Anybody just anybody but bullsh1tboris and I don’t care if I have to hold my nose but working in engineering and manufacturing has taught me these guys don’t give a toss about this sector.

This is my only post on the subject this is a mtb group after all ;)

JeZ

Grisport avenger boots. Still made in Italy and the whole family wears them. Wife’s first pair about 8 years old still yet to fail, even though the soles are long gone….

JeZ

Stop reading forums go mountain biking…sometimes it is all too easy to spend your life reading social media and forums. Do a digital detox and focus on key activities.

JeZ

Hozelock garden sprayer. Been using them for years and work very well.

JeZ

Hiya,

Bit of a steel fan. It started with a tange Marin Eldridge grade. It was sort of ok but actually too stiff. Roll forward the frame died when a seat post well and truly welded itself into the down tube. The replacement was a rock lobster Reynolds 853, love it still do I ride it every month and the give in the frame is just perfect. I purchased later on I purchased a cotic soul, it was better geometry wise, but the frame doesn’t give as much. It’s still great but perfect in other ways.
A few years ago I got a back injury, which means I need to ride a full suspension bike more. The first was a Boardman fs pro, it’s a great bike absolute pig to get it working right, but the frame is too stiff to be honest. Onto the latest addition. A new cotic flaremax. This is the closest to perfection in all the bikes I have owned an tested.

Now onto a major gripe. Why do people keep saying they need stiffer bikes? I’m an engineer stiff is not good! Flex in the right places is what you want. When I hear a bike journo say it’s stiffer so much better I know they are talking carp ;)

BR
JeZ

I’m in nough said ;)

JeZ

Hiya,

If I may add to this. It’s not totally about Hope but a recommendation. I’d been looking at orange 5s then I rode a Scott spark XC. It all changed the short travel 29!suited my riding style much better. Anyway sprog went to uni and caused a cash he in the finances. So roll forward I again started looking at bikes. This time a cotic rocket so pretty convinced this was the bike for me I thought I want to test ride first before taking the leap. So two weeks ago I went to the forest of dean to test ride the rocket. I hasten to add I thought I’d better book a few other bikes for comparison, so I booked a flare to ride to. Ok first things first I enjoy climbing bikes it’s half the challenge of mountain biking. So first rode the rocket I really didn’t enjoy it on the climbs downhill I have to say I’ve rarely ridden a bike so accomplished. So halfway there. Deflated I went back to cotic and tried the flare. Wow instant gell climbs so much better and downhill fast and confidence inspiring.

Roll forward flare ordered should arrive next week. The story try short travel first and remember where you’re riding the majority of the time ;)

Sorry for thread hijack needs to be said

JeZ

Cannie believe that no-one has mentioned why bicycles stay upright ;)

https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/discussion/opinion-how-does-a-bike-stay-upright-surprisingly-its-all-in-the-mind

Hiya,

I had Had a very tight ltb band in my hips coming from growing too quickly as a kid. By the time I hit 30 I was in constant pain. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever felt pain since as bad. There is a treatment for it and worth checking because not many GP’s know about it. My GP spotted it because he was a surgeon and knew what the operation was. Ask your friend if he has a clicking or popping sensation, when he articulates his leg in such a way normally it is when your sitting and you bring your knee up.
I couldn’t wish this on anyone having been through it but look this up:

https://academic.oup.com/jhps/article/5/3/296/5068229

The operation is simple and takes about 4-6 weeks to recover from if not sooner.

Let me know how he gets on hope it helps

BR
JeZ

Hiya,

Me too moment. I was using bliss knee pads and had worked out the problem. So I switched to nuke proof ones on sale on chain reaction cycles. They don’t push directly on the knee and hence the problem is going away,.phew.

Best regards
JeZ

I’d focus on looking for a well preserved trafic or vivaro at that price.

The issues seem to get overstated by internet “experts”, people I know who have owned them have found them generally reliable and mine (now in your price range) tends to need about £500/ year spent to keep it going.

Nice to drive, no rust and the six speed gearbox is great for the motorway.

Exactly my experience too. There is a trick to oiling the gearbox linkage with a bit of 8 mm plubimbing pipe and some aerosol grease. Just look after them and they’re fine. I change oil yearly and gearbox oil bi yearly and no problems except and stone took out my air-conditioning condenser.

