Thanks for the replies, just got back in from a ride.

Detached house, four adults, one en suite with shower, one bathroom with conventional bath and over the bath shower head.

Last years gas cost was £550 for gas alone.

Had thought about the other options but they are confusing to make a real decision.

Fitting an electric shower is probably the easiest simple option, would cost say £400 for a reasonably simple shower plus fitting. So say £600 inc fitting at the most.
This doesn’t reduce any of our energy costs, and doesn’t allow the use of the over the shower fitting in the main bathroom.
Still quite cheaper though.

Changing to a different type of hot water tank to provide higher pressure to the en suite mixer shower. again, not to clued up on the cost, but probably the thick end of £1000. As above for the electric shower options,

Combi boiler.
Ok £1600
Frees up more space in the airing cupboard.
Provides the solution for the en suite and main bathroom showering.
Reduces our energy cost.
Gives us a new boiler with a guarantee.

I’m open to opinions, as I’m still kicking the idea of the electric shower around, but if we went for the electric shower and the current boiler expires after, then the combi isn’t an option with the electric shower.

Regards

Denis

I haven’t got much to compare the Chupacabra against, perhaps an unfair comparison against the Maxxis Mammoth ( 26 x 4″ ).

Came fitted on the 50mm Sun rims on my Trek Stache 9.

I have dropped the pressures to 10psi front and 12 psi rear with no ill effect.

No rim strikes, just plenty of grip.

Not the absolute last word in free rolling on the uphills, but I didn’t expect that.

So far well impressed.

Regards

Denis

singlespeed central have them (Netherlands).

I bought one from them and fitted it to my spare Jones front wheel.

Regards

Denis

Good advice from finishthat.

I would only add that I used to get both wheels off the ground.

Rear can be supported by your centre stand, the front can be supported by any of the dedicated stands for removing the front wheel.

Regards

Denis

I”m with Ton on this one.

The only way to get to know a bike is to actually own it and ride it for a while.

If it turns out that it doesn’t suit you, then it’s better off selling it, rather than a bigger waste of just leaving it in the garage unused.

I bought a Cannondale F29 Carbon Lefty at Christmas, must have rode it say 200 miles off road and realised that it didn’t really suit me or the type of terrain I normally ride.

Sold it, lost some money on the original purchase price and bought something that I now enjoy (Trek Stache 9).

I had a set of bend bars which came with a recent rolling chassis purchase.

I sold them as I didn’t get the additional hand positions that the loop bars offered,

I went for a pair of loop bars as opposed to the full loop.

I find them really comfortable on the Jones.

Using a 60mm stem.

ESI grips , the XXl extra chunky, with Cinelli road bar tape on the loop bits.

Tried them with a longer stem initially, but for trail riding the shorter stem is better for me.

Regards

Denis

15 minutes
Regards

Denis

I stopped in at Skyline Cycles after the Whites descent.

Apparently there is some work going on to the table tops at the beginning part of the section.

I didn’t think any work was required there, perhaps they are altering the section a little.

Sign says two week closure.
Regards

Denis

another Jones

Regards

Denis

If we are doing fugly…

Regards

Denis

I have actually taken the dropper posts off my main two trail bikes ( I live very near to Afan , and ride there ~ twice a week).

I know most people will shudder at the thought, but I simply don’t use the dropper.

For me it just clutters up the ‘bars and adds weight and complexity to the bike.
It just doesn’t fit in with my type / style of riding.

You definitely don’t need one for Afan, but you may prefer to have one. Not many trail sections where you really need one at Afan though.
Regards

Denis

I’ve got the Stache 9.

I think the fork is spot on, I experimented with front and rear tyre pressures and found it made quite a difference to the front end in particular.

I run as low as 10psi in the front tyre, and 12psi in the rear (tubeless).

Have to agree that it really is a very good trail bike, can’t decide if its my favourite go to bike though.

Regards

Denis

Yep, airshot worked well for me.

I seated a 4″ Maxxis Mammoth tyre onto a Surly Rolling Darryl fat bike rim.

Charge the Airshot up connect to the valve and let it charge the tyre.

Regards

Denis

I put the tyre on its side, I use a large bucket to support the wheel. This way the tyre is not in contact with the ground. It just might be that when you let the air out, the tyre bead is breaking on both sides of the rim.

When you try to re inflate , with the valve core in, you are trying to reseat the tyre all over again.

Try putting the wheel and tyre on a bucket, thereby removing any possible seating issue.
Regards

Denis

I’m with singlespeedstu, I’ve got three bikes with all sorts of different sizes.

Dunno which is the fastest, fitted a stem captain clock on one of the bikes, it was the only thing that was fast…..

29+, 26 x 4, and 27.5

I like them all.

I bought a Skoda Fabia Scout 1.6 diesel about 18 months ago.

In hindsight, I would buy the petrol version now.

I like the drive ability of the diesel, but for my changed usage the extra cost of the diesel fuel and premium for the Diesel engine just isn’t worth it.

The VED is £20 per year, I believe that as long as I own the car this won’t change.

Have considered changing the car to a diesel, however, having spent the thick end of £14k on the new car I should probably keep it.

Can’t see too many people choosing a diesel in the future, unless they are driving at least 20,000 miles a year.

Do prefer to drive a diesel for any longer journeys though, round town and shorter journeys I prefer the petrol engine.

Ought to sell it now before the diesel becomes unpopular and the values drop considerably.

Currently sampling Glenlivet, could do with being a little more rich and fruity for my tastes.

Nevertheless , I like to try different single malts, favourite is Jura though.

Thanks, still valid as of 9.50pm

Although I sold up, I went to the bike show at the NEC last year, the only bike that caught my attention was the CCM450.

