I put a padlock through a hole in the door runner / rail so that the door only opens a small distance.

You obviously need to be to lock the door from the inside though.

leythervegas – Member

I know a bloke selling a good as new Boardman team ht that is pretty much as food as new. It’s currently a rigid with carbon rigids up front but you could easily change that. He’s looking for £600 minimum though.

It’s got to be new I’m afraid, thanks for letting me know though.

I really love my Kona Big Unit.

I reckon I’ve had it for a couple of years now and it gets used pretty much every day for mountain biking, road rides and commuting.

I’ve bought and sold a few bikes since then, but I can’t imagine selling my Unit.

I’d be gutted if something happened to the frame 🙁

It’s one of the few things that I’ve actually got attached to (Apart from my dogs………….. and the wife) 😆

MoseyMTB – Member

Latitude everytime

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking

tpbiker – Member

Carrera Vulcan…

not particularly ‘cool’, and you’d have to get it from halfords, but always get good reviews

stimpy – Member

Decathlon Rockrider 8.1

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2012-id_8168918.html

You won’t get more new bike for £500 than that.

Thanks for the heads up on those two.

PeterPoddy – Member

There was a nice Inbred with a decent spec for sale on the classifides earlier for £375. That’s where my money would go!

Shame it’s not new 😀

stevewhyte – Member

Voodoo hoodoo every day.

That’s what I though intially until I saw the deal on the Latitude.

I’m a UK 8 / EUR 42.5 and my shimano shoes are a 43.

Just joined the roady one now.

This will be the first time I’ve done a challenge, I usually just use it to log rides.

We’ve got our dogs with Petplan.

They weren’t the cheapest, but we felt they offered the best cover.

We’ve had a bit a run at the vets over the last 6 mths and the insurance has certainly paid off.

Great looking dog 8)

magowen100 – Member

Amplebrew – do you use any panniers if so what?

No I use a Berghaus rucksack which carries:

* couple of inner tubes
* tyrelevers
* pump
* multi tool
* head torch (incase of mechanicals on unlit roads during early hours)
* overshoes
* trousers
* shirt
* towel

I used to use a touring bike with panniers, but to be honest it was an overkill for the route; a ruck sack is fine for 10 miles.

My Kona is faster over the route than the touring bike.

I use my Kona Big Unit for my daily commute with no issues. My route is either 7 miles or 10 miles depending on how much time I’ve got.

I run it with Maxxis Ikon 2.2 tyres all the time so I can take in a few offroad tracks when the mood takes me.

That raw finish above is lovely.

That bike looks really small in that pic.

Is it one of those new Chinarello’s?

You should get the option to contact the seller if the FAQ’s didn’t answer your query.

Did we answer your questions?
Yes, I got my answer.
No, I want to contact the seller.

Weren’t the aluminium bikes just re-badged British Eagles?

I’m 5ft 7 with a 31.5 inch barefoot inside leg and ride a 16″ Kona Big Unit.

I run a 410mm Thomson setback post and a 90mm Thomson stem on mine.

I run a seat height on 73cm from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle (measured straight up the seat tube) and this leaves me with 120mm of post left in the frame.

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IMG_0269[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

tburger – Member
FINALLY! I had forgotten all about you since I’ve been too busy riding mine! I didn’t think I’d ever see yours finished!

It looks absolutely amazing. Really nice build you’ve got there. Congrats and enjoy the ride!

Thanks 😀

I’m really made up with the way it turned out.

I wouldn’t use sweetcorn in mine, however I use baked beans rather than kidney beans; so I wouldn’t pay too much attention to my own preference 😀

Always better to buy a used vehicle when you know the history.

I’d definately travel for it myself and bring it back on the A and B roads.

Do it over a few days and take in the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales etc.

Could be an amazing trip and what a way to bond with the bike 8)

I’d make a long weekend of it if you can and enjoy the ride.

It must be something pretty special to buy one 600 miles away, I thought they were a pretty popular bike.

Which model is it?

Think it’s DomMason on here that’s involved with Kinesis.

Apologies if I’m wrong on that Dom!!!!

tallie – Member
Thanks for going to the trouble of taking a photo.
At the risk of sounding like a maxlight spotter, is that a KM220L (ie the 2012 model) or a KM210L (ie the 2011 model)?
For this years model most sellers (although not CRC – they are about £60 more than Winstanleys though) are stating that they don’t come with a headset.

My wife’s is a 210, but the headset will be the same.

I think one of the guys from Kinesis comes on here.

Cool, thank you.

Here is a very poor pic of ours…

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photo[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

I’ve just had a look at my wifes bike and the headset is a Cane Creek and it also has Kinesis written on it as well.

I can’t find a model number though.

My wife’s KM220L frame came with a headset.

