Use  summers/winters on the car and Michelin all seasons on the van which seem to work fine in the snow with a bit of due care. I’m in the expensive point where I’ll need new summers and winters in the next 6 months, so tempted to go down the all seasons route on the car give how rarely we get excessive snow anymore. Might finally be the incentive the weather needs for a properly snowy winter – so if any one wants a set of Seat Leon 16inch alloys!

I had a few pairs of superstar pads do that a while back. I’ve also had the same issue on the car twice. Guess it happens but not that often – might be a bad batch?

Here you go, buy one before you miss out

That one for sale ;)

Love mine (prev version and definitely tempted by the short lance attachment – would make bike washing easier with one hand.

To answer questions above, it uses about 10ltrs to rinse my Leon, and I’ve gotten an entire puffer out of half a battery and 30lts of water.

The Karcher/Hose combo comes out only for deep cleaning patios and washing the van, mostly because the brush make reaching the roof easier.

I quite enjoyed it. The Beetle scene was unnecessary and TBH it was stuff like that which had started putting me off the GT. The rest of it made me think the Zimbabwe looks like a stunning place and I quite liked the reflection of all of the past specials etc.

I kind of agree with Clarkson (Unusual), this did feel like an end of an Era. I too think that EVs are just sh!t, and about as appealing as white goods, the same goes for any modern car regardless of fuel. I feel the same about the iPhone 16 vs the first, or the original Motorola Razr too. I’m not quite 40 and maybe going into that ‘things were more exciting in my day’ phase of life, but I don’t enjoy driving like I used to, neither does it give the feeling of freedom like it did when I was 18.

So kudos to those 3 for milking the gravy train and on an obviously lucrative career and all the best for their next endeavors. I’ll take my aging van for a drive into the Highlands to a quite place for the night and go back to thinking about another Mk3 Polo GT Coupe like my first car that opened up the mountains and great outdoors for me, or the Mk2 Golf I always wanted (Some bloke on STW’s fault).

Nostalgia, it ain’t what it used to be…

Second some of the above, all my work shirts are Charles Tyrwitt, although some have been Hawes and Curtis. Good value and good quality with the bonus that they’re also long enough in the sleeve and the body to stay tucked in. I used to have M&S autograph but they’re always a boxy, prefer the slim fit from CT. Sadly not Extra Slim anymore.

If only, for road and gravel, there was a way to increase the range of gears without a stupidly narrow spaced cassette and a skinny chain that snaps at extreme chain angles. Say an extra chainring at the front, which would convert your 22 speed into a 22, or 24, or now a 26 and a device that moved the chain from one chainring to the second, wouldn’t that be incredible engineering…

I’ve got a Yamaha music cast thingy. Works well, and works over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so don’t have to worry about walking too far away from it

Oh great! Kate Forbes might stand. It’s going to be interesting as even she doesn’t think the SNP government is any good

Let’s be honest, she’s not wrong. Since the last leadership election, she’s been pretty much spot on about the dangers of continuity. The SNP’s popularity has cratered. She’s also not wrong about education, the economy, the Scottish NHS, short sighted urban policies affecting rural Scotland and the Bute House agreement. She’s by far the most grown up in the room and the only politician talking about the need to sort out priority issues with public services and the economy, rather than driving distracting and polarising wedge issues. Deeply unpopular with 52% of the 50k SNP members, but extremely popular with the other 48% and with many SNP voters outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

I share very different views with her on certain social matters, but last time I checked Scotland was (just) a free country where all faiths had a right to their individual beliefs as long as they weren’t overriding the democratically expressed votes of the electorate.

Although I’m Englishman in Scotland and consequently a probably a unionist (I always believe it’s better to solve issues as one rather than by crating further divisions), I’d much rather her take the SNP to the 2026 election and make Scotland a better and more prosperous place to live over any petty party squabbles and people playing politics while Rome burns. Likewise, I’d rather live in a prosperous independent Scotland than the sh*tshow that is becoming the current one.

Same here. Half decent weekend, wind aside, and quite spring like. Back to winter today and just started raining icy rain just as I’m about to head home.

Still refusing to turn the heating back on though…

At the moment the thought of getting out to the trails, (I do have trails locally, but I don’t really know them, so there is a 1000% chance I will get lost), and to get to the good trails it is getting in the car, actually gives me a little bit of anxiety.

Can get on board with this. I’ve not been on my MTB in ages, and part of it is the faff of packing it up, driving somewhere, riding in a swamp, then packing the muddy bike back into the van and dealing with all the messy kit when I get home and I just cba with or get motivated for any of that.

