Some shops may give a decent price for Leica kit, especially if it's mint so maybe worth a try. I think Grays Of Westminster, although being a Nikon dealer will be interested in it and also Mifsuds. Get a copy of Amateur Photographer and look in the back at the shops selling kit as some buy for cash and some sell on a comission basis as well. Ebay is still ok for selling stuff like that but check what other Leica gear is going for before you list them and put a reserve on them too.

Don't stay together for the kids, because your tension WILL be felt by them and the problems you have will have some affect on them. I split with my ex 3 years ago now and I'm glad I did because a) the kids are happier b) I'm happier and c) I've had 3 very very good years lol. My kids also live with me as I made my ex leave. The kids didn't want to be with her and although it's been tough at times we get there in the end and we have probably come a bit closer too. I won't beat about the bush but it's very painful, even if you don't get on as lots and lots of things go through your head but you will get there and you will wonder why you didn't do it ages ago.

Course those cables are worth something – how much though I'm afraid is anyones guess but I always look at stuff on evilbay and track them and see what they get. Then you can see if it's worthwhile selling them or hanging onto them instead of giving them away.
As for your other stuff, it's all good stuff so like I said, try evilbay and get some ideas off there. DON'T let them go for naff all ok.

Lol jockhaggis. That first snake shows how fast they can move when they want and you can never trust them. Mine had to go the vets to have some treatment and he got very very irritable and ended up biting me more than once :?

Got him!!!!!!!! What a bloody day I've had and here he is too

There was definitely some issues with Shimano 15mm hubs – as reported in many UK bike mags.

Read my post on this page – I'm trying find my bloody snake lol

I totally agree with you on the build front Trekster. My 575 was built to under 25lb and was something you didn't hammer at rough stuff but it sort of floatedover it. I wouldn't say it was faster, just a different ride. My Turner 5 Spot had a coil DHX shock and coil Vans on the front and that was about 30lb but felt rock solid over rough stuff, like a battering ram lol. Which is why I said earlier there are better out there because if my old Spot and 575 were put side by side and I could have any of them I would pick the Turner even though it weighed more as it was a nicer ride altogether. How the new DW model compares I've no idea as i've not ridden one. I'd like an old HL 5 Spot again but they just don't come up often in medium and so that's why I've just got an old S Works Enduro and so it will be interesting to see how that compares now.

If your going to fit them lower – as in reduce their travel – are you only changing to get a stiffer fork? I run the Float 140's with the 15mm axle and they are superb forks, very plush and stiff in the steering department. Might be a better bet?

Lobby_dosser – the hole in the top-tube is the older frame and NOT the 08 575. As for the Yeti tribe no on has to join and it's basically a group of riders who have a liking to a brand of cycles-end of. In fact riders of other makes also meet up with them and it's only like a regular riding club anyway.
Surprised what trekster said as the worst bike he's ridden. It certainly didn't bob like my S Works FSR did, tracked small bumps better than most bikes I've ridden, except the VPP ones.

Working with a lad who has now failed 6 times – in an automatic!!!!! Now I find that amazing as to me the hardest part of driving is clucth control, awareness etc was never a problem as 1) I rode a motorbike before and 2) being a cyclist I'm always thinking and looking ahead and ready to re-act to anything. But this guy has now failed 6 times and each time it's because he's done something dangerous. Last time he pulled out on a motorbike by failing to look right when pulling out at a junction. To me that tells me he has a very bad instructor as he must know he's doing stuff like that in his lessons. So my advice would be make sure you've got a good instructor and all will be fine.

I had a Turner 5 Spot (HL) and Intense 5.5 at the same time so it was easy to compare them both. The 5.5 was superb with it's VPP suspension but the bearings were a pain, as in unless they are well maintained they have a huge affect on the way the bike rides. If they dry out the action doesn't work as well so in our weather and conditions it isn't the ideal bike. This is where the Turner came in as it's bearings and suspension will cope with anything our island can throw at it. But for me having two such good bikes and a Merlin Oreas was a bit much and ideally having one 5-6" travel bike was the best solution and I had a very good deal on a 575 offered to me and so hoped after all the good reports on the older 575 that the new one would have the best bits of the other two plus maybe it's own good points. Well it did to some extent and I built mine up way lighter than I could get the others too, basically because the frame was lighter.
But it's suspension was never quite as comfy as the Turner (was coil on that bike though) and the VPP did track better when climbing. Well it appears the new Tracer address the bearing issue of the old 5.5 and is a light frame and has the same geometry as the 575 so I'd definitely give it some serious thought although it is a lot more than what you can get a 575 for at the moment.
Don't get me wrong, the 575 is a great bike. Very well made, amazingly light build are achieveable easily, rides very very well and is now at a bargain price. Would I have another – yes – but I'd like to give the Tracer a real try too.

