Thanks for clearing that up Iain, that is kind of what I assumed. Ideally looking to go 27.5” wheels aswell because I’m im a short arse and think 29” wheels on small bikes looks daft.

Been having a browse at ebikes myself, I won’t be flinging it down any black runs, more local woods, forest roads and such like.

I may already know the answer to this… but why are most of the good ebikes 150mm + travel? Perhaps I’m just stuck in the “I don’t need loads of travel, 140mm max is all you need” camp or is a case of why wouldn’t you give it a fair bit of travel? It’s a heavier bike that’s potentially carrying a bit more speed?

I definitely want a FS for the comfort but I have always had the opinion that I don’t require 150mm travel, I could easily get away with much less but the options seem to be thinner on the ground? Am I just a Luddite?

Hello, good evening and welcome.. to nothing much. 😉

Always liked the Pace Rc100 with those carbon suspension forks where the brakes were on the rear of the fork, had a Trek Y22 back in the late 90’s which I thought looked ace, and always lusted after a brushed alloy Proflex 957 or whatever it was called. They looked just right in my opinion.

By modern standards they rode like turds. I like skinny step tubes so my Cotic Soul looks perfect to me.

Oh and Giant ATX 1 DH.. blew a few rear shocks on them but loved it

I too had the email and felt strangely saddened by this. Been riding Souls in one form or another for the past 11 years, every time I sold one I instantly regretted it, owned the same one twice and sold it twice. It’s the benchmark for me geometry and handling wise and the bike I just kept going back too.

I now have a gen 5 frame and after doubting the longshot geometry before purchase I now get it and love it. I’ll never part with it now.

Fuel delivery driver here to domestic and business premises. Domestic deliveries have gone mental, mental busy just now. Meant to be off next week but that got cancelled.

Roll on spring and summer. I don’t get on with winter at all. Just drains me and hate going to and coming home from work in the dark. Feel far more energised in the better weather.

As an employee of Johnston oils for the past 2 weeks I can recommend them, we will aim to have it with you in 3 days from ordering (busy times we can state 5 days). They offer a top up service aswell so we will come out on a regular basis to top the tank up so you won’t run out.

Ok… that went well.

Never got a chance to speak to him yesterday so had a chat today about not legally being able to take any money off me for the holidays.

He was fuming and said it’s morally wrong and couldn’t believe I would stoop so low after all they have done for me.. I reminded him I had 11 years loyal service and hard work behind me at the company plus been off twice with work related stress and depression. I agreed it’s morally wrong but legally there isn’t a thing he can do, and I certainly can’t afford to loose £400 at any time of year let alone at Christmas.

He said it’s on my conscious but if that’s the way I want to play it then fine, he said people have always paid back holidays they have taken but not accrued and I said that’s their fault for not checking the legality of what he is doing. Then he basically told me to leave. Which I did.

I would rather have left on better terms but I’m only getting what I’m legally owed so I don’t feel guilty st all.

Thanks to all those who provided info. I would have never realised all this if I hadn’t been pointed in the right direction.

I have spoken to ACAS, checked citizens advice website and unofficially spoken to an employment lawyer. I think I have covered all bases.. fingers crossed.

Thanks Phil, yes he indeed an arse. Very hostile yesterday when I was brought in for a chat. I have know this for years but I have always picked my battles with him.

This is one battle I’m picking to fight.

Yeah sick line (not a really good route down a hill or something similar) is a maybe a Scottish thing, but it’s a doctors line.

As far as taking more holidays than I have accrued, unless I have signed something saying I agree to that then they just have to suck it up I’m afraid. As for the the holiday pay during the doctors line, they shouldn’t have just assumed I wanted it as holidays, they needed to notify me before doing so.

Spoke to people in the know today and any deduction from my wages would be unlawful and would give me a case to take them to a tribunal if it came to that. Meeting with them later today so fingers crossed.

Thanks again Fossy, that all makes sense. Can we do a conference call tomorrow with them so I can have you on my side? 👍🏻

I don’t need to worry about a reference and they are being arses. I could throw the book at them for many things and the things they have done to me in the past but I just got on with it as I couldn’t be bothered with the aggro.

I could write a book on the shortcomings and improvements needed to be made, plus the numerous unsafe working practices and failure to provide adequate PPE.

Taken straight from citizens advice website. I have never signed a contract in the 10+ years I have been with them.. so the way I understand it, they can’t take the money off me?

