https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-Tools-6844-Damaged-Extractor/dp/B071LGWQ8Z

Far better than the screw extractors above IMO.

Cheapest retro MTB you can find. Late ’80s for upright commuter geometry. Something like an old Saracen or Muddy Fox for £30-40, then singlespeed it for £20. Job done.

Colleague of mine had two implants done in Bucharest at https://getyoursmileback.co.uk

Said the surgery was more professional than any dentist he’s been to in the UK, and when he went back to his local dentist for a check-up they were (grudgingly) impressed with the standard of the work.

He had two implants done for less than £2K, even including the travel. Properly high quality German implants too, better than you’d get in the UK for twice the price.

My teeth are screwed too, so as soon as I can afford it I’m going there.

Well, I’ve evidently taken one for the team as I bought four of them today. Bloody good, I must say..

Almost a year to the day… ;)

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/tubolito-inner-tubes/

Interesting.. I think I should have clarified that I meant skills coaching as opposed to fitness or otherwise, but seems like it’s more of a thing than I’d thought.

Would definitely love a session with Yoann Barelli or Cedric Gracia but not really at that level yet! Good to hear that Katy Curd is well-regarded though, as based on my OH’s experience at the BPW Women’s Day I was planning on booking a 1:1 session in the new year.

FFS – it’s the owners, not the dogs that are at fault.. Horrible thing to happen, but it’s this sort of thing that makes people think BSL is a good thing (when essentially it’s racial profiling).

I’ll second Bird – lifetime (transferable) frame warranty, and go out of their way to ensure customers are happy. Top guys.

We’ve a Staffie X Boxer (along with a spaniel X Boxer) and I really love the cross – he’s daft as a brush like a Boxer, yet affectionate and protective like a Staff. Bit leggier and more athletic than a pure Staffie as well. He did have separation anxiety to start with, which was understandable given that he got bounced about rescue/foster homes but his big brother looks after him and he’s OK now. Is great with people, but doesn’t speak Dog very well so other dogs tend to think he’s a bit much! Terrier instinct means he wants to chase everything but his recall is superb and his overwhelming desire to please means he obeys. Reactive on a lead but we have horses so he has 7 acres of fenced yard for him to run around as he sees fit for at least 2 hours a day. Sleeps the rest, and if you’re on a sofa then he has to be cuddling you.

Why not buy one of the Bikeyoke yokes to fit a standard shock to the Camber?

Another vote for the Zee cage. Didn’t lose a bottle all day at BPW (including during an off that saw the bike cartwheel down the trail).

Specialized helmets are great for long/narrow head shape – I’ve tried several other brands but keep coming back to them.

I wondered if it was those two being referred to but they’re not even a foot high so didn’t think it was – thought that the black freeride area had finally been opened or something!

I saw that the tabletop on Babymaker had been redone but what are these large drops being talked about? Are they on one of the official trails..?

the worst are those on the jump/pump tracks or free ride sections, not wearing helmets while impressionable kids watch them. I just don’t think it’s responsible.

So, let me get this straight – you expect people that you don’t know to set an example to “impressionable” kids, whom they also do not know? Why in heavens name should they bear responsibility for other people’s children!? Do you also expect people walking in a public place to not smoke in case any impressionable kids are watching?

The choice to ride a legal pedal-assist e-bike where it is permitted to ride an unassisted bike is a personal one, and the business of no-one else.

The choice to wear a helmet, or not, is a personal one, and the business of no-one else.

The choice to smoke on the trails (a public outdoor space where it is not prohibited) is a personal one, and (as long as the butts are extinguished properly and not dropped as litter) the business of no-one else.

Why can’t people stop working themselves up into a DM-esque froth over what other people are doing?

In a way, yes – but my overall aim with biking is to have fun and enjoy it. I’d rather be rubbish and have fun than be skilled but hate it.

When you see people that are slow and unskilled, but are arsing about and having a laugh, do you envy them?

