I'll second the front end light over sand pools bit…dropped off a ledge right into one, over the bars and two snapped elbows! Funny how that sticks in the memory…

I got involved in this type of group buy a year or two ago – for the same product. Gravity Sports I think. Cost me about 155 for the endurance version (2 seperate batteries). I'd be interested to know what price you can get an LED 4 for if you do get any retailer feedback (added to your order).

No consolation but this exact thing happened to a mate of mine recently in south west London. He spotted the bike and was told by the police to report it to ebay – they wouldn't / couldn't help. He bid high, won the auction and went with a couple of (very big) mates in tow.

Approached the guy on his own (had his mates sat on a wall down the street), had a quick test ride and then explained that the bike was stolen and he was taking it back. The guy was offered that, a trip to the police station or the unmentioned suggestion of a bit of Stevie Gerrard style self defence! He claimed that he didn't steal it himself but knew it was nicked (not so bright) so just asked my mate not to report him.

He reported it anyway but no contact back from the police…

He was due to pay cash on collection.

Thanks for the replies guys. It seemed to be a combination of three things: –

– me
– insufficient cleaning of the threads – much gunk had got in previously and I hadn't done a good enough job
– more significantly, the angle at which the bike was suspended from the bike stand i.e. not straight, meant that I was adding friction where none was needed! Turned the frame upside down and had it perfectly straight and the bb went straight in!

You live and learn!

The bb was an internal Shimano octalink and the frame was (and fortunately still is) a Handjob.

The use of the word 'wee' by non Scots, or Scots.

another vote for 'steed'

'Wee in his shoes' – wasn't funny the first time, still not funny.

I had similar years ago. Muppet drove into my parked car, my father saw it out of the kitchen window. He tried to drive off before my dad caught him. Admitted it there and then and swapped details. Next communication from my insurers was "hard luck – your word against his – he claims to have been fifty miles away at that time"!!

Had to push really hard to get my insurers to fight it because they had to engage a barrister. I guess this is more expensive than paying half of the claim? Same in your case I guess? It took 18 months before getting to court.

Ended up having to give evidence on oath as the judge wasn't happy that one of us was clearly lying. Turns out the other guy couldn't even read and was a hopeless liar. His witness was the fat slob that was in the passenger seat at the time of the prang. The clerks at the court suggested that they were fairly regular visitors for a variety of offences. Basically scum that see a trip to court as a good day out…

Yours sounds like arrogance on behalf of the other party tho. Just can't understand why people are so embarrassed to admitting fault – its not the end of the world is it?

Gravity sports £615.
Similar (maybe a bit more) in Cycle Surgery sale.

I want some too but have perfectly good 32 Talas at the moment and can't stomach the price to swap.

Gravity Sports seem to be offering them at 615 – not sure whether 08 or 09 though.

Talas for that price by the way – not sure what version you were after. Not seen them cheaper

Thanks – I’ll give those a go.

crikey – I have nothing but admiration for you if you have raised children without resorting to the occasional use of an external device…

Are there any apps (preferably free) that are good for keeping 3 year olds entertained? Sorry for hi-jack

Thanks all

Thanks for the replies.

GrahamS – the latter really. Just looking for something that will be pleasing to the eye and not make us feel “wish we’d spent more”! Within limits obviously…

May I offer the following

High chairs for kids in public places – why do restaurants feel that kids would want to sit in the crap left behind by other kids? Clean the damn things, you’re quick to charge £5+ for a crappy kids meal, you could at least offer a clean chair.
Lazy gits who park in parent and child spaces and then waddle off to the fag counter with their fat 14 year olds in tow.
Having to pay £25 extra for a 6 month old to sit on your lap on a plane when fat feckers who take up half of my seat don’t pay any extra.
And yes, I do have small children…

Mastiles – first of all sympathy, this just happened to us but whilst on maternity leave. Got lawyer involved which helped leverage up a claim (no offer of alternative employment as in your case). To cut a long story short – it boiled down to what was said rather than what appeared in writing (her boss lied on record and would clearly continue to do so which would have meant one word against another at tribunal).

What I would say, and apologies if someone else has already suggested this (I didn’t read all the posts) is that you should check your household insurance to see if you are covered for legal costs. We would have been but you would need to be ‘reasonably sure’ that you have a case in law before they would agree to stump up for a tribunal.

It might not get you the resolution that you wanted but it would be one less thing to be stressed about – losing £10k + in legal fees is not a nice prospect.