<h2 dir=”ltr”>If your employer says you’ve taken too much holiday</h2>
<p dir=”ltr”>The first thing you should do is check your holiday record to see if it reflects the holidays you’ve taken.</p>
<p dir=”ltr”>Check your contract or if there’s a written agreement that says what you have to do if you’ve taken too much holiday when you leave a job. It might say you have to pay your employer back or work extra days without pay. Your employer can only make you pay them back or work extra days if there’s a written agreement.</p>
<p dir=”ltr”>If it is in writing – for example in your contract or a written agreement – check if it also says your employer can take the money you owe them from your final wages.</p>
<p dir=”ltr”>If it doesn’t, then your employer doesn’t have a legal right to deduct money from your final pay, even if you’re required to repay the holiday or work extra hours. If they do deduct it, it’s an unauthorised deduction even if you owe them money.</p>
<p dir=”ltr”>If the employer doesn’t deduct it from your final pay and you don’t pay it back, your employer is entitled to take you to court to get it. You should get help from your nearest Citizens Advice.</p>

I have been saying for years that we need to be in a union but none of the other drivers would go for it. We have a drivers committee to deal with pay increases etc.. but it’s just a bunch of yes men who get bribed with new vehicles and good jobs all year round to keep them sweet and stop them rocking the boat.

Example: We are well overdue a pay rise, so when this was put to the bosses by the committee the response was “if the drivers want more money they can work weekends”, even though we are getting hammered all week every week!

Perhaps a phone call to citizens advice tomorrow. I was dreading putting my notice in aswell and felt guilty, it was a very hard decision to make last night but I know I did the right thing now. Just need to hold out a couple of days longer then I’m well rid.

Thanks for the advice folks.

Cheers Fossy, that’s what I’ll put to them tomorrow.

Yeah I think it’s a bit dodgy aswell tj but didn’t want to go in and get it wrong.

I wasn’t due to be on holiday when I was on the doctors note. I went to the doctors on Tuesday 25th June and got an unfit for work note from Wednesday 26th June until Monday July 8th.

I went into work on the Wednesday to see how I felt, I felt crap so I finished the days work and said I was taking the doctors advice and going off on the sick note. He has put through Thursday 27th, Friday 28th June, Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd July as sick days and the Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July as holiday. But I wasn’t informed he had done this at the time and wasn’t due to be off on holiday.

I only noticed today when he gave me a list of the days off I have had this year.

Not in a union either..

Just to clarify I was signed off work from the doctor not sick as in manflu or cat aids, and I wasn’t due to be off on holiday he has paid me holiday pay when I was off on the doctors line.

What is this HR department you speak of Footflaps? 😆. It’s a family run business with only the boss to answer to himself.

Yes they were booked at start of the year.

SSP, so yes he has technically done me a favour at the time but today he was like a petulant child during our chat so I thought I’d check out the legal side of it.

Thats true Drac, I could just not bother going back in.. but I will.

Nice pic Clubby, that looks like it’s the old APC at Barry Buddon? I have a few pics of bike taken in that spot.

At least you have your HGV license to fall back on. You will always find work in that sector for sure, it’s reasonably well paid these days and it might give you some time to think on your future moves.

I have been driving lorries for 14 years, operating road tankers for the last 10, trained people and even worked in the office after I snapped my ACL, I’m now desperate to get off the lorries but can I get another job…. can I buggery.

Been trying since about February, I’m not going to jack in what I have because I’m paid well even though I’m doing 50+ hours every week. Went for a cracking job in February which I never got, I was pretty disappointed I never got it, turns out the son of the bosses friend got it.. not what you know but who you know! He failed the fitness assessment 3 times on the day and never completed another part of the assessment day! Anyway… I have previous sales experience aswell so a field sales job would be ideal but again there is noting in that sector in my area (Dundee), anything that comes up I apply for but rarely hear back.

Anyway rant over, if anybody wants to take on a lorry driver for a non lorry driving role then let me know.

Good luck OP, I’m sure something will come up. It’s a bit miserable out there for jobs!

Thanks for all the input folks. Went back out to the garage as it was bothering me and managed to adjust it all pretty much spot on. Maybe a final tweak tomorrow when I’m less tired and I’ll be good to go ride. I think I had a mental block about gears but when you know what’s what and take your time it’s really not that hard.

thanks again.

Mech hanger is all fine.

Thanks for the info so far guys, what do I set to limit screws to then?

Guess who has a medium 137s frame for sale? Yes it’s me. Lovey condition aswell, leaving the dropper on.. details in classifieds.. stealthy ad plug or what!

seriously though, really nice bike to ride and fairly light for the build. Mine came in at just under 27lbs. Can’t fault it really, only selling as I got a great deal on a 4 month old Cotic Soul and I just love them.

Feel free to use this forum as a release mate. I don’t know you or anybody on this forum but as you know people are always happy to help or just listen with a sympathetic ear if required.

