Started re-reading Wes McKinney's “Data Analysis for Python” text and noted that much of the material was generated in something called Quarto. Delved in a bit deeper and realized it had many of the benefits of jupyter notebooks but could generate report quality final product.
These characteristics matched what I needed for doing some aggregation and analysis of a recently completed staff survey around our case management tools.
Installation
Miniconda install from conda-forge was not working for me. Ended up doing install from Arch repositories.
Editing .qmd
Though my default editor is nvim, I used Code OSS and the quarto plugin to get a quick start for this project. The editor instruction
#python, #quarto#jupyter
After 3000 miles on my 2020 Poseidon X, pulled the bottom bracket because it seemed creaky. The original no name square taper was completely shot, couldn't turn it a full revolution by hand as it would bind and need a little wiggle to free. You could hear the bearings inside. So I looked at replacing just the bottom bracket vs replacing the cranks.
Ultimately decided on replacing to modern Hollowtechii Shimano GRX.
Parts
GRX 810 cranks 1x11 [ FC-RX810-1 ] – 40 tooth
XT BB-MT800
Experience
This replacement was easier and definitely more beneficial than I anticipated. The hardest part was figuring out what the specs on the Poseidon were and what was needed for the bottom bracket. I was also concerned that the external cups might need professional facing of the frame. I didn't have this done but it seems fine so far.
So after a dusk near miss with a buck on the Pennypack, resolved to replace the brakes on the X.
Parts:
Got the JuinTech GT-F1 cable actuated hydraulic brakes (silver; AliXpress)
Jagwire compressionless cables (AliXpress
180mm rotor (unplanned; Amazon)
Notes
Cable cutters are a necessity for cutting the housing; if you don't have good ones already don't ruin the housing trying dull snips or lineman's pliers.
Internal routing wasn't so bad; use the old brake cable to pull the new housing through the frame. The Jagwire is a little more snug so a little push helps
The front fork mount is 160mm without adapter plate so the JuinTechs don't have a good way to mount on the fork and use the existing 160mm rotor. Oops, ended up buying a 180mm rotor that works with the labeled 160mm foot for the brakes
Experience
Huge improvement; can lock up both wheels with two fingers from the hoods; feel is not mushy at all and can modulate much better
Not sure if a majority of the improvement is just the compression-less cables as others have indicated or not.
I think ultimately, for me, the ease of adjustment (not having to navigate spokes with allen wrench to adjust is worth it) I swap wheels regularly so the pads need a tweak frequently; especially for my wheel-on trainer. The little JuinTech knob is far quicker than reaching the allen wrench through the wheel making the swap to the trainer much less of a hassle.
180mm front rotor is overkill
Thermal expansion is a real thing, after descending Spring Mountain on one of my early rides after brakes were bedded. Felt like I was having a heart attack or something couldn't keep my cadence in easy gear. Took nearly a mile for me to check the bike and realize the rear wheel was hard to turn because the brakes were binding the rotor. Learned not to adjust the pads to perfect engineering minimum clearance after that, DOH!
It's November, and I've been enjoying wrenching and riding on my Poseidon X but I didn't get into unPAved and seems like my other commitments interfered with finding a good window for another #gravelcycling event.
I am going to take advantage of the mild Fall weather and get at least one good 50+ mile effort in before the winter. Probably on a rail trail on the #SRT system or near Jim Thorpe, PA.
