Damascus that looks just the ticket.. thanks! Choices choices… So that leaves about £40 for a mat. Alpkit sounds like the go-to? Really helpful everyone thanks

Thanks for all the useful advice guys. I have managed to find a cheap MH Lamina here:
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1940335

There are also some Hannah bags which look interesting here too.

Sorry yes.. 1 man tent.. oex phoxx 1v2. Thanks

I think they are great! Very easy and secure to hook a bag underneath without a harness, and plenty of space on top for strapping something else securely. Big fan so far.

They come nice and wide so you can cut to fit, and the sweep feels like every other low rise bar out there at the moment. I normally use funn bars and can’t tell a difference (yet) in terms of control and comfort.
Alpkit airlock underneath:

Moxie will sell you one of their ALICE forks for 100 notes.

From Alan at Moxie:

Axle to crown is 432mm
Steerer tube, 28.6mm (inch and an eighth) so you’ll need a HS136 crown converter if you have a 44mm headtube.
Axle is 100mm, M15xP1.5 (not boost)
You could feasibly fit a 2.8″ as the spacing between the legs is 92mm

GBP100 inc shipping.

cheers for the heads up… just listed some 2015 RS revs, in very unfashionable white. I’m expecting big money! :)

I’ll just leave this here…

Update.. the 45650b is nearly done. Tested mounting the new bags and all seems good

Love that fatty Spoon.. why sell? I considered SS myself for the bikepacking build but worried it might limit my choice of terrain. Perhaps I should do another :)

Forks now a lovely shade of hammerite black 😂

I have purchased an airlock 13l jobby from alpkit. Looks ideal, and with those bars I’m thinking I could have that underneath and room for something else on top. The world is my oyster :)

Ha they are a bit weird aren’t they?! I thought I’d try them out as I’d like to mount lights unobscured by a handlebar bag – not sure on them yet but then I haven’t ridden them; they might be amazing!
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HBOOMKB/on-one-mickey-handlebar

Nice work OP! I decided to repurpose my on one 45650b to a bikepacking rig. Some singular steel forks and a new handlebar with thinner tyres so far… Build will progress once the forks are sprayed black!

27.5x 28mm apparently… That’s a 29er in there. 100x15mm rigid difficult to come by hence the PSA. If it’s of use to you then great, if not; no worries

Can’t embed grr

‘FoD DH would be about my limit for trail riding’

Lmfao even more 😂😂😂🤙🏾

‘I’ve ridden most trails in mid-southern England and Wales over the last decade’

Lmfao

That says more about you than the light mate.. seems pretty easy to me 😂. And you bought a part bike light, part camping light so what did you expect?

Thanks guys. I must say that I take my hat off to on one/planet X. Had numerous frames, wheels, bits over the years and they do exactly what they say on the tin. Properly priced and functional stuff. My on one 456 summer season still ranks as my fave hardtail I’ve owned. We can’t all splash 400 quid on a set of lights, places like on one, superstar, uberbike etc have kept me riding over the years when otherwise I might not have afforded to. Much love 😂 ✌🏾

I’m ordering one based on that reply. Chuckle 😂

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIJOBBD20W/jobsworth-bobby-dazzler-20w-2000-lumen-front-light

That looks like a steal to be fair

Yes tbf my idea of cheap may be different to others.. I was thinking 25 quid ish.

Use a nobby nic performance in the rear on the other bike.. fine setting up and rides well but sidewalls seem to be cheese based. Top end of budget is £15 so what do we think about a OO smorgosbord? Winter slop compliant?

Guys, thank you! After writing a strongly worded email to the ford customer care, which included many soundbites from this thread I now have a written apology, a happy wife and a car about to go in for a new compressor and a full service FOC. Also a reprimanded salesman who has called to ask for forgiveness 😂

Funny how the first place I thought to ask for advice was an MTB forum! Singletrack does it again. Thank you

G

gt56 – strange but everyone I’ve spoken to says that the PGCE is by far harder than being a ‘proper’ teacher and speaks disparagingly about those who talk about unmanageable workloads as a teacher.

I didn’t say it was unmanageable, I’d have quit it if was! As a PGCE student you have time built in to your timetable to do the other ‘work’. I am lucky that as an AST I teach 70% of a normal timetable now. I still teach for 4 – 5 hours a day, and plan/mark meet etc in accordance with that whilst not being face to face. Face to face teaching time is the reason I do it. Today I didn’t have any of the leadership meetings, planning or strategizing to do. I got in at 7am, left at 5pm. I am very efficient with my time. I will work a few hours tonight. That was a light day. I am on the leadership pay scale, doing pretty well with not much room for manouver in terms of pay rise apart from a deputy headship in a large secondary school and still earn less than a train driver. I love my job, truly. But don’t kid yourself that a PGCE is hard work. It isn’t. If you are a born teacher, which you’ll soon find out, it’s easy. If you arent, it’s hell. Some muddle through, complain about their workload, get bitter, some quit. If you can actually teach, it is the best job in the world. But trust me, teachers are born, not made. I’ve trained enough to know.

Good luck, if it’s for you, then it’s a brilliant way to spend your working life. I love going to work every day.

Seriously, if the workload of a PGCE is worrying you, you may have picked the wrong career. I have been teaching for 15 years and the PGCE year was a walk in the park compared with the reality of a full time teacher’s workload. As others have said, i love it but get real, have you actually done your research?!

Great.. that is the plan. I have requested a call from sales manager as I’m guessing the original salesman is trying to protect his comission. Thank you. G

Great stuff, thanks all. The cheapest Thule ocean 600 is actually a bit less money that the kamei.. decisions decisions!

Avon tyrell… Is there direct access to a river here or are you talking about the lake (pond) at the bottom of the camp field?

Maybe I’ll convince missus post 2010 cars would open up some better, cheaper options? Love a Skoda!

Thanks for the replies everyone. Food for thought. Daffy I like the look of that Volvo..

Yep.. I guessed it would be tough to find what ‘we’ want with that budget. An Octavia would be nice!

Anyone ordered these and received yet? Worth the money? Thanks

I’m no car expert, but is it really possible to drive to morzine on one tank of diesel??! Mind blown. Forgive my motoring ignorance

Squirt all year round. Take it with you in the wet. After a ride, let the bike dry, brush the chain, reapply. Clean drivetrain. I love squirt!

‘Tis the price we pay to ride there at all..

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273004573443

Speak to Mike at http://bikincyprusadventures.com
Top guy, massive supporter of cycling in all its forms in Cyprus and a keen mtber himself. He will be more than happy to chat. Lovely bloke.
G

456evo with decent 140/50mm forks would be my pick, such a good ride. See if you can get one secondhand? Always lots on eBay.

Garry_lager ‘aye right lad’. Maybe you could take me out and show me? Massive assumptions made there by you pal. I stated a fact. You’re being a **** ‘lad’