”or that horrific case where someone drowned trying to save their dog in heavy seas and lots of people just stood around filming it on their phones”.

Poor comparison there tazz, to assist the todler would not have put their life at risk, unlike jumping into a heavy sea to save someone from drowning.

Not the same at all.
Prety sick to film it though.

Is it only me that sees it a bit coincidental both bonked in the same place in such a long race?
If it had been a mile longer neither would have finished.
Im not sure its 100%.

Im smell a rodent.

Yep,
Proper Pish-take.
Tell him you have taken professional advise (not from a load of no-names on a mountain bike forum.

£250.00 Tops.

Interesting post.

Been looking into this for a while and spoken to lots of people.

One thing I have got from each and every one is. If your house is already well insulated and heat loss is minimal going green is a money saver in the long run.
If you have poor insulation spend your money on that first.
Obviously if you need a new system or hardware anyway it makes more sense, but with technoligy moving so fast it may be worth just replacing like-for-like and spending the saved money on better insulation.
In the industry they call it ‘Pay Back’ better insulation wins every time.

OMEGA. (Quality without the bling of TAG and the like)

Less Worthy ugh?

I think there may be a few thousand British troops would like to meet you.

Can we all agree.
We shouldn’t really laugh but if we do its OK?

Specialknees comments are getting personal but I can sort of see where he’s coming from.

epicyclo
If it makes you feel good by not laughing so be it. Your Tom Simpson comparison is poor but Im sure you know what you are trying to say even if no one else does.

Well done that man.(shibboleth).

If I had the vocabulary Thats exactly what I would have said.

For me it stinks of ”selfish desire”.

No sound for me and small screen so Didnt really take in the American bit.
Now Im really laughing.

Yep,
Sorry me too.
I laughed, in fact the whole office did.

Well said Specialknees.

The only credit Im giving is for making the woman who sits next to me laugh, first time I seen that in 3 years.

Some people give that much effort because they have to to stay alive.
I will save my ‘real credit’ for those more worthy in this world.

As a few people have suggested Specialized Stumpy 08 ish (Anniversary edition.

Just felt vague and remote at the rear unless the shock was pumped-up high, then felt like a hard tail.

Also, and only just thought of this, Spesh Epic 2009. Bought used from ebay and had a rear brain shock with rebound adjustment only. Felt like a flat rear tyre most of the time, hated it. Fast though.!

So its just two Speshes I didn’t like but nothing against the brand.

I can relate to this, although slightly different for me.
I got into the bike thing about five years ago, bought all the latest kit, really went for it probably spent the best part of 15K over the years on bikes and stuff. I couldn’t wait to ride my bikes and due to the constant updates I always had something new to try-out. I was out

Lately I have reached saturation point, buying new kit doesn’t give the kick it used to.

I think I have reached my level now, I only replace things if they need replacing. I ride twice a week and enjoy it.

Those last TVR’s the ones with huge holes drilled here there and everywhere, They where truly ugly.

Looks like BMW are pulling the same trick with the mini, take a good looking car and year by year make it into something horrible.

Just had to take another look. Don’t know why.
There is just something about it..I cant help but keep looking.

The bike equivalent to Rachel Atherton, a bit average to look at but with such excellent credentials, there is just something that makes me give some respect.

Not a fan of the Carbon 456 but can see why some people are, Im sure the cost plays a big part too.

Other than the OTT brakes I like it.

Besides, no mater how it looks we all know with a good rider on board it will fly.

Good effort I say.

Another consideration is how much private mileage you do and how long your commute is.

I have a company car and I use it all the time for private use, in fact I have sold my own car. My commute is 50 miles each way, I did have my own car until four years ago, fuel alone was £80.00 per week, remember you cant claim the commute only the business miles (not sure if this is the same for all though). Also, in my company car scheme I get a new car every 2yrs. The car has to be a Peugeot or Citroen but no restriction on value.

So, for me..
I pocketed the money I got on selling my own car.
I use the car for all my private journeys including two alps trips per year + French family hols.
I know what expenditure I have each month.

For me the Scheme turned out to be a good move.

I have to line-up the H & C on taps.
Broken a few doing it too such is my obsession.

Also I avoid driving on cats eyes when changing lanes on dual carriageways. Its got to the point now where its getting dangerous, Particularly at junctions as they are closely spaced around those.

I also count steps while walking, cant stop it. Often loose count which really upsets me.

I seem to have ruffled a few feathers, not sure why and would rather not get involved,a few sensible answers as well though.

The Dog Sh*t one is so true.

Still not had the Leprechaun get me though, maybe he is picking his moment.

and yes, why do some youngsters wear their trousers like that?

It depends who is asking.
If its the wife, bikes are worth no more than a few hundred quid.

In reality bikes would be around 10K possibly more

Car was twice that new but now worth around 8K.

So Yes, I mean No.!

OscillateWildly +2

Its a real BUG BEAR of mine this subject.

As an Engineer, the bike industry makes me cringe, too many STANDARDS surely its an impossibility. By virtue there can only be one standard at any one time.

Lokks like a Santa Cruz Superlight, only better.

My next door neighbour had a Mini Cooper 970S in the garage for most of my childhood. It was Tartan red and it was never driven in the 22 years I lived in the house.
I Moved and a few years ago herd from another neighbour, apparently someone saw it in the garage and offered the woman owner £300. It was her husbands but he died before I lived there.

