Oh – I forgot to mention the “disgusted-at-myself-bike-chucking-into-undergrowth”. I dont see enough of that nowadays! Possibly a new olympic sport?

@ruffrider – I’d say you may be missing the point a bit of organised trips.

I’ve only been to Morocco once but to Africa for about 8 months in total. It’s pretty daunting for a firsttimer to organise b and bs or similar that meet average requirements for a holiday (showers, mozzies) / food (veggies etc), moderate routes or alternatives (for the other half) reliable transport (not demanding tips/bribes etc), and what happens when someone on the trip isnt well etc .

I had a quick glance at that trip and it does look like good value for someone short on time / inexperienced with haggling / improvising. You may well disagree – in reality I can do it (and would probably choose to do it cheaper) but it would mean leaving more lead time and exit time for the trip and being more – I’m not sure what the word is – but flexible / adventerous / less fussy…..

I would be happy to wing it on my own but would not bring my good lady on a trip that didnt have some form of backup. Or – that’s what she says anyways!

##Edit – forgot to say I would LOVE to go back with my bike! Seriously! We did some hiking and mrs csw was wow – I was ‘wow – I wish I had a bike!”

‘Ho!, McGeady!. Your ma’s got baws and yer da loves it!

I’m not up with the local brogue yet – wtf does that mean? I can guess but I’m hoping I’m wrong!

Brill video!

I’d not seen that before and I was genuinely laughing for the first half! After that the number of bent bikes, wheels, bodies and bars had me wincing! How the flip did this sport/passtime ever catch on! Its unreal what we inept folk can tear down now with bouncy forks and half decent brakes – I guess I take it for granted sometimes!

Or halfords – £2.49. Coloured black!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_729009_langId_-1_categoryId_165608#dtab

The dualit (if we’re thinking of the same one) burr grinder is sold under different brands – including Starbucks Barista. Here’s a good guide on moifying it slightly so that it grinds much finer. I did this and it made a big difference. Obviously no warranty afterwards!

http://www.ineedcoffee.com/07/hack-starbucks-grinder/

We now have one of them happy donkey ones mentioned above and its also good – physically bigger and a bit noisier.

This video is for a service and gives you a good idea. I dont think you will need to remove the top cap. It doesnt mention the spacer – but that just pushes off the rod.

You will need oil – 15wt to reassemble (or if really skint you might be able to reuse whats in there already)

#’Edit – you might actually need to remove the top cap otherwise you wont be able to pull the piston out.

1 cable from ariel. Plus indoor splitter – possibly powered depending on signal.

Skyline-GTR – Member
Better optics would take that brighter hotspot and distribute it over a wider parabola. So optics are the key to a better light.

Skyline – I disagree. The hotspot is there with a bare led with no reflector. The only thing you could do I think is put some sort of diffuser / frensel in front of the led.

Growing up we had a total ban until about 14. At 14 it was still banned (and illegal) but the folks had a more liberal attitude.

You are the parent. You know your kids. You set the rules.

As you allude to at 14 they are exposed anyway. In my (probably unpopular opinion) you are better exposing a glass of wine / beer in the home environement, and being open and discussing “the buzz” in an honest manner.

#Edit – 11 is too young though! Definitely!

Crikey… Are we still talking about this?

Since this thread started I have:

……Bought a headset.

I’m not sure anymore if it should have come with crown race or not. Should I complain if
a- it didnt come with one
b- it did come with one and should I send it back.

I am far from an expert – just a dabbler in fixing things: the xml with no optics / reflector lights up a room like a 60w bulb (maybe) but with a serious hot spot. You look at the hot spot for a minute then the rest of the room appears dark. A P7 in the same situation – is like a 40w bulb with a moderate hot spot. Less of a contrast.

That’s a very simplistic comparison. Dunno if that answers your original Q though.

Not keen on the idea of DX lights.

Fine with me! My point is only about the technology. P7 is broadish. XML is tightish. This wont change no matter how much you pay for brands etc.

Just to add (as a big fan of cheap DX lights) who owns both ‘last years’ p7’s and ‘this years’ XML – the new XMLs have a really tight hot spot and although the spread is the same and they are overall brighter – the old p7 is actually my preferred choice for the bars. The XML hot spot makes the rest of the field of vision seem darker in comparison – if that makes any sort of sense.

Someone will be along in a sec with the polar opposite opinion!

But to answer the op’s question – no. Buy a cheapo – if you love it and have the budget and question its quality – then upgrade to a more “reliable” big brand later.

You wont live to buy another one.

That genuinely made me chuckle!

I dont have a Draper saw but their stuff I do have is on the cheap side and died after little use – a few hours over say 5 years(an angle grinder and a dirty water pump). I’m sure they sell the same stuff as ‘homebrand’ kit from the big chains.

As others have said – for occasional use it’ll be fine. For a little more money you will get one that will last well past your retirement. Is that a better way of putting it?

I duuno if this helps = but my event (dhb) jacket has been through the wars with a backpack on and the only signs of wear / use are the outer seams are parting company with the fabric. There is no obvious signs of where the backpack straps are – backpack always used. This is on a jacket about 2 years old, maybe twice a week throughout the year. My care instructions are to wash “often” – warm dry or iron (I take as tumble on a low setting).

I know – I was just jealous!

Winding you up! What you up to / where you off to with it?

