The Stealth is great to start with but, as Lummox says, once it loses it’s DWR, it’s just a sponge and no amount of reproofing has worked. I’ve always diligently followed cleaning instructions too. The Venturi eVent jacket is not bad. I’ve had one for just under a year and it’s wearing pretty well. I find it quite warm (but not as warm as the Stealth).

To be honest though, I recently picked up a Rab Demand eVent smock and that’s my jacket of choice. Less bulky when on, lightweight and packs down small. linky

They look AWFUL

You are Dick Emery and I claim my £5.

Doh…should’ve read the thread properly

I got a full thickness tear of the L5S1 disc whilst scrummaging. It put paid to my rugby days and took a couple of years of trying various treatments and therapies until I found a way of managing it. Good luck in finding something that works for you. Whatever you do, keep moving!

Because I’m a miserable git who isn’t interested in the ins-and-outs of everyone’s business.

Played a lot of rugby in my teens and twenties, so no, there’s always something aching.

XMM140 here (12 months use) – light fork, fairly stiff, take a while to bed in, progressive, cheaper from Germany. I would buy them again over the other brands I’ve used (Fox, Manitou).

It’s the section of downtube sawn out of the frame so they could nick the bike (for parts presumably, unless they know a particularly good welder…)

Mine, before they nicked it.

What they left me with.

Camem Bert?

Early morning bike fettling
Playdoh-ing with ‘the monkey’
30 miles of sunny evening road ride with 2 pub stops

Please, won’t somebody think of the bees?

Grilled asparagus.
Halloumi and veg kebabs.
Corn on the cob.
Alcohol.

Should keep most veggies happy at a BBQ?

I have seen both sides of the fence. People have interrogated me on my reasons for eating or not eating meat. Basically, just mind your own business. I’ll eat or not eat whatever I choose.

Tw*ts.

I once know a vegan who happily wore leather shoes but refused to eat honey. “It’s bee slavery”.

Wow! Awesome scenery. Looks like you had a fantastic day. I’m a bit jealous as I spent the whole day indoors dealing with my fractious, chickenpox-ridden 2 year old girl. Ho hum. 🙂

My Deuter DS Bike 18 is still going strong after 8 years. Gets used every (commuting) day. If it ever wore out, I would buy another. Problem is they stopped making them!

One of these and a foot long 32mm spanner did the trick for me when I needed to shift a square-taper BB that had been in situ for a decade.

Overpriced and excellent quality. But they are just hubs, nothing more. I am a fan of them, mainly for the engineering of the driveshell mechanism. I’ve found them to be very low maintenance and extremely reliable.

Having read this thread, and then googled ‘Litespeed warranty’, I cannot understand why anyone would subsequently buy one of their frames. The interweb is awash with tales of woe.

EDIT: Can I expect the rozzers to turn up now?

Ti-dying is getting quite popular again. Bloody hippies.

This one mounts on the steerer too: Safe-T-Seat[/url]

Have commuted with my daughter using this for the last 18 months. She loves it.

Bought from Amazon.

+1 Bontrager Racelite Hardcase (23). I’m on my third set in 4 years and I’ve had 1 puncture in that time.

It’s not just you. I was tempted by the £200 Ultegra wheelset from Planet-X a while back. My tyre of choice is Bontrager Race-Lite hardcase (yeah, I know they’re a heavy, wire-bead tyre but they have excellent puncture protection) and they were a major pain-in-the-neck to get on without pinching the inner tube. I haven’t tried road tubeless yet either, mainly because of the limited tyre choice. Not looking forward to having to take one off!

I just bought 5 Curly-Wurlys for a pound. I’m quite happy with that. I am easily pleased though.

2005 Whyte 19 – warrantied after 18 months
2007 Cotic Soda – warrantied after 3.5 years
2010 Kinesis Decade I – warrantied after 6 months

Really ought to get a carbon HT and go for the full set of materials.

Buy a Brompton?

As a long time user of the trails across the (Clifton Suspension) bridge I will put my hand up to being initially sceptical about the recent work done on rebuilding and rerouting the trails. It has now become obvious to me that my misgivings about the works were purely based on a nostalgic view of the ‘natural’ trails from 20 years ago. I have learnt to appreciate the new, smoother trails for what they are, rather than comparing them to the quiet, winding trails of the early 90s. Anyone could see that the well-ridden routes were starting to take a heavy toll on the surrounding area as the puddles widened and the ruts deepened. For what it’s worth, I’d like to say well done to all those who put in the time and effort to build and maintain these trails.

I am similarly streamlined.

Phil McAxup

The last time I had cramp, it was 2am and I was dealing with a very ill 18 month old whom I could only settle by having her sleep on my chest. She woke up, vomited all over me and so I thought “Oh well, best just carry her to the bathroom and get cleaned up”. Then the leg cramp set in. Cue me yelping and hopping around in the dark, covered in sick, trying not to drop my daughter.

On a more serious note, I’ve tended to suffer from cramp during sustained periods of exercise, moreso when I haven’t stretched properly in between sessions. (De)Hydration is also possibly a factor as I find cramp is more likely in warmer conditions.

I recently paid about £13 with ParcelForce 48hr, including insurance.

There are walking trails around Mount Olympus which are suitable for bikes. Might help?

Atalante Trail

Seve – The late Spanish golf star’s secret life as a serial killer

Have got a pair of Racing Ralphs that have deformed slightly after only a few weeks. As with the above, I thought the wheels had both gone out of true but a quick check showed it was the tyres.

Job lot of planed, 50mm x 25mm timber, a 3m length of cheap kitchen worktop, some 4mm plywood and fixings got me a solid L-shaped workbench & shelves for under £50. Plenty of room for a chunky vice, wheel jig and mountains of cr*p that inevitably get dumped in the garage.
*puffs chest out, grrrr*

OP, I have a green Salsa liplock for a 27.2mm post for sale if you want it? (email in profile)

+1 Topeak Joe Blow.

Been fine with Maxxis/Conti/Schwalbe on Mavic/Stans/CrankBros/DTSwiss. Some tyre/rim combos take more of a frenzied effort to get an initial seal though. Have always managed to get over this by putting an inner tube in, inflating and then leaving overnight.

1989 – Marin Pine Mountain (donated to mate)
1997 – Pace RC200 (still got it, might rebuild as SS)
2002 – Marin Riftzone (sold)
2005 – Whyte 19 (broke, warranty replacement sold)
2007 – Cotic Soda (broke, refunded)
2011 – Brodie Holeshot (stolen 😥 )
2011 – Kinesis Decade Virsa (broke, warranty replacement now for sale…)