather than just commuting or running errands).
3. Is it fine to stick purely to a folding bike for exercise, or is a full-sized bike significantly better for fitness/exercise?

I love the convenience and space-saving aspect of a folder, but I wonder if the geometry, wheel size, and gearing on a full-sized bike make a massive difference if your main goal is getting a solid cardio workout and pushing longer distances comfortably.

Would love to hear your experiences, setups (20" vs. 16", modified gearing, etc.), and whether you ever feel the urge to grab a standard bike when you just want to go out for a hard ride!

My family always called it the Panggilan Bisu—the Silent Call.

In my lineage, we don’t get premonitions in dreams, nor do we see white shadows at the edge of the rubber plantations. We just get a phone call. Exactly one call per death. No caller ID, no static, no voice. Just dead air for twelve seconds, followed by a sharp disconnect.

The first time it happened, I was fourteen. It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon in Ipoh. My old Nokia flipped open, ringing from a private number. I answered, putting it to my ear:

"Hello?"

Nothing. Not even the faint hum of background noise or the rustle of wind. Just absolute, weightless silence. I hung up after ten seconds, thinking it was a dropped signal.

Twenty minutes later, my mother got the call from the hospital. My grand-uncle had passed away in his sleep.

The second time was three years later. 3:00 PM on a scorching afternoon. The phone rang again—Private Number. I held it to my ear, listening into the void. Twelve seconds of absolute silence. Click.

An hour later, news reached us that my cousin had been in a fatal motor crash on the North-South Expressway.

By the time I hit my mid-twenties, I learned the rule: It only happens once per relative. The call doesn't warn you who died, and it doesn't give you time to say goodbye. It’s simply the universe checking in to deliver a blank receipt.

Over the years, I stopped answering unknown numbers altogether. But it didn't matter. If it was the call, the phone would ring regardless of whether I had signal, whether I was on airplane mode, or whether the phone was turned off.

Which brings me to last night.

I live alone in a small apartment in Petaling Jaya. At 2:14 AM, my phone began to vibrate on the nightstand. The screen lit up: Unknown Number.

My heart dropped into my stomach. I sat up in the dark, staring at the glowing glass. I hadn't heard from my parents in two days. My mother had been complaining about chest tightness earlier that week.

With trembling hands, I swiped green and pressed the phone against my ear.

I waited for the silence. I prayed for someone to speak—to hear a telemarketer, a drunk caller, a wrong number. Anything.

Instead, the silence descended.

It was that distinct, suffocating airlessness. No ambient static, no breath, no frequency. Just twelve seconds of absolute emptiness.

1... 2... 3...

Tears welled up in my eyes. Please not Mom. Please not Dad.

4... 5... 6...

7... 8... 9...

10... 11...

Click.

The call ended. I collapsed back onto my pillows, sobbing silently in the dark, waiting for my mother or father's phone number to pop up with the terrible news. I sat there for an hour, holding my phone, staring at the screen until my eyes burned.

Nothing. No messages, no calls from my siblings, no news from the hospital.

By 4:00 AM, exhausted and mentally drained, I decided to call my mother myself.

It rang three times.

"Mani?" my mother’s voice came through the line, sounding groggy and confused. "Why are you calling so late? Is everything okay?"

"Mom?" I choked out, a wave of immense relief washing over me. "Are you okay? How's Dad?"

"Dad is asleep next to me," she said, her voice softening with concern. "Mani, what’s wrong? Did something happen?"

"No... no, I just had a bad dream," I lied, wiping my face. "Go back to sleep. I'll call you tomorrow."

I hung up and let out a breath I felt like I'd been holding for hours. My parents were fine. My sister was studying abroad in Melbourne, but I checked her social media—she had posted a story ten minutes ago. My brother was on duty at the fire station and replied to my text instantly.

Everyone was alive.

I laid back down, thoroughly baffled. The rule had never failed. One call, one dead relative. Had the entity behind the calls made a mistake? Was it just a glitched network call after all?

I was just starting to drift off to sleep when my phone vibrated against my chest.

I looked down.

1 New Voicemail.

My stomach twisted into a hard knot. The Silent Call never leaves a voicemail. It’s just a live twelve-second link.

I clicked the notification and set the phone on speaker.

The recording started. For the first ten seconds, there was only that familiar, heavy, absolute silence.

Then, right at the twelfth second, a soft, raspy breath exhaled into the microphone.

And a voice—weak, wet, and echoing from somewhere very close—whispered:

"I'm sorry, Mani... I didn't know how else to tell you."

It was my own voice.

I froze. The voicemail ended, and my phone screen went dark.

And then, from the far corner of my pitch-black bedroom, right beside the wardrobe... I heard a quiet, rattling gasp for air.

Hey everyone!

I’ve been taking my folding bike out for longer rides recently, and I’ve been running into a pretty frustrating issue: crotch/perineum numbness.