When it was muddy I always use Trailrakers and the 2.1 size never gave me any issues. I always thought a thinner tyre was better in mud anyway, hence the 2.1 size or even 1.9 for some people. In normal use I ran Nobby Nic/Racing Ralph's in 2.25 size and with ZTR rims they have a very round profile and again, never gave any clearance issues.
I believe the 575 is better suited to fast XC/Enduro stuff and NOT as an AM bike but again it depends on how much of a smash bang wallop rider you are. I've seen a carbon model with worn rear stay but that was caused by the riders heel! But what gets me is he never noticed so it just goes to show how negligent he was really. Yeti to their credit even replaced it.
I'd recommend one any day as they are a very very good bike but there are better out there.

The Lightening would definitely be on my list but for me the number one would be the SR71 Blackbird. Saw them quite a few times at Mildenhall taking off and very very impressive they were too. Even static display before take-off you could see the fuel dripping from the tanks as they used to self-seal at altitude due to heat expanding the airframe.

The Goldtec Draco is convertible from 20mm to QR.

I also thought about drawing a cock, my misses just laughed but it must be our childish humour to even think of it. Would have been ace if she had but I guess it wouldn't have been broadcast lol.

Had two doctors working at my local clinic and they were Dr Dick and Dr Boyle :lol:

Always wanted do archery, so what are the costs? Many years ago I tried a proper target crossbow over 10M. The bolt went incredibly slow but was very helpful in teaching correct trigger and holding techniques for 10M Air-rifle that I used to shoot.

Totally agree with peakmonster, gets very annoying stripping it all the time plus having to cover the seats up etc. Did my head in and I was always worried about the leather seats so I don't bother now. Not bothered either as an ijury has stopped me riding much anyway.

I'm sorry bikemonkey but if she took the bike in for just the brakes, then that's all they should do. If they see or notice anything else it should or could be mentioned to her when she picked it up. Would you like more jobs done on your car if you only took it in for brakes? I doubt it. Besides if they dd a good job at fair price the girl may have been more inclined to take it back, she certainly won't now!
I'll help anyone out with fixing bikes or even building them up. There's only a few tools I don't have and so when my lads mates want anytihng doing I'm only too glad to help.

My BMW 330Ci M Sport. Standard trim it's 270bhp but is going get chipped soon. Limited to 155mph at the moment and 0-60 in 6.5 secs so reasonably quick in standard trim. Love the E46 shape – think it's the best they've done

My 08 575 was set up as a fast XC bike so I ran 09 Float RLC's with the 15mm QR. Brilliant fork and the geometry was spot on and never needed any travel adjust even on steep singletrack. Thoroughly recommend them.

Soz, been busy lol. The 575 is big for a medium but it felt very easy to flick round and was loads of fun on the downhill stuff, due to the slack head-angle more than anything. It never felt out of control over rocky stuff for a big bike and when riding over long distances, that cockpit felt so comfortable. If I was buying another I'd still go for the medium as it's easier fit into than a small where I think your choice of stem/seatpost would have a bigger impact on your riding than the frame size itself. Plus no bikes for life and later on a medium size bike would be easier sell than the small – just something to think about.

No probs. It's a pity you weren't local as we've got a medium and a small in the shop at the moment plus loads of other riders bikes you could try. Hope you get sorted and enjoy getting one as they are a very nice frame

Hadge

Dave, I rode a medium and I'm 5ft 8ins and yes they do come up big but with a short 70mm stem, in-line post it was fine. I used mine for fast XC stuff but I could have easily rode a small size too. I never had any issues with the medium so if you can't get ride one it would be a safe choice.

Linn Kans :D No seriously they work very well in a Naim system like I use but not so sure with Audiolab kit. I could recommend the Quads as they are lovely little boxes giving a wonderful sound. IMO the Celestions work far better on stands and also away from the rear wall. I had some SL600's a few years back and the base was tighter and cleaner when used away from the walls and I also ran them with some Audiolab pre/power amps before buying the incredible Krell KSA100 power amp.