I’d check to make sure it’s not supplied with whoever you’re buying it from.

My wife’s was from CRC.

I’m also with Direct Line insuring my Dispatch on a car policy.

I’ve been really happy with my Citroen Dispatch.

Although it is ever so slightly smaller than a Transit and Vivaro, it is a lot bigger than a Connect, berlingo and NV200 etc.

I drive a Transit everyday in work and I’ve found the Dispatch to be more car like.

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IMG_0034[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

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IMG_0068[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

Wow, that’s nice!!!!!

Looks lovely.

ashfanman – Member
Although I thought it looked more understated than tarty
It may look understated, but a Potts frame, full XTR and Enve wheels…definitely tarty.

And there was me keeping the colour scheme nice and plain so it wouldn’t look tarty 😀

My Potts…..

Although I thought it looked more understated than tarty 🙂

 
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PICT2891[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

mrlugz – Member
Avon skin so soft works for me.

I’m another fan of Avon Skin So Soft.

Felt really sorry for the folks at the end of race week, the weather hasn’t been great.

The campers must have been really cheesed off. Most of the campsites were turned into mud baths by the end of the week.

A lot of frame manufacturers recommend at least 100mm of post in the frame.

I always make sure that I run at least an inch below the seat tube / top tube junction anyway.

Some frames have sleeves in the seat tube so no matter how much post is in the frame, it’s only the sleeve that’s supporting the post anyway. Put you finger down the seat tube to see if it’s sleeved .

If there is a sleeve, your post should at least be inserted to the same length.

I’d e-mail the manufacturer and ask them myself just to confirm.

My Potts…

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PICT2905[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

My Kona Unit…

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IMG_0091[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

wrightyson – Member
Amplebrew, it’s rare for me to dislike someone without meeting them but you’ve just joined that club!!

😀 I moved over to the IOM purely because I love motorbikes and road racing so much. It’s definately a great place to live for the cycling as well.

the_lecht_rocks – Member
amplebrew – spare bedroom available……………………?

Always space in the garden to camp as long as you don’t mind sharing your tent with my dogs who would no doubt want to sleep outside with the ‘guests’ lol

rossi46 – Member

Amplebrew, it’s rare for me to dislike someone without meeting them but you’ve just joined that club!!

+1. Hugely Jealous

So come on then, who’s going to shine this year (the weather hopefully- looking good so far).

The smart money has to be on McGuiness this year on the big bikes. He put in the quickest practice times again tonight with a 129.411 mph average on a 17:29 min lap.

freddyg – Member
Where are you Applebrew?

I will be making my annual pilgrimage this week too – catching the ferry on Wednesday morning

I’m based in Kirk Michael on the west of the Island. The weather over here is fantastic at the moment, so you should be in for a great time 8)

McGuiness already lapping at 128.267mph….. pretty amazing!!!

I only need to walk 100 yards from my house to watch as well 8)

tthew – Member
Ooh, that’s nice Amplebrew. Just like the one I should have bought. Do you get good MPG out of them?

Citroen reckons on 39.2mpg combined.

I think the fuel tank holds 80 litres (although I’d have to check the handbook) and I’ve just got slightly over 400 miles on half a tank.

It’s only the 1.6hdi 90ps engine though, as I’m only ever carrying bikes, dogs and a bit of camping gear and I don’t drive above 50mph when carrying the dogs anyway.

Driving Miss Daisy has nothing on me 😀

I’ve got a Citroen Dispatch and it’s so far been really great van.

Loads of room in the back for bikes and sleep in.

There are some on Autotrader for £5k + vat at dealers, but that’s before you haggle. A privately bought van would be cheaper again.

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IMG_0034[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

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IMG_0068[/url] by Amplebrew[/url], on Flickr

Dogs are just great 8)

I think it’s really important to test ride a bike before buying it.

Everyone has such different and sometimes minor preferences on handling, engine performance and fit.

For example, I thought my 08 Blade was amazing, but my friend who had a GSXR1000 didn’t like it because you sat ‘on’ the Blade rather than sitting ‘in’ the GSXR if that makes sense.

I have pretty much always gone for Honda’s and owned a few Blades and a CBR600. I have owned other sportsbikes such as a ZX10R, GSXR1000K6, R6 and an 04 R1, but always ended up going back to either a Blade or some other Honda model. Honda’s just happen to suit me.

I like the way a CBR600 and a Blade makes everything feel easy and relaxed, even when pressing on. Some people might find them a bit souless though, depending on their point of view.

Even when bikes have similar performance figures, they can be worlds apart. Take a CBR600rr out and then an R6, there is a huge difference in the way they ride, both in the way the engine delivers it’s power and the handling.

My Deda zero 100 bars are 31.7 so fit a std stem.