Ah, right ………. so this is some sort of public service announcement, just to make sure non of us turn out to be complete nobs (like your Mate clearly is !!)
HaHa
Thanks
(He’s gonna hate you for this)

Check to see if you have a local branch of On Spec nearby.
My local branch sorted me out with a new set of vari-focal tinted lenses in my existing Ray Ban frames for £110 ………. which was £200 less than Boots and Vision Express wanted to relieve me of !!!
You get the “human touch”, sound advice, and they had my new specs turned around in 5 days.
Alan

I spent £61.14 with Chain Reaction Cycles today, and made a saving of £241.80
I was happy with that !!

I have spent a fortune with On One over the years (& have been very happy with my purchases).
I now feel that their “free delivery” is completely farcical compared to ALL of their major competitors, but probably more concerning is their apparent lack of anything to actually sell in a whole load of categories.
Try clicking on “components” and selecting various sub-categories…………. where there used to be literally scores of items listed, there is now often one or two items, or quite often nowt at all !!!!
A company on the decline ??
It would be a terrible shame to see them go t!ts up, but that looks to be the way they are heading, in my opinion.

Looking forward to the next instalment Mate – that looks like a cracking project.

Try Keswick Youth Hostel – they start knocking out breakfasts at about 8am (and they are happy to serve non-residents)
Alan

I can offer a solution that has genuinely worked for me.
Absolutely years ago there was an article on GMT about this very subject. Aemonn Holmes calmly mentioned that his method was to just pi55 in the garden !!
(Apparently, cats rather begrudgingly acknowledge that humans are perhaps that little bit higher up the social tree than they are, and just go and and crap elsewhere when they stumble across a human toilet)
This really has worked in my garden for over 10 years.
(BTW, my back garden is NOT overlooked by any of the neighbours, so I can just get on with it – if you are not so fortunate, it may be wise to “fill a suitable container” in the house, and then just sprinkle it around)
Good luck !

I’ve had excellent service from them in the past.
They do seem to be having a few technical problems with their website at the moment, so it may be worth phoning them and asking for an “honest” estimate of turnaround time !!

I’d be moderately concerned about thumping down rocky trails on a mountain bike with a dent like that …… but a road bike !!! Nah, just buy it and ride it !

I’m just wondering how you managed to stumble across this bit of video in the first place !?!

Coldplay (obvious choice !)
And I was blown away by how bloody brilliant The Feeling were at the Keswick Mountain Festival a couple of years ago.

As mentioned above, you can’t really go wrong with XT.
But ……. these work brilliantly, and don’t cost a fortune :-

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/gears-drivetrain-cables/clarks-premium-bike-gear-cable-kit

Took about 60 seconds on my Volvo XC90 (pull up two metal rods, slide out the entire headlamp assembly, change bulb, slide the unit back in, then push the two rods back down) I have no idea why ALL manufacturers can’t adopt this frankly brilliant method.

On the other hand …… my Mate wasted two and a half hours of his life trying to change the headlamp bulb on his Passat before finally admitting defeat. He wiped the blood off his hands, and drove over to Halfords to let them sort it out. The guy at Halfords shook his head and showed my Mate the Halfords “bible” which said “DNA” (do not attempt !)

So then it was a trip to the local VW Main Dealer …… to change a poxy headlamp bulb !!!!!!

That is a quality piece of work Mate – very impressed !

+1 for what Edukator said.

But be aware of Scaredypants comment – the spacing of the end contact pins are narrower on T5 tubes than they are on T8 tubes. (Take one of your old tubes with you if you decide to buy locally !)

The LED starters should fit any fluorescent fitting that is already equipped with a starter.

Aren`t all the old ones owned by 18 year old council estate drug dealers?

My point exactly Edric

(Although the I do agree, that as mentioned above, that the more experienced and established dealers do tend to favour newer models from VAG / BMW !!)

Oh, and for what it’s worth ……….. CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) are heading the way of the dinosaur – haven’t installed any on new contracts for over 18 months.

And filament lamps are great if you want to give the impression you are some kind af artisan craftsman living in a time warp. But if you actually live in 2016 and want to see what you are doing in your man-cave, err, get some LED’s

Just spent £120 on replacing the fluorescent lights in my garage with LED “strip lights” best money I’ve spent in ages.

Absolutely no comparison with the old florries ! Go for the LED’s Mate.

Shop around and 1200mm LED battens should cost you around £20 each incl VAT.

(I’m not some easily impressed kid – I’m a time-served electrician with over 35 years experience – believe me, fluorescent tubes are ancient history !!!)

Al

Thanks for that – much appreciated.
Alan

Absolute class !!
(I’m biased though – I’ve been a huge StS fan for years now).

