I wonder if the OP would have made a similar post if he spotted 5 amateur riders stopping for a brief chat? Or dog walkers, or members of the Parish Bridge club… the mind boggles.

The dropper post debate had me thinking. At face value the likelihood of seeing droppers in the world tour must now be pretty high, but… just imagine all of the different standards! Pretty much every aero frame has its own propitiatory aero post, will this mean there’ll now be dozens of different aero droppers? The mind boggles.

It’s hard to describe just how twitchy a BMX can be if you’re not used to them. 74.5deg head angles and 13.5” back ends are pretty the norm now. A trail bike or even a race BMX would feel more stable.
If you’re willing to invest the time there’s nothing quite like a BMX, if time (or patience) isn’t really an option I’d consider the Porsche ;-)
Something you could try before you buy, some tracks hire out bikes, could be worth looking into.

Hi Op,

There are two RAL metallic options to consider: RAL 2013 and RAL 8029. 2013 is described as Pearl Orange, 8029 is Pearl Copper. Neither will be a particularly good match but if your options are limited to RAL, these might be your best bet.

If the powder coater is willing to order you something other than RAL, take a look at AkzoNobel Interpon Futura range. There are some copper / orange metallics in the collection that are a more interesting. Suggest you ask whether the frame will be clear coated too.

https://www.interpon.com/gb/coatings/overview/ccn_Futura/i_Architecture

It’s not the Matrix! I doubt we’ll even have a choice ;-)
I’ll take the one that’s available soonest please.

Hi Tom,
You should be good if you buy the Shimano 10/11 speed driver for your 10 speed SRAM cassette.
To be sure, you could always remove your cassette and see which driver you have.

As mentioned previously, it’s worth spending time in both cities to get a basic feel for them. I know Leeds well but live in Birmingham. Both are similar in that they’re university cities and they’re both quite different.
In my eyes Brum is a divided city, commercial hospitality and chain restaurants to the north, much more independent to the south. There’s always stuff going on but you do need to find it, it’s a city that doesn’t reveal itself readily. We don’t shout about being Brummie’s but we love the place because “it’s not s**t!” There are affluent places to live although I’d give plenty of thought to what you enjoy doing when you go out. Solihull, Sutton Coldfield are affluent but uninspiring. Edgbaston and Little Aston are much more affluent but with little more than golf clubs for leisure.
As for riding, there’s plenty. Cannock Chase to the north (not just the Dog and Monkey), FOD, Shropshire. BPW is less than two hours. Countryside and parkland is never far away.

Everyone will tell you how great their city is but only you know what you’re looking for in a place to live.

When it’s dry I cannot fault my Fidlock one bit. Bottles never once fell off after riding rough rocks and jumping.
The mud however has caused one lost bottle and a dropping off a few times. Mud can get in the springs and it no longer locks in. Although once I was aware of this issue I just make sure the bottles fully engaged, no longer falls off.

I recently asked my lbs to order me a new tyre, the distributor web site said it was in stock and available for next day delivery.
I called a few days later to see if the tyre had arrived only to be told it’ll be delivered in 2 weeks as the distributor is awaiting a back order. The distributor website still states available for next day delivery…

I’m not sure a fitting to an mtb would be money well spent. You tend to be constantly moving around; seated, stood, dropper up / down etc. The best bit of advice I found as far as mtb fit goes was to measure your RAD.

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/lee-mccormacks-guide-to-perfect-bike-set-up.html

Road bikes however are a whole different animal in that you’re somewhat locked in a position for extended times. Bike fit James is worth finding and watching (if you can get past his arrogance).

Pretty sure there’s a lifetime warranty on CK headsets. Could be worth dropping a line to saddleback.co.uk and explaining your situation.

Bianchi Oltre XR4 still available as a rim brake option. Not quite an aero frame, pretty light and surprisingly comfy.

Pinarello F12 too. £££

Have you looked at shooting gloves? I was gifted a pair for winter use where the trigger finger could peel back freeing up my finger to shoot with. Once done, you just fold the tip back over the finger.