Oooh. That looks nice. Shame about the scaffolding and dead sheep on top on a brand new leather sofa though 😉

What are you using that for then?

For Shimano calipers I’ve used all 3 to the bone. The sintered are great (if noisy when wet), the organic ?(black) are as good as the shimano originals and the reds(kevlar) howl so much when wet that I cannot use them.

What am I looking for?

Sort of an e-Chugger, I think?

Good! I havent heard of any 2010/11 failing.

What are you not “bonding” with on yours?

Also what shock came with yours? It’s easy to get a used 165 i2i rp2 / rp23 with propedal – probably about £100.

##Edit – Oh – and what fork has yours got?

As a guide: a calulator:

http://tutv.co.uk/fresh/bitsandpieces/paypalcost.php

Good luck.

Is that you happy now?

No lockout or propedal? What model was that? What year btw?

Here’s mine – 09: changed to 120 forks, shorter stem from old bike. I’m missing it atm – waiting for warranty replacement.

Seems to be ok now though

mmm – Half an hour ago I uploaded the last weeks stuff and I’ve been everywhere except where I’ve actually been (if you know what I mean).

I did see the notice on the site – but that seems to imply it’s fixed.

Just a note on XML’s (well the one I got from DX anyway) they have a mentally insanely bright hotspot. Overally its probably twice as bright as last years SSC P7’s, but the hot spot throws things out of proportion / perspective, I’m not sure about one as a solo bike mounted light – maybe helmet mounted at half power?

x9.93 – faultless IME

A non-partial review: All our derrier’s are different.

Its a a longish, flattish, narrowish, firmish saddle. K’ium means a tad lighter than steel iirc. If you ride lots they are great saddles.

Personally they agree with me. I also like Specialized BG saddles.

If you like charge spoons (swoopy shape) you will hate it. If you hate charge spoons you may well like it.

http://www.onlinebearings.co.uk/hope-pro-3-hub-bearing-17-x-28-x-7-pr-16471.html

£18 for a pair + £3 delivery. Still not cheap.

Is MarkD the new Perrier award winning fringe comedian.

Dunno about that but he could win an award for knowing about stuff wrong with you bike before even you know it!

LOL! So was there a flare? Or are you just worrying /nightmaring about a mad customer from a few weeks back?

#Edit – Its just dawned that Markd is also known as his professional /shop name! Doh.

I have plans to improve the shitty hope bodge btw. I’ll be selling it at a premium too!

No worries – I forgot to say the genuine stuff moulds and sticks to odd shapes with a hair drier like you wouldnt believe! The other stuff doesnt (:

Your Pro3 spacer bit.

Ooooh. Now I’m spooked.

How the Flipping heck do you know about my Pro3 bits? Seriously! Its still not fitting right despite hopes claims!

p.s. the wee part you got is correct. Checked a brand new one a week later and it was as you got. A wee gap remains as per your hub

WTF?

Nope- but honestly if I saw a flare I’d go 999 pretty rapid. I’m not paid to make the decisions.

Well done you!

Ok – this isnt like me but I’m going to totally disagree with the previous post.

That biketart link is to a generic advert site?

The Bestest / thickest non yellowing stuff for mtbs is the ‘rebranded’ stuff from JRA. Technically its made by 3M and model 8561HS. The biketart stuff is a thin yellowing waste of cash – imho.

There are lots of counterfeit 3M tapes out there – esp on ebay. And others that are 3M thinner models.

If in doubt check this page out (I’m not recommending buying from them)
http://www.vikingtapes.co.uk/Aerospace/3M_Helicopter_Tapes/

There is also a guy on here who got some ex – mod 8561 but I cant remember his name.

Ive bought some some 8561 from this ebay seller and it came in an MOD box, measures (with a vernier),looks and bizarrely smells exactly the same as JRA – but £10 for 3meters;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-helicopter-tape-track-days-motorsport-MTB-/330591921566?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4cf8d0659e#ht_500wt_1156

I’ve been lucky in the last few weeks and got down to GT a good few times. I try and park and frequent the Hub while I have a choice.

On the times that the queue has been too long in the Hub I’ve gone to the Peel. I do feel “gritty” going into the peel – all tiles and helful staff and all. But it is nice. Also the Venison burger is NICE! Not too sure about the purple coleslaw – but still…

2 words of warning.
1- Oversteer: After rain – the wooden bridge into the car park is driftastic in a rwd car. Also given the steep hill there is no way when the snow comes that we will be able to park in the Peel car park.
2- The wooden boards outside the cafe make for a seriously embarassing dismount when damp. All the more embarassing after a few hours round the black and red without incident when you splat yourself on the cafe forecourt!

Both lessons learnt from personal experience!

Missus came back from a hotel in Rome and we got the usual semi – circular pattern bites etc. We binned EVERYTHING on the bed (it was probably new matress time anyway) and touch wood – 8 weeks later no problems. We were probably lucky.

I honestly wouldnt mess with them – they do your head in.

In my limited experiece:

A- A warped rotor (but you’ve tried another one)
B- One piston is moving/pushing/working more than the other. As the rotor passes the pads – the bit nearest the rotor spider arms flex less than the bit between the arms. This gets translated into a low frequency vibration – I guess the frame / wheel is forced to flex to compensate and you feel this in your seat.