Facebook marketplace – put them on as a job lot for a fiver or free, and someone will take them off your hands. Better than skipping them, even if you don’t get anything for them.

Seriously, anything goes on there. I put a job lot of old obscure vinyl on there, went within 10min

Aberdeen can look very nice when it’s sunny, as others have said granite can sparkle. There’s also the odd bit of pink granite here and there. But when it’s grey, it’s very grey.

You’ve pretty much summed up what a Taxi driver once said to me – ‘on a sunny day, the granite sparkles like the stars, but on a grey day, its sooo grey it’s loke being in a prison!’ Bit like today TBH!

Try going to Aberdeen

I live in Aberdeen and can echo this. It’s the city where your camera automatically selects monochrome on arriving and you can be fined in the streets for wearing any colour but grey, black or sludge green. Oh and any expression of joy is strictly prohibited.

On moving here, I offended many a local by comparing their proud granite buildings with the concrete of the soviet eastern block!

I do like the look of that Morphosis but I think it would be too warm.

Depends what you wear under it. The ‘fleece’ is only on the bits you want to keep warm, so the rest of it is effectively a pertex windproof. Been really impressed when running in it as usually I’m too hot in anything other than a longsleeve skins base layer with a t-shirt over the top, but I’ve not been overly sweaty in it, either in the snow over a ls merino plus ss base layer or in slightly warmer weather over just a ss baselasyer. Breathes better than the Gabba, less of the clammy feeling and drys ultra quick.

Babyliss XTP cordless work for me. Bought them in first lockdown so definitely got my moneys worth. They go up to an 8 (25mm) but they also fit wahl combs, so I’ve bought a 12 (32mm) as I prefer hy hair a bit longer!

Alpkit morphosis. Slightly different design but does the same thing, but slightly more breathable. Been living in the hooded one, can’t wait for the smock to be instock. It’s perfect for MTB and running when cold.

I live in Gabba/Alpha in the road through the winter too!

Nice one fella! Amazing how occasionally just sitting astride one’s favourite bicycle with the sun shining on the road under your wheels and fresh air does wonders for the soul! Long may it continue!

Used parcelforce last time I posted a set, got there safely and meant I could drop off at the co-op rather than having them collected

Erm, as long as it’s the same spider, I don’t see why not. I’ve got a red 22 and can see naff all difference between the chainrings, I though the difference was in the crank/axle

I’ve got 2 sets of Scribes, some 365 Alu for winter and a set of Aero 50 Carbon for summer. Been really pleased with the performance and service from Scribe so far. Still nice and true even after shite roads and the bearings are still smooth. Bought the Carbon’s to replace my campag Bora’s with ceramic bearings that barely lasted 3 wet Sportives.

Was just about to buy as set of Time Pedals after going through everything else since. Just the hurry up I needed

Probably quite leftfield, but I bought my other half a Lappiere edge am 827+ i. The sale. I was a little concerned about how easy it would be to pedal, but christ it’s nippy as, even on road/fireroads. Freewheeling side by side, she just leaves me for dead which considering she’s half my weight is impressive. Probably not the best for commuting, but for weekend rides and a bit of backpacking it’s great. Onlything we change was sticking a womans fabric scoop on it, otherwise all good.

This is probably dumb, but is the cheapest way not to get some flat bullhorn bars, stick the existing shifters on the bullhorns – kind of like a TT bar, then put grips/tape on the flat bit? Could always the additional brake levers for the tops.

Snowfoam attachment would work – not sure if it screws into the muc off bottle directly as not tried, but easy enough to just pour it in.

@anono – it’s in the classifieds now, feel free!

@andykirk – cheers, I’ll check that out! the Optimus Ti looks rather nice!

Its the blue V1 2019 model with the 12 speed – thought it was gx but turns out it was NX, my bad, not a Sram mtb level aficionado as always been on shimano before – its this one anyway https://www.beelinebicycles.co.uk/8001/products/whyte-905-v1-2019-mens-hardtail-mountain-bike–blue.aspx

The narrower bars isn’t overly surprising . Despite my height, I don’t have overly broad shoulders – I use 40cm road bars when every off the peg bike my size specs 44cm. But yes, I think you’re right, probably should have gone large.