Just found these that are kind of similar, albeit in mitten form.

https://www.farlows.co.uk/sealskinz-windproof-cold-weather-convertible-mitt.html

Am I the only one to have watched Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy?

Also, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Not the Johnny Depp version, the £1.99 straight to dvd version based around the Johnny Depp film.

That looks similar to the reset button on my boiler. Doesn’t do anything until there’s a fault then it pops out. I push mine back in and it seems to work again.

Kings of Leon for me. Birmingham arena circa 2008. First time seeing a band I really enjoyed looking utterly bored whilst playing. Zero charisma and zero stage presence.
Gig was made worse by topless, gilet wearing proud boys talking incessantly before suddenly recognising ‘sex is on fire’. Jumping, dancing, hugging, proclaiming it to be the best gig ever…
Not listened to another note since.

If going inside the car they don’t necessarily need anything providing they fit… Unless the bikes are you pride and joy and wish to protect them?
I care about my bike so; front wheel off, bike goes in, derailleur facing up. Front wheel is placed behind drivers seat.
If I’m carrying two bikes. Front wheels off, first bike goes in handlebars first, derailleur facing up. Blanket on top. Second bike goes in back wheel first making sure derailleur is facing up. Blanket on top. Front wheels on top of blanket making sure they can’t move. Bags etc then go behind seats.

If we’re talking language bugbears…
“I felt asleep”

No! You either did or did not. You did not ‘feel’ asleep!! Gets my goat every time.

I’ve heard several sound bites over the years which I found helps explain why the English language is so diverse.

Horses. Prior to us domesticating horses people could only travel as far as our legs could take us, hence (extreme) local dialects were the norm. Once we had horses at our disposal we could travel and spread our wings / dialect.

Invasion. As mentioned previously, we’ve been invaded from pretty much every side. Our invaders brought with them their own language which was adopted locally.

Industrial revolution. With the advent of large factories, communities surrounding the factories grew, with each community developing it’s own unique dialect. Given this took place a only a couple hundred years ago it’s still very much evident to this day. Consider Birmingham and Manchester, today they’re significant cities but both have dialects (and accents) which only locals can recognise (and sometimes fathom).

One final point and one I only recently learned to accept; languages constantly evolve, Queens English will soon be replaced by an increased use of spoken acronyms (lol, roflmao, etc). English in 500 years will be as far removed from our language today as it was 500 years ago.

Recently switched from Hope to Mk5. The Burgtec’s do have appear to a narrower Q factor but you’re foot position is still central and away from the crank arm. They’re super grippy (in 5tens) compared to the Hope which is why I switched.
Quality is top notch.

I used to enjoy playing football but was never interested in watching a game. Then as I’ve gotten older I find it a struggle to understand fan mentality (violence and hatrid) and how someone can be so passionate about something you’re not directly involved with, whether they’re watching in a stadium or the comfort of their own living room.

sent me a replacement stay

Did you weld that in yourself?

I’d be surprised if he did, what with a FlareMax being a FS…

How can a pawl be back to front?

Sorry for your loss @andywill
My mother recently passed leaving an estate which came under the inheritance tax threshold. I managed to tidy up all loose ends, and was about to employ a solicitor for £750 +VAT to arrange probate.
I then spoke with @NJA (Nick) who was a great help and put my mind at ease. In my situation it was easy to do myself.
Your situation sounds quite different but I would recommend you chatting with Nick, for me he was a great help.

Hi @northwind this wasn’t my working out, merely regaling a conversation I had with one of the drivers last year.

I guess a chairlifts capacity is fixed, whereas they can run vans depending on visitor numbers.

I was chatting with a BPW driver last year comparing chairlifts to the big military truck. As slow as the truck is, it can take 28 riders on one journey. A chairlift at max capacity could transport 200 riders per hour. Even if a chairlift was pennies, the capacity is simply too low to justify.

