Is mix ratio super critical?

I admit I'm a 4 cycle guy and the 2 stroke is something I haven't messed with much. I've got a few chainsaws, weed whackers, etc but that's about it.

I started out my BGF motor with a 24:1 mix with synthetic oil. I kept this ratio for about 120 miles and my recent tank I'm running at 32:1 which doesn't seem like much to me but the engine just doesn't seem to spin up like it has in the past few rides. I also am trying a different brand oil in this new tank.

I did do some maintenance put some locktite on the crank gear that backed out and started rubbing the right case and also installed the dual brake lever on the right side which caused me to remove the throttle. Now I didn't pay much attention to the throttle but it appears that I have about a 90 degree twist from off to full wide open. I'm thinking that that is ok but maybe it should be more?

On another note the bike has had a rough time starting the last couple of times where I'm pedaling for quite some time before it fires, coughs, sputters and gets running. I do not use the choke and once hit the primer 3 times.

Other than that I don't know why it's hard starting and not spinning up. Speeds are down about 3 mph on the flats and much slower on the hills.???

I have been using the Pro-Mix from Lowes since it's about a mile from my house and then decided to try the Husqvarna which is what I think I have in there now. Shop 2 stroke oil at Lowes.com
Since they just have these small expensive containers I want to get a qt bottle and saw some at Shucks and Autozone since I am using it quite a bit faster than I had anticipated. I want to move up to 40:1 - 50:1 in my next tank which I'll have about 170-180 miles on the motor. I have been keeping up with the discussion on the Opti2 mix which sounds pretty decent and if they start selling it at Ace Hardware that will be nice! Don't know if you can get it in qt containers but if so that would be a great option to.

Thanks Down South! I didn't realize there were 2 different types of oil. I also agree that Lowes is way overpriced thats why I'm looking around at different places to get it. I've seen some at Schucks and Autozone for $7-8/qt but since I still have enough synthetic oil from lowes sitting around I'll use it up before I try something different. I'll most likely go find some of that opti2 thats been getting all the rave reviews here and see how that performs.

I pulled the carb off yesterday and checked out the slider and it was halfway up the slide already so I adjusted the cable so it was about 1/16" or so above the bottom and will take it out this afternoon to see how that changes things. I'm thinking it will fire up much easier but we'll see.