@sync I’m 6ft 3 and on an XL, run a 80cm BB to saddle top saddle height. Also running either UNite flats in winter, or candy’s for longer rides. Ran horizons for a bit but don’t like the platform.

Bar/Stem set up is stock, was tempted to go down to 760bars with potentially a bit more rise. Definitely going to switch tyres to something faster rolling and lighter. Already running tubeless. Some of the groupset has been switched out – went from GX to SLX since the GX rear mech was a nightmare and kept imploding. Likewise chain switched too.

Theres loads I can do to make it lighter – was looking at the Hunt trail wheelset for example, plus carbon bars etc. With the 2nd hand market as it is though, I was holding off and trying to demo some things since If I can find it a good home and get a decent chink of change for it, then I won’t feel I’ve lost out as much as throwing $$ at it to try and get it to work for me.

@igm interesting – I’d actually done the opposite and gone more fwd to get the saddle closer to the BB and bring the weight more over the front of the bike. Might try going up and back for a bit too.

Just looking at some xc tyres now. Might try a set of forekasters!

Cheers all,

I think part of it stems from being quite out of date. I stopped mountain biking in 2012 when my 456 summer season was stolen (loved that bike), was skint so bought a cheap road bike off a mate for £50 and have basically been on the road since, plus a bit of gravel, until buying the Whyte in 2019.So I’m used to the speed/acceleration of road bikes, and last memories of MTB were just as slack geometry started.

The 901/905 has been the best balanced UK trail/hardcore orientated hardtail for a few years now especially for the price. I ride a v2 currently.

Yeah, I know I’m being unfair, the Whyte is a great bike, especially on the rowdy downhills. It’s just not the ‘right bike’ for me. I’m considerably less hardcore than it requires!

I’m guessing g from the fact that you didnt get on with your Whyte that you didnt have a test?

Spot on – I’d hired a Orange Crush and a Whyte T130 a few times and really enjoyed it, so assumed that since everyone said the 905 was better than the crush, that I’d like that too plus it had a better spec for the cash. Lesson Learned WRT Demos, not that it’s easy at the moment.

Back pain when riding can be caused by a number of factors. This may be the geometry and/or fit. It may also be related to a medical condition / fitness so depending on severity and triggers a different bike may not resolve it.

I think, because of the geometry, I just can’t find a comfortable position, or I may just have the wrong size. I ride on the road a lot pain free, with a 520mm reach albeit with 40cm bars. I find the 905 to be not stretched out enough to mirror that (not that it ever would) but too long to ‘sit up’ so I’m always in an in-between.

I’ll check out the more mainstream suggestions when demo’s allowed. I’d always tried to stay with the more niche British brands, but if they don’t work for me then no point! the Orbea looks good, plus I’ve been curious about a scalpel since I get on well with cannonades usually!

Cheers

As soon as the boot driers are in any form of sale on amazon, buy one. Dry shoes and gloves every time.

Use a fountain pen quite frequently, decided that since I was writing by hand less and less, when I did I’d use a nice pen rather than some shite disposable biro. Plus they look nice with a nice notebook in meetings haha.

I used to swear by Parker, until I bough a Lamy and now I won’t go back, much more reliable, don’t go dry and clog all the time and the nibs are better. I’ve got a Safari AL-star in a pleasing anodised purple colour, my taste in fountain pens is the same as bike components!

That said, I still want a Mont Blanc! Someday, the long wait in Geneva Airport will get expensive!

Iphone X, goes in a Rapha essentials pouch with my creditcard, a tenner and my house key (in a separate zipped bit) then in the back jersey pocket. The case is waterproof so keeps everything dry, most new phones are waterproof enough anyway, bit keeps road spray off it too, and back sweat!

34inch QHD curved ultrawide for me at home. I work mostly on long landscape images so the ultrawide works for me. It’s also good for having say 2 spreadsheets or ppts side by side without a join. The curved also make it much more comfortable if you don’t have a huge depth to your desk. It feels immersive rather than in your face.