Not sure if you’ve just got MTBs or any other sort of bike, but a local 1 hour bimble along a cycle path/woodland track in the sun to a cafe and back works wonders as a starting point. Just about getting the wheels turning, doesn’t have to be gnarr or far. In many cases, it’s best to keep it easy or local as you don’t get as disheartened about “I used to ride this much faster”

Yeah, been there a few times and there now too. Work taking up too much time, illnesses, time pressures and frankly the seemingly endless 9 months of dark, cold, wet and miserable weather has killed the joy. Got out of the habit and now it feels like an effort. Mates are all on zwift banging out training rides, all about the w/kg and I’m just not interested. Club rides have become a vile smash fest fueled by the racer and no social aspect, so I’ve bailed out of those too.

WFH today, first sunny day in ages but still blowing a hoolie. Took the gravel bike out at lunch. Felt hard, but warm. Stopped on climbs and said hello to lambs, sniffed the gorse, didn’t chase anyone or anything, no numbers. 90 minutes of solitude and fresh air. Starting to think I might try again at the weekend, but only if its bimbling and if the weathers nice.

Take it one day at a time, and just focus on the good things. Frankly who cares if you’re a bit slower up the hill, it’s supposed to be fun, not penance. The guilt free pint after tastes better too.

No reason for any house with central heating to need a log burner.

Except with a changing climate, storms are becoming more frequent. Many parts of Scotland have been left with no power for days or weeks in recent years (after Arwen especially). Wood burners are often an essential back up heat source if the power goes down, especially in rural areas.

Troy Lee XCs always seem to last years for me

I run them on my Stanton (Cushcore). Best thing I’ve found is being able to still run relatively low pressures (20psi) on a 29x 2.4 tyre and not worry so much when hitting sharp edges like drainage ditches/rocks. Have ridden some pretty rough stuff with relatively little talent at times and it’s happily plowed through whereas I’ve had dinged rims and pinch flats before.

I had a 905 before the Stanton and the plus tyres seemed to do a decent job on rough stuff, but still dinged the rim on a hard hit. Never dared to drop the pressures right down on rough rocky ground though.

If cost is a concern, I’d probably just put one in the rear as that’s the rim that’s going to take the brunt of the impacts. Think you can buy single Cushcores.

Negatives, well they’re not light and my experiences was the plus wheelset on the 905 wasn’t exactly sprightly to start with, so might make the bike feel a little sluggish on accelerations. Getting the tyres on/off is a total ballache too. On the flipside, and no experience of Plus tyres with inserts, they might support the soft sidewalls a bit more and stop them feeling quite so vague on berms etc.

I love the Sportful Fiandre Pro stuff, the nano bibs are excellent (as long as you get the ones with the windproof knees and thighs). Their neoshell jacket is superb too. Use both loads on the road but they got me comfortably through the night laps at the puffer too. 

Salsa spearfish is supposed to be mega.

Another vote for a Stanton Sherpa, ticks all the boxes that you describe. I’m continually amazed at how capable it is on rough stuff while still feeling ‘XC’ enough on pedally tame stuff.

No full builds offered anymore but depending on cyclescheme you can still by parts I believe.

If I didn’t buy the Sherpa, I’d have bought the Cotic though, especially when they did it in purple.

In short, probably not. Most of it is just what it costs – an insight into what GP appointments would be like if there was no NHS.

I do recommend pet insurance though, my last cat racked up over £20k in vet bills in 10 years.

Thanks all. Decided on double trail (can still run a Barzo at the back if needed).

How did you get on with these? Considering a trail/cross or double cross combo on some XC rims to lighten up the Sherpa for puffer/long days and reduce drag on fireroads. Don’t want to die in the wet however!

Well between the G-One Speeds and the GP5000’s I ran 25c Corsas. Had a puncture on my commute last week#. I found previously they delaminated and shed their tread from the carcass over time.

I had a set delaminate from the carcass, but they were about 6000km old by that point and had been left flat on the carbon wheels and a bit damp over winter, so I kind of felt that was fair enough. I wondered whether as the sealent degrades, whether it affects the glue as I never had that issue with the tubed versions and I’ve an old Open Pave on a spare wheels that’s still prefect and its >6 years old.
I’d forgotten about the G-one speeds, never ran a set but used 35mm G-ones for commuting and and gravel and they were great.
Interesting on the mounting, I’ve had issues with Gp4000s and tubeless GP5000s on Mavic Askiums, Shimano C24s, and now Scribe Carbon 50s and 365 Alus. The new ones, although tight, do seal easily.

