On the charger it says:

Li-Ion charger
Model: GFP302-0512
Input: 100-240V 50/60Hz
Output: DC 8.5V/1800mA

At the other end is a plug, a jumbo version of the type Nokia phones charge through.

Would just be good to have a power solution that doesn't involved adaptors.

keppoch.

keppochATbreathe.com

Yes that sounds good.

keppoch

So I shouldn't worry about buying a Nokia one for a Nokia phone and Sony for Sony phone?

Yep that is the place the freedom monument! Or at least the bridge/park area between there and the end of the old town. There is the city timepiece there (think grandfather clock rather than Big Ben) and on NYE a large screen where the events go down. There were plenty of people, very friendly, plenty of booze and absolutley no bother, dodginess or any cause for concern. Once the party had died down/lost feeling in our toes we made our way to a bar or two and then a club.

I would suggest restraint in who you snowball is all that is needed to avoid 'lack of respect' issues :-)

keppoch

Does the helmet mount one include the standard bar mount?

keppoch.

I should have swapped tips with MrTall since I've just been to Lithuania and didn't rate Vilnius in comparison to Riga!

Really like Riga, I think it is a great city. Stag dos present but not half as irritating as in your average british city.

We went for NYE two years ago, great atmosphere in the city centre, loads of people and snow. Only trouble was somewhere to eat on NYE so plan ahead for that.

I recommend a day trip to Jurmala, stunning coastline, and an evening in the Aquapark there, it is brilliant fun.

Also ice skating at the out of town Lido complex and a trip to the gigantic indoor market.

Can't recall many of the bars but really liked the Skybar on top of the Reval (I think that is the name) hotel.

Hope some of that helps.

keppoch.

Rexel Matador, an enduring design classic.

Like you I bought from Ebay

I'll haul this thread back to the top as I am also interested, I think before Christmas was mentioned but nothing on the Charge website the last time I looked.

keppoch.

Would I be right in thinking that a couple of mm movement between the aluminium spider and the steel track is a bad thing?

Is this a return to manufacturer issue or a buy a new one issue?

keppoch

Hotel Assia

http://www.hotel-assia-marrakech.com/en/index.php3

I stayed there about this time last year, was a good place to stay, just minutes off the main square. Phoning to book is best.

Go well armed with a map to find it when you get there as it is a warren (though this place is much easier than most to find) and find it yourself rather than letting someone 'help' you.

An incredible place!

keppoch

What do people think of Bamboo flooring?

Does it have the pros of solid woods without being as expensive or is there a downfall I am missing?

keppoch

I see so you are suggesting I bleed with the pistons slightly extended out of the caliper body in order to decrease lever throw.

keppoch.

I see so you are suggesting I bleed with the pistons slightly extended out of the caliper body in order to decrease lever throw.

keppoch.

Go on, tell me! Will 32.0 do the trick?

keppoch

Would quite like a Salsa one but they only come in 32.0, is that close enough?

Or what other recommendations?

keppoch.

Go on, tell me!

keppoch.

Small bike will be fine (my mother has a 17" Orange Gringo). Infact mine is the only bike I've seen that doesn't sit happily.

Delivery from skidrive has been very fast, maybe phone and see if they can do next day, but it will be tight..

Otherwise save a few £ at Halfords by going square bar. I wouldn't necessarily assume Halfords will have all the bits though unless you are driving something very common like a mondeo.

keppoch.

Fits chunky things but downtube has to be clear of obstructions.

I have an old style Yeti 575 and just at the point it wants to clamp (which you can't really choose as it is the point where it is perpendicular to the down tube)there is a cable mount and the clamping area is relativley small.

Ride your bike to Halfords or try a friends/someones you see in the street!

keppoch.

Yikes just read your costing, £300!! What wheels do you roll in :wink:?

I'm sure it could be done cheaper than that.

keppoch.

Get the Thule 591's (so long as they will suit your bike at the clamping point) if they don't fit then get some old Thule 510's second hand.

They are significantly better than the cheap Thule offerings and far far better than mounting on the back (perhaps with the exception of tow bar systems) in terms of ease of use IMO.

