Back in 2009 he rode a 61cm Roubaix

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-tom-boonens-specialized-s-works-roubaix-sl2-custom-21190/

This years bike was a prototype but I can see him varying his geometry that much, he’s just a tall lad.

He’s one of the classiest riders I think we’ll see in our life times and great to see grown men getting so excited in the video; thanks for the link

Fantastic ride, well done!

I find my carbon fork comfortable, Niner Carbon forks are also STRONG!

Double post

Paul’s Components- looks the bomb, nice and light, a bit pricey (but aren’t they all), didn’t loose the chain once on some of the rockiest riding I’ve done in the peaks last weekend

I’ve just given up driving to Manchester, queuing Westbound from Huddersfield all the way there; thanks for the tip about the BBC red button :D

I run 29 inch Arch rims and to date I’ve needed levers to get every tire I’ve used on them, the list includes

-Ardents
-Crossmarks
-Ignitors
-Ground Controls
-Renegades
-FastTraks

I struggle with both tubes and tubeless, I figured it’s par for the course in order to get the seal you need when running tubeless

I agree with Yeti regarding air temperature.

Given Lee Quarry is on the side of a hill you may want to take a portable barometer and a relible pump so you can vary your pressures depending weather.

Even on a sunny day like they’re predicting this weekend I’ve known it feel quite chilly at the top, this could play havoc with your traction if you just go and ride your bike and enjoy it.

Bol, all this is in light of your Solaris and my subsequent obsession with lighter components; damn you!

Completely agree and would be interested in the responses.

My 5 year old went from Dora the Explorer to Dora on crack killing the monkey with an axe in a single link.

That said if you’ve got time to create an animation of Dora on crack you’re a dick with too much time on your hands.

Has anyone mentioned a hand made Parlee carbon frame yet?; they make me moist

Spent the day with the kids at the fantastic Cannon Hall Farm down Barnsley way; best adventure playground, pork pies and farm shop I know then watched Wiggins win Paris-Nice on catch up. A proper bo non cycling day I tell thee

Just a personal view but having spent thousands on bikes off the peg that didn’t fit properly I’d look at spending some of your money on a decent bike fit session.

Have a look at this Canyon, you can spec it with a compact or triple chainset (no shame in that) plus an 11-28 cassette and have money left over for the bike fit

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2508

bob jacksons are crap.

Aye, they didn’t do the best job on my cross frame, lumpy and bumpy.

I’m just returning a company Mondeo with 130k on the clock; it’s been serviced at a Ford dealer every 12000 miles and hasn’t had a single mechanical or electrical issue in its 3.5 years.

It’s 90% motorway miles, the rest being entering/leaving towns for the motorway.

As has been mentioned, service history and driving sytle is the key when choosing a high milage car; it may be worth approaching some fleet operators directly to see if they sell decomissioned cars to the public.

edit- diesel engine

Yes, no one’s forcing them

Exactly what I thought VooDoo but an interesting insight into their culture.

Tha Joyces, tha Nevins, tha Collins, it’ll never end!!

And a nostalgic one

Just swapped the Ergon grips for some Specialized Roccas and lost half a pound!

May the weight/money loss begin.

It’s cool Bol, it’s good to have something to aim for!

It’s my 40th next year and something nice is due so a Solaris frame has be added to the list of possibilities.

As for the ride, she’s a little cumbersome on tight switchbacks but aside from that you don’t notice the size.

Yeah Bol it was your bike and very nice it is too.

I can see a pound or so to be lost (tubes, ergons/bars ends) and your carbon railed saddle, carbon post and XX cassette probably make a nice dent in the overall weight.

I wasn’t bothered about the weight before today/drooling over the Cotic so I shouldn’t be now, just suprised it’s so bulky.

WOW!!! That’s quite an impressive list Steve

My car’s got two DPF’s, it has 135k miles on it, and let’s see how often it’s had a DPF issue. Hmm, that’d be zero times. Not one. An that’s with a reasonable amount of urban running.

I second this, 130K on the clock, mostly motorway yet an average speed of 38mph (got to love British roads) and no problems with the DPF.

That said, the joy of a company car is regular dealer servicing (mine gets done every 12000 miles so about 3 times a year).

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/guides/company-car-vs-car-allowance/

If you do go with a company car it’s worth remembering that benefit is kind is partially calculated on emissions and is likely to rise over the next few years based on this.

The tax on my last car jumped £60 per month 2011/2012 to 2012/2013.

Personally, I’d never have a ford again after having a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium for the last 3 years

I’ve had the complete opposite experience, just returning a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X with 130,000 on the clock and it hasn’t skipped a beat.

What’s put you off Steve?

Personally I’ve always gone the company car route as if you lose your job it’s their problem and you are not stuck with a 3 year lease to pay for.

I’ve just ordered a 1.6 TDci Focus Estate Titanium X and it’s effectively costing me £53 per month in tax.

Car allowances are nice if you already own a car as you can use it to cover running costs etc but I don’t find them as attractive if you have to purchase with them.

If you like it, keep it.

People are quite right about the amount of ‘skill compensation’ built into modern frames.

I remember Steve Peat winning downhills on a rigid Kona and he’d probably beat us all today on the same bike, as would Merckxx on his 70’s steel 10 speed despite our carbon tubulars and electric shifting.

Only an opinion but I’ve been embarrassed too many times by folk on lesser bikes to think its the bigger part of the equation.

Cheers for the offer wwaswas but I need to buy the frame first, I thinking about a Planet X Dirty Harry

1×9 at the mo but often singlespeed

I use Aston Hall for meetings and its pretty nice

http://www.tomahawkhotels.co.uk/home.aspx?h=1

I also use Tankersley Manor (which is spitting distance from Wharncliffe and the Sheffield Gnar scene)

http://www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/tankersley-manor-barnsley.aspx

I emailed them to ask about the frame numbers, how are they missing?have they been filed down?? and they replied almost immediately as below

Dear bennyboyh,

hi there im not to sure you can see were its been sprayed but theres no marks on it just all smooth so im not sure what has happened its never really bothered me dont affect the frame in anyway you can only see it when you turn the bike ova thanks alot

– joanne9990

Make off it what you will, honest crook or gullible dumbass

Chain line issues?

I set up my 1×9 a few weeks back and had similar problems.

I took the drive side spacer out and put it on the left, effectively moving the chainring inwards and it solved the problem.

On a 1×9 set up, ideally, your chainline should be straight in 5th gear.

just what wwaswas says.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/understand-refund.htm#1

You should have received documentation explaining how the amount was calculated.

The retaining structure is an existing retaining wall, built by the previous owners.

Floor/ground levels will be as per exisitng conservatory on our property.

We are quite literally, in terms of floor plan taking a 3×3 structure and increasing it to 4×4, all increases in dimensions will away from the neighbours property and not towards it.

I’ve requested copies of their conservatory designs and foundation details, no response…offered to dig a trial hole, no response….

Their conservatory sits on an approx 500mm double wall.

Our Building regs notes (submitted to the building inspector), of which they have a copy state “Foundations to be similar size as existing house footings and taken to a similar depth as existing”.

I appreciate going we may have to go lower than their foundations hence the offer of underpinning

aP, that is best served cold.

The only saving grace is I failed to sign and date the Notice that I handed them to in theory it’s null and void.

We’ve got on with these guys for 7 years, not a single issue, so it’s all a bit unfathomable at the moment.

You get the vibe that they’re just being obstructive.

Equally badass