Is it just me that thinks that GP5000s are made of cheese? Put a set on in spring and have hade so many small holes that have spaffed everywhere, I’ve lost count. Riding the same roads and conditions that I usually ride, seem really vulnerable to small flints/grit. With that in mind, I struggle to recommend them. They’re also a total bastard to get on and off.

I usually run Vittoria Corsa’s (Cotton tubeless versions) on the carbon wheels and Corsa-controls on the winter wheels. Both feel better, more comfortable and much more durable (including the summer ones) with no real downsides. Incredible grip too, the tubeless equivalent of a cotton tyre and latex tube Also, if you’re running 25mm GP5000s, a 25mm Corsa will look/feel more like a 28mm.

In conclusion, I’d probably buy 25mm Corsa Controls and run them all year in your position

 It will not be cheap – but, as is being discussed on the HS2 thread, what if we spent that bazillion pounds on insulating existing properties, building super efficient new ones, covering every roof with solar, changing some conservation area rules, making progress with tidal and wave power etc.

I think there’s a balance. I agree on some aspects, get rid of the planning rules that stop people retrofitting energy efficient insulation and heating systems, oh and adding solar to the roof. But there is an environmental cost to demolishing old buildings and rebuilding them in the extraction and processing of building material. Bricks and cement have an enormous carbon cost vs. domestic heating using gas and/or electricity. Timber frames are great, but then the amount of wood required would have it’s own environmental cost.

If I could fit a modern, super insulated UPVC doors and triple glazed windows, add solar to the roof and electric hot water run off the solar, my gas consumption for heating would be miniscule. But since I’m not allowed to do the former, the latter is pointless.

I think they are missing a good opportunity here. Some houses are so poorly insulated they are adding to global warming through increased use of fossil fuels.

I would base the amount you pay on the EPC rating. Houses rated G in their EPC would pay the highest rate an A the lowest. This would encourage people to improve their insulation etc and get their house re rated. If all housing was improved to C rating it would be a major contribution to the fight against global warming. The government should also offer more grants to help those struggling to afford improvements.

This is the same level of imbecilic thinking as Patrick Harvies heat pump proposal.

I’ll use a couple of examples. I live in a Granite Terrace in a conservation area. I’m lucky that I have UPVC double glazing that was installed before the conservation area was established. However, I’ve installed as much loft insulation as I can, but these properties aren’t cavity insulated as you can’t. Many people on my street can’t fit high efficiency double glazing due to the outdated and ridiculous planning laws that states you have to maintain the original sashes. As a result, one window replacement is now c. £20k not £5, and over £100k to replace all the windows on a £150k property.  As such, my EPC rating will be lower than someone who lives in a high efficiency modern house – not all the crap Barretts builds popping up. As such, most people under your plan would pay through the nose because they can’t afford either a high efficiency modern build, and can’t move because the new rules have rendered your existing asset worthless. I also can’t improve my EPC rating as any attempts wouldn’t get planning permission. (Read also why most people living in conservation areas would be worse off and have a higher energy use with a heat pump).

My partners parents live in a stone double upper down the coast on a very modest pension. Their council tax would go up, because their EPC would be poor, but again, they can’t make improvements to windows because of the idiotic planning restrictions. They can’t move because they can’t afford to. They can’t put in new windows to comply with planning because they can’t afford to. So what happens to them?

Fully paid up 2X gravel lover. Currently on 50/34 front chainring with an 11-34, but may downsize to 48/31 for bikepacking loaded & for steeper hills.

The cynic in me thinks 1X gravel is here because Sram couldn’t make a 2x cable front mech that worked properly with doubletap.

I use 40cm on the roadbike and 42cm on the Gravel. I’m about 41cm shoulder to shoulder so anything wider than 42cm is totally unnecessary for non-mtb duties and just results in stiff shoulders, neck and wrists. I’ve never had a control issue, even on riverbed type rocky choss.

If you ‘need’ 52cm bars on a gravel bike, I’d argue that you’re probably on the wrong bike.

OP, what size are you?

I’m a 43-44 depending on brand. 9-9 1/2 in old money. My Giro’s are 43.5 which seems to be be sweetspot.

Cheers all.

Always been aware of the Shimano’s ME7’s but somehow always blindly moved past them. The spesh I’d never considered, some form of naïve anti-brand blindness. Will order and see which fits best.

Lake somehow don’t seem to fit, I’ve tried loads as always wanted a pair for the road. I’ve always got on great with my Giro Empire road shoes, so if walking wasn’t a consideration I’d just get the MTB versions, but way to stiff for any hike-a-bike.

Was also eyeing up the new Kestrel Pro’s – look appealing and on offer but mixed reviews and only available in the UK in dull colours!