Was that chef doing an autopsy on that poor bird!!!! Jesus what a mess he made of that :roll:

Way off the blingest here but mine would have been my Merlin Oreas. Ti frame, XTR M970 chainset/cassette/front mech SRAM X0 shifters/rear mech Tune hubs on ZTR rims/Control Tech Ti skewers Easton EC90SL bars and seatpost Avid Ultimates with Hope floating rotors CK Rasta headset Ritchey WCS stem/grips. Stunning ride and at 21.3lb a flyer too

BMW 330Ci M Sport Coupe E46. Had it because I've always thought it was the best looking 3 Series they've made and I couldn't afford an M3 or the insurance for it. Still has 270bhp so it's reasonably quick too :D

Halfrauds or one of many other places will sort the paintwork probs out, especially if the key damage isnn't that bad plus that won't cost you much. Again the dent can get sorted then I would get a decent valet done on it and sell as it sounds like your hanking after a new car.

My Yeti 575 08 complete with pedals weighed on Ultimate digital scales came in at just under 25lb (picture of proof if required) and my Merlin Oreas came in at 21.3lb again with pedals. As I work in the industry I didn't mind spending any money on them either and as it was my dosh, I don't care what any of the moaners on here say. The 575 was brilliant at climbing at that weight but bloody horrible with side winds – maybe more to do with rider size and bike shape though lol. The Merlin was incredible nimble in singletrack and of all the bikes I've ever owned I would say is in the top two for sheer fun and how good it was.

Mnay years ago I went to Farnborough when the Antanov AN225 was displyed and it did a flying display. What an enourmous plane it was and the jet wash from it's 6 engines was incredible. I've been inside a Galaxy and his plane is even bigger. Amazing plane designed to carry the Soviets space shuttle

See – lecht says it all. Check the ads and go for something like that :D

I've got an One One Summer Season and they are blinding value for money but if I had £600 for a new frame, I'd check the second-hand ads and look for a nice ti jobbie. You will find Cove Hummers, Litespeed Pisgah etc if you look hard and they are better than any of the frames you mentioned IMHO. I've had a Merlin Oreas and Pace RC303 and would plumb for the Merlin any day.

Clearing the swarf is easy it goes out on a conveyer! Never implied or said we have the keys for life but I bet there aren't many riders who even know or care how things are made and don't understand the costs and skills involved. To suggest it's easy and all done on a pc is pathetic too as anyone who programs and runs CNC machines has to have a back-ground in enginering to know what tools do what on the machines etc.
As far as the engineering industry it's gone the same way as most manufacturing in this country, we want everything as cheap as possible with the best quality. The very same reason most bike companies have their frames made in the far-east, Yeti being one example.

As Blue Peter used to say, here's one I made earlier

If you knew how these were machined, how much the machines cost and how complex the process is, even if the raw materials are cheap you wouldn't complain. The engraving is actually machined on by a milling process on the CNC lathe and the program is very very complex. There's not a cat in hells chance of you doing that on a manual lathe ever! The hub is machined on three different CNC lathes and still requires miulling for the disc brake tabs and also the spoke holes. The whole process takes quite some time and as I said, the tolerances are very close especially in areas like where the bearings are fitted. As with lots of items in the world today you get what you pay for and lots and lots of cycle parts are very good value for money and everyone has to make a living too. Rant over lol :-)

Lol and how much is a decent CNC machine? £30-40-50-60,000!!! Yes it makes lots of parts etc but they don't make themselves – someone has to program the thing, set it up, buy all the tooling etc etc. Yes you make one manually and see how long it takes you and pay yourself a reasonable wage. It's easy make one part – but you make loads all to a tolerance of 0.005mm in some areas. I've been a toolmaker for over 30 years so dream on.

I ran one of the linkages on my FSR S Works a few years ago and it was far far superior than the original linkage. Gave a much better ride with a raised ride height and no problems with any head angle issues.

As for cost if you consider the R&D work, materials & CNC machining time it's actually very good value for money, especially when compared to seatposts and stems. They are machined from solid and have a very good finish but I would say that as I work there. But I bought my original linkage before I did and I'd still recommend one any day. I don't make the linkages either as I machine the hubs and anything else that's round or needs hole in it like the Burgtec pedals :D

Hi Dave, hope your ok and maybe see you in the shop tomorrow

Many many years ago went to a pub on my local council estate play a pool match. As we went to the door, the barman was wiping something off the door. He said "don't worry lads it's only blood, there's just been a bit of fight" and he said it as cool as anything lol. Nice pub.

Now they've got rid of the early problems they are superb lights. My set had to go back (very early ones) but they are fine now. Can't wait for a spot of night riding soon :D