I’d recommend having a look at the T6 Forum (covers T5 too and suspension is essentially the same) as there are several great threads covering suspension mods/upgrades. Also, a chat with Steve at CRS Performance as he is has great knowledge of what works and doesn’t work. I used them a few weeks ago for some suspension changes to solve a very harsh ride on a camper conversion and the service was very good.

We have a 15 plate 60hp Move Up! that we’ve had for 6 years and got for our son to learn in. Our daughter has just started to learn in it too. It’s been a brilliant little, no-frills car. For us it is cheaper to insure than similar ‘first’ cars, very economical and only £20 to tax (newer ones cost more).

Earlier this year we needed a couple of front suspension bushes and new pads and discs – cheap at a VAG indy. Other than some tyres, that is all we’ve had to do which is great for an 8 year old car that gets ragged around town (with horrendously potholed roads!) on a daily basis.

Other bits:
The rear brakes are drums and can stick, especially in winter.

We have the clip in satnav but it’s crap so never use it and just use a phone instead.

Get a 5-door, so you can make use of the surprisingly roomy rear seats and have smaller front doors which are much easier in tight car parks.

I wish ours had electric adjustable and heated wing mirrors.

The steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach so make sure you can get comfortable.

Learn in a manual.  They are here for decades to come and gives flexibility in the future.

staying in the ODG car park (for a fee)

I believe the NT have stopped this unfortunately due to people breaking Rule 1.

Sonder Camino from Alpkit? Love mine. Their cheapest is £1099 so maybe too much if your C2W scheme is limited to £1000. If it is limited it’s worth approaching your employer as they may not have realised HMRC have removed the limit.

What model are they? If they are Svara there is a little on/off switch at about the 8 o’clock of the fan. They are also Bluetooth so you can download the Vent Axia app and adjust settings from there.

Otherwise, as mentioned above, go hunting for the isolator switch which may be hidden in a cupboard or outside the room.

Many have been mentioned already but my faves:

Pubs – Major Toms (good pizza too), Starling, Taps, Harrogate Tap, North Bar, Little Ale House, Cold Bath Brewery, Old Bell and Roosters (Taproom out of town by one stop on the train or 20 min walk).

Coffee / cafes – Hoxton North, Bean and Bud, No35, Prologue, Marconi.

Restaurants – Papas, Stuzzi, Tannin Level, Pranzo, Orchid, La Feria, Konak, Essenza and Al Bivio (Italian out of town near Roosters).

You also have many of the standard chains but I avoid them whenever possible and support the local independents.

Another vote for SwissStop blue. My other half runs them on her road bike with 105 calipers/levers and ali rims. They work very well and are more consistent than the stock Shimano pads. They last well too despite some mucky, year-round riding.

I’ve just looked into this as we are visiting Slovenia and Croatia from Venice. Be really careful which hire car company you use as many exclude Croatia or have restrictions on crossing borders or using the Croatia to Italy ferries. Using a big company doesn’t guarantee there aren’t restrictions or additional costs. Hertz for example require you to get a letter from the desk at pick up to go into Croatia which I’m sure is fine but I don’t want to put my holiday at risk if they refuse. Enterprise had no cross border restrictions within the EU.

Moon MX. It’s an out front mount and light in one. Good solid mount with a long lasting and bright light. Lots of modes but the switch logic is not intuitive. It remembers the last used mode thankfully, so once set it’s a simple on/off. Very happy with mine for my road/gravel bike.

I have an old Thule one and the hooks on the lid that go into the locks are only held on with a couple of pop rivets. I’ve had a couple of these pull out over the years so ended up using a strap for piece of mind even though I’ve replaced the rivets. Was probably due to me cramming in all the kids clobber when they were young!

Not got a Mous case but love MagSafe. I’ve a wallet (Amazon one, not the extortionate Apple one!), a car mount/charger and bedside cradle charger. A MagSafe compatible power pack would be a good addition too.

The GX Eagle cassettes last forever. I have 2 bikes with GX Eagle drivetrains but SLX mechs (bought when there was a shortage of GX mechs a couple of years ago). They work perfectly. I would recommend using a SRAM chain with the length adjusted in line with Shimano guidance to get the best shifting.