Tenacious D – **** her gently.

I quite like it. The red is a bit of a drag with the switchbacks and the swoopy stuff through the woods the only really highlight. Good training though if you need some miles/climbing in the legs. The blue, despite being fairly tame I find to be actually good fun in a ‘just nail it’ xc kind of vibe. The orange is great if you can jump and fun even if you can’t (me). Bazzers Berms is superb and you’ll want to do it again and again. the Mini-DH is ace, just beware the massive drop!

Good cake and food too. Worth a few hours then call past the distillery on the way home!

I have a secret source on Deeside that does fantastic Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls along with superb coffee. But I’m not divulging as it’s already getting busy and stocks are getting low when I visit!

May as well have burned the money I spent on bars and tape 🙁

If you’re careful, you should be able to re-use the tape, even if it doesn’t wrap all the way across the tops. Bars will likely resell if Ritchey.

Regarding the spacers – IME a slightly larger saddle – bar drop although not in measurement terms making things shorter, can feel shorter through arm position and a flatter back through hinging the hips rather than curving the spine and hunching the shoulders. All personal of course, but I’ve never had a bikefit thats put more spacers under a stem. If the bike feels too big, rarely will you want more stack.

+1 on the bikefit. Generally cheaper in the long run than trial and error components, frame swaps or unridden bikes

Normally hate Alu bikes, but tested and have bought a alu camino. It’s an absolute blast, and have it specc’d with 2x 105Di2 for less than an entry level Ti.

I’m more ‘road’ end of gravel but took it around the Bristol Ashton court mtb trails without a single sketchy moment.

Have you tried angling the hoods up a touch and also taking a spacer out from under the stem, both of which will make the bike feel shorter.

If it’s your shoulders, i’d also look at bar width. The bike industry habitually specs bars that are too wide on drop bar bikes creating tension in the neck, shoulders and wrists. For example, I’m 6ft 3 and a 42inch chest but run a 40-42 cm bar on my road and gravel bike. Unless you’re exceptionally broad shouldered, anything above a 42 will likely be too wide. The guy who did my bike fit commented that he often has people walk in with 44-46cm bars complaining of sore shoulders backs and necks, and they almost always leave with a compact <42cm bar. The whole ‘leverage and control’ thing on gravel bikes is utter pish.

But yes, bikes everywhere are getting longer and I really wish they’d just quit it!

Also, I’ll accept that the market has an impact on what we’re willing to pay for stuff. But having had Etap on the roadbike and Di2 on the gravel bike, for everything non-MTB, I’m never going back to cables so I suppose I’m part for the problem.

Dude….. They had shaved legs! He had Shimano ice-tech discs. He was  sweating harder than a wet mermaid and breathing out his arse.

He may also have been 150km into a ride vs you completing your first lap of a blue run

Always makes be laugh when people on MTB’s try and race you when you’re timetrialling. Yeah good job, you held the wheel for 30seconds before blowing up, now hold it for an hour.

Salomon S-Lab Ultra 3. The ground feel of their other more minimalist trail shoes like the sense, but with enough extra cushioning to make them ok on harder surfaces too and better underfoot protection on rocky ground. 8mm drop so don’t make your calfs as angry as Inov-8s.

But then everyone else I know runs in Peregrines, soooo…

Road bikes have got crazy in price inflation – I blame the dentists who’ve sold their Porsches. I’ll accept that the tech now takes more R&D since with full internal cabling, intergrated Bar/Stem systems, discs (Urgh), beefed up dropouts to handle braking forces and then trying to engineer that all down to be both Aero and only 500g heavier than what it replaced is going to cost. It still irks me however.

I ride a 2016 Supersix Hi-Mod with Red Etap. Total build cost = c. £3.4k, Weight 6.7kg. Current Supersix HM with Red Axs = £11.5k, weight 7.5kg! Yes it’s x watts per 40km more efficient at 40kph but then I only achieve close to 40kph average speed in a TT.

But if you buy a mountain bike you have to budget for a vw van, fitting it out as a camper, pies, fags for when you stop after every blue run, new wheels, new hope brakes, new avid brakes, three or four droppers, an Enfield himalaya, bigger clothes because of the pies, a trail dog, a pizza oven. It’s an endless cycle of expense 😉

This made my morning, chapeau!

Stanton Sherpa? Modern without being so crazy LLS that it feels like you’ve forgotten how to ride a bike and still rides brilliantly on everything that isn’t an Enduro course, but is capable enough for the tech too?

Well this turned into an expensive lunchtime forum check.

Tho saved me a wedge as was planning on buying the zwift trainer.