I used 2x 30 inch in the office which always bugged me with the join down the middle, and 1x regular 30 again felt quite in your face.

Also, the ultra-wide is quite good for films, as they fill the whole screen without the black bars at the top and bottom if using as a TV

Another vote for the Alpkit waxed canvas ones – if they’re back in stock. I’ve the 35 which I bought for overnight work trips via plain/trains as it was easier/more comfortable to cart around London than a suitcase and didn’t wreck the shoulders of your suit like the technical ones.

TBH, it’s turned out to be so comfortable I now use it in the hills occasionally too.

I run tubeless since getting new wheels (Scribe) and use Vittoria Corsa G+ (Summer) and Corsa Controls (Winter). Not had a puncture so that’s all good. Downsides? Well, they’re a faff to mount, the sealant still gums up the valve. Plus, frankly for me the lower pressures argument is a bit of a nonstarter. I run mine about 75-80 psi but I only ran my tubed Corsa’s at 90 psi, so it doesn’t make much difference. You can go lower, but makes the bike handle weirdly IMO when cranking it over downhill. Bearing in mind the tubeless version has a stiffer sidewall, the ride quality is basically the same.

I’ve really not noticed any difference between tubes and tubeless if I’m brutally honest as I didn’t puncture that much with tubes, maybe I was just lucky. I also don’t commute so only weekend fun rides which probably helps since I get the better end of the weather spectrum.

Been using Supercaz for a while, brilliant summer tape – I ride without gloves most of the time and it’s really comfy. Also lasts ok for me, but then it’s on the best bike so doesn’t get the depths of winter. I also mostly ride on the hoods, so don’t really death grip the tape much. Downsides, it can be a bit slippy when sopping wet or wearing fleece gloves. Also used Lizard Skins DSP, that was grippy but had a really squeaky rubbery feel on bare hands.

Used to really like the Fizik 2mm tacky tape, was great for all conditions, grippy, easy to neatly wrap and clean. Then I moved to Scotland and decided that thicker, more cushioned tape was needed. In that vein, double wrap is still the best option of grip/comfort IMHO.

Given the current circumstances, theres a few to spring to mind. The smaller towns and villages around Sheffield where you can be out the door into the peak would be high on the list! Equally around County Durham – Durham, Stanhope, Consett, ahem, Barnard Castle has some good riding and running on the Moors.

Scotland can be good too, i’m in the NE & places like Aboyne, Ballater, Dufftown etc are surrounded by good stuff, but never more than an hour from an airport/mainline station.

Downside of Scotland is it’s currently under an inch of sheet ice, so can’t really do much!

No worries, good luck!

I’d probably (as suggested above), bin the pressurised baskets and switch to regular baskets to start with. Getting a consistent and controllable extraction is near impossible with pressurised, they’re designed to extract a good creme from effectively stale coffee. If you’re into controlling your brew ratios, then you’re already beyond their usefulness. Then, sadly it’s a case of adjusting the grind. As everyone has said, for espresso, start aiming for 1:2, 18g to 36g in 30 seconds is a good starting point. You can vary slightly from there depending on the coffee. Some coffee may need closer to 1:1.5 or 1:3.

Grind is generally the only way you can vary this in fairness. Bear in mind that the older the grind, the faster it will run. Your local coffee shop pulls shots within about 30 seconds of grinding, where as at home, the coffee has been drying out for several hours/days which will affect brew time. Even whole bean, you tend to have to grind finer the older it gets as it degasses. You can also ask what they dose at. A lot of cafe’s that are making Lattes all day will dose at 21g, i.e. a triple shot as their doing 16 – 18oz coffees. thus, they can grind courser due to the bigger dose. if you’re using 18-19g, you’d probably need to go a step or two finer.

in answer to your question above – it’s 30 seconds from pump on to pump off. It should usually take about 5 – 10 seconds from pump on to the coffee starting to run. Less than 5 seconds and it’s running to quick so you’ll end up under-extracting.