“To pick this out – this is how I am across pretty much everything I do. If I can do something, anything, then the next time I should be able to do it better, the time after that better again. Standing still is failure and you never, ever retreat. Forwards all the time, think, learn, apply, focus. It’s the cool thing about bikes – so many subtle variations across the disciplines all using the same principles and always something to improve at. But the same applies to work, driving, skiing, DIY, picking my nose, wiping my arse, reading a book. Push*, learn, advance all the time. Never relax. That’s when you lose concentration and bad things happen. BE harsh with yourself”

This is just awful, sad and totally wrong. From everything you’ve said I presume you don’t have children because bringing them up like this would be a recipe for mental health problems. Learn to love yourself, then all these issues will go away.

[/quote]

All joking aside, I agree. It sounds like you actually have some serious mental health issues buried under the excuse of “that’s just how I am”. Get some professional help, please.

Got M502s on my FS and they seem decent enough.  Straight and true after nearly two years.  Found the 30mm internal squares off 2.3 Maxxis a little more than I’d like so switching to WT/2.5-2.6 when the tyres are dead.

Seriously, if you’re going for a DM ring, get the SRAM steel one. The weight penalty is about the same as a bag of crisps, it’ll outlast any alloy ring, and they’re £15!

I use these as my commuter lights – https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223215003478

Clip or rubber strap, USB rechargeable, £5 each or £9 for a pair.

The mortgage thing also assumes you’d actually get given one..

As an example, let’s create a fictitious couple: both in decent jobs, one earning £45K gross, one £30K. Been gifted, or saved, £25K for a deposit. Two kids, so 3-bed house needed. At current mortgage allowances, 3x the largest salary plus the smaller, plus the deposit is £190K. Crappy 3-beds in less-than-desirable areas near me start at £240K, so they’ve no chance to buy a family home. On a combined salary of £75K! So, they’re stuck renting, or having to move and start again..

The original question wasn’t about debt, or lack of it though – it was living within or beyond your means.

To me, living beyond your means implies spending more than you earn. If you have debt (regardless of the amount) and you’re paying it off and it’s not getting any worse, then you’re living within your means.

For those to whom being financially competent comes easy, it’s a skill, just like any other. Some have it, some don’t, some work to get good at it, some find the ability to budget difficult. Just because it’s easy to you, doesn’t mean it’s the same to everyone. Some people are naturals at riding bikes and would struggle to understand why someone else might find it difficult. The worst thing you can do is get on your high horse and be judgemental about it as that’s what leads people into depression and suicide over (comparatively small amounts of) money. Ask me how I know how that feels..

I think rather than an e-bike, the best thing is a good circle of friends who will ride with him and have a social group that is inclusive of knowing that person is struggling and will bug him to get out and be inclusive without over pressurising them.

Not necessarily true – I find dealing with people difficult, so whilst on the surface I’m friendly and chatty I don’t really have any actual friends, so for the most part I ride to get away from people. There’s only one or two people I get on with well enough (or more accurately, seem to tolerate me!) to be able to spend a whole ride on their company, so it makes me appreciate the rare occasions I ride with them more.

Modern life has so many mental demands, and I have trouble switching my brain off – offroad riding is the one thing I do that allows me mental peace and a reset.

Only been a few times myself, but after a blue (or two) to warm up I get onto the reds as soon as possible – far better to get onto whatever harder trails you plan on riding fresh than later on with tired muscles IMO.

Sixtapod into Willy Waver is the perfect starter, such a hoot. Vicious Valley into Insufficient Funds is a great red pair, as long as you’re happy with the jumps/drops on IF. Above all else, have fun!

Edit: the reds are definitely a step above the reds at Afan and Cwmcarn, by a decent margin. Faster and more full-on, and more technical to boot. I’d say the black run at Afan is easier than most of the reds tbh.

Another vote for Macrium Reflect, about as easy as it gets. Use it 3-4 times a week sometimes.

Work colleague went to https://getyoursmileback.co.uk in Bucharest for two implants – said it was cleaner and more professional than any dentist he’s ever been to in the UK. Implants look absolutely spot on and they’re the proper expensive German ones. He couldn’t say enough good things about them.

He recently went to his local dentist back here, who did X-rays, and even they remarked on the quality of the implant work. Definitely worth a look. Think he paid about £1800 for two implants including all travel, etc.

I have to say, since the forum update stopped you being able to search the For Sale/Wanted forums properly, I pretty much don’t use either the old or new Classifieds here now.  The Pinkbike BuySell is an exemplary example of exactly how it should be done…  “Ooooh, I wonder what 650B Enduro bikes in Large are out there under a grand with “160mm” and “Lyriks” as keywords” – there you go, a 2017 Commencal Meta AM V3 in orange in Stroud.

Idiotdogbrain

Spooky – that looks exactly like mine did 30 years ago! BioPace FTW!

When I picked it up a few weeks ago it was 100% original – still had 30yr old Specialized Ground Controls on, with the moulding nibs still present! Complete timewarp machine, couldn’t believe my luck.

Recently acquired ’88 Saracen Blizzard, currently set up for winter commuting but may get a set of skinwall Nobby Nics on next summer..

When I was a kid I could have loads of fun on a shitty BMX, but now that I’ve experienced long travel bikes and specially design trails it would be hard to go back…

Oh, I don’t know; I have a progressive geo long(ish) travel bike that is far more capable than I am, and I love a good purpose-built trail – but I have just as much fun mooching about on my rigid SS on byways and bridleways. Maybe I need an E-bike..!

A plant-based diet (not going to use the V-word as people instantly switch off ;) ) has been shown in several studies to offer improvements in managing Type 2 Diabetes over one that contains animal protein…

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16873779
<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27022032</span&gt;

It seems that the centralized and forward leaning stance this new school (forward geometry?) promotes is not ideal for flat pedals

Can’t say I particularly agree with that seeing as I use flats with a L Aeris 145 and don’t have any problems losing my feet (well, have once or twice lately but then my shoes are 4 years old and the soles are knackered!).

Try not to think of pushing your feet onto the pedals, more that a weight underneath is pulling your whole bodyweight down onto them.

When you’re charging through rough stuff at speed are you pedalling or static?

Oh, agree on the weight difference – I swapped my alloy GX ring for a steel one and now I can’t lift the bike.. ;)

Joking aside, the SRAM steel Eagle DM rings are great, cheap, and last forever. Just get one of them.

Can highly recommend https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheAladdinsCave – has a range of stock stuff but makes custom pieces out of whatever metal (titanium ;) ) you like.

What sidewalls are you guys running? Thinking of switching from DHF/DHR2 in 3C MaxxTerra Exo to MM/HD Addix Soft combo, but have heard the Snakeskin sidewalls are flexy and a bit fragile.

You’d do a lot worse than the Voodoo Maji from Halfords/Cycle Republic. Same spec as the Hoodoo but £440 instead of £550. Air fork as well, granted it’s a Suntour but still. Worth a look at least..

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/voodoo-maji-2018.html

No-one’s forcing you to use a frame bag or water bottle if you don’t want to.. ;)

Some of us prefer to not wear a pack nor carry stuff in pockets. My frame is Invisiframed so it doesn’t get scratched, and I don’t really ride in horrendous mud. I have a Mudhugger that keeps the worst of any spray off the bag and the bottle. Is that OK, or do I need to ditch them for your approved choice?

I hope an apology to Superstar and thread re-title will be forthcoming…? ;)

I have one of these on my Aeris: https://www.roswheel.eu/roswheel-shop/all-items/front-frame-bag

Not quite as nice as the Blackburn, and I have to squash it a bit to fit in the space, but it was £9.

If that’s the genre of bike you’re looking at I definitely won’t suggest a Bird Aeris, where you get to spec it exactly as you like and get a lifetime frame warranty. It also definitely won’t ride as well as a Whyte or Spesh, or.. well, you get the idea.. ;-)