Thanks a lot Ginkster. Is your GX Eagle cassette 50t? Or is that irrelevant?

Mine are 50T too. 50 or 51 is a tiny difference to the diameter of the cassette so will have almost zero impact to the set up.

Why on earth would you put a Shimano mech onto a SRAM cassette?

Why not? I went that route as GX Eagle mechs were in very short supply a year or so ago and ludicrously priced if you could even find one. An SLX mech was readily available, half the price and just as well built. The fact it works perfectly means it is a very valid solution. The shifter and chain are probably more important than the choice of mech.

I’d suggest setting the chain length in accordance with Shimano’s instructions so it is correct for the mech. That may well solve your issue.

I have an SLX mech with GX Eagle cassette and shifter on 2 bikes and it all adjusts correctly with the line on the cage lining up fine. Shifting is great though arguably it may miss the final 1% due to the different ramp profiles on the cassettes. That’s nothing when covered in mud or riding off road!

GX Eagle (shifter, cassette, chain, chainring) with SLX mechs on 2 bikes. Works perfectly. Went with the SLX when there were shortages of GX mechs a year or so ago.

it’s difficult to see how a naturally aspirated engine will show huge gains just from remapping.

Because manufacturers detune versions to meet things like company car tax brackets, low road tax and insurance etc.

As mentioned the early-2000s NA 1.6 Mini One and Cooper were mechanically identical but the One was 90hp, the Cooper was 115. Just software.

The 60hp VW Up/Polo (and loads of derivatives) is mechanically the same engine as the 75hp version, just a different ECU.

Both can be loaded with the map of the higher output version giving big gains. Having said that, often the gain is marginal for normal driving as the extra power is at the top end of the rev range and torque increases are not as high. The Up for example has matching power/torque curves until about 5-6000 rpm so no noticeable change unless you rag it.

However, the gains on the already higher tuned NA models are much, much smaller for the reasons you highlight.

Maybe some specific rails and quick release attachments would work and give you added flexibility. This company does various types. I have the campervan kit in my van.

Braunability

IIRC there was no mechanical difference between the early 2000s NA 1.6 Mini One and the Cooper version, The One was just detuned to 90bhp to lower emissions and insurance versus the 115bhp Cooper. A software change could up the One to 115bhp as the Cooper.

Hopefully the Mazda is the same!

I have some DMR Axe cranks in 165mm. Use SRAM direct mount rings and available in boost or non-boost. Unfortunately they have a specific Praxis BB so you wouldn’t be able to use your current BB.

Camino with GRX 2x 48/31 with 11-34 cassette here. I decided to go this route rather than 1x as I use the bike for all sorts, from off-road bikepacking to road riding. It’s the road side that favours 2x as it gives me the range required plus smaller gaps. I also like the ability to do a block change as I crest a hill or hit a climb rather than press, press, press…. If I was mostly off-road then I’d probably go 1x as all my MTBs are.

As others with the same setup have said, it works great. Mostly big ring on road except for steep climbs or when knackered. Cross chaining is no issue with no rub, although I ideally avoid it to reduce wear. It just works. It gives me a high gear the same as a compact setup on a road bike and a low gear that is lower than the 1:1 ratio that is common on off the shelf 1x.

As for the frames you mentioned all would build into a great bike. The Camino is fab. Very adaptable and nice to ride. Mine is a v3 so the newer ones are a bit slacker but have a good rep too.

I’ve used an ATMB tag for years. Costs €2 each month it’s used. Can’t remember how much it cost to send, but wasn’t much and may even have been free.

Having driven with and without a tag I would not want to be without it. It is much, much quicker even when the traffic is light. I have driven many times in convoy with friends who don’t have one and end up miles ahead. I prefer to have my breaks out of the car not sat in a queue at a toll booth!

It also dead handy when the passenger has a broken left collarbone and can’t reach the booth to pay……don’t ask how I know!

ATMB

A Vent Axia Svara does most of what you asked for. It can be triggered by humidity, light or a switch and can be set to purge at times through the day. It connects via Bluetooth and you can set silent hours so it doesn’t disturb you in the night. It is pretty quiet even on full blast. I have a couple in the house and they work well. You can get them for about £75-80 off ebay.