The sage’s are a pretty good machines with good pressure, thus will cope with finer grinds than most mainstream consumer machines (deloonghis etc). To get the best out of it, I’d be looking to get your own grinder. You can usually get some great deals on second hand Rancilio Rocky (doserless) or Eurika Mingion on eBay. I’ve had both and there’s really not much difference between the mingion and something super expensive.

Welcome to the rabbit hole of the home barista. Beware, when your coffee machine set up costs more than your bike, you know you’ve been sucked in!

Great kit, but it’s always a little on the baggy/boxy side, especially their insulation stuff with the exception of the obscenely expensive (and desirable) nano-air stuff. Arcteryx and alpkit fit better IMHE, a bit slimmer.

Downsides, their website is a nightmare and hard to browse just the technical stuff, and I’m still annoyed they’ve decided my profession is persona-non-grata without bothering to engage in any debate.

With all the shite that’s going on outside at the moment, I quite enjoyed it as 90 min of brain off telly. Nothing new, original or classic, but better for the soul than watching Bozo, Matt C**k-in-hand and the Wicked Witch of the North bluffing their way through their latest cock-ups.

Have you tried Vets Now? they’re usually pretty good for emergencies – it’s their dedicated service after all.

Sometimes. Depends whether they’re in a 60’s psych rock phase at the time.

I’m sorry. This thread is about toasties. What you have described sounds absolutely lovely but it really is not a toastie in the usual sense of the word.

Does it have to be made in a toastie machine to be a toastie? What’s the definition? Prior to nicking the Missus’ George Forman, I had to resort to a griddle pan and wooden spatula for a toastie fix. Arguably the above is still a toastie, just more Shoreditch…

Keep it classic with cheese and ham, or cheese and tomato. Do like to go all middle class occasionally with a cheese and ham croissant!

Mine does this sometimes, especially with the Amazon App. Try un-plugging it, leave for a minute or so, plug run and try again. It’s impossible to turn the damn things off properly so they just live on standby and need a restart every so often to clear the cache – often following updates, otherwise the apps and settings seem to go squiffy.

Also – if your router is near your TV, it’s old-fashioned, but a wired connection seems much more stable IME.

This thread popped up just in time as about to move and lose my outside tap. Looks like the Mobi (shite) and the Kartcher (superb for the car, but a faff) are about to be going up for sale!

Off to peruse the worx website! Cheers!

It’s always a tricky one. This is by no means a solution to the streaming issue, but my method. I use Spotify for everything digital, mostly in the car it must be said, but I use it for checking out new bands and new releases. If I like it, then I tend to buy the vinyl and listen to that when at home. When I’m out/driving, I listen to it via Spotify so I often end up streaming music I’ve already bought so I feel like they’re being rewarded, rather than me buying it once and then listening to that copy repeatedly (I’ve never bothered with the download code that comes with LP’s). I also (pre-covid) used to try and get to live shows as much as possible since bands make much of their revenue from touring as opposed to album sales.

Also, I point blank refuse to buy vinyl from anyone other than independent stores or the band’s webstores direct, so no music from Amazon etc.

In essence, I use Spotify to find/try new music, in the way that the niche radio shows and indie-record stores used to provide but now are sadly few and far between.

Getting out the door is often half the battle, I loathe high winds so if I see the trees bent at 45degrees, it’s often a struggle to get out. Often, it’s never that bad in the end and enjoy it, just choose the route carefully.

Must admit, going on the club run makes it much more enjoyable (we’re in tier 2 Scotland, still allowed under Scottish cycling and government guidelines) in the winter, bit more social and wind less of a bugger when you get your turn at the back. Plus, if I’ve signed up, I feel I’m committed, even if the weather looks pish on the day!

Another vote for nanopresso, or a smaller aero-press. I used to take a single shot moka pot in the past too, but the newer methods seem better.

If you’re not a fan of the grounds, the nanopresso will take Nespresso pods with an adaptor, which in a ziplock bag are a bit less messy to bring out.