I have read all your previous posts and I have to say that there is no way I could have coped with what you have been through the last year or so. I have had a hard few years which came to a head in June when I went out on a night out and never came home.. no idea where I ended up or what I intended to do. I was at the end of my tether and just couldn’t see a way to get out of the hole I was in. Luckily my 2 best mates and my wife were there for me to pick up the pieces and force me to go and seek help. It really helped having people to talk to, so please use this forum as your platform to try and put your emotions and thoughts into words.

We are here to help or just send you encouraging words.

I’ll catch that on the iPlayer over the weekend. Highly recommend the book aswell.

Tough is an understatement. There was no give in the tyre and to get the last bit on. I tried everything.

I liked the tyres aswell, low rolling resistance and decent grip. I’ll never have WTB tyres again.

Yeah made sure the bead was in the centre of the rim, I had the wheel on the floor with my knee pushing down on 1 side whilst I tried to force the other side on.

Yes Nick I used a lever to try and get it on, believe me I tried to do it without one no there was no way it would have gone on otherwise. I was hesitant to use a metal tyre lever but seeing as it completely destroyed my plastic ones I didn’t have much choice. Thought about tubeless but I am a bit stuck in my ways with tubes, if it ain’t broke and all that. Plus the bike sits most of the summer as I ride my motorised bike instead. Tube just work for me.

Damned if I’m buying a special tool to fit tyres.. I’m far too stingy for that. Already sweating at the thought of paying £30+ for a single tyre. So much for cheap wheels!

DezB, I can’t guarantee the usefulness of the tyres as I suspect the sidewalks are damaged hence the wobbling. But if you want to take a chance then what.. £25?

Swimming (local and national level) – ages 5 – 16

Roller hockey (local leagues and national championship) – ages 13 – 18

Ice Hockey (regional leagues) – ages 13 – 21

Ice Hockey (recreational) – ages 27 – present (when my knees and shoulders can handle it)

Cycling (competitively) – ages 15 – 18

Cycling (recreational) – since I could ride a bike (go through phases of loving it then loathing it)

Running (competitively) ages 10 – 15

Kayaking (recreational) ages 18 – 23 (I’m assuming my old fibreglass kayak is still sat behind the boat sheds at Easthaven beach near Carnoustie).

Many many injuries which I pay for dearly today.

27.5×2.25 for both. I probably could as the tyres aren’t a year old yet but I never want to see a WTB tyre again. If that had been trail side I would have probably ended up walking home.

I have fitted countless tyres to rims and never had to battle like I had to battle with them. Even checked the diameter of the wheel incase the wrong size was ordered or sent. The last 8-10 inches of the tyre just refused to go on.

New tyre time, can’t believe a set of tyres has flummoxed me! Then to add insult to injury, I was just about to fit my new (to me) Deore brakes, popped the pads out to put some new ones in, pumped the lever to check operation of the pistons and out pops a piston and all the mineral oil.. wonderful!!

Step away from the bike tonight Mike, it’s not your night.

The B75 is compromised spec wise but I have added mudguards and it can be had for £810, which is a good bit cheaper than a “standard” Brompton. I looked at cheaper folding bikes but none have the convenient and compact fold of the Brompton. I like how everything that can get you dirty is tucked away when it’s folded up.

I hear what your saying in regards to use over winter etc though, that’s a valid point, if I got the Bird just now I could easily pick up a Brompton by spring to for the better weather.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Regards the running, I used to do a fair bit but my knees are fairly shot. A run is just not worth the pain and discomfort the next day.

I did consider a bike bar that way I could take a full sized bike with me but even the smallest bike bag would take up too much room. Looked at a storage tho hook in the lorry aswell but i reckon the bike would get in the way in the cab.

Yes I was thinking it was a contender for a “which bike” thread.

Yes I’m an HGV driver,  I could get something rigged up to store a full sized bike on the back but I wouldn’t be happy securing a decent bike on the exterior of the lorry, it would get a hard life in the winter with the salt and rain etc. Folding bike would fit perfectly in the passenger footwell.

MTB wise.. with the colder weather coming in I’ll put the motorbike off the road maybe this time next month and would look to get out most weekends, not really in to trail centres etc, I’m happy just dondering around the local trails in Dundee and the surrounding area, would just be nice to have a squishy bit at the rear to make it comfier.

Brompton wise, I’m away every second week, normally for 2-3 nights so I’d like to think I’ll get out at least twice in that week and maybe during breaks. I sometimes park in and around towns so be nice to explore etc.

Liking these pics folks, I am looking into the ebike thing to get me out more. My legs and knees can handle about 15 – 20 miles max then they start to give up on me fairly rapidly.

