Already been mentioned, but UP is really good.

For info, I went from XT's with 160mm front and rear discs to X2's with 160's and braided hoses.

I've just gone from a bike with 2009 XT disc brakes to a bike with X2's.

I found that XT were more powerful or certainly felt so to me.

The X2's however have a better feel (less on and off) and look fantastic.

I purely went for Hope due to having a few warranty issues on Shimano stuff over the last year. Madison took ages to sort stuff out where as I've always found Hope to be really good :-)

I had a XT lever clamp snap at only 5nm, so that swung it for me.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either though.

ballsofcottonwool – Member
going from 11-28 to 11-34 meant that I no longer needed to use my granny ring.

Agree entirely.

I've still got my granny ring, but rarely use it with the 11-34 cassette.

epicsteve – Member
I'd have thought Hagon the most likely.

Hagon

I've had two rear shocks off them and they were spot on.

They're cheap and they take your weight and bike details so it's perfect for you.

Those Merino wool tops look a good deal

couldashouldawoulda – Member
IME a 34 is a slight liability in the middle ring due to the bigger gaps / steps

I run my MTB and tourer with an 11-34 and often use the 34 whilst in the middle ring.

Is this not a good thing to do? :-(

I run an 11-34 as it lets me stay in the middle ring longer and has saved me from a few poor gear choices eg trying to get it on the small ring whilst already going up a steep hill :-)

I've worked for the police for a number of years and have done quite a few different things. I've worked in specialist units in uniform and as a detective dealing with everything from murder, terrorism and gunrunners through to shoplifters and pickpockets. I've enjoyed almost every second of it. The variety of jobs you can turn your hand to are mind boggling. Don't listen to the whinging. Lot's of officers moan about the job and how managers and the public are horrible, yet they still manage to do 30 years!!!

I think it's the best job in the world and would not do anything else. You'll get out of it what you put in and if you keen and willing to get involved the possibilties are endless.

Yes. They tend to be less successful, knowledgeable, open-minded and dynamic as their better educated peers. One friend I was talking to recently, was regretting the fact he'd not pursued opportunities in Higher Education that some of his peers have. He has not progressed within his career as he would have iked, and seen better educated people come in and rise up the ladder before him. His career has stagnated, and he sees few opportunities for progression. He's not a copper, but I'd reckon a similar thing applies to most jobs and careers, really.

Believe me, you don't need any further education to be a good effective Officer and it will never hold you back from progressing your career.

Promotion is based on your work and skills demonstrated, not your education.

The Officers who progress their careers either do so because they want to, not because they have a greater level of education.

So, the top officers have no experience of Further or Higher Education? Really?

It's certainly not a necessity.

It doesn't matter to me what level of education my Senior Officers have,

It does matter to me that they allow me to police and help the community effectively.

It does matter to me that they listen to their Officers and understand the issues and problems in their geographical area.

I'm fortunate on both counts.

Talkemada – Member

It's not particularly the level or subject that is important, more the experience that can be gained within an educational environment. I can only speak from my own personal experience, but amongst the people I know, it's the ones that have pursued education after leaving school, that are more knowledgeable, open minded and dynamic than those who didn't. They also, generally, have better careers and are often more secure and well-rounded people.

Have you got any friends or collegues that haven't progessed their education beyond school?

Have you told them that they aren't as "knowledgeable, open minded and dynamic, secure and well-rounded?"

In my experience, it's the officers who display a more developed intellect, that are the more effective ones. I think you'll agree, that the officers who have been more progressive in their careers, that are often the more educated ones. I'd hazard a guess that the more senior ranking officers are reasonably well educated

The Officers who progress their careers either do so because they want to, not because they have a greater level of education.

I've got an Ultrasport bag and i'ts a quality bit of kit :-)

Would def recommend

Ultrasport bag

I'm not saying it does. But would you not agree, that a generally higher standard of education, coupled with good interpersonal skills, an ability to rationalise situations and make appropriate decisions, and all the other attributes of a good copper, would be good?

What would you class as a higher standard of education?

Do you know the educational background of the Officers you've dealt with?

Could the poor service be possibly down to poor Officers rather than so called uneducated ones?

I've found that I've started to sound like my Dad :-) lol

Talkemada – Member
deluded; Through work (local services) and just living where I live, in London. Sorry, but in my experience (and that of many people I know), some police officers are just poorly educated and ignorant. I could give you a list of examples, but I really can't be bothered, as you seem convinced that education is unnecessary.