JeZ

Hiya,

I have a mark 3 trafic to be honest a lot of the problems with them are mis-diagnosis especially the gearbox. The gearbox issue is often a poorly greased linkage. I did speak to a dealer once who did say though that they have a lot less problems with the trafic than vivaro they do seem to be made to different standards when I looked at one. My one has certainly been more reliable than my brother in law’s T5.

JeZ

Jezzep, ever do Rocket Week down in South Devon?

Only moved here 8 months ago, but may give it a try. I’ve been a tad bit busy rebuilding the house that needed a fair bit of work on it.

Hey,

Started out crewing cadets, then national 12s followed by Merlin rockets finally fireballs. My father’s was a part-time boatbuilder and built Merlin’s. I still sail now but windsurfers. Crew my father’s westerly yacht occasionally when I can’t think of an excuse;) Favourite boat bar none is a fireball awesome boat and stupid speeds when planing. They have a fleet of fireballs still here in Portishead.

BR
JeZ

Hiya,

I’m one of those that don’t get hangovers. I don’t have headaches in fact I can’t remember ever having one. I don’t drink a massive amount either so I’m not an alcoholic. I never did get hangovers at uni and it really used to really annoy mates. Would I class it as a good thing, no! At uni I admit I did get drunk regularly. Nowadays I’m quite happy with a beer or glass of wine. On the odd occasion though when I do drink loads like new years eve parties it’s still the same. I’m pretty sure it’s a genetic thing because I’m sure my father is the same.

JeZ

I’ve been stuck in some pretty catastrophic weather in ventile. Yet to get wet I’m using a single layer type. The double layer ones supposed to be awesome. In any case the whole discussion proves it’s a personal choice thing. I did have a vote Tex jacket of old and that was much better than the later ones I’ve had. I guess if I spent as much on the goretex jacket as I did on ventile I’d probably have as good jacket.

JeZ

Hey there, yet to experience that so far and I’m a walker and ex scout instructor. It may not be perfect but so far a damn site better than other jackets I’ve had. I walk all year and in all conditions.

JeZ

Hey there,

Been through the same issue lately also acutely aware of plastics plus very fed up with branded stuff not lasting the distance. Anyway I started looking at ventile jackets.
Their key advantage is that they are waterproof by the weave of the fabric and not waterproofing itself. Anyway why not support a Scottish company designing for Scotland:

https://www.weatherwisewear.co.uk/ventile

So far the one I have has taken some real onslaught of coastal weather and not leaked yet.

Best regards
JeZ

Hey there,

We had an asbestos garage in our last house. I read all the posts so far and intrigued. The garage is probably made from concrete asbestos. I actually removed mine myself and took it to the council tip directly. I did wear proper masks and actually spoke to the environmental health officer at the time who helped me identify it and inform me how to safely remove. You definitely do not break it up or such like and I damped it down before I even attempted to disassemble it, by undoing the bolts that held it together.

Check first for sure but I’d say but the concreted asbestos is pretty safe if handled with care.

JeZ

Hiya,

My two pennies. succession of Skodas:

1. Octavia 2006 – failed dual mass fly wheel started to fail traded in before anyone would notice.

2. Yeti – Kept cutting out injector failed was due for replacement so gave it back rather than paying the £400 replacement fee.

3. Yeti – Actually no problems at all,but i finished the job so handed it back

Now a Renault MK3 camper van no issues at all dealer much better than Skoda, shock horror.

Incidentally Wife’s Renault Twingo infinitely more reliable than the Honda jazz it replaced which had the following fault in 50K of motring

1. Failed MOT three years old due to heavy corrosion on wheels. Honda replaced for Free.

2. Sump guard seal failed replaced under warranty

2. Boot leaked changed seals and sunroof drains, but discovered the panel fit sealant had failed and was leaking everywhere.

3. Gearbox failed at 50K apparently common

The Honda was the most unreliable car we ever had…It was actually scrapped in the end because the costs of fixing it all was too much…The seal problem was going to be £1400 to replace and the gearbox would be £1200. So traded in before it decided it was enough…

One other important note Renault warranties it’s cars for four years VW only three ;-)

JeZ

Have you tried a Torq bit in the allen key hole?

Although I find when I remove cleats that it is always a good idea to ensure the allen key hole is free from mud from past disasters.

When I reassemble I also use a little copper grease on the threads it helps on the removal ;-) Bit late to state this now though.

