NuckaMan

What may have happened with the ratchet was either incorrect steel was spec'ed, heat treatment process to harden the steel was off or it was a combo of both. Aerospace/transportation/defense industries employ high-level material and process engineers to make sure all the small important bits are spec'ed right and perform correctly, but even they get it wrong or something in the process deviates, and things go south.

I was there last year as part of a bike trip through Big Mountain Adventures. We started in Val Gardena and ended in Cortina. Passed through Val Di Fassa, Tutti Fruti and parts of the Sella Ronda was part of our route. If your there on a family visit and limited on time, I would suggest doing the Sella Ronda lap (If I remember right, counter clockwise was the more fun way) with some side quests thrown in. Local bike shops and tourist areas have free maps to use as a guide. Not only will it give you a great ride experience but also takes you through some pretty neat places. I believe it's around 30-35 miles around. It's a combo of lifts, hiking/biking trails, and some road. Whatever you end up doing, you will have a great time. Food was amazing as you could imagine.

People who do this most likely never been punched in the face before or had to suffer physical consequences for dumb actions.

What I have learned is elite riders have trouble with loose, dry and blown out conditions as much as average joe's like myself.

My 1st real MTB was a KHS hardtail, it was a carbon/alloy blend frame. Bought it off a hockey teammate for like $500. Also my 1st experience with hydro brakes and I was blown away. Years later, after I retired it, I dusted it off, set it up for my wife to be used in her 1st sprint triathlon (which she won!). Thanks KHS. The brand will never be forgotten in this household.

Many industries are not ready for the influx of Chinese brands entering their sandbox. As they continue to improve on their quality, performance, reputation, support, etc....Chinese brands will begin to be very hard to ignore for most of us, especially as everything continues to get more expensive. Motorcycle industry is also seeing something similar. China has introduced some pretty compelling products recently that are making Japanese and Euro brands nervous.

I would love to put a surf rack on this thing and use it as my new beach cruiser

Political, nationalism (and racist) ideologies aside, Chinese brands will be huge disrupter in all industries moving forward. Brands that were predominated by Japan, Europe or American will be increasingly faced with increased competition from Chinese brands that will look, feel and performance just as good, if not better, than legacy brands and at lower cost. I also look at the power sports market and some of newest generation bikes Chinese brands are putting out is putting Japan and Europe on notice. Chinese brands biggest hurdle will be navigating the complex and ever changing political landscape, along with brand support and brand recognition/confidence. This is what happens when the world teaches them how to make stuff in search of increasing their bottom lines. If you want someone to blame, blame political leaders and company heads selling out their own national work forces in search of profit. China is now just doing it on their own and their stuff is legit.

I toured SK a few years ago, saw alot between the DMZ to the southern coast in Busan. While traveling through, saw plenty of mountains and hills and always thought, there must be some riding them hills.

I've got a V1 Spur. Couple of 1st with this one. 1st bike I paid full retail for (Covid period), 1st time buying to a industry trend (ie backcountry) because it made alot of sense to me. After thousands of miles on it, it is still my go-to and most ridden bike. And I am fortunate enough to have a pretty deep roster of bikes. Tranny nailed it the 1st time around and I love it.