Education is never unnecessary, and reading through the posts; I can't seem to find anyone saying that.

What I can see is however, is that people have identified a higher education doesn't mean a higher level of service or increased armoury of skills from an Officer and there are other skills which are as EQUALLY important when providing the public with a well rounded person.

I believe that it is wrong to judge a persons value or level of skill level by their educational background.

I'm sure there are lots or people in professional or skilled jobs throughout the world without an amazingly high education.

And this is a bad thing? I'd say the ability to learn is a fairly important 'skill' for any police officer. The problems I've encountered, stem from the individual's lack of skill to learn and understand the relevant information effectively.

Possibly if the Officer was honest enough to say when they didn't know rather than guess, the outcome could have been better for you.

Why the hostility towards education? Is having someone who is better able to think for themselves, a hindrance to effective policing?

I've certainly got no hostility towards education, I was just pointing out that from experience; it doesn't necessarily mean a better Officer.

Education: currently, there are no requirements for any applicants to the Police Force to hold any academic qualifications. I'd suggest, in the interests of Law and Order, it might be better to have a better educated and more intelligent police force. Certainly one whose foot soldiers actually have some knowledge of the very thing they are charged with upholding

Previous education has no relevance on your skills as a Police Officer, only shows that you can study, learn things from books and pass exams.

The knowledge you need on the street isn't rocket science and a lot of the graduates and 'high flyers' I've seen, might look good on paper; but have lacked the essential people skills and not lasted in the job.

They might have flew through the Police tests, but putting their knowledge into practice during real life situations has proven to be tricky for them and many have left.

Far more important than education, is your desire to help people, abilty to listen and having the honesty to acknowledge when you don't know something.

I also love my Gobi, although my last one had to be replaced by the shop after the glue holding on the cover came adrift at the rear and under the nose on the 4th ride :-(

Touch wood, the new one has been fine :-)

If you are going to apply, be committed, don’t just give it a go. You must WANT to do the job, otherwise it will find you out and your tenure as an officer will be a short one. In recent years I've found that many recruits join to see if it's something they can turn their hand to (usually equipped with 'A' levels) and discover a year down the line it's not for them.

Agreed

We usually lose one recruit per intake I reckon, mostly down to them not liking the shifts, the confrontational side of the job or them doing something naughty.

I've very rarely been met with hate, fear, distrust or suspicion from ordinary law abiding members of society – as it happens. Not exclusively, but generally, those feelings tend to be displayed by the criminals.

Agreed

Most people you will come into contact with are fine, even a lot of the criminals who know the score will suprisingly be fine with you.

The Flying Ox – Member

billyboy: I was 30 years as a response officer in the Met…
doom…
gloom…
Calm. Calm. Calm…..just forget all about it.

I'm in! Where do I sign?

Onza, it's honestly a fantastic job; as long as you don't mind the shifts.

One of the nice things is being off mid-week so you pretty much get the trails all to yourself :-)

My shifts consist of:

2 x early shifts 7.30am – 4.30pm
2 x late shifts 3.00pm – 12am or (4.00pm to 2.00am on Fri/Sat)
2 x night shifts 11.00pm – 8am or (8.00pm to 8.00am on Fri/Sat)

I then get 4 days off in a row :-)

Some forces are different though, when I worked for Lanc's the shifts weren't as good.

It's worth while speaking to a recent recruit at your local station rather than someone who has been in years. They will probably have a different outlook on the job.

You'll find that most Officers are really helpful.

Due to the price of things on the Isle Of Man and lack of choice / stock, we pretty much do all our shopping online.

Although we use the local Tesco store for food, that is done via the net and they drop it off.

The only things that we get locally is veg and meat from a farmer and getting jobs done on the house and car etc.

Post is so quick now, even getting things sent to the Isle Of Man only takes around 48hrs.

For example I ordered a roof air vent for our van yesterday at 10am and it arrived today at 12pm using normal post!!!!!

Still, could be worse……………

Could be "wind up the smart!" :-) lol

Or…….

Fire up the diesel in my case :-( sniff sniff

I wouldn't mind if it was a flippin adult site!!!!! lol

It's on manx.net, which is general classifieds / news / weather site.

Suprised he didn't put an age range up, could be interesting!!! :-)

I've met some fantastic friends through the job, but the shifts can be a pain to be honest.