She took the £300.

I remember looking at it, well sitting in it and going vroom vroom when I was a kid, The registration number was SPY 110 or something like that, it was as new condition and according to my dad was only ever driven from the showroom to home before the old boy died.
Would be worth a hell of a lot of money now.

Bike bouy
I was dying to say that but didnt have the nuts.
Thought I would get flamed.
Well done sir.

I read this whole thread and have absolutely no idea what any of it means.

Thought it would be about plumbing.

Which is another subject I have absolutely no knowledge of.

Comparing a Porsche 911 with a phone.

One is an Engineering masterpiece way ahead of its time. Refined over years into something that can be used every day yet gets it done without undue fuss or drama. It can take you another dimension and back yet still works day in day out.

The other?

Well…

Its just a car.

I have lots of bearings for the Crossmax SL’s If they are the wheels you have F.O.C. drop me a line.
I no longer have a use for them as I got rid of the wheels.

They where yet another way of the manufacturers trying to kid us the buying public that we needed them.
The cycle industry is full of innovations claiming to be the next big thing, very few have any real benefit or significance. Those that believe the HYPE and make the purchase fuel the fire claiming the difference is wonderful and how a whole new world has opened-up for them.

10 & 11 Speed casettes are a clasic.
Its nothing new, Fishing tackle industry is even worse.

Just for the record I do own a bike with tapered steerer tube.

Crikey
That bit about Jason and Amanda made me spit my tea all over my keyboard.

”A mobile diner party”.

Not stopped laughing since you posted it.

Cant comment on the S/S ones but Im very disapointed with my Hope ones, they have developed a lot of play in the large rivet that joins the friction surface to the alloy spider. In fact its now so bad I can feel and hear the ‘take-up’ when I apply the front brake while riding.
Also it feels like the headset bearings are about to drop out every time I rock the bike back and fourth with the front brake on.
Hope say its normal.
They had no play when new or a year later so I cant really go for that.

Floating rotors?
NO THANKS.

I bought a set of S/S wheels a while ago. Superleggra TI rear DT Swiss 350 rims Sapim CX Rays. Less than 1400 grames all in.

Mixed views for me, rear was incorrectly built, one spoke had been inserted from the wrong side causing a horrible spoke path. Fixed that myself easily enough. Spoke tension was very low on both wheels but again easily fixed.

Rear Bearings developed play within about six months, S/S couldn’t tell me the sizes I required but did send me a good A4 instructional. New bearings were easy to fit and cheap.
I like the ‘buzz’ from the freewheel but if it gets on your nerves a small amount of grease makes it almost silent.

So, All in all If you don’t mind a bit of fettling then they are good value. If you want to fit and forget stay away.

Yes, agree with everything written so far.
The damp proofing industry is worth millions and although treatment often cures the symptoms it never cures the cause.

Google ‘damp proofing’ and it will be all people trying to sell you something.
A qualified architect knows damp rarely rises its causes are well documented. No 1 on the list is outside ground too high. Then poorly maintained rainwater pipes etc etc.

Also, check you don’t have a mains water leak. I believe the water board will do a check free of charge these days. Be prepared though if they do find a leak and its on your side they will serve you a notice giving you 7 days to repair it.
I had damp in my hallway, had it treated 2K+ it returned within three months. Checked the water main and although I couldnt see any sign of a leak ( it was lead) I replaced it with a new PVC pipe. Damp went within a week and never returned.

I know a bit about this subject.
The cups are deeper on the lower spec ones, XTR and I( think) road ones have narrower bearings. 5mm as opposed to 6mm IIRC.
I made the mistake of buying replacement bearings, found out they dont fit all BB.
Hope that helps.

Solid too.

Just looking at that fishing rod pic something has struck me (scuse the pun).

Bamboo Bike, Bamboo fishing rod. Check
Steel Bike, Steel Fishing rod. Check
Alloy Bike, Alloy fishing rod. Check
Carbon bike, Carbon Fishing rod. Check

There is something missing though, have bikes ever been made from Fibreglass?
Never seen one. Strange as Glass fibre fishing rods had great properties and where very tough.

Bandito,

Once you have ironed out the teething problems you will have one hell of a bike there.
Keep going.

MTG,
Thanks, Thats what I thought.
How does it perform, is mud/flying stones a problem?
looks great by the way.

I want one.!

”They may laugh at us for many other reasons though, not least the seriousness with which we debate bicycles”.

Its serious stuff.!

Bandito,
I dont follow you, probably me being stupid. Am I right in thinking the chain-stay has to be ‘unboltable’ to get the belt on?
Am I right in assuming theres not a way of joining a toothed belt, they are used in industry for all sorts. Surely someone has devised a way of joining?
Could be an opening there.

I would love to convert to belt drive. It would mean a hub gear too so it could get a bit expensive.
When you look at bike chains they really are so old fashioned, mechs and gears are even more so.
We need to move on a bit, I just wish I had a frame that would take-it.

Im convinces in a few years time all bikes will be made this way.

Our children (maybe grand children) will laugh at derailiers and chains.

Kryton,
That’s the ‘FEEL GOOD FACTOR’.
For you, on that day a break and a good meal made you feel good. You then rode better, you noticed (and possibly pals too) that you was riding faster and that made you feel even better.
We all ride better (faster) when we feel good.
A light bike makes (some) people feel good.