u/mellifluous-magpie

The climate control in my Toyota (Corolla Cross) features a little knob that you rotate to set the interior temp. While driving in the heat yesterday, I was wondering if turning the aircon lower (setting the temp higher, say to 20C vs. 16C or 'low') actually reduces energy use by the compressor unit itself, or if it just changes the blend of conditioned air vs. un-conditioned warm outside air.

Basically I'm curious if the air con in my car functions either in an on/off state, or if the compressor is variable and it's energy use can ramp up/down depending on the temp that the driver sets it to. My gut is telling me it's the former.

Long time Koodo subscriber here who signed on with Rogers for wireless and Internet in June. I was sold the 1000 Intl Mins package by the salesperson/contractor and told that it includes all of the countries that Koodo's LD package included, including the one I call most often because of family. It did not. I should have looked up the details of this add-on specifically before placing a call to my dad overseas (mea culpa), but now I'm stuck with a large long distance charge that Rogers won't reverse.

Phone calls can't connect to an agent. Lines are too busy and I often got disconnected. Had to use their chat function and got issues a C#### complaint number. An hour later Rogers responded via email with:

"The Long Distance charges are valid as these are not included in your services."

No owning up to the error of their salesperson/contractor. Pound sand new customer, this is your error.

Barely two months with Rogers and not one single sense of how to keep a new customer happy. Back to Koodo once this contract expires. Lesson learned.

Hey all - will be doing my first ever trip/tour to Japan in October, starting in Fukuoka (ferry from Busan), and taking roughly 1.5 months to eventually end up in Toyko/Haneda to fly back to Canada.

My tour through Korea should be fairly straight forward, sticking mostly to the cross-country and four rivers routes. However, in Japan things are feeling a little aimless at the moment. I like to have a plan to start and then deviate as required. I know there are a few resources out there, including Reddit, and various books on bike touring in Japan, but I'm really curious based on the experiences of others: is this something I should plan to down to a T, or should I just wing it?

Probably important to note that I hate highway riding and strongly prefer riding with safe/car free infrastructure or low traffic roads. I love being in a less vigilant/aware state of mind and just relaxing, going with the flow. I'm not looking for this to be a sufferfest experience, but one that combines the journey as much as the destination(s).

Lots of fantastic fuzz guitar on this record.

I have a west coast backpack coming up that involves camping on the beach most days on compacted sand.

Given how securely staked the X-Mid needs to be to , and not exactly wanting to faff about with parachute or rock anchors, I'm wondering if I'd be better off just bringing my older and much heavier free-standing tent.

Has anyone had luck with their X-Mid pitch in similar conditions (high winds, sand)?

Just had my best fuel up at 5.4L/100 km.

2024 LE FWD non-hybrid, purchased used (14,000 km), winter tires until April then switched to summer tires. Roughly 60% highway, 40% city. Light footed and great at coasting/timing lights.

https://preview.redd.it/by2pwief8wch1.png?width=598&format=png&auto=webp&s=ba3ea6478a8148b4951c4d3a8ae4bc3822f2f64d

Will be cycling through Korea and at some point in early October, I'll be taking the ferry over to Japan. Most of my trip will be unplanned.

Are ferry tickets something I can snag last minute at the terminal/online, or should I definitely buy one in advance and make 100% sure I get there in time to catch it? What website should I use to book the ticket?

What are sleeping accommodations like on board?

I'll be bringing a bike with panniers - is there limited space for bikes on board?

Current set up:

• Ultegra RD-6800 GS (long cage) rear mech
• Ultegra 50-34 crankset
• Shimano 105 11-32T 11s cassette

The RD-6800 GS has an capacity of 33T, and I've heard Shimano can err on the side of being conservative with respect to these numbers. Is this capacity only really a consideration if I'm in the big cog and the big chainring at the same time (basically, fully cross-chaining).

My current 11-32 is in need of replacement, and since I'm getting older and live in a hilly area, was wondering if I can squeeze in a Shimano 105 CS-HG700 11-34T instead?

I'm planning to cycle the length of Korea (Cross Country Route aka Four Rivers), and other interior routes/East Coast over a three week period from late Sept into early October. I'll start in Seoul and eventually end up in Busan.

It looks like Korea is less rainy over this period, but I'm when it does rain during the fall, is it generally all-day/heavy rain? Or is it more light showers/evening thunderstorm kind of stuff?

I'll be on Vancouver Island in August backpacking Hesquiat, but will also be spending a few extra weeks around Comox visiting family. Would like to do some day trips (or another backpack) in Strathcona Provincial Park.

Strong hiker, capable scrambler. Good with trips up to 20-25 km/day.

Given that criteria, any "must do" outings? Thanks!

EDIT: I'm not sure how trail access is around Vancouver Island, but I have a FWD moderate-clearance vehicle (Corolla Cross).

Hey all - just purchased the Ortlieb Quick Rack and installed the mounting peg through the eyelets near my rear dropout. Both of these bolts came from Ortlieb with blue threadlocker on them. One of the bolts I torqued down really hard, still couldn't get it in all the way, and it cammed out - rounding out the hex.

Ideally I'd get this out without damaging the mounting peg. Any thoughts for how to best go about it? I tried a Torx bit without much luck - it's really set in there, so whatever gets it out is going to have to overcome the torque I applied and the stupid blue threadlocker!

https://preview.redd.it/njxt4t6j3c8h1.png?width=2500&format=png&auto=webp&s=8118834549c65939f582bc5688ec5a91b5735021

About me: early 40s male, introverted, working professional in Parkdale, seeking to expand his local network with some new fellow 30+ nerds.

Looking for folks into board games, primarily midweight-ish Euro strategy games who are interested in weeknight or weekend board game get-togethers. Think Castles of Burgundy, Concordia, El Grande, Puerto Rico, Knizia games, Stonemaier games, co-ops, trick takers, etc. Prefer group sizes of 2-5, depending on the game being played.

I have a decent sized collection, but always down to learn some new stuff if there's something you're really into.

Positive, respectful, good vibes only! No toxicity. No sore losers. Happy to host if we get along after a meet/game at Hexagon or elsewhere.

Interested? Drop me a DM! Tell me about yourself and what games you're into! Or send me your BGG username :)

Former big fan of Selle Anatomica saddles, but after 10,000 km my X1 saddle has developed too much sag and I'm no longer interested in supporting a company that has such vague customer service policies and horrible C/S practices.

I have the Brooks C17 on my commuter bike, and it's fine, sadly, it's just not as comfortable as the SA past the 50 km point. Tried a leather Brooks B17 Carved at one point and it definitely did not agree with me.

I'm in Canada, so our options are a little more limited vs Europe or the US, but open to any recommendations for what else I should look into? Riding position is relaxed - not upright, but not aggressive either.

How are Ergon saddles? I'm a little confused by all the options they offer.