I recently changed from X01 Eagle to XT 12 speed. Financially it made sense to change as I needed a new derailleur, cassette and chain.
Functionally, XT feels much more precise, although that could be because it’s all brand new. I-spec gives lots of freedom to find the perfect shifter position. Replacement parts are cheaper.
Unless you’re a particular SRAM fan, I’d definitely recommend the jump.

The 830 is lights and day better than the 820. Every aspect is a huge improvement; touch screen, battery life, processing speed.
I had such a mediocre experience with my 820 I almost chose a Wahoo, I’m glad I didn’t.

My one LBS loves SRAM, on account he just boxes the in-warranty stuff up, sends it back and waits a day or two for the no questions asked replacement.
The same LBS has a mechanic whose money making scheme involves acquiring any none functioning reverb, refurbishing with improved bushings and re-selling.

Another LBS try not to sell completes with SRAM fitted “as they always come back”. Reckons SRAM are so popular because of marketing / advertising budgets and a product review industry that wishes to keep their ad revenue.

@grannyjone I’d stop talking now if I were you. 3 fun routes straight from your door and yet you still go out for 60 mile drives to ride somewhere else?

I can second the Aussie Grit baggies, bought in sale with 50% off.
Depending on your budget Assos are worth looking at too.

My feelings are similar to the OP in respect of me being patriotic. Whilst I’m definitely privileged to be born in Britain, that doesn’t necessarily make me patriotic. In the same way if I was born in North Korea, Italy or Somalia would I be as proud?
There are elements of this country I admire: The countryside, the history but I don’t feel that qualifies patriotism. That said. Having travelled much of Europe and beyond there’s not many countries I’d rather live. Britain feels just like home.

When it slips does it make a noise or is it virtually silent?
If it’s noisy (and slips with a jolt) it’s likely the pawls slipping against the toothed outer ring (toothed ring built into the hub). If it is this you’ll find the pawls and or the outer ring are worn. Replacement pawls could be found but you’ll need to know what the hub is.
If the hubs slips silently you might find it’s the toothed outer ring slipping in the actual hub, quite rare but almost certainly means the hubs toast!

Hi @NJA,
I’m in a similar situation to the OP but suspect I may need professional legal council. Mom passed in March leaving a property, no debts and no will. There are two next of kins, older brother and I. I’ve wound the estate up as best I can but now feel I’m at a point where I need professional assistance. If this something you could assist with or point me in the direction of a firm that could assist and are trusted?

Anyhow, It’s lockdown…. I’ve cut it! No LBS around here is gonna help me as a nonkey worker.

@stablebarns Are the LBS’ near only helping key workers? Interesting, two of my LBS’ are flat out repairing and making road worthy anything and everything. Seen a huge uplift in old shed bikes coming through the door. One reckons key worker bikes account for about 5% of their current workload.

Denny’s maple smoked bacon. It’s a revelation!

Hi @mick-r you have mail :-)

@mick_r I’ll drop you a pm.

I also like hope bearings from a mountain biking viewpoint. Anyone know who the OEM for them is?

I used to know a guy who worked at a bearing manufacturer near to Birmingham, Hope was one of their customers. Anyone know of any bearing manufacturers near Birmingham?

Isn’t vapour blasting (which a lot of places do now) an alternative to chemical dipping, as it’s much gentler than normal shot blasting?

I wouldn’t really consider it an alternative to chemical stripping, you could aquablast a frames but it’d be lot more labour intensive. Great for prepping the stripped frame though.

what about soda blasting is that easier on alu frame?

As above, highly labour intensive method which might not even remove the old coating.

Zinc phosphate pre treatment mentioned above is for steel. Aluminium is usually etched before powder – not sure what the exact chemical is.

Ordinarily yes, Zn Phos pretreatment would only be used on steel although some primers use Zn Phos as an ‘active’ anti-corrosive pigment.
Aluminium can be etched with either acid or alkali, acid is more common and won’t need a de-smut, although the majority of job coaters are unlikely to have a full blown aluminium pretreatment. If you’re going to pretreat either do it properly or not at all. There’s not much worse than poor pretreatment.