BigMitch wrote:Whenever I want to buy some new and sexy product, I take a look of all the similar gear that I have, and I realize that nearly all of my gear will out live me. Then, I make do.
This has worked for me for a lot of the gear I've got. My gators have been glued and duct taped. My winter climbing jacket has a small tear in it, which is now covered with a bike patch to keep it from spreading. My tent has been duct taped... meh. My pack, a Black Diamond Outlaw, has a new "custom" internal wire frame I made after breaking the original one last year. (That pack has lots of miles and summits) A lot of gear here has been repaired like that and is still very useable.
My biggest weakness gear wise, especially during the winter season when they don't get as much use, is modding these:
So far there are four of them here and counting... build em' during the winter, ride the hell out of em' spring/summer/fall. Wrenching on these bikes here and there helps these long dark winter days go a little faster...
Another potential weakness is in the making, that is if northern Utah will get a decent accumulation of snow soon...
I've learned that skiing the back country is very similar to mountain biking. Climb up, glide out... saves the knees.