BR

JeZ

Hiya,

I used to drink a little too much I just cut out drinking during the week altogether. The problem I had was I didn’t like sugary drinks, the alternative. Well that was the case till my other half suggested I should try tomato juice, so now I have Tomato juice with loads of Tabasco ;-)

JeZ

Hi all,

I cannot believe the following hasn’t been listed:

1. Snatch
2. Uncle Buck
3. Betty Blue
4. Quadrophenia

JeZ

Opposite my last post 403 is correct do a web search for betd.
The standard one is pretty fragile.

BR
Jez

I’ve had one for a year now. Without doubt the best bike I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned much more expensive bikes.
Only issue I’ve had is the rear hanger but you can get a BETD one code 433 which is much better.
I replaced the stem for a Renthal 25mm one as i have shortish arms and slightly wider kore bars.

BR
jeZ

Quite liked matt damon in suburbicon

It was a great film an appealed to my sick sense of humour ;)
Trainspotting was good. I need to see star wars again.

When I did it you have to supply the electricity externally no plug unless shaver in a bathroom. Then I had to put it on a RCD.

JeZ

Hiya,

On my 2015 Renault trafic I did a remap and it made a huge difference. I generally keep it in eco mode though and only use the full map when loaded and going up hill ;-) It gets a about 140BHP and more importantly an extra 50NM of torques.
However in eco mode I did note that I get an extra 3MPG so the engine seems to be runing more efficiently.

JeZ

Hiya,

Some converters let you try before you buy, may be an option if you’re good at shrugging off hard sells ;)
I have a converted mark III Renault Trafic they’re a lot cheaper I’m sure I’m due to get slagged off about reliability, but 20k miles no major issues. Look at a few forums to gauge an opinion i looked at VW forums and had three skodas the weakest part of them was the VW parts. We also have a twingo no problems either.
Would i rent mine out err no sorry vans as someone said are qwerky and need to be looked after…

Br
JeZ

I use one of these

http://www.mowermagic.co.uk/acatalog/smart-splitter-log-splitter.html

Works very well and saves back injuries ;)

JeZ

Hiya,

Worst car i ever had the misfortune to drive was a VW Passat circa 2006.
It was a hire car i had when i worked in Germany. Too bloody long and impossible to park anywhere. However the award for an invention that didn’t need to be invented was the electronic handbrake. The amount of times it jammed on was ridiculous. The final nail in it’s coffin was it jammed on at a petrol station at Hannover airport. I wasn’t far from the airport so i dumped it there walked to the sixt office gave them the keys and told them never to give me one again. Ironically at the time i had a skoda Octavia estate shorter than the Passat and no electronic handbrake absolutely brilliant car. The only problem it had was a VW traction control system in snow it would refuse to move. Found a fix on a forum by removing a fuse.

JeZ

Hiya,

Err planning ahead they are a complete success at. In comparison look at UK for the following:

1. Energy
2. Transport
3. Education

It is embarrasing to see how good they have things compared to us. OK national debt is high, but at least they have infrastructure to show for it ;-(

Best Regards
Jerry

Hiya,

If my bike could talk? “Please don’t let your son ride me,” he’s great at destroying bikes ;)

JeZ

Hiya,

I use a chromecast audio and it is using a optical connector as I can wee in your above picture. Chromecasts support optical. To be honest they are OK but not great but still better and cheaer than some alternatives.

BR
Jerry

Fold flat ones are amazing and fit in my van great. The problem is the halfords one I have warped quite badly on holiday this year the outwell one any good above?

BR
jeZ

Chromecast audio into my stereo ;-)
I do though have a DAB Radio too though I do like the turn on and play plus so many IP devices in my home I’d rather not another taking more bandwidth ;-)

BR
JeZ

My list:

1. Slough
2. London
3. Maidenhead, hated living there there after uni
4. Tunbridge Wells

I don’t to be honest have much dislikes for places more the type of people that live in them i actually lived in south Wales and as much as it had bad parts it was beautiful to be able to walk the hills and mountain bike.

JeZ

Nvedia shield k1 super fast and great for the price.
Look at the graphics processor on them super good for gaming too.

JeZ

Hiya,

What something like this:

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/3795642?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156|cid:189934405|agid:18074225845|tid:pla-147157278325|crid:77627770765|nw:g|rnd:4389554740964065251|dvc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=COqxrLmy09ICFYQ4Gwod9PwCHA

I use a hozelock one and it’s great because I don’t want the pain of charging up batteries.

JeZ

Hiya,

Order a Nissan the N300 just out with a 5 year warranty ;-)
I suspect that the dealer is trying it on. I have this in the past always walked out of the dealership and not returned calls for a week.

Jerry