I get around 1 full weekend of in 8, which means that getting out with friends not in the job is difficult. You're social circle will start to be more work friends, not necessarily out of choice, but just because your all off at the same time :-) lol

If we're having a get together or a meal out etc, it takes a lot of forward planning, although my missus works shifts as a nurse which doesn't help.

We've got nights out planned with friends in May!!!!! lol

Having said that…..

It's a brilliant job and I wouldn't do anything else. Has good and bad days like any other job, but the good bits far out weigh the bad bits :-)

As said earlier, don't let the 'old sweats' taint your view if you join. There a lot of Officers who believe that the job owes them a living, are lazy and moan about every little thing. I suppose a lot of jobs are like that though.

Better to have a go than never know.

There is a lot of extension on the seat tube though, so you could possibly go up a size.

My was a 16.5" from memory and I had a 70mm stem on it.

I'm 5ft 7 and found it too short for me.

However everyone is different and you'd have to try one I suppose.

It was a fantastic bike to ride though, probably could have done with having 1/2 inch more on the top tube for me.

I moved from the UK to the Isle Of Man in 2006 without knowing anyone. I moved over with my wife and it's obviously an english speaking country, so a slighty different scenario.

However my wife initially didn't get comfy with the move and wanted to go back after 12 months.

I on the other hand was loving it and fitted in straight away.

I think that there were 2 reasons for this….

1) My wife was very very close to her family, so she missed them lots.
2) I was keen on cycling and motorbikes, so met loads of people through my hobbies.

All of our friends have been met through cycling, motorbikes or work.

My best advice to you is, where ever you move to; embrace their culture and way of life. Get involved with as many local activites as possible, no matter if it's the local pub quiz or a cycling club :-)

I had a 2006 which I ran rigid unfortunately.

Not too sure what year you're looking at and even if geometries changed, but I found mine to be quite a short bike for it's frame size.

My mate has just ordered the Avenir bike bag from Merlin for £39.99.

It should hopefully arrive in the next couple of days.

Think it had 50% off!!!

daveatextremistsdotcouk – Member
I've looked at the 4WD track in the distance from the car park and thought 'that looks steep'. Can it be done in the granny ring?

There's an old 'no cycling' sign at the start but I assume it is pre-reform.

Would be nice to wave at the fenced-in funicular passengers in the summer though.

I've walked it quite a few times and never even noticed that 'no-cycling' sign :oops:

I walked to the top last year with my two dogs and had a stop at the top for a bit, putting their leads down on a rock. It was a fantastic day with gorgeous weather.

After chilling out for 30 mins, I decided to walk back down and upon arriving in the car park I went to put the dogs back on their leads.

It was at this point that I realised I'd left their leads on the top :oops:

It was a bit of a drag having to walk back up again :-(

TandemJeremy – Thanks for that link, I'll have a good look through it.

amplebrew – Member
aviemoron – I was hoping to do the track that goes from the rear of the Reindeer House on the road that leads from Aviemore to the Cairngorms.

It climbs up to a peak before then dropping down past what looks like a bothy and what I think is called the 'green lagoon' or similar.

An Lochan Uaine. It turns that colour as the local elves do all their washing in it.

I was sat having lunch down there the other year, when a couple of Deer meandered over for a drink. Made the day to be honest :-)

amplebrew – Member
Cool

Thanks for the info.

I haven't heard of that track to Glen More, I'll have a look on the map.amplebrew – Member
Cool

Thanks for the info.

I haven't heard of that track to Glen More, I'll have a look on the map.

It's not on the 1:50K map. it's a bit of a pain cycling up but a hoot on the way down. If it's covered in snow, best avoid as there are some bigger "stopper" boulders which might be hidden.

I appreciate the heads up on that one :-)

Any hoo Amplebrew come along on the Local ride out (wed night) we meet at Bothy bikes around 6ish

Maybe see you
Andy

I'll probably take you up on that :-)

We arrive on Friday 9th April, so the following Wednesday would be cool, if not freezing!!!!! lol

aviemoron – I was hoping to do the track that goes from the rear of the Reindeer House on the road that leads from Aviemore to the Cairngorms.

It climbs up to a peak before then dropping down past what looks like a bothy and what I think is called the 'green lagoon' or similar.

One of the mtb mags covered it a few months ago, but cab't recall which one now.

I knew that the access laws were different to the UK and Isle Of Man, although I must admit to being ignorant with Scottish laws :oops: