SRAM it is. Force 50/34 & a new BB. Now means I have a 50 & 34 AbsoluteBlack oval chainrings that I can’t use. Maybe a job for the classifieds.

Thanks for all your comments and advices.

Thanks for reply folks. I don’t consider myself to be exceptionally heavy at 82kgs and am probably not putting down too much power, I ain’t all that! Not sure I have sweated that much onto the cranks, front mech is fine. Would’ve thought that road salt through winter would be worse, but this winter was so mild I can’t really remember the roads being gritted on more than a couple of occasions. The XTR chainset on my mountain bike has been in use for over 7 years with no probs (not used nearly as much tho’).

GRX would get a look in but don’t think it’s available until July? I really need a replacement this weekend.

SRAM curious. Maybe a Force. They do a 50/34 which is the same as the Ultegra and does me for 99% of my riding (only found one hill I couldn’t get up!).

Total SRAM newb, assuming I’ll need a new bottom bracket (take it SRAM Franck’s and Shimano BB are incompatible)?

Twowheels – that’s exactly what happened to my first one! Bloody terrifying. That was 6800. New one is a R8000.

Any ideas on alternatives?

Thanks DezB! Much appreciated!

Morning all! The headset bearings on my V1 ATR need replacing (they have for a while, I’ve just been quietly ignoring it). The top is still smooth, the bottom is fair from that and is leaking a lovely orangey ooze. Time for new. Can anyone tell me what bearings I need to get please? The top one has measurements written on the side but the bottom is too corroded to tell. Thanks in advance!

Of course! WTB Resolutes

Just back from Belle Plagne with Esprit. Great set-up from the Esprit team as usual, how they find so many young adults with boundless enthusiasm for looking after kids still surprises me! La Plagne is a good resort, plenty to go at, even though we never made it over to Les Arcs. Had some snow to freshen it up, plus some blue skies. Took an off-piste guided session with Oxygene on the Weds afternoon – way out of my comfort zone to start with, up to the glacier and down the back, with some “challenging” approach work, screaming at myself to turn on the steep slopes! A great experience though, and one that I would do again. Plenty of in-between piste off-piste action in La Plagne, so the session has made me keep an eye out for that more than ever.

But my word, the queues. The queues. Queuemageddon! I have never, ever experienced anything like it. At times coming down to Bellecotte it was impossible to see where one queue ended and another began, such was the seething mass of humanity. Some of the runs on some days were chaos. Luckily, with Esprit, it’s Sunday to Sunday, the Saturday was absolute bliss in comparison. Will need to study the holiday guide and judge the week bettter for next year. Will study the links above^^

+1 for the Atera Strada. Got one of these (including having to buy a tow bar…) after an off-incident from some roof bars – the bike survived with an astonishing lack of damage, but with this and the fact that Mrs W could. It lift bikes on to the roof, meant we needed a better solution. Used twice so far on 2+ plus journeys. Easy to fit and importantly light for Mrs W to hoy onto the car as well. A bit of trial and error when first putting the bikes on, but once it’s done, that’s the configuration for 2 adult & 2 kids bikes. The slide out feature is great, there is a reassuring click when it is back in place. Ordered from roofbox with the 4th bike extension, which was a bit of a faff to fit but now it’s on I can’t see it ever coming off! A solid bit of kit. In fact, my bit of “bike-kit” of the year!

Snow covered Allermuir and Caerketton Pentland Hills. Be out in it this arvo!

What can you say?! All the cyclists were in a left hand turn lane. “Everyone does it, it’s London” is a stupid argument. Where is the sense of self-preservation (man in Lycra vs big heavy metal thing)? Sat here shaking my head at the cyclists.

Penny Lane Records, Foregate Street, Chester. Sadly missed. Bought some good records from there.

The daddy!

Public Energy Three O’ Three

Apologies, I have not read all of this thread, but feel quite strongly that if you want to stop, you will.

I gave up/stopped more times than I care to count. Each time I started again it was because of some emotional angst that merited the re-release of poisons and toxins back into my body and mind.

I remember with clarity, when I decided that the cigarette I was smoking at the time, was going to be my last.

I wanted to stop.

I have. Can’t remember how many years it’s been, because smoking does not define me anymore. Probably 10 years. Every day has been better since.

If you want to stop, do it. Make it happen. It is hard. But the rewards are so much worth it.

I am not a smoker. Any more. And do I do not regret any day of not smoking.

Got mine done on Thursday before first Bank Holiday in May. Didn’t give it much thought until I was sat in the waiting room. Was then start My to get a bit nervous. Nurse came out and called my name, stood up, all hung-Ho to get it over with and then she told me that they were still waiting for the doctor. Doh. Had to wait a few minutes more.

Anyway, op for me was into the room, trouser and pants down the the ankles. Nurse shuffles me onto enormous absorbent pads to soak up the icy cold antiseptic that was lavishly applied to the area. 1 nurse and 2 doctors in the room. The doctor had a rummage around to make sure he could find the tube (vas) to inject with the anaesthetic. This was the most uncomfortable bit. If you’ve been to the dentist and had a jab in the front teeth then you’ve had worse! Tube was pinched and the jab went in. It’s obviously fast acting stuff as they didn’t hang around afterwards but it was a bit nippy at first so they waited a bit. Then the strange sensations of tugging and more rummaging. Polite chitchat with the nurse and doctors to pass the time. Then came the second jab – 1 aside at a time it appears. Less bad this time. Stitches in, there was only 1 incision. Trousers up. Cup,of tea and a biscuit and a run through of some paperwork with the nurse. Slow shuffle to the taxi rank followed by the worlds bumpiest ride home. All in all about 40 minutes between getting in and out.

I took it very easy for the next few days. Out of choice and necessity. Most walking was a slow shuffle. I chose to use frozen peas to keep any swelling down. Normally a boxers wearer. Briefs were absolutely necessary. You need to keep it compact down there! I kept with these for a couple of weeks. Would’ve been fine sooner but found that the stitch would rub and was irritating. I got some bruising appear after 3/4 days, quite spectacular. Had some strange swollen feelings in my tubes.

4 weeks down the line and no bother at all. Was back on the bike after 3 weeks (chose this time to build a new bike but nowt much happened in the first week.).

Everything will be alright in the end. If it isn’t alright, it isn’t the end.

I upgraded to RS 685 hydraulic brakes that meant an upgrade to 11 speed at the back – new cassette, rear mech and chain. Kept the 105 front mech and chai nset and it all works well. The hydraulic brakes are fantastic and are well worth the upgrade. Loads of stopping power. Another league compared to the BB7’s they replaced.

Always thought shortest day was 21st but apparently it can be 20th – 23rd (due to calendar year being . 4 days shorter than solar year).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/12061231/When-is-the-shortest-day-of-the-year-the-winter-solstice-2015.html

Have bought various things from them in the past, including a whole bike. Bit of a delay on the Bike, was kept informed of progress though. All smaller items came in a few days. No complaints at all. And same as the German site as far as I can tell, everything gets shipped from Germany.

Had problems with nipples/spokes breaking on both front and back wheels. Got the bike shop rebuild my rear with brass nipples after multiple fails. Had 2 spokes go ping on the front at the same time. Had a new break on the front last week – I’ll be getting the bike shop to rebuild that un too!

Got em on my CX commuter. Winter riding on salty roads has corroded them severely. They still work but the finish is “bubbled”. The inner plates on both front and back are corroded into place and are no longer adjustable, not too much of a problem but not ideal. Hindsight would have seen some more regular cleaning during the winter months but getting home cold and wet and in the dark is not conducive to cleaning especially if you know the weather/ roads will be the same for several months…

Green Spot, Irish Whiskey. Waitrose stock it, ’bout £35. Absolutely delicious.

All just what I want to hear! Got a box of 685’s waiting to be fitted to the commuter at home. Now just need to make the time to do it! (Bike is internally cabled so have a slight fear of the unknown having not dealt with internals before)

Got a 26″ set and have used them for my first ever tubeless set up. Used Stans’ tape, valves and filler and found it no problem at all. First one I tried lost a bit of pressure, but sloshed the sealent around and sat it back horizontal both sides and that sorted it. Hassle free.

“yeah, no” as a way to start a sentence. Is it yes or is it no. Probably neither.

Along with “I mean” (Froome is bad for this on the TdF interviews!)

Just start a sentence! And no, do not start it with “So…”

Once you here these things, they become pervasive!

Noticed that our SP account was in credit (over £600 – should probably have been keeping an eye on this sooner). Just phoned them up to arrange a refund, got through with no waiting time, refund arranged and direct debit amount reduced too. Need to make sure that refund comes through and DD is changed, but overall a positive experience.

Need to check if I can get a better deal elsewhere though!

“just bayoneting the dead” – I’m going to try and use that one this week!

Not overheard directly, but passed on, “bio-break”.

Oh, just heard this one “Silence is consent”.

Dreadful job at the best off times. We had a few corners of our house (before it was all removed) where 3 different textured wallpapers met. One of those surfaces was a ceiling. In fact, 90% of the ceilings had textured wallpaper on them (covering up the taped plasterboard, now all skimmed). There is no more vile way to spend your time than removing WALLpaper off a ceiling.

Scoring helps get the water behind the paint and into the glue. Maybe also try scoring and sponging/soaking with sugar soap first before steaming. Every little helps! Good luck!!

In relation to the check-out pack-first-then-pay irritations; people who have waited in a bus queue, get on the bus and decide that it is only then that they will search for the bus fare. While everyone else has to wait. Get the money out while you are waiting like everyone else!!!!!!

And another one, people who block a queue (checkout, ATM) while they file away receipts and money into the purse/wallet and then put said purse/wallet into a bag before moving on. Multi-task people, file and walk, file and walk…

Scotch Beef and Lamb fragrance candles

http://www.scotchbeefandlamb.com/scotch-beef-and-lamb-home-fragrance-range-launched

Whn you drive from Edinburgh to Laggan for the start of your stag weekend, get bikes off roof, get changed, look for your SPD shoes to find that they are not there…

Bugger, can’t imagine what you are going through. Stay strong.

Thanks for the replies! Looks like buffing up the raw look will need some elbow grease, which is to be expected.

Neil – how are you finding the powder coat? Did you go for a fancy colour? A change like that could make it seem like a whole new bike?!

Under the house, all kinds of stuff, old mirrors, tiles, nothin exciting. But, hidden in a recess in the built in wardrobes was what can only be described as a cosh. We bought the house off a 75 year old lady

Think they stopped the zoo train ages ago. So it’s hills agogo. Shouldn’t put anyone off, we’ve got a family pass and the kids love it.

Firt of all, well done to all that took part, and to all of those that shouted and cheered encouragement along the way. It makes all the difference!

What a great event. 3rd time of riding (all the past 3 years) and this was definitely the hardest – “the Somme” pretty much covers that last descent. We was robbed of the final cruise down the hill!! There didn’t seem to be any let up this year, constant pedalling and concentration (especially in the mud) required.

That said, my first lap, under those blue skies, through that enchanted white forest, was wonderful. The best mountain bike ride ever. It was a privilege to be out there in proper winter conditions (aware that it can get a lot worse) for once. In fact, all laps were enjoyable in their own way. What else would you rather be doing at 3AM on a Sunday morning?

And as for Minipips? Sensation stuff, really put me and alot of older folk to shame. It was inspiring to see the little dude ride round with his dad. Brilliant.

What an event!

Weetabix packaging. I have never, ever, managed to successfully peel the packaging apart as I am assuming, it is designed to do. Not once. Not even the new paper version.

Wonderful! Thanks for that! Who know that steam locomotives had tyres!?

I’ve been off the bike for 3 months! Started with a chest infection with a cough, rattly chest and very short of breath at times. Took me ages to shift. Was giddy with excitement one Sunday , about getting back on the bike the next day for a commute in, only to wake up with a cold. Which just seems to have gone from bad to worse. Absolutely disgusted with my immune system!

My Endura Stealth tends to get very wet on the inside. Doesn’t seem to be very breathable at all. ‘Part from that, I like the flex of the “softshell” and it seems pretty windproof and waterproof (from the outside…)

Like the look of the Shower Pass Elite 2.1 Jacket!

Stop off at Laggan Wolftrax as a start to my stag weekend. And forget my SPD shoes… (nice people in the bike shop there at the time lent me a pair of knackered flat pedals to get around. which was nice.)

Leave helmet on top of car and drive all the way home and only notice when unpacking.