2 bikes with GX Eagle cassette, chain and shifter with SLX mech. Works perfectly. Went with the SLX mech as GX ones were in short supply and very expensive when I needed replacements a year or so ago.

If only we knew when that was going to be…

Exactly, which is why I always fit decent tyres. However, a ditch finder with good tread is arguably better than a worn (but still legal) premium tyre. Whatever the tyre, one needs to drive within its limits. Unfortunately, far too many don’t and then blame the equipment!

Have you checked the shocks out to make sure they aren’t knackered? Poor shocks will give horrible traction and be very squirmy and give many of the issues you mentioned. Also have the bushes checked.

Even ditch finders should be fine unless provoked or at the limit in an emergency.

ESI chunky +2

Barclays as mentioned above. State the value of most expensive bike (up to £5k) and all others are covered. Cost £55 for me. No silly requirements or limitations and can be bought as a standalone policy. I then get buildings and contents insurance for elsewhere. Saved me a couple of hundred £s over previous Pedalcover renewal.

I’ve got a Garmin Mini in one car and really happy with that. It’s tiny with good quality video and a pretty good app. The Mini 2 has voice control and a few other interesting features. I’ve considered buying a second for the rear.

Try Marmalade or Veygo.

We used Marmalade for the first year after my son passed. It’s insurance in their name and is in addition to your own insurance. Has a black box too, but only for their driving rather than all drivers. They will earn their own NCD and if they have a claim it doesn’t effect yours.

When son was at uni and not driving much we used temporary insurance through Veygo. Again it’s in their name and in addition to your insurance so your NCD is unaffected. No black box and no building NCD. It’s available for anything from an hour to a month. Great for infrequent use but gets expensive if you put them on regularly for long periods.

I used Barclays but for the bikes only. Tell them the price of your most expensive up to £5k and all covered. Was about £55. You can then shop around for the best value policy for the rest. Saved me a fortune over Pedalcover or policies including bike cover.

Have a look at Barclays. You can get just the bike part of their home insurance. You tell them the cost of the most expensive bike (up to £5k) and then all the bikes in the household are covered up to that. Cost me £50 for most expensive at £5k. That was a lot cheaper than other options and also no faff specifying individual bikes.

Sounds like a plan already! Keep it to independents if possible to help the local traders. Konak is good as is Papas (also tapas) in Princes Sq.

Pubs wise then Cold Bath, Little Ale House, Starlings, Major Toms, Taps, Old Bell are all great for real ale.

For coffee then Hoxton North is great (fab food too), Prologue with some road bike porn too, Bean and Bud for lovely coffee and cakes or Marconi’s for Italian style cafe with good food.

Have fun.

I really enjoyed reading this account from someone who was in action flying Tornado GR4 jets over Iraq.

@PJM1974 you would enjoy Mandy’s book too.

@higthepig

‘Wow. Just wow’ (to quote someone above)!

I’m hoping it’s because you are ‘not putting your argument clearly’, because otherwise what I read is that you discriminate against someone because of their sex, something they had no choice in, just in case they might decide to have a child and inconvenience you. I find that truly staggering. A great example why we have to change. Personally, I find it an honour to help cover for a mate and colleague while they are building their family.

Imagine a squadron of mixed sexes

No imagination required. It’s been a reality since the early 90s and the RAF is better for it. It might shock you but many of the best operators and nicest people I have worked with are female. Not bad given the huge under representation of females in the RAF.

Chewkw mentioned about religious insistence, I have seen this twice, not UK military, but another nation, who military refused to operate during a certain religious observance.

An irrelevance as it’s not the UK. What they chose to do is up to them. I have never seen it happen here, including with guests from the nations you are hinting at.

Excellent assumption there and if you are serving, you are OoD D&I training because I am not.

I didn’t say you were (I’m assuming you mean white male rather than in date D&I!). It’s the view I’m talking about and it doesn’t matter who has that view. The Services were very much white, male, Christian oriented. Some view it that the RAF should remain one or all of those. Or others looking to join think you have to be one or all of those to join. Both positions are outdated.