They will however cost you more in petrol as you are effectivley adding an air brake to your car, but when you are ready to go home or get on the road at the end of a ride you will be smiling as you put it on the car in 30 seconds (or at least that was my experience on a Scottish road trip)

Aero bars may be worthwhile if you intend to leave them on the car all of the time but otherwise the Thule square ones are fine.

Get it all cheaper off a internet based supplier, I think I have used skidrive.co.uk

If you have time consider hunting on Ebay for the car foot kit which is the expensive bit.

keppoch.

so do I just tie them back for the night and expect better come morning or do I need to top up with fluid?

lever feel is good but not great, I know how to bleed them OK it just doesn't seem to get a perfect result every time – and I am picky.

keppoch.

stumpyjon – please could you send the tracklog or gpx file to keppoch (at) breathe.com

The trail looks brilliant!

keppoch

Could be missing something but I thought I saw one of these hanging on the wall in Cycle Surgery, Hemel Hempstead. May be worth a call.

Roddy.

thanks.

keppoch

have a look at logmein.com, the old version didn’t use to work but the current one might.

keppoch.

Great guide, thanks.

keppoch.

I was just about to type the same question! I will stay tuned.

keppoch.

Shameless bump to primetime.

keppoch

If going for the collision damage waiver thing (to set excess to £0) then I recommend getting this separatley, see moneysavingexpert.com

They make a killing out of this and it can be had for a few £ a day. Make sure it is running by the time you collect the car otherwise it is invalid.

No idea on which company best but maybe use a comparison website – is it http://www.vroomvroomvroom.co.uk/ or similar.

keppoch.

IMO best to get a route for the whole ride – The CTC have them, pick the type you want: fast, scenic, B&B, Hostels. Then get one of their packs (downloadable I think now) and that will have all the instructions you need. You might have to join CTC if not already a member but a LEJOG route and 3rd party insurance alone are worth the cost.

When I did LEOJG 10 years ago we skirted Bristol (through downs) and crossed on the old Severn Crossing before heading up the Wye Valley. From what I remember it was a tough day, we got lost in Bristol, enjoyed cycling across the bridge and had drivetrain issues in the Wye Valley, got lost again on a ‘shortcut’ before straining to lift the whole tandem over a gate at Welsh Bicknor.

Enjoy it is an amazing ride and one you will remember for a very long time. You should now find it a lot more cycle friendly as there are so many more well-marked Sustrans routes than just 10 years ago.

Roddy.

Hmm, I have circlip pliers with a 90 degree turn in the end and probably about 15mm protrusion from there, do I need longer than this?

keppoch.

I am still getting the tools 8O haha (well so long as someone can come up with a suggestion as to where to get them!)

But thanks for the guide, it looks good.

Roddy.

thanks both,

I’ve always gone for genuine pads but I guess at £18 less the Superstar ones are worth a go!

keppoch.

Yes of course that is an option, but if there was a disc only version at the same price it would have been better! Cheers.

keppoch

Are there any differences between the 2007 and 2008 Maxlight XC120 frames?

keppoch

OK looks like I had spotted one contender (Maxlight 120) and discounted the other (Scandal, think it is a bit too ‘race’ to be confidence inspiring and comfy for an oldy)

It’s surprising how few of these frames there are considering the wealth of trail riding steel HT’s.

Any other suggestions appreciated though.

Thanks,

keppoch

Can I use any synthetic suspension fluid like this: Stendtec 7.5wt or does it have to be the Fox fluid stuff Fox Suspension Fluid?

Also is the one seal set all I need, the Enduro seals instructions show a separate oil seal to the dust wiper seal.

keppoch

Any thoughts on the requirements for the clamping with ratchet straps as here: http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id28.html

All seems a bit odd to me!

keppoch

Cheers wonnyj I think I will scope the internet for the best prices. I reckon it is still going to be £40 to do the job though.

keppoch

Having purchased one indvidually as I though the 9mm through axle one was a great idea it turned out to be a poor choice.

As others mentioned I found the cup’n’cone bearings worked loose and I also wasn’t convinced by the QR skewer, the cam didn’t seem to have quite the right profile; very tight doing it up and then one done up seemed a lot less tight.

So IMO a good idea poorly executed.

keppoch