After a while in the saddle, I completely lose feeling down there. I know numbness usually comes down to saddle height, tilt, or the saddle shape itself, but I’m wondering if the unique geometry of foldies makes this more common?

Since folding bikes usually have a much more upright riding position, super long seat posts (with extra flex), and fixed handlebar reach, I feel like finding the sweet spot is way trickier than on a standard road bike.

A few questions for the community:

1. Has anyone else dealt with this specifically on their foldie?
2. Did lowering/raising your post solve it, or was a saddle upgrade (like a short-nose or center cut-out saddle) mandatory?
3. Any specific saddle recommendations that work well with the upright geometry of foldies?

Would love to hear your experiences and setup tips before I start endlessly tweaking my quick-release clamp! Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Finally pulled the trigger on Mass Effect Legendary Edition on sale recently. I actually played Mass Effect 3 years ago on PC, but I never got the chance to play ME1 or ME2 from the start. Excited to finally do a full trilogy run!

Being in my 40s with a baby at home, my gaming time is pretty limited these days—usually just 30 to 60 minutes late at night on the couch with a controller once the kid is asleep.

Starting off with ME1 as an Adept (heard throwing Geth around with biotics is super fun in the first game).

Quick questions for the MY gaming crowd:

• Any essential PC mods you guys recommend for LE1? (Currently looking at MELLO for lighting and community patches).
• For controller play on PC, any specific settings/tips to make power wheel usage smoother?

Appreciate any tips. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Hey everyone,

Finally pulled the trigger on Mass Effect Legendary Edition during the recent sale. I played Mass Effect 3 back in the day, but I never actually played ME1 or ME2, so I'm excited to finally run through the entire trilogy from start to finish.

Being in my 40s with a young kid, my gaming time isn't what it used to be. Most of my sessions are about 30–60 minutes late at night on the couch with a controller. I’ve really been craving a deep sci-fi story to sink my teeth into, and ME:LE felt like a no-brainer for the sheer amount of content in the package.

Plan is to dive in with ME1 as an Adept (heard biotics are hilarious in the first game) and take my time with it.

For those who tackled the trilogy later in life or with tight schedules:

• How manageable is it in shorter 30-40 min sessions?
• Any quality-of-life mods (PC) you consider essential before starting?
• Any general non-spoiler QoL tips for someone doing their first full trilogy run?

Looking forward to finally seeing how the journey begins!

Hey guys, thinking of jumping into BG3 but I won't be playing with a mouse and keyboard. I'm planning to play it strictly with a controller (either on PC or TV setup).

For those who have beaten the game or put serious hours into it using a controller—how are the UI layout and navigation? Does managing the massive inventory and radial menus get annoying later in the game, or did Larian actually nail the controller support?

Would love to hear your thoughts before I commit to it!

Hey everyone,

I wanted to see if anyone else here shares a similar philosophy when it comes to their gaming time.

Personally, I am a strict "one-and-done" player. Once the credits roll on a narrative-driven game, that’s usually it for me. I rarely, if ever, boot it up for a second playthrough.

For me, the peak magic of gaming comes from the element of surprise—the plot twists, the discovery, and experiencing a fantastic story for the very first time. Once I already know the trajectory of the plot, who the betrayer is, or how the ending lands, a replay just loses its impact. The emotional weight is never quite the same the second time around.

Because I look for a strong, structured narrative to keep me hooked, I’ve also never really been able to get into sandbox games. I need that solid storytelling framework rather than being left to make my own fun.

I often see discussions here about people sinking hundreds of hours into replaying their favorite masterpieces, experimenting with different builds, or just reliving the journey. While I respect the dedication, I just don't see the worth in it for my own routine. With a massive backlog, a career, and family responsibilities, free gaming time is incredibly precious nowadays. Spending those scarce hours on a story I’ve already fully experienced feels like a missed opportunity to try something new.

How about you all? Do you find comfort in replaying your absolute favorite story games, or are you like me—enjoy the ride once, appreciate the journey, and move on to the next piece of fiction?

Hey guys, just wanted to see if anyone else shares the same gaming habits as me.

Personally, I am a strict "one-and-done" kind of gamer. Once I finish a game, roll the credits, and see the ending, I will rarely ever open it again.

For me, the best part of gaming is the pure sense of wonder, the plot twists, and experiencing a good story for the very first time. Once you already know what's going to happen—who dies, who the traitor is, or how the journey ends—replaying it just loses its magic. I feel like the emotional impact is never the same the second time around.

Because of this, I'm also not really into sandbox games where you just make your own fun without a set narrative direction. I need that solid, structured storyline to keep me hooked.

But I see a lot of people replaying their favorite games 3 or 4 times, trying different builds, or just reliving the journey. To me, I always feel like my backlog is too long, and my gaming time is too precious to spend on something I've already experienced.

How about you guys? Are you the type who can replay a masterpiece like Witcher 3, Cyberpunk, or Ghost of Tsushima multiple times, or are you like me—enjoy the ride once, appreciate the story, and move on to the next game?

I just started Arkham Knight, any tips and tricks?