Looking to keep the expenditure to say £3500, needs to be full suspension aswell so this thread is working out fine for me. I like the Norco’s, Mondrakers, Focus and Canyon range so far..

Keep the pics coming and any insights into battery life and range etc is welcome.

Sorry to read somebody else is struggling. I’m in that place just now aswell. I haven’t felt “normal” for 2.5 – 3 years. Just lethargic, can’t be bothered doing stuff, stressed out, feeling low and generally not very nice to be around.

There have been many contributing factors to this which I won’t go into but just feel like I have been fire fighting and trying to dig myself out this dark hole for years. Some days I get my top half out the hole and feel ok, other days the hole is getting deeper and deeper and I can’t see a way out. This was particularly bad last May and again about 4 – 5 weeks ago when i questioned my place in life. I don’t know what I was planning whether it was just disappearing or something else… but it was a scary place to be and I can understand how people get to that mind set now. It reoccurred a couple of weeks ago after a night out and I went AWOL for a while, I have a total memory blank about what happened and where I was, needless to say it gave me quite a scare and my wife and friends were properly concerned.

However, on the Monday after my best mates phoned me to ask if I was ok, we had a chat and I informed them how I was feeling etc, they were obviously concerned, as was my wife. I was told to make an appointment with my GP which I did and had today. I explained to him how I had been feeling etc and he said i should be proud of myself for coming to him for help as it takes guts to admit your struggling etc, that made me feel much better.

He prescribed me some medication to take and signed me off work for 2 weeks (I’ll go in tomorrow as I wouldn’t see them stuck.. although I shouldn’t give 2 hoots because I have spoken to my boss very recently about the work load and hours and pretty much sod all has changed). Then I’ll be having a chat with him and letting him know I won’t be in the rest of the week or next week. My health is more important.

Anyway, that’s kind of my story (short version). Moral of the story?? Please talk to somebody and see your GP, mine was superb and fully understood how i was feeling, as other have said set yourself small goals, so just say to yourself.. right today I want to walk for 20 mins and maybe do some light weights, even something as simple as that will make you feel good, the next day just set yourself another small target if doing the weights again.. and take it from there. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t fancy going out for a ride 1 day, I have started running again, only doing 3 miles or so but the difference it is making already is incredible, I also lift some light weights every day and seeing how quickly your body changes and starts to tone up is very motivational.

All I need is a helping hand on top of what I’m doing and you may be the same mate. It’s not forever, just take it a day at a time.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Thanks for reading if you make it this far.

Mike

ps, you will be surprised how supportive people can be, my mates are typical blokey blokes.. don’t talk about feeing etc, but without their support recently I really don’t think I’d have gone to the docs.. and who knows where that would have escalated to.

Good luck OP, wish I could jack my job in. Not been happy for over 2 years now, I’m constantly knackered, head is bursting and generally feeling totally burnt out. Working far too many hours, driving upwards of 550km every day and mostly in the Highlands, which is lovely to look at put hard going in a 44t fuel tanker.

Nothing much out there that I’m qualified for or will pay the bills though unfortunately so I’ll have to suck it up for now.

If anybody wants to pay me mid 20k’s to do something interesting (I’m a quick learner and hard worker), outdoors, home every night and in Tayside area then I’m all ears.

Looks good. I’m considering getting myself set up with a PC and controls to start playing DCS. My Dad and brother are the computer experts so just seeking their advice as to what it will all set me back.. I suspect a fair amount.

Heard about DCS on the Fighter Pilot Podcast and lost an evening watching YouTube videos.

Agree with all the above, I sort of half told my 2 closest friends last year and they were shocked I had gotten so low. It’s fair to say they make sure to keep pestering me with phone calls and WhatsApp messages etc. I’m not sure if they are conscious of this but it does help and I was surprised how understanding they were. I got back in to cycling again just after Christmas and it felt good to be back out.

I haven’t been it for a while though as I am struggling for motivation just now, feel very drained and run down, my aches and pains are playing up aswell which doesn’t help. I spoke to my boss 6 weeks ago about reducing my working hours and dropping every second Friday, said I really struggled with the work load last year etc.. he made all the right noises at the time but it’s coming into silly season at my work (wheel attendant in the road tanker industry) so everybody makes the best of the dry weather. Needless to say sod all has changed, I’m still struggling with the work load, still doing 15 hour days and still waiting for an answer on my request to drop the Friday. There is enough cover across the board but the thought of a lorry parked up every second Friday obviously doesn’t sit well with him.. I don’t suppose me going off again with stress and exhaustion has even occurred to him.

I have nothing left to give energy wise, have been on empty for months now and I sometimes wonder what people expect of me but you just have to keep on going.

Anyway, rant over. Stay safe chaps and lasses.