It’s a bit of a regional thing really.
If you happen to live somewhere like Newcastle, Bristol or Liverpool ……. buying a ten year old Impreza will instantly single you out in the eyes of the Law as a hoody wearing drug dealer who lives on a rough council estate and is probably “up to something” ……. so expect to get pulled by the Plod on a regular basis !
(I happen to live in Newcastle and I think Inprezas are cracking cars – but I’m just offering an honest opinion)

Hmm, I’ve worked in the Construction Industry all my adult life & I’ve never come across a professional decorator who insisted on using one-coat, self undercoating paint !!
I’m a bit suspicious about your “decorator”

Brilliant !

Did you spot the two goldfish in the pool inside the cave ??
(They’ve been there for years !)

“Where is that? I fancy a trip”

Bubs, unless I’m mistaken, that looks like the head of the Ennerdale Valley, with Black Sail YHA in the background.

(great place !)

Cheers, Alan

I bought an Anthem X 29er frame, fitted a complete 3×10 XT groupset, and it performed absolutely flawlessly.
Why not snap up a 2×10 Anthem in the sales and just convert it to 3×10 ??
(You could sell the un-used front mech and double chainset on the Forum, and the whole process shouldn’t end up too costly)
Although, selling that 26er for decent money might be another thing altogether 😉

I’m surprised that the painfully obvious hasn’t been mentioned yet ………
HE BOUGHT THE WRONG SIZE BIKE !
If you only have 100mm of Seatpost showing on a “proper” mountain bike, the frame is too big for you – fact

After getting completely bitten by the MTB bug after buying a second hand Falcon Descender in 1993, I just blew mine & Mrs Mc’s holiday fund on a totally blinged-up Cannondale M800 (Who couldn’t fall for a bike called the “Beast of the East”)
And when I say “blinged-up, I mean loads of PURPLE anodised bike jewelery, mmmmm !!
Al

Ah, right !
That’s the new bit of knowledge I’ve learned today then.
Thanks guys.
Al

Hmm, I’m puzzled ?!?!
I know that a standard (non clutch) 10 spd shadow mech works on a 9 spd set-up, because I’ve used this before.
So why won’t the shadow + version work ??
Come on all you techies, explain please.

Thanks for that.
Just saved £10 on a £50 order.
Result !!

You wear a CARDIGAN ??
Good God man, what are you doing on this Forum ??
I’m closer to 60 years old than I am to 50, but the thought of buying a CARDIGAN has genuinely never crossed my mind.
I suppose there is hope left for the rest of us yet, eh

I’m with Tracey …. based on loads of experience !
Just spend the money on Ice Tech rotors – proper braking power and NO “little niggles”
Al

You need to be aware that there is a world of difference between “company car” leasing and “private” leasing.
Most companies leasing 10’s or even 100’s of cars, set up a kind of “swings & roundabouts” agreement with their leasing company, so that it is accepted that some vehicles will be returned in great condition, and others will need a bit of work before they go off to auction, but overall, one will offset the other and the company does not get charged (unless, of course, some knacker has clearly been abusing his car beyond reasonable limits)
After 20+ years of driving company cars, I decided about 10 years ago to go “cash-for-car” and I have leased four vehicles without ANY problems what so ever …………. BUT, I do look after my toys !!
I regularly load bikes/camping gear/climbing gear/garden & building waste into the back of my cars …… BUT …… I do make the effort to protect the interior first. (Oh, and I NEVER kerb my alloys)
As mentioned by othersthe BVRLA issue very clear guidelines about what is “reasonable” fair wear and tear, and what is not. Check this out, and if it seems OK to you, I would say go ahead and lease.
If, however, you refer to your vehicle as “just a car” or even worse still “a tool”, then you probably aren’t the right sort to benefit from a personal lease.
I hope this helps.
Al

Although, looking on the positive side ……….. you have created a completely theft-proof bike there.
Because let’s face it, no self respecting chav would want to be seen dead on that thing !!
So, respect, I suppose.
Al

That really is one fugly bike Mate !
(I don’t care how it rides – I just wouldn’t be seen anywhere near it)

Nope, no barrier

Do you realise that this thread has lasted about 6x longer than it would have taken you to just man up & re-paint the bl**dy door !!
(Actually, I totally sympathise, cos I hate gloss painting too)

There’s a free car park down on the quayside next to the Cycle Hub at Ouseburn. I’m sure Newcastle City Council don’t really want folk to stay overnight there …… but …… It’s one of those places that just doesn’t seem to attract any attention from the “authorities” !!!
(It’s only a 15-20 min walk (up-hill) from SJP)
Alan

Oh, and by the way, I’m a VERY good decorator, but slow & meticulous !!!!
Everything Cheekyget said is spot-on if you are looking for genuine tips to do the work yourself.
(I just learned a long time ago to sub-contract out that particular work and go ride my bike !)
Good Luck, Alan