Which is the exactly my point. If I have 10 personnel working for me and some are off due to pregnancy or due to religious observance, who covers the gaps, the few that are left because now the laydown of the workforce has fundamentally changed.

You intimate that males and some religions are never off work causing gaps. Why is being off for pregnancy or religious observance any more of an issue than deployment, illness, paternity leave, compassionate leave etc? It’s a gap and those left regardless of gender or region have to cover it until (hopefully one day!) the RAF has more redundancy built into the personnel numbers. You never know but the person ‘off’ for Ramadan might cover those pesky Easter and Christmas duties for those that are away then!

No idea what value the RAF auxiliary provides but the Army reserve isn’t that effective when that should be its primary function.

I’ve seen it work well in some areas such as int, ops or medics but it’s not as seamless or widely available as it could/should be. I can’t imagine the current wider workforce shortages will help as civvy employers will be more reluctant to release people.

The RAF, much like the Army operates within the class system and is rather antiquated. Public school officers abound, their training starting on the cricket grounds of all ‘the best’ schools.

Er, nope. Not since about the 1940-50s.

In a few years time, when a significant proportion of my Squadron are unfit to work through pregnancy or observing Ramadan, which agency do you call to get temporary staff when something kicks off and you need a response?

That is exactly the outdated, white male orientated view the seniors are trying to eradicate. The same old argument that was used when flying was opened up to females. The lack of depth to cover gaps is the issue, not the gender or religion (or any other aspect) of the person causing the gap. The same issue exists when the white male is ill, deployed, leave etc.

Everywhere I go, all units are doing the same, if not more, with fewer uniformed personnel.

That is nothing new and has been happening since the end of WW2 as the Service has continuously decreased in numbers. Options for Change and Frontline First where classic examples from 30 odd years ago. The last SDSR didn’t help, introducing more shiny kit (or keeping stuff that was due out of service) without an equal uplift in personnel to operate it. None of that has anything to do with trying to increase diversity though.

We have an Up as our runabout and car for the kids to drive. It is brilliant. Good to drive, seats 4 adults comfortably, £20 tax, group 1 insurance and economical on fuel. We have had it 5 years and the only expense has been new tyres. It is perfectly capable for long journeys too. The sister Citygo wins the best small used car award in the latest Auto Express. We will be keeping ours till it dies (or upgrade for the GTi version when the kids have gone!).

but you lot do like to do things differently better.

FTFY! 😉😂

This sums it up for me Eileen A. Bjorkman – a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and executive director of the Air Force Test Center.

Sums what up? This is from the 70s and the USAF. The RAF was male only for aircrew until the early 90s. Once opened up for females there was nothing preventing them from going into combat roles (there was a slightly delay of a year or so for fast jet).

We all agree that people from minority backgrounds and women are just as capable of being fighter pilots so with that in mind, how would the RAF attract talent from outside of the public-school educated, male dominated traditional routes?

Females can and do make excellent fast jet pilots, but generally get lower overall pilot aptitude scores during selection. That is one of the areas that needs to be considered during recruitment or the RAF would struggle even more to select females if it simply took those with the highest aptitude. What is your source for the assertion regarding public school education? As Agree says, that is not the case. Your comments may highlight one of the big problems, people thinking the RAF is only for public school males when the reality is totally different.

That doesn’t happen here. Nobody, not even men become instructors out of flying training

It does happen here. They are called ‘Creamies’. It went out of fashion for a few years due to frontline pilot shortages but is back in use now.

The reality is they’re struggling to recruit enough of anyone.

The inflow can’t match the outflow at the moment.

I agree with much of what you have said in this thread but this is not the case at the moment. Many trades are closed for applications and those that are open have high numbers of applications. Many branches are full, in part because Covid slowed outflow and saw a massive increase in people rejoining the Service. The big problem is in the training system and getting fresh recruits to the frontline. That position won’t last long as the job market opens back up and rejoiners contracts come to an end. Your comments will be spot on very soon!

Then one day during aerial combat the whole squadron got short down because the less qualified pilot lack one skill crucial for the role. Isn’t that a bit foolish?

That made me chuckle. What skill do you think would be missing during recruitment that wouldn’t have been taught during several years of training? Or resulted in the candidate not making the standard required to make the frontline?