The device doesn't seem to register steps when I am pushing my baby in a stroller, is it normal?

So I've just completed hogwarts legacy and bought some older games that I have not played before:
1.) Just cause 3 with air land & sea expansion
2.) Batman Arkham Knight
3.) Watch Dogs 2
4.) Need for Speed Heat

I will be playing those on my PC connected to my 4k PC, which should I play first, and why :)

Hey folks,

I'm looking for a new MMORPG home after officially throwing in the towel on Guild Wars 2. I played up through Janthir Wilds, but skipped Visions of Eternity simply because I'm completely sick of the 200ms+ lag inherent to our region.

As a gamer with a busy schedule, when I log in to unwind, I want the combat to feel responsive, not muddy.

If you live in Asia, Oceania, or any region traditionally starved for native local servers, what modern MMORPG did you find that actually routes beautifully and feels crisp to play? Are you resting in FFXIV, fighting in Black Desert, or running guild content in Albion or Throne and Liberty?

Let me know what's keeping your interest right now. Cheers!

Hi Guys!

I recently put down Guild Wars 2 after Janthir Wilds, deliberately skipping the Visions of Eternity expansion. I love the game, but I'm officially sick of the high latency. Playing from Malaysia with zero local server support means dealing with constant micro-delays that ruin the experience.

I'm ready to move on to an MMO that actually respects our region with good routing. For the MMO veterans here:

1. Which modern MMORPG currently has the healthiest Malaysian/SEA player base?
2. What server/datacenter are you using to get the best ping (under 80ms)?

I'm open to anything from action sandboxes to traditional theme-parks, as long as the combat feels crisp and responsive without that NA/EU server lag. Please drop your recommendations below~

Hello, I am using i5 12400, and my gpu is Asus RTX 3060 ti dual OC bought on June 2022. Did a stress test yesterday, and the temperature is around 71 celcius, and hotspot at 82 celcius, seems like a perfect condition for a 4 years old GPU. Then I see this RX 9060XT, which is within my budget... should I upgrade? or just keep my RTX3060ti? BTW my PSU is 650W, I don't think I can go anything higher... and If I am to sell my GPU, how much can I sell? Warranty just end on last December...

​Hey everyone. Just wanted to share a slightly humbling story to see if the other older/parent gamers here can relate.

​

​I’ve been a hardcore keyboard and mouse PC gamer my whole life. Recently, we welcomed a new baby into the family. To balance daddy duties and stay close to the crib, I moved my PC setup to the living room TV and picked up a controller for the first time in years.

​

​Someone recommended God of War, and honestly, I was having an absolute blast. Cleared the main story mostly on Normal mode. I felt pretty proud—adjusting to controller muscle memory at this age isn't easy, but I was doing fine.

​

​Then, I decided to hunt the Valkyries. Got through all 8 of them with some effort. Enter the Queen, Sigrun.

​

​Oh boy. 💀

​

​I spent 2 solid hours fighting her. Between the brain fry from my day job and pure sleep deprivation, my reflexes just couldn't keep up with her moveset. I swallowed my pride and dropped the difficulty down to Easy mode... and still got completely wiped out.

​

​Eventually, I looked at the clock, realized how incredibly limited my gaming time is nowadays, and just couldn't stand it anymore. I downloaded a trainer, turned on unlimited health, and just hacked her to pieces.

​

​At first, it felt like a total hit to my old-school gamer self-esteem. But honestly? Fuk the Queen. I have diapers to change and a job to wake up for in the morning.

​

​Any other 30+ gamers here reached a point where you just say "screw it, I don't have time for this soul-crushing grind" and use a trainer or cheese a boss just to move on with your life?

​

​

​

​Salam guys, just need to vent a bit and see if anyone else has gone through this.

​

​I’ve been a hardcore keyboard & mouse gamer my whole life. But recently, we welcomed a new baby into the family. To balance gaming and daddy duties, I moved my PC setup to the living room TV and started learning how to play with a controller.

​

​Someone recommended God of War, and honestly, I was having a blast. Managed to clear the main story mostly on Normal mode. Feel quite proud lah, considering I'm still getting used to controller muscle memory.

​

​After the ending, I decided to go hunt all the Valkyries. Got through all 8 of them. Then came the Queen, Sigrun.

​

​Oh boy. Cilaka betul. 💀

​

​I spent 2 solid hours fighting her. I even swallowed my pride and dropped the difficulty down to Easy mode. Still cannot kill her. Her health bar is just ridiculous and she moves too fast for my tired dad-brain. Eventually, I couldn't stand it anymore. My gaming time is limited now, so I ended up downloading a trainer, turned on unlimited health, and just hacked her to pieces.

​

​Honestly, it kinda killed my gamer self-esteem at first, but I just wanted it over with. Fuk the Queen, seriously!

​

​Anyone else ever reached their limit like this and just said "screw it, I'm using a trainer/cheats"? Especially those managing gaming time with a newborn!

​

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