It’s a useable adventure / off road bike.

Weighs only 130kgs dry with about 45 billion.

This would be my only option if I wanted a motorbike, something to ride off road, light, agile and wouldn’t be too concerned about the relentless quest for more speed and performance.

The large off road bikes are now very heavy and not really usable for most riders.

Similar story here.

I sold my motorbike earlier this year and all my riding gear.

Only used the bike for sunny day rides, didn’t ride in the winter or the rain.

Just seemed to get a little fed up with the traffic and congestion, every nice Saturday or Sunday and the roads up around Mid Wales would be quite busy.

Motorists (in general, though not all), just don’t seem to be aware or considerate.

Mountain biking for me is much more fun and less stressful.

Just got back in from a ride around Whites Level at Afan.

I moved the brake levers inboard and could only brake with the index finger.

Felt a little strange at first, but the grip on the bars was a definite improvement.

Overall, an improvement, just need to get used to using one finger, I’m sure it will become the norm after a few more rides.
Regards

Denis

The plastic bottle thing that screws into the brake reservoir makes the job very easy.
Regards

Denis

I recently did this for the first time.

Really easy.

See the YouTube vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdxYzDNY8OE&list=FLmgcP3oVG8STTiM5MYvRdlg&index=8
Regards

Denis

Thanks,

Will move levers inboard and try it out tomorrow.

Will look at setting the brakes inboard a bit.

When I have tried on descents I can’t seem to forget about the different feel. When using two fingers I seem to have a better feel for the brake power.

One finger braking makes me over react a little, seems to be either on or off brake, as opposed to a gentler feel and feathering action.

My own experience recently was sort of similar, but not the same.

I had decided that I wanted to leave, and take the opportunity of retiring early.

Not the same as being offered another job, but nevertheless to leave.

Once I had made the decision to leave my motivation to perform my role dropped off dramatically. Not sure whether you might have the same energy in the role now, since you have realised that long term the role isn’t for you.

I would stil stay, short term , and look for something else.

The company are willing to look at you as a commodity, an under paid asset up until now, so I think you should be as cold hearted as well.

Personally, when someone handed their notice in with me, I alwayswishedhem he es for the future , never attempted to make them stay or change their mind.

Seen this before.

They have now offered you a substantial pay rise because you have handed your notice in.

They didn’t think you were worth that salary until you decided to leave.

What does that say about the management that you are working for?

Difficult call really, if you need the extra salary then you would have to stay, but in all honesty, they don’t really value you for your work and contribution.

They are just trying to buy your loyalty.They may very well seek to employ someone alongside you, to learn your current skills etc

I would stay, but keep looking and move when the next opportunity comes your way.

Regards

Denis

I recently bought a Trek Fuel 9.8 27.5 bike.

The deciding factor was the carbon front triangle with an alloy swing arm design.

The combination of carbon triangle and the more highly stressed alloy rear triangle won me over.

I have seen a few reports of the swing arm (carbon) failing. To be frank though, all mountain bike frames have been reported as failing regardless of the material.

Steel is probably the most resilient, and can be repaired etc.

I like all the materials and tend to be guided by the bike design and intent really.

I have the carbon Fuel, alloy Stache 9 and a steel Jones.
Regards

Denis

+1 for the guys at Skyline Cycles.

Currently reading One Man and his bike , by Mike Carter.

There was a review on this site .

Very enjoyable, nice light reading that keeps drawing yo in.

60 years old

5 10 tall

80 kilo

Feels fine to me, lost about 12 kilo about two years ago.

Can get down to 77 kilo, but normal eating and activity bring me. Back up to around 80 kilo.

Yep, I like it.

I live reasonably local to the distillery and have been for the tour.

Oddly enough, cheaper to buy in Morrisons.

Haven’t had a bottle for a while, must go to Morrison’s soon.

Solar pv panels scoop up any unused energy and heat the water, not that we are getting much benefit in the last few days though, more like April …….

Good to know about the immersion heater power supply. We haven’t used the immersion heater in years, so taking the power supply from this would be an easy remedy.

I’ll goggle an unvented tank to give mains pressure hot water, sounds a good idea.

Also have a look at the Mira Sport Max option.

A friend has recommended me someone who can instal etc, just needed some info from STW to have a better idea etc.

Didn’t think of the options offered here, has helped a lot, cheers.

I like him, an alternative to the Tory line in the current Labour Party.

Just watched him being interviewed on C4 news, I thought he was clear and sincere with his answers.

Hope he becomes the Labour leader, could be an interesting opposition to the Tory government.

Hi Jake,

Haven’t been able to get out much recently, however, probably getting close to 100mm of travel.

The travel and the feel of the fork is very good. Probably the best suspension fork I have ever owned, I rate it very highly.

Haven’t really got many negatives about the bike, the bottom bracket wasn’t to my liking, so that’s been changed for a Chris King unit.

Climbing is a little slower and more like steady touring as opposed to getting a rapid move on, but the traction it obtains more than makes up for this.

If it is bought and used as atrial bike then I don’t think anyone would be disappointed.

Hero 4 black here, I haven’t had any issues with it.

Has worked faultlessly for me.

Eat , nothing

Drink – Jura single malt, I enjoy replied to a Jura promotion for two free whisky tumblers which came yesterday. Completely forgot about them , came in the post and are excellent weighty glasses. It would have been rude not to try them out.

After the whisky, everything else is irrelevant……

I like it, industrial look to it though.

Designed to perform rather than look good.

Regards

Denis
Regards

Denis

I have sent you an email.

I have recently bought a Jones Spaceframe as a rolling chassis, came with the Jones bend bars.

Probably fit the full loop bars soon, so I will have the bend bars for sale